Sligo v Mayo:AFTER THE league finals there was a shift away from Mayo, reflecting the respective displays of the counties, but without dwelling too much on the fact that one was in the Division Three final and the other in Division One.
The fluent scoring that characterised Sligo’s win over Antrim contrasted with another exposition of Mayo’s difficulties against top teams in Croke Park.
That inevitably took away from an otherwise encouraging campaign but having topped the table John O’Mahony’s team can plainly take something from the league and their hurling counterparts Cork demonstrated last weekend that can outweigh a poor final.
Patience appears to have run out in relation to Aidan O’Shea and last year’s promising newcomer is to be given some bench-time as he tries to recover form, although it’s likely he’ll get a run at some stage this evening.
Alan Dillon’s absence is a blow to the scoring potential of the half forwards and his replacement, Séamus O’Shea, designates Plan B, a move to supplement centrefield with another physical presence, which could be crucial in restricting the influence of the Sligo pairing of Stephen Gilmartin and Tony Taylor.
Although the Mayo full-back line features two corner backs, who by natural disposition would be more comfortable on the wings, Chris Barrett and Keith Higgins have the agility and quickness to mark Collie McGee and David Kelly.
Kevin Walsh’s team earned much kudos last year in the defeats by Galway and Kerry, coming within a missed penalty of beating the eventual All-Ireland champions in Tralee.
Mayo’s attack is built around the ability of the corner forwards, Enda Varley and Conor Mortimer, to get scores, with Alan Freeman a speedier target at full forward and likely to be tasked with creating space for the others.
They will have a battle on their hands against the presence of Noel McGuire and his corner backs, Charlie Harrison and Ross Donovan.
SLIGO: P Greene; C Harrison (capt), N McGuire, R Donovan; K Cawley, B Phillips, J Davey; T Taylor, S Gilmartin; M Breheny, A Costello, E O’Hara; C McGee, K Sweeney, D Kelly.
MAYO: D Clarke; C Barrett, G Cafferkey, K Higgins; D Vaughan, T Cunniffe, K McLoughlin; T Parsons, R McGarrity; A Moran, S O’Shea, T Mortimer; C Mortimer, A Freeman, E Varley.
Referee: Jimmy White (Donegal)
In the last episode:Two years ago Sligo came to Castlebar as defending Connacht champions for what was only the third time. A season that had started badly with relegation became steadily worse with a trouncing by Mayo, 0-7 to 3-11.
You bet: Mayo a very short 2 /5, Sligo 11/4 and the draw is 15/2 (70 minutes).
On your marks: Can Mayo's bulked-up centrefield get enough quality ball into a full-forward line built for movement rather than attrition?
Gaining ground: Markievicz Park holds 18,000 and a large crowd is expected. The last time the counties played in the championship here Mayo won narrowly to avenge the defeat they had sustained at the Sligo venue three years previously.
Just the ticket: Tickets are going well and according to the Connacht Council there is no guarantee there will be any available at the ground this evening. Stand €30, terrace €20 and juvenile €5. Available from the county boards, provincial council and Ticketmaster.ie.
Crystal gazing: Mayo after a struggle.
