Roscommon and Mayo name teams for semi final showdown
Ultan Harney returns to championship action for Roscommon in the Connacht SFC semi-final against Mayo at Dr Hyde Park tomorrow (Sunday), throw-in 4pm.
The Clann na nGael man, who missed last year's campaign due to his travels abroad, has been named at centre-forward, but it would be no surprise to see him deployed at midfield for at least some of the contest.
2023 All-Star Enda Smith has been selected at midfield alongside Tadhg O'Rourke, though Smith can also operate to great effect in the half forward line.
Brian Stack of St Brigid's continues as team captain, and there are three Pádraig Pearses players on the team, the Daly brothers (Niall and Ronan) and David Murray.
St Brigid's attacking ace Ben O'Carroll is among the substitutes, having missed a number of league games through injury. His clubmates Shane Cunnane and Robbie Dolan are also on the bench, as are Clann na nGael duo Patrick Gavin and Ciarán Lennon.
Meanwhile, former Roscommon manager Kevin McStay and his selectors have made one change to the Mayo team that comfortably defeated New York for the clash against Roscommon. The alteration will see Enda Hession replacing Eoghan McLaughlin in the half back line.
The O'Connor brothers (Diarmuid and Cillian) are conspicuous absentees from the Mayo panel for the game. Diarmuid is generally a key figure at midfield, while Cillian is the leading overall scorer in the history of the All-Ireland SFC. Cillian has often been deployed as an impact sub in recent times, but neither brother is in the match-day squad of 26.
Last year, Roscommon defeated then Division 1 league champions Mayo in what was a turgid spectacle in Castlebar - but Ros' supporters will settle for more of the game on Sunday if the result goes their way.
Mayo emerged victorious when the sides met during this year's Allianz Football League - a campaign which ended with Roscommon being relegated, but they are now looking to put all that behind them.
Sunday's game will be refereed by Sean Hurson of Tyrone and it will be televised live on RTE2. It will follow coverage of the eagerly awaited hurling showdown between All-Ireland champions Limerick and league champions Clare (2pm).
Roscommon team vs Mayo:
1. Conor Carroll
2. David Murray
3. Brian Stack (captain)
4. Niall Higgins
5. Niall Daly
6. Ruaidhri Fallon
7. Eoin McCormack
8. Enda Smith
9. Tadhg O'Rourke
10. Dylan Ruane
11. Ultan Harney
12. Ronan Daly
13. Donie Smith
14. Daire Cregg
15. Diarmuid Murtagh.
Subs: Colm Lavin, Patrick Gavin, Shane Cunnane, Robbie Dolan, Ben O'Carroll, Cian Connolly, Andrew Glennon, Keith Doyle, Conor Cox, James Fitzpatrick, Ciarán Lennon.
Mayo team (vs Roscommon): Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Sam Callinan; Paddy Durcan (captain), David McBrien, Enda Hession; Stephen Coen, Matthew Ruane; Bob Tuohy, Fergal Boland, Jack Carney; Aidan O'Shea, Tommy Conroy, Ryan O'Donoghue.
Subs: Rob Hennelly, James Carr, Jordan Flynn, Conor Hunt, Conor Loftus, Darren McHale, Donnacha McHugh, Padraig O'Hora, Michael Plunkett, Kevin Quinn,Paul Towey.