Mayo team named for Allianz National Football League final
Mayo GAA senior football manager Kevin McStay has named his team to face Galway in the Allianz National Football League Division 1 final at Croke Park this Sunday.
Regular starters Colm Reape, Jack Coyne, David McBrien, Paddy Durcan, Conor Loftus, Diarmuid O'Connor, Fionn McDonagh, Jack Carney, James Carr and Ryan O'Donoghue are all listed to start.
In total, McStay has made 10 changes from the side defeated by Monaghan last time out. Reape replaces Robbie Hennelly in goal, Jack Coyne comes in for Donnacha McHugh at corner-back and David McBrien replaces Pádraig O'Hora at full-back, with Sam Callinan the only player to retain his position in the full-back line from last Sunday.
There are two further changes in the half-back line, with Conor Loftus returning to his regular spot at centre-back in place of Jason Doherty and captain Paddy Durcan coming into the starting 15 in place of Michael Plunkett. Stephen Coen, who impressed against Monaghan, remains at wing-back.
Mayo's formidable midfield league partnership is restored, with Diarmuid O'Connor and Matthew Ruane back in the centre of the park. O'Connor returns in place of Castlebar Mitchels youngster Bob Tuohy on this occasion.
Up front, McStay has also recalled sharpshooters Jack Carney, Ryan O'Donoghue, James Carr and Fionn McDonagh. Carney replaces Frank Irwin, McDonagh comes in for Kevin McLoughlin, James Carr starts on the edge of the square ahead of Conor McStay, with Ryan O'Donoghue getting the nod ahead of Paul Towey for the final.
Jordan Flynn at wing-forward and Aidan O'Shea at corner-forward are the only two Mayo forwards that remain from last week.
Kildare official Brendan Cawley will referee the Allianz NFL Division 1 final, which throws in at 4 p.m. on Sunday (April 2). The game is live on TG4 and Midwest Radio with Michael D. McAndrew and Martin Carney, with live updates across Mayo GAA social media channels. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
The Mayo starting 15 in full is as follows: Com Reape; Jack Coyne, David McBrien, Sam Callinan; Stephen Coen, Conor Loftus, Paddy Durcan; Matthew Ruane, Diarmuid O'Connor; Fionn McDonagh, Jack Carney, Jordan Flynn; Aidan O'Shea, James Carr, Ryan O'Donoghue.