Kilbride in for Keenan as Rossies prepare for Mayo test

 

By Kieran Galvin

Ian Kilbride replaces the injured David Keenan in the only change to the Roscommon team for Sunday’s Connacht SFC semi-final against Mayo.

While the hard-working Keenan is undoubtedly a significant loss to team manager John Evans, the tough tackling Kilbride has plenty of big match experience and he won an All-Ireland club medal with St Brigid’s last year. Ian’s brother Senan has been selected at right corner-forward.

Having scored a goal on his senior championship debut against Leitrim, Ronan Stack retains his place at wing-forward. Stack is part of a half forward line that also contains Clann na nGael’s Donie Shine and David O’Gara of Roscommon Gaels.

Niall Carty of Padraig Pearses captains the Roscommon team from the full-back position.

Meanwhile, Mayo manager James Horan has made three alterations to the team which cruised to a 22-point victory over New York (4-18 to 0-8).

Ger Cafferkey (full-back), Conor O'Shea (centre-forward) and Alan Freeman (full-forward) are drafted into the starting XV in place of Kevin Keane, Jason Gibbons (ankle injury) and team captain Andy Moran.

An interesting aspect of the team is that the three O’Shea brothers are included, with firmly established figures Aidan and Seamus named at midfield. It is Conor’s first championship start in the green and red of Mayo.

Although Mayo, the defeated All-Ireland finalists in 2012 and 2013, are firm favourites for Sunday’s game, Roscommon will be hoping to push the Connacht champions much closer than last year. On that occasion, Mayo were absolutely emphatic winners in Castlebar.

Sunday’s game at Dr Hyde Park throws in at 2pm – and it will be televised live on RTE2. Galway will meet Sligo in the other Connacht SFC semi-final.

 

Roscommon (Connacht SFC v Mayo)

1. Darren O'Malley (Michael Glaveys)

2. Seán McDermott (Western Gaels)
3. Niall Carty (C) (Padraig Pearses)
4. Neil Collins (Castlerea St. Kevin’s)

5. Ian Kilbride (St. Brigid’s)
6. Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses)
7. Ciarán Cafferkey (Western Gaels)

8. Cathal Shine (Clann na nGael)
9. Kevin Higgins (Western Gaels)

10. David O'Gara (Roscommon Gaels)
11. Donie Shine (Clann na nGael)
12. Ronan Stack (St. Brigid’s)

13. Senan Kilbride (St. Brigid’s)
14. Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)
15. Ciaráin Murtagh (St. Faithleach’s)

 

Mayo (Connacht SFC v Roscommon)

1. Robbie Hennelly
2. Tom Cunniffe
3. Ger Cafferkey
4. Keith Higgins
5. Lee Keegan
6. Colm Boyle
7. Donal Vaughan
8. Aidan O'Shea
9. Seamus O'Shea
10. Diarmuid O'Connor
11. Conor O'Shea
12. Jason Doherty
13. Kevin McLoughlin
14. Alan Freeman
15. Cillian O'Connor

*See this week’s Westmeath Independent for the views of John Evans on Sunday’s game, and of former Roscommon goalkeeper Shane Curran in his opinion column.