Horan shakes things up with five changes to Mayo team

Mayo manager James Horan has made five changes to his side ahead of their round six Allianz National Football League Division 1 game against Tyrone this weekend.

Into the team at full-back comes Ballaghdereen's David McBrien for his first league start of the season. Lee Keegan moves to the corner, with Padraig O'Hora making way. Castlebar Mitchels youngster Donncha McHugh also returns to the full-back line and replaces Michael Plunkett.

Matthew Ruane and Jordan Flynn continue to develop their midfield partnership but up front, Horan has reshuffled his attack. Fionn McDonagh comes in for Jack Carney, Jason Doherty replaces Diarmuid O'Connor and Paul Towey is named to start at centre-forward.

Aidan O'Shea is named at centre-back, with Paddy Durcan the player losing out.

Next Saturday's game will be the 30th league meeting of Tyrone and Mayo. The first was played in 1974 and the most recent in 2020. Of those meetings, Tyrone have won 12, Mayo 11, and six have been draws, so the rivalry is close.

Twelves meetings have been on Tyrone soil, with eight of those at O'Neills Healy Park in Omagh where Mayo have a good record. They have won there on five occasions, with three wins for Tyrone.

The game takes place on Saturday (March 19), throwing in at 5.45 p.m., and will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2, with live commentary also on Midwest Radio with Michael D. McAndrew and Mark Ronaldson. Maurice Deegan is the appointed referee.

The Mayo team in full is as follows: Rob Hennelly; Lee Keegan, David McBrien, Donnacha McHugh; Oisín Mullin, Aidan O’Shea, Stephen Coen; Jordan Flynn, Matthew Ruane; Fionn McDonagh, Paul Towey, Fergal Boland; Aiden Orme, Jason Doherty, Ryan O’Donoghue.

On the substitutes bench are: Rory Byrne, Brendan Harrison, Padraig O’Hora, Michael Plunkett, Rory Brickenden, Enda Hession, Kevin McLoughlin, Conor O’Shea, Conor Loftus, Jack Carney, Darren Coen.