Mayo seek second Celtic Challenge win in succession
Mayo Under 17 hurling manager Sean Heneghan and his selectors have named their team to face Sligo in round three of the Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge today (Saturday).
There are no changes to the team that defeated Donegal last weekend in round two.
That means the starting line-up is as follows: Liam Heneghan; Marc Munnelly, Conor Loftus, Cillian Curley; James Curran, Matthew Delaney, Cian Fahy; Oisin Duffy, Eoin Enright; Michael Finan, Niall Peoples, Kevin Rowland; Fionn Delaney, Dylan Quinn, David Delaney.
Oisin Duffy (Caiseal Gaels) and Fionn Delaney (Tooreen) are joint captains of the team.
The substitutes' bench features the following: Patrick Murphy, Eoghan Murray, Ronan Loftus, Pierce Keidan, Aaron Harcourt, Liam Lavin, Bradley Murphy, Gino Nealon, Charlie Flynn.
On the extended panel are: Michael Gough, Conor Maughan, Fionn Conlon, Ben Joyce.
Today's encounter will be played in the Easkey GAA grounds, starting at 1 p.m. Mayo GAA will have updates across its social media channels.
POWER
Last week, against Donegal, Mayo had to come from behind to win 1-14 to 1-8 in hugely entertaining and competitive encounter at blustery Convoy, Donegal.
The home side started the better and with Corey Sheridan landing some sublime points from play and frees, the Tir Chonaill men took an early lead. The strong breeze aiding Donegal meant Mayo had to defend staunchly in the opening quarter, and that they did with gusto.
Once the visitors settled, corner forward David Delaney reeled in the home side with an excellent point from play before Oisin Duffy drove forward to leave two between the sides (0-4 to 0-2) on the 10-minute mark.
Donegal pushed further ahead when Johnny Lin and Liam Doogan landed good scores from play before Delaney replied once again from a free for Mayo. Former Mayo and Westport player Caolán O’Reilly caused problems for his former team-mates early on, winning some good pocession on the edge of the small square, but the vital scores Donegal badly needed with the strong breeze at their back never materialised.
Mayo centre-back Matthew Delaney, wing-backs Cian Fahy and James Curran and the hard working midfield duo of Oisin Duffy and Eoin Enright closed down attack after attack when Donegal were on top.
Two super goals arrived before the short whistle. Donegal pounced first when the outstanding Corey Sheridan sent a pile-driver to the back of the Mayo net. Sheridan, O’Reilly, Eoin McDaid, Fionn O'Riordan and Kyron McColgan were all involved in the slick move before Sheridan swivelled and drove a low bullet of a shot to the back of Liam Heneghan’s net.
Donegal led 1-6 to 0-3 with five minutes to play before man-of-the-match David Delaney drove at the home side before rifling a bullet of his own into the Donegal net. Delaney slipped beyond two defenders before unleashing an effort that flew past the Donegal 'keeper.
That score was vital for the visitors as it lifted their spirits as they headed for the dressing rooms.
The second half was nip and tuck early on, with Sheridan again pushing Donegal four in front before Mayo rattled off five magnificent points in 10 minutes to take the lead for the first time. Fionn Delaney landed three, two from play, with centre-forward Niall Peoples also hitting two great scores from way out the field.
Donegal, to their credit, never buckled and two further points from wing-forward Corey Sheridan kept them in the game.
Mayo had their dander up at this stage, however, and headed for home with ten minutes still on the clock. Oisin Duffy, substitute Aaron Harcourt, Niall Peoples and Fionn Delaney continued to torment the under-pressure Donegal rearguard with magical scores from play. The strong breeze aided their efforts in the second half, but it was Mayo's winning mentality and determination to take the points home that was the deciding factor at the finish.