Mayo team shows three changes for Royal battle

Mayo joint managers Dave McConn and Tom Phillips have made three changes to their team for the opening round of the Christy Ring Hurling Championship against Meath on Sunday (April 16) at 2 p.m. at Páirc Tailteann, Navan.

Fergal and Shane Boland are listed to start for the first time this year, replacing John Cassidy and Joe McManus, while Daniel Hill also returns to the team in place of Mark Phillips at wing-back.

Mayo had a comprehensive victory over Louth in their final Allianz National Hurling League game, and the return of the Boland brothers is a huge filip for the team ahead of their championship opener.

Shane Boland captained the Mayo senior hurlers last year but an injury during Tooreen's All-Ireland intermediate championsihp run to Croke Park curtailed his involvement until now. Fergal Boland, meanwhile, was involved with the Mayo senior footballers for the past few years and his addition for the Christy Ring Championship is a massive boost for McConn and Phillips.

Elsewhere, Bobby Douglas continues to impress in goal, with James Lyons, Ger McManus and Conor Murray from Castlebar Mitchels forming a rock-solid full-back line.

Outside them, newly appointed captain David Kenny, the powerful Joe Mooney and Daniel Hill are formidable in the half-back line. Daniel Huane and Cormac Phillips are full of running at midfield, while Sean Kenny, Fergal Boland and Adrian Phillips will pose a threat.

Jason Coyne, brother of Mayo footballer Jack, Eoin Delaney and the returning Shane Boland are all match-winners on their day.

Caymon Flynn from Westmeath is down to officiate at the game. Midwest Radio will broadcast live with Frank Browne and Tom Carney, while Mayo GAA will have live updates. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.

The Mayo team is as follows: Bobby Douglas; James Lyons, Ger McManus, Conor Murray; David Kenny, Joe Mooney, Danny Hill; Daniel Huane, Cormac Phillips; Sean Kenny, Fergal Boland, Adrian Phillips; Jason Coyne, Eoin Delaney, Shane Boland.

The subs are: Barry Lane, Joe McManus, Michael Farrell, James Murphy, Luke Connor, Keelan Gallagher, John Cassidy, John Heraty, Paddy Dozio, Evan Heraty, Mark Phillips.