Fergal Boland to make championship debut against Sligo

THE Mayo team to face Sligo in the quarterfinal of the Connaught SFC championship on Sunday in Castlebar has been announced.

Manager Stephen Rochford hands out just one debut with 2016 All Ireland Under 21 winner Fergal Boland starting in the half forwards.

Having missed most of last season through injury, a fit-again Ger Cafferkey returns at full-back.

In total there are five changes to the team which started the 2016 All-Ireland final replay defeat, with David Clarke, Chris Barrett, Ger Cafferkey, Fergal Boland and Conor O'Shea all replacing Robbie Hennelly, Brendan Harrison (injured), Donal Vaughan, Aidan O'Shea and Jason Doherty.

Interestingly, both Colm Boyle and Tom Parsons made their championship debuts against Sligo on the same day back in 2008.

The team is: David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites); Chris Barrett (Belmullet), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Colm Boyle (Davitts), Lee Keegan (Westport), Patrick Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels); Seamus O'Shea (Breaffy), Tom Parsons (Charlestown); Fergal Boland (Aghamore), Diarmuid O'Connor (Ballintubber), Conor O'Shea (Breaffy); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Cillian O'Connor (Ballintubber, captain), Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen).