Paddy Durcan will captain Mayo for their opening league game against Down. Photo: Sportsfile

Paddy Durcan to captain Mayo for league opener

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Castlebar Mitchels' Paddy Durcan will captain Mayo for their Allianz Football League Division 2 North opener against Down at Elverys MacHale Park tomorrow (Saturday). It will be his 71st appearance for his county.

Meanwhile, Enda Hession from Garrymore will make his competitive senior debut with Mayo tomorrow, while Rory Brickenden from Westport will make his first league appearance for the county.

Rob Hennelly starts in goal following the retirement of David Clarke, with Hession at right full-back alongside Oisin Mullin and Lee Keegan.

Durcan captains the team from centre half-back, flanked by Michael Plunkett and Brickenden, while Matthew Ruane partners Diarmuid O'Connor in the middle of the park.

The experienced Kevin McLoughlin has been named at centre half-forward, with Fionn McDonagh and Jordan Flynn either side of him, while the full-forward line features the multi-talented Tommy Conroy, Cillian O'Connor and Ryan O'Donoghue.

The team in full is: Robbie Hennelly (Breaffy); Enda Hession (Garrymore), Oisin Mullin (Kilmaine), Lee Keegan (Westport); Michael Plunkett (Ballintubber), Paddy Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels), Rory Brickenden (Westport); Matthew Ruane (Breaffy), Diarmuid O'Connor (Ballintubber); Fionn McDonagh (Westport), Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers); Tommy Conroy (The Neale), Cillian O'Connor (Ballintubber), Ryan O'Donoghue (Belmullet).

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