FREE ENTRY into MacHale Park has been confirmed for next Saturday evening’s Allianz Football League re-fixture between Mayo and Dublin – although supporters from both teams may already have extra incentive to attend this time.
Their round-two game back on February 11th was called off at half-time due to blinding fog, when Dublin were leading by three points, but they were facing into the second half without defender James McCarthy, who had been sent off.
Now, some seven weeks later, there is additional pressure on both teams to secure the two points – Dublin, on six points, are still well positioned for a place in the semi-final, but would probably need to win, with an away game to Cork also still to come.
Mayo, on four points, have dropped into the relegation zone, but if they beat Dublin on Saturday, and also their last game against away to Kerry, they could yet reach the semi-finals.
Saturday’s game is also live on Setanta Ireland (throw-in – 7pm), and while admission will be free on the night, supporters will be issued with a ticket as they enter the ground, which they will then need to get through the turnstiles – patrons are also being encouraged to make a voluntary €5 charitable donation, with all monies collected will be shared equally among the following Mayo organisations: the Order of Malta; Mayo-Roscommon Hospice; Western Care Association; and the Western Alzheimer’s Association.
Mayo manager James Horan will be without midfielder Séamus O’Shea, who pulled his hamstring in last Sunday’s narrow defeat to Cork, and could be out of action for the next month at least.
However, there is a natural replacement in his younger brother Aidan, who returns after his two-game suspension following his straight red card against Down.
Horan also has fitness concerns over defender Lee Keegan (dead leg) and forward Michael Conroy (concussion), with a decision on their participation unlikely to be made closer to throw in.
Dublin manager Pat Gilroy will announce his team as usual at tomorrow morning’s pre-breakfast press conference.
Meanwhile, Stephen Kernan will resume the captaincy duties for Crossmaglen Rangers in their AIB All-Ireland club football final replay against Garrycastle on Saturday evening.
Kernan missed the St Patrick’s Day draw in Croke Park due to the one-match suspension handed down after their semi-final win over Dr Crokes, where he was sent off, and despite the efforts of Crossmaglen to have that suspension overturned.
However he is clear to play in Saturday evening’s rematch in Cavan, with goalkeeper Paul Hearty, who wore the captain’s armband the last day, acting as vice-captain this time.
Neither team has reported any fresh injury concerns since the drawn game.
Finally, the Tipperary County Board have ratified Peter Creedon as their new senior football manager for the remainder of the 2012 season – with Donegal native Gerry McGill and Michael O’Loughlin from Clonmel also confirmed as his selectors.
A native of Roscarbery, in Cork, Creedon is principal of St Ailbe’s School in Tipperary town.
He previously coached the local club in Roscarbery, Carbery Rangers, at both under-21 and senior level in 2011, and got his introduction to Tipperary football when he coached the Cahir senior football team in 2001 to their first south title in since the 1950s.
Creedon then spent five years in charge of Tipperary minor and under-21 teams, from 2003 to 2008, and takes over the senior role from John Evans, who resigned recently.
