Mayo GAA star plays central role in launch of Allianz Leagues in Wicklow

The beautiful backdrop of Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, was used for the launch of this year's Allianz National Football and Hurling Leagues today.

Playing a central role was Mayo star Cillian O'Connor, with the Green and Red going into the 2024 Allianz NFL campaign as defending champions.

Damien Comer from last year's runners-up, Galway, was also in attendance, and the two Connacht counties go head-to-head on Sunday (January 28) to open up their Division 1 progamme this year. The game is scheduled to throw in at 1.45 p.m. in Pearse Stadium, Salthill.

As reported by Cian O'Connell on gaa.ie, Cillian is aware that this is a season of transition for Mayo, like it is for many other counties.

He said: “I think every team is always in transition. You'd very rarely have two panels that would stay the same 36 from one year to the next. Every year I've played there has always been a little bit of turnover, maybe more so in the last couple of years.

“It is brilliant. You are seeing lads joining the panel who you would have seen at Under 14 and Under 16 as prospects. Now they are inter-county seniors. It is great. It brings a great energy.”

The big change for Mayo in the off-season was the retirement of Kevin McLoughlin, Jason Doherty and Brendan Harrison. “Three unbelievable servants to Mayo football,” said Cillian. “Owed the team and the county absolutely nothing.”

However, he added that their retirement opens up opportunities for other players, and there are already plenty of fellas 'scrapping it out for positions'.