Maughan gives youth chance in Big Apple clash

MAYO manager John Maughan has decided to give youth its head for next weekend’s opening game in the Bank of Ireland senior football championship against New York at Gaelic Park.

Maughan has called up Dermot Geraghty and Andy Moran to parade their talents in the senior championship for the first time. Geraghty is named at right corner-back, with Moran taking over the left half-forward position and the Mayo boss has also recalled three of his more experienced players, goalkeeper Peter Burke, midfielder David Brady and wing-forward James Gill for this transatlantic trip into the unknown.

Burke, Brady and Gill were noticeable absentees during the League. Burke was recovering from a cruciate ligament operation, while both Brady and Gill were out of the country, the former in Australia and the latter in England. Meanwhile, Laois will be without brilliant centre-forward David Cuddy for their opening game in the Leinster SHC against Carlow at Dr Cullen Park on Sunday.

Cuddy received a straight red card during last Sunday’s shock victory over Offaly in the concluding game in the League.

The Laois team will be announced after training tonight, but few changes are expected as a clean bill of health is reported.

MAYO (SF v New York): P. Burke; D. Geraghty, P. Kelly, G. Ruane; F. Costelloe, D. Sweeney, J. Nallon; D. Heaney, D. Brady; J. Gill, A. Dillon, A. Moran; C. Mortimer, B. Maloney. M. McNichols.