Kearns returns to Mayo starting 15 for Cork clash

Mayo welcome Cork to the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence on Sunday in round one of the LGFA Lidl National League Division 1 for a 2 p.m. start.

Former captain Sarah Tierney and two-time TG4 All-Star Rachel Kearns are back in the Mayo set-up, and the latter has been named in the starting 15 for the Cork clash.

She takes her place at full-forward in the team, with Tierney named on the bench for this league opener.

Clodagh McManamon is also back in the Mayo fold and named at midfield, while Deirdre Doherty, outstanding for Charlestown at club level last season, returns too.

Kathryn Sullivan captains the team from the half-back line.

Cork, meanwhile, have lost brilliant forward Orla Finn to retirement but will still expect to challenge for the top honours in the season ahead.

This fixture will revive memories of the 2022 TG4 All-Ireland senior quarterfinal between the counties, a game won by Mayo, and Cork boss Shane Ronayne has named a team with a good blend of youth and experience as the Leesiders.

Emma Cleary, daughter of former Cork senior footballer, John, is named as team captain for Cork.

The Mayo team in full is: L. Brennan; É. Ronayne, R. Flynn, D. Caldwell; C. Needham, F. McHale, K. Sullivan; C. McManamon, H. Reape; E. Reape, S. Cafferky, S. Howley; L. Cafferky, T. Needham, R. Kearns.

Cork line out as follows: M. O’Sullivan; S. Kelly, E. Meaney, D. Kiniry; A. Healy, H. Looney, M. Duggan; S. Leahy, E. O’Shea; E. Cleary, R. Leahy, D. Kiely; L. Coppinger, E. Kiely, A. Ring.

Elsewhere, seven players who started the 2022 TG4 All-Ireland senior championship final are named in the Meath team for tomorrow’s league Division 1 opener against Leinster champions Dublin at DCU St. Clare’s (5.15 p.m., live on TG4).

Opponents Dublin have named Carla Rowe as team captain for the forthcoming campaign as life begins without retired Lyndsey Davey for the Sky Blues. Overall, there are no fewer than 11 newcomers to the Dublin set-up listed among the subs.

The Division 1 season gets underway at Tuam Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) when Galway entertain Donegal at 2 p.m., while on Sunday, there’s a Division 1 Munster derby in Piltown (2 p.m.) as Waterford take on Kerry, the 2022 Lidl NFL Division 2 champions and TG4 All-Ireland senior finalists.

Mayo v Cork, Galway v Donegal and Waterford v Kerry are three games available to view live on the LGFA’s live-streaming portal.