Eight debuts for Mayo as hurling campaign starts with Roscommon test
Mayo GAA joint hurling managers Dave McConn and Tom Phillips have handed eight players debuts for the opening round of the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A game against Roscommon tomorrow (Saturday) in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.
McConn and Phillips are still without the Tooreen contingent after their heroics in the AIB All-Ireland club intermediate hurling championship final in Croke Park last month.
However, the upward trajectory of hurling in Mayo sees players from eight different clubs represented on the panel for the first time ever.
Moytura Hurling Club trio James Murphy and brothers Evan and John Heraty are set to start in the Allianz National Hurling League for the first time after impressing in the Connacht GAA winter hurling league.
The hard-running Luke Connor and deadly accurate Paddy Dozio from Caiseal Gaels Hurling Club are also named to start for the first time.
Ballina Stephenites' Matthew Walsh and Ballyhaunis GAA pair James Lyons and Michael Farrell will also get their first taste of Allianz NHL action tomorrow.
McConn and Phillips do have some experience in the side, with Adrian Phillips from Ballyhaunis GAA captaining Mayo for this opening game, while Danny Hill, Conor Murray, Cormac Phillips and Westport duo Aaron Ketterick and Kealan Gallagher all saw action in last year's league.
Clare referee Niall Malone is down to officiate the game, which throws in at 2 p.m. Mayo GAA will have regular live updates across all social media.
The Mayo team in full is: Barry Lane (Castlebar Mitchels); James Lyons (Ballyhaunis), James Murphy (Moytura), Evan Heraty (Moytura); Conor Murray (Castlebar Mitchels), Danny Hill (Ballyhaunis), Luke Connor (Caiseal Gaels); Matthew Walsh (Ballina Stephenites), Cormac Phillips (Ballyhaunis); John Heraty (Moytura), Adrian Phillips (Ballyhaunis), Aaron Ketterick (Westport); Kealan Gallagher (Westport), Michael Farrell (Ballyhaunis), Paddy Dazio (Caiseal Gaels).
The substitutes are: Kevin Duffy (Ballina Stephenites), Ciaran Treacy (Castlebar Mitchels), Ronan Treacy (Castlebar Mitchels), James Gallagher (Castlebar Mitchels), Daniel Cusack (Castlebar Mitchels), Eoin Ryan (Ballyhaunis), James Byrne (Tooreen), Padraig Mooney (Tooreen), Cathal Maloney (Ballina Stephenites), Alan Gavin (Castlebar Mitchels), Mark Phillips (Ballyhaunis).