O’Malley and Mortimer set to start for Mayo
Mayo open their Connacht SFC account in the Big Apple but O’Malley was left out of the lineup that has circulated through the media.
The talented forward has been a revelation in the league for Mayo and made his name with a Sigerson Cup medal for Sligo IT in February.
He is currently struggling with an ankle injury but is likely to be fit and may even start, along with Trevor Mortimer who is having treatment on a quad injury in the Britain.
Maughan said: “I didn’t actually pick a definitive team for Sunday so there’s every chance the one that has been doing the rounds is wrong. It was a team given for the match programme but there’s likely to be at least two changes.
“We won’t be determining our team until closer to the game but there’s every chance that Austin could start alright. Trevor is also getting treatment and I’m keeping a very close eye on his situation.”
Maughan is delighted that he’ll definitely have championship veterans Peter Burke, James Gill and David Brady available. Burke has been missing for nearly a year with a cruciate injury while Gill and Brady have been based abroad.
Maughan added: “James Gill is flying and that’s tremendous for us. Conor Mortimer was an injury doubt but he’s okay and David Brady is back which is great.
“I’m delighted for Peter Burke too. He’s had a tough time with the injury and it was unfortunate for him but he’s battled back well.”
Team captain Trevor Doyle will miss Wicklow’s opening game in the Leinster SFC against Meath in Croke Park on May 23.
The Rathnew forward received a two months suspension from the GAC for abuse of an umpire and this will put him out of bounds for the Royals match.
Doyle, who shoulders a pivotal role for the county team at centre-forward, was reported for abuse of an umpire after Wicklow lost their last league game to Antrim by a narrow two points margin 1-9 to 1-7.
After the game Doyle was clearly annoyed over what video evidence showed was a Wicklow point, scored by Stephen Hurley, being signalled wide.
Wexford hurling manager John Conran has added three players to his squad, to off-set the rash of defections in recent weeks.
Rathnure’s Anthony O’Connell, Matty White (Bannow-Ballymitty) and Eoin Quigley, son of former Wexford great, John, have all been called up.
Wexford returned to training last night in preparation for their provincial championship semi-final clash with All-Ireland champions, Kilkenny, in Croke Park on June 13.
Offaly, not unexpectedly, have announced an unchanged team for Sunday’s NFL Division 2 final against Down at Croke Park.
After training last night the Offaly management gave the thumbs up to the side that impressed greatly with a superb semi-final victory over Kildare.
Northern opponents Down are not due to select their side until tonight.
Wicklow will be short no fewer than eight of the players who figured in last season’s All-Ireland B success for Sunday’s Leinster SHC first round tie with Westmeath at Mullingar.
Both Wayne O’Gorman and Don Hyland are under suspension. John Keogh was seriously injured at work. Timmy Collins has retired. Casey O’Brien is also on the injured list while, the Kennedy brothers, Ted and Liam, together with Keith Snell, have opted out of the panel.
The Westmeath team will be announced today but is expected to contain few surprises particularly as a clean bill of health is reported.
OFFALY (SF v Down): P. Kelly; S. Sullivan, C. Evans, S. Brady; B. Mooney, C. Daly, K. Slattery; C. McManus, J. Grennan; P. Kellaghan, P. Malone, A. McNamee; C. Quinn, N. Coughlan, N. McNamee.
WICKLOW (SH v Westmeath): T. Finn; M. J. O’Neill, G. Keogh, J. Bermingham; A. N. Other, M. A. O’Neill, T. McGrath; C. O’Toole, G. Murray; J. Murphy, G. Doran, C. Kavanagh; A. Tiernan, J. O’Neill, D. Moran.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
