Last chance for Mayo senior team aspirants

MAYO manager Stephen Rochford staged his final trial this evening for players seeking to break into his squad ahead the county's involvement in the Connaught senior football championship opening round clash against London on May 29, writes Aiden Henry.  

His selection defeated Fermanagh by 1-15 to 0-13 at windy Ballaghaderreen with in-form Cillian O'Connor registered 0-11 of Mayo's tally, eight of his points coming from frees.

Substitute Jason Doherty sealed the victory with a well-executed goal in the closing stages. Mayo's other scorers, with a point each, were Lee Keegan, Jason Gibbons, Michael Sweeney and Michael Conroy.

Rochford will name his 32-strong squad for the provincial championship in the coming days. It is understood six members of the county's All-Ireland Under-21 championship winning side will be involved with the panel during the campaign.

Rochford has a number of injury worries ahead of the trip to London. Players nursing injuries include Brendan Harrison, Ger Cafferkey, Seamus O'Shea, Aidan O'Shea, Kevin McLoughlin and Barry Moran.

The 15 chosen to start against Fermanagh, in the county on a week-long training camp, were D. Clarke, C. Crowe, K. Keane, D. Newcombe, D. Vaughan, L. Keegan, C. Boyle, D. Kirby, J. Gibbons, N. Douglas, M. Ronaldson, C. Carolan, M. Sweeney, C. O'Connor, M. Conroy.

The substitutes introduced were L. Keegan, D. Drake, S. Nally, J. Doherty, C. O'Shea, R. Hennelly and A. Moran.