Same again for Mayo in Connacht GAA semi-final against Leitrim
Mayo manager Kevin McStay and his selectors have named the team to face Leitrim in the Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship semi-final this weekend
There are no changes to the starting 15 that played Sligo in the Connacht quarterfinal two weeks ago.
Aidan O'Shea will make his 200th league and championship appearance for Mayo this weekend. His senior inter-county career began against Derry in the Allianz National League on February 1, 2009, and his championship debut came against New York in Gaelic Park on May 10 that same year.
In total, the Breaffy man has made 107 league and 92 championship appearances for Mayo, and he becomes the first Mayo player – and only the second player nationally – to reach the 200th appearance milestone, Stephen Cluxton of Dublin being the other player.
His 92 championship appearances is a record for an outfield player, putting him ahead of Sean Cavanagh on 89, and Tomas and Marc Ó Sé, who both played 88 times in the championship for Kerry. Again, only Stephen Cluxton sits ahead of the Mayo man in terms of championship appearances.
Aidan has scored 20-110 for Mayo during his career to date.
He has the chance to add to his tally tomorrow (Saturday) at 4.30 p.m. in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, where the home side will be bidding to reach a provincial final for the first time since 2000. Mayo, meanwhile, will be hoping to get back into the Connacht decider for the second year running.
Leitrim's task is daunting. Mayo have beaten Leitrim by a total of 57 points in their last three championship meetings. Other than against London and New York, Leitrim haven’t won a Connacht championship game since beating Sligo in the 2011 quarterfinal. Mayo have lost to Leitrim only three times in the Connacht Championship (in 1959, 1976 and 1994), their last defeat coming in the 1994 final when the late John O'Mahony, a former Mayo manager, was in charge of Leitrim.
Stephen Coen will captain Mayo in tomorrow's game, which will be officiated by Fermanagh referee Niall Cullen. This game is live on GAA+ and on Midwest Radio with commentary from Michael D. McAndrew and Martin Carney. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.
The Mayo team in full is as follows: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Enda Hession; Sam Callinan, David McBrien, Stephen Coen; Jack Carney, Matthew Ruane; Davitt Neary, Darren McHale, Fenton Kelly; Aidan O'Shea, Dylan Thornton, Ryan O'Donoghue.
On the subs' bench are: Adrian Phillips, Conor Reid, Diarmuid O'Connor, Eoghan McLaughlin, Eoin O'Donoghue, Fergal Boland, Frank Irwin, Jordan Flynn, Niall Coggins, Paul Towey, Shairoze Akram.