Haven't listened to the pod yet but Oisin Mullin travelling with them is big news...now maybe it's to pass on some of what he's;earned in the pro life and he might even take a few sessions but I'm hoping it's getting his ducks in a row for an ''imminent'' return to our shores.

@2 hops: Those hopes would be dashed fairly instantly if you listened to his recent chat with the Examiner Football Pod. (In his own words) He's very happy over there and no thoughts or hints of a return for years yet.

Great to see him involved though. When it comes to setting culture, raising the bar on performance and raising expectations a character like Oisín can only be positive (as the lads outlined well on the pod). Especially for those younger lads just entering the panel, experiencing that pace & power he'd bring to the game would only be helpful for their long term development.

While it’s great to see the likes of Oisín and Kobe involved in preseason, I wouldn’t be expecting to have them available for the league or championship in the coming years. It’s a smart move by the management to bring them in, and as mentioned on the pod, if things don’t work out for either of them down the line, there’s a group of lads and people at home who will welcome them back with open arms. It can only be a positive for both the players and Mayo GAA that they know there will always be a role for them back home if they ever want it

Reality check there TSU.

https://www.westernpeople.ie/sport/gaa/mcdonald-to-link-up-with-mayo-squad-for-training-camp_arid-79473.html

Mayo panel: Jack Livingstone (Breaffy), Rob Hennelly (Raheny), Adrian Phillips (Ballyhaunis), Jack Coyne (captain, Ballyhaunis), John McMonagle (Castlebar Mitchels), David McBrien (Ballaghaderreen), Rory Brickenden (Westport), Donnacha McHugh (Castlebar Mitchels), Sean Morahan (Castlebar Mitchels), Paddy Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels), Michael Plunkett (Ballintubber), Hugh O’Loughlin (Kilmaine), Sam Callinan (Ballina Stephenites), Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber), Stephen Coen (Hollymount-Carramore), Enda Hession (Garrymore), Fenton Kelly (Davitts), Matthew Ruane (Breaffy), Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers), Nathan Moran (Hollymount-Carramore), Liam Donoghue (Kiltane), Jack Carney (Kilmeena), Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Seamus Howard (Belmullet), Bob Tuohy (Castlebar Mitchels), Dylan Thornton (Ballina Stephenites), Conal Dawson (Westport), Darren McHale (vice-captain, Knockmore), Finbar McLaughlin (Westport), Ryan O’Donoghue (vice-captain, Belmullet), Adam Barrett (Kilmaine), Fergal Boland (Aghamore), Kobe McDonald (Crossmolina Deel Rovers), Frank Irwin (Ballina Stephenites), Darragh Beirne (Claremorris), Cian McHale (Moy Davitts), Tom Lydon (The Neale), Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber), James Carr (Ardagh), Kuba Callaghan (Ballaghaderreen), Tommy Conroy (The Neale), Niall Hurley (Claremorris), Paul Towey (Charlestown Sarsfields).

No Conor Loftus or Eoghan McLaughlin.

Or Davitt Neary

So don't hold my breath Tsu, you're saying. doh! 😣

Isn't Davitt Neary gone travelling for the year?

Wouldnt read to much into those missing as with the numbers involved its virtually impossible to have all available at the same time. I also think its good Kobe and Oisin are involved - with talent like those 2 you have to show the door is always open !

Know it might not mean much but it looks like Diarmuid O'Connor is listed with the defenders on the squad list above. Be interesting to see him at CHB.

No Davitt Neary or James Maheady hopefully they will be added to the panel they both know where the posts are

Disappointed not to see Davitt Neary or James Maheady going on the above trip. Both are excellent kickers off of both feet and know how to score! Mayo need a few tough cookies in their ranks that won't take any nonsense from defenders.

Optimistic about 2026. Maigh Eo Abu

I thought it was April the first when i heard oisin mullin was gone on the training camp but on more mature thinking it is a master stroke by Andy. Andy is really thinking outside the box abd that is what the mayo team needs. I am really looking forward to getting out supporting the team in January. Hopefully the supporters will come out in force in January.

How many Ballinrobe lads were on McStays first panel?
I would not worry about younger lads not being included, could have college commitments etc

How is Oisin involved, is he home on holidays, did he play any club gaelic this year, funny one but maybe/hopefully Andy knows something we dont.

@Culmore

He is home for the off season in AFL. Was skeptical at first but Andy is going about it the right way leaving the door open for Oisin & Kobe and leaving on good terms & the hope they might come back in the future is a good move .

I am sure Oisin has picked up a lot of training tips from a professional set up that can only help his former teammates.
I am sure Geelong would gladly pick up the cost of his training trip if necessary.

I thought Josh Moyles might be brought in

Great to see new names on the panel. Some Very good players there. Could be a great year ahead.

Strange days, nobody else will have their heads turned with Oisin and Kobe and the AFL.
They're the Boys in the Better Land now. We're very tolerant to be happy to see them move between AFL and Mayo GAA so smoothly.

We need to find a Mid Field pairing that can consistently win high balls …

Where is Eoin McGreal?

Didn’t Andy mention him on the podcast a few weeks ago ago?

My Ball I reckon there are 12 midfielders on that panel.

@Catcol: Eoin picked up an injury (off camera, so no idea what it was) playing for UL against MTU Kerry in October earlier in the league (shortly after scoring a screamer of a goal - https://x.com/ul_gaa/status/1978890508866073047) that I'm not sure he's fully recovered from yet, so wouldn't be shocked that he wasn't among the 43 the Connaught Telegraph had listed as travelling to Portugal.

Their 43 travelling list (that has at least 1 inclusion I don't believe made the trip) bares a striking resemblance (a 1:1 match) to that Western People '26 panel list, so I'd have some caveats around taking either as 100% accurate to how they're described.

Thanks Tsu - so informative as usual.

Would it be possible I wonder to give us some mini bios of some of the newbies on the panel? I've been using your 2025 panel guide as a vade mecum over the past twelve months or so, it was so good.

A bit soon to expect these guys to come through next year but there is definitely future contenders for Sam.
We have to abandon old rules and come to grips with new ones. Midfield does remain challenging but I think we will have the two point kickers. Interesting year ahead but patience for supporters. Give them a chance.

@tsodhonim

Definitely a few names on that list that didn't travel i know that with absolute certainty including one lad who was teaching at his school this morning when I done drop off ;-)

They are still involved in panel though

https://mayogaa.com/2025/12/03/allianz-national-football-league-fixtures-2026/

League fixtures confirmed

Good man paddyjoe....your a great man for updates.

From paddyjoes link.
Great set of fixtures
Allianz National Football League Fixtures 2026

Round 1

Sunday 25th January at 1:45pm in Pearse Stadium

Galway V Mayo

Round 2

Sunday 1st February at 1:45pm in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park

Mayo V Dublin

Round 3

Sunday 15th February at 1:45pm in O’Donnell Park Letterkenny

Donegal V Mayo

Round 4

Sunday 22nd February at 1:45pm in St. Tiernach’s Park Clones

Monaghan V Mayo

Round 5

Sunday 1st March at 1:15pm in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park

Mayo V Armagh

Round 6

Saturday 14th March at 4pm in Austin Stack Park Tralee

Kerry V Mayo

Round 7

Sunday 22nd March at 3:30pm in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park

Mayo V Roscommon

Armagh in Johnstown Hotel, Enfield for a 3 day training session earlier this week. They do around 6 of these a year at this venue. Wonder how this stacks up cost wise versus our training session in Portugal and which will generate better results. Time will tell!

You can be confident it wouldn’t cost much more in Portugal than in Ireland, given how hotels here tend to inflate their prices. The only real additional expense would be the flights, as everything else in Portugal is considerably cheaper especially at this time of year. And with new management and fresh faces on the panel, there’s real value in holding a bonding session outside of Ireland. Trips like these, and the time spent together, are what build unity, commitment and buy inn to the plan for the year ahead.

@Catcol: Sure.
Took the list of the lads that didn't see a competitive minute last year to see what might change.

From the Connaught Telegraph/Western People:

Rob Hennelly - Huge credit to Robbie willing to make a big personal sacrifice to ensure we have some (big day) county experience to rely on in Colm's absence for the year. Didn't catch enough of the Dublin Championship to form a view on his current form, but he'll be the same huge character around the dressing room and a big boost to the squad off the pitch, whatever happens on it. I'd personally expect Jack to push to #1 this year, but no better man than Robbie to reignite that (friendly) battle they had going for years at Breaffy and push him/Adrian all the way.

Jack Livingstone - Interesting to see the expected battle between Livingstone and Vahey turned into a clean sweep for Jack with him playing every possible minute of Breaffy's campaign (and also what are they putting in the water out in Breaffy that's producing these keepers). A super solid and consistent year, which is all you can really ask for from your keeper, without the team ever catching fire to see him excel (when they were losing midfield battles very rarely you'd fault his restarts and had a decently high conversion rate on his 2s despite only kicking 3 for the year). I'd expect him to nudge ahead of Adrian and Robbie, but it'll only be a nose between the 3 (I'd personally have Dolan right up there with the 3) and if one turns it on for a few weeks at training that jersey is very much up for grabs.

John MacMonagle - Had spent a little time in around the panel after finishing the u20 campaign last year, but looking to make the breakthrough and see his first competitive senior minutes this year. Hard to ever predict what might happen in the progression of young talent, but if you were a betting person sticking a tenner on JMacM to be a future Mayo captain would be about as safe as bets go. Only got the two games for Mitchels this year between injury and their early exit (his absence in that first game likely playing a part in that exit - I can still picture a few of his strips on Aido this year, a game where he was outstanding both sweeping in front of Aido vs McHugh and then in the 2nd half where Donnacha had to exit and he went 1v1 versus Aido) but did enough in those to get my nod as Mitchels outstanding defender again this year (ahead of the likes of Durcan and McHugh - both outstanding players), something I'd have said last year too. Missed some big games for Mitchels and NUIG in recent weeks with injury, fingers crossed that clears up fast and we see him getting back to his best (which is a high, high bar).

Michael Plunkett - Always a positive sign to see a recent opt-outs returning, and especially when they've been in red-hot form for club. Michael probably the one that stood out most from Ballintubber's outstanding halfback line this year (Plunkett, O'Connor and Walsh - with Bryan probably a little unlucky not to get a shout too). Still has the skill & talent of a forward and with the bite and dogged determination of a Ballintubber defender he offers a huge amount of flexibility on potentially doing a job from 2 to 15. A lot of chatter about him as a potential 11 in the year ahead, but he'd be just as likely to pop up as an attacking wing-back or as a defensive wing-forward.

Hugh O’Loughlin - Like JMacM, Hugh is pushing through as one of the outstanding u20s from last year and hoping to earn his first minutes this year. Big (but jumps like a salmon and has an ability to field the ball at full extension I'm not sure even Aido does as consistently - so plays even bigger than he looks), athletic, great distribution and able to kick a score when it's on. In really impressive form for UL this year (despite a red card in his last game for a flailing arm I'd still say he showed very well in that game) so could play a big part in their potential hunt for a Sigerson (which could end up helping or hindering his push with the county). Works like an absolute horse and an incredibly honest player, makes him one with the potential to become a real fan favourite (memories of a Galway lad trying to put... Lydon? I think, maybe DB... off before a '45 and Hugh was straight in to soften them up a bit and clear the area).

Nathan Moran - Mr. Consistency for Holly/Carra. Can't think of a year since he finished up with the u20s in '19 (after playing a huge part in taking us to the 20s final in '18 that we lost to Kildare) that someone hasn't suggested (with merit) he get a look in with the senior setup, with the new rules only making his skill sets all the more valuable. Big, high fielding, powerful and always causes havoc when he floats inside to the square from his usual spot around the middle. Probably needs to up his scoring threat if he's going to nail down one of the spots, but has the potential to do it so an exciting one to see how it goes for him this year. I'd struggle to predict the end result (management giving themselves options with Moran, Donoghue, O'Loughlin, Howard, Thornton, Irwin, Flynn, Carney, O'Connor, Ruane, McBrien, McHugh, Brickenden, Dawson & Tuohy all fighting to potentially play a role around the middle - and still wouldn't rule out Ryder or Murray getting a call after a break from the club runs), could be anything from gone in the next round of cuts (it's a high bar) to our new 1st choice #8.

Liam Donoghue - Another big, strong, powerful midfielder but with a lot of football in his feet. Nearly every week this year the feedback around Kiltane was "Josh shot the lights out and Liam dominated everything else" with him carrying on the form that took him to a couple of teams of the year last year too. Especially hard to ever predict the step-ups from Intermediate to county, but another like Nathan with the skill set to potentially do it. I'd imagine they'll be among 9 lads fighting for ~6 places (they would be for me) so a real battle ahead, but depending on what tools the management decide would best allow them to tackle various problems in the year ahead you'd potentially make a strong case for either/both. Another that could be cut by the end of Portugal or light up the year as a breakout star.

Seamus Howard - Outstanding year along with Hugh & Ollie Armstrong at the heart of the 20s middle 1/3rd, following on from a couple of outstanding years at the heart for Belmullet seniors since he broke through and an equally impressive year for St. Brendan's in '24 claiming MVP in a national basketball final for them. Always challenging for younger lads to push through around the middle, but it's going to be a real tight race to nail down those spots with younger lads like Seamus having the ability to push out any of the more well known names if they're not quite hitting top gear. I'd give some of the older lads like Moran slightly better odds of making it, but if it comes down to a tight race the higher ceiling of potential on a younger player like Seamus could easily swing the pick in their favour. A real all-rounder. Wouldn't have as many spectacular high fields as Hugh, but gets plenty. Wouldn't have some of the more delicate footballing of Liam, but still skillful. Wouldn't quite have Nathan's power, but powerful. Hard to find a single weak-link or a clear individual strength, which can be seen as pros or cons depending on the POV.

Finbar McLaughlin - Unfortunate with injury last year that denied him the opportunity to really fight for minutes early in the year. He missed all of Westport's group stage games and you'd still say he had a fantastic Championship making a huge impact against Breaffy, Cross & Ballina. Pace you simply can't coach and the ability to kick accurately from distance makes him a real live option to shake things up. Heavy competition around lads trying to break into the forward line too, but not many nationally with that kind of pace so a huge weapon to have in a 26. One I'd really hope to see make a breakthrough this year and wouldn't be at all surprised to see it.

Adam Barrett - Nobody scored more 2s, nobody scored more 2s from play and nobody scored more full stop than Adam this year (with only Kobe Mc [+2] & Brian Reape [+1] scoring more from play). He was electric. Tall, athletic and able to win dirty ball along with potentially shooting the lights out. Never far away from panels in recent years, but with the new rules designed pretty much perfectly to make him shine he's moved on to another level now. A serious option at 11, wing-forward or inside he's probably the one I'd pick as the most likely breakout of the year (neck and neck with Cian McHale, after him getting less than an hour last year with that nasty hand injury).

Kobe McDonald - It's never nice to ramp up expectations or pressure on such a young player, but when they've just been the most exciting player on the most exciting team while being the top scorer from play despite spending a significant portion of games playing 11 or deeper it's hard not to crank things to 11. Easily in the top 6 (I'd say 3) forwards in the county this year at club, so very much a case of if you're good enough you're old enough when it comes to Kobe. Hard to predict what a year might look like between senior/20s/what he and his family feel is best for his development, but if he's not playing it wouldn't be a lack of talent or current ability. The only real comment of note is if you've not had a chance to see the kid play live it'd be WELL worth the effort to do it while you can. It's a breath of fresh air.

Darragh Beirne - All the years screaming out for left footed free takers and we get DB, (C) McHale and Dawson all come along together. Still u20 so care needed on not overloading the lad, but has been outstanding at every step of his underage progress to date. Club, county and school (you'd fancy his UL Freshers side to be a force too, this year and beyond into a couple of Sigerson campaigns). Relatively tall, nice pace, has the best timing of a hand in tackle I've seen in years (probably since Zippy) crazily packaged in a silky forward, seems to handle pressure like an old experienced vetern and with a work ethic you'd only hope for in a potential player. The type of player you'd happily pay in for the off-chance of seeing them play a last 10 minutes with a bit of a knock.

Tom Lydon - Another outstanding young talent stepping up from next years 20s. Spent the opening number of games in last years 20s campaign (I think it was each of the 1st 4 games, but possibly 5) kicking points from play off both feet (something Beirne and Hurley along side him were doing fairly often too). A tough club campaign, for him and the club, but no question of the current talent or potential there. Wouldn't expect him to make a breakthrough just yet, but puts him in a great spot to push on next year and if he does get a nod at any point has all the talent to punish any opposition.

Cillian O'Connor - Amazing to have Cillian back in the panel. Raises the bar on everything the team will do this year. A key leader of the county side since his teens, he'll be ensuring the young lads are pushed and pushing in all the right ways while giving a level of experience and coolness under pressure you can't replace. For all the talk of high fielding, athetism and fast transitions there's a world of momentum that can be gained from a well executed high press and there's nobody in the game better at controlling that than Cillian. If he can get the body right he'll have a big role on the grass, and even without out it he'd be playing a sizable one off it too.

James Carr - Was great watching him hit such good form in '23 (and heartbreaking to hear how little he enjoyed his football in '23 & '24), you'd wonder how far he might push with the new rules rewarding those skills even more now. Pace, power and a penchant for the most spectacular of goals he's the definition (as James O'D likes to remind us) of a mercurial talent. I've no idea how a defender can ever guess if he's going to kick a 2 off left, off his right or put the head down and drive all the way to goal... or possibly just chip the keeper from outside of the arc. You'd give him decent odds of having each of those in his highlight reel at the end of the year.

Kuba Callaghan - Probably the outstanding club forward the last couple of years. A bit like Andy himself making some dramtic leaps forward after taking up his role working in the gym. Every team that played Ballagh knew they'd 1 main job, "stop Kuba". He still finished the year scoring from play every game, scoring a 2 or a 3 from play in every game and scoring +10 in every game (only Ballina managed to hold him as low as 2-1-2 on the day). Pace, power, trickery, eye for goal and outrageous long or short range shooting he's a potential handful for any defender in the country.

Tommy Conroy - Almost like a new signing getting Tommy back. Hard to gauge the club form too much, decent to good but in a side that never really clicked or got close to the expectations many (or at least I) would have had for them. So much of the year will depend on getting a clean run on injuries, so fingers crossed for him there. Crazy clever player, heart of a lion, if he finally gets to unleash his pace on these rules (expecially with some of the new options around him potentially opening up even more space) we could be in for a treat. Fingers crossed.

Niall Hurley - Man of the match again in that recent u21 Final for Claremorris against Westport, and you wouldn't bet against him winning the again in the u21 Final next year either. Outstanding talent. Possibly has a slightly harder time making the step up than a Beirne or a Lydon (both a year younger) given his style of play, where he's very much a take his man on and either breeze past them or get foulded (repeatedly - his assist stats are always through the roof) trying. That said, he's already causing havoc for the very best of defenders at 21s, dominated Freshers nationally last year and now at Sigerson level for UCD so you wouldn't bet against him making that step sooner rather than later.

Others often mentioned but not included in the CT/WP story:

Eoin McGreal - Has been outstanding since his minor days and seems to be progressing exceptionally with every year. As someone who'd be a huge fan of his and predicted him potentially getting a nod with the Mayo senior setup this year despite still being u20 (mostly with an eye on the future), I was still blown away by the job he did playing midfield for Garrymore in R1 of the Championship. Himself, Slattery & Horkan doing as good a job as that Crossmolina middle 1/3rd as anyone managed all year. Needs a lot of care (from senior and 20s setups) for his hamstring, seems to be a recurring niggle at this point, though it's an expected/understandable one when you've a player that's so lightning fast. Great reader of the ball, great fight, electric pace and knows how to split the posts when the pace does get him free. Wouldn't expect major minutes at senior, but huge value in the S&C he can do as part of the setup and a really exciting u20 year coming (interesting to see where they mostly use him - anywhere from 2 to 7 he'd be an easy choice and the type of player if you asked do a job at 10 to 15 he'd excel too).

Colm Lynch - Probably the biggest surprise of the 20s mentioned being in and around the panel, but makes a lot of sense. Fantastic ball carrier, pacey, trickey and has added long range shooting for 2s to the already impressive skillset. Could see him doing a job for the 20s anywhere from 5 to 12, but probably a year (or two) sooner than I'd expect him pushing for senior minutes. That said, if called he'd be a handful for anyone to match up against and would make them work hard.

Brian O'Malley - Another member of the '18 All Ireland u20 Final side and another with an outstanding year for Westport despite only coming on late for them in R2 of the group games. Really tough battle for those spots around the middle as mentioned earlier, but Brian with every chance of holding on to one of those. Can't think of anyone who's gotten a clean win against him 1v1 in recent years. He dominates plenty and tends to break even at worst - a great trait to have as a warrior around the middle.

I asked for it and I got it. Superb set of bios there TSU. Has whetted my appetite for 26 and even the Offaly match. I’ll be referencing this material for a long time to come..

@TsuDhoNim

Andy should recruit you as a scout to fair play .

Tsu - I don't think there is a person in Mayo with a better knowledge of the players within the county than yourself. Fair play to you.

Thanks Tsu

Well done TSU. You’re some man.

No Saturday night games for Mayo in Castlebar again…will they ever fix the lights?

Delighted there's no Saturday night games. The noise from that fecking generator would go through ya

It's not characters we need It's footballers

Catcol or Tsu -either of ye have copy of new player guide from 25.

HERE IT IS JAT - a little bit later last year!

1. TsuDhoNim says:
December 9, 2024 at 2:07 pm
@catcol: Not quite a 15 there (at least not that I can identify) and mostly forward heavy, so wouldn’t be a terribly competitive setup like that.
2. Happy to give a super subjective run-down on them that might do a similar type of job as you were hoping if there’s a few you’re not overly familiar with, without having to horse a few forwards in as corner backs.
3. Vahey – Looks a really solid keeper in what we saw this year, but a relatively new name to many of us with his only recent return to GAA from Sligo Rovers. Hard to know just how high his ceiling could be yet, but exciting to see enough potential to leapfrog Jack (a very fine keeper too) that could push Colm in the future. (Really feel for poor Luke Jennings from Ballinrobe. Had another fantastic year but seems to have fallen just short. Great to see that level of competition just for the panel, never mind the starting jersey)
4. Akram – Pacey, intelligent, athletic and incredibly hard-working wing back. Looked to have county written all over him as an exciting underage prospect & I’d say lots of us expected him to hold his place back in ’17 when he first made the panel for FBD (still u21 at the time). One of the big influences on Ballagh’s emergence as a competitive side, potentially a lot to offer still at ~28 or 29.
5. Ivors – Big, powerful, the type of profile and abrasive aggression (in the most positive ways) we’ve found ourselves a little short on at times. Hard to know where we might use him yet (tends to be a 6 or midfield for Belmullet, but you could see him doing a job from 2 to 12) but at ~23 has heaps of potential left to fill. I’m 50/50 between him getting some S&C work with the panel before a cut and used for future development and him potentially being our breakout star for the year. Could go either way.
6. Melvin – (I can’t pick him out in the pic, but someone else suggested he’s there) His injury just before the start of the Championship hurt our 20s a lot this year. He (or Howard, who oddly wasn’t in the 20s panel) was exactly what we were missing at times in those opening games when he wasn’t 100% fit. Talented midfielder, huge potential, showed well (along with midfield partner Fenton Kelly, also in the extended squad for a couple of years now – there just in front of Conor Reid) for Davitts this year and one for the future.
7. Thornton – Another I’d struggle to predict a position for. Could do a job from 5 to 15, I’d expect most likely used as a powerful, ball winning wing forward (Tuohy would be the closest comparison to an existing squad member I guess) but would cause havoc on edge of the square (more than a few goals for Ballina and UL using him like that in recent years) or give us another ball-winning option around the middle/11 too. If not for injuries I’d have expected this breakthrough in ’22 or ’23. Potential there to push for a starter.
8. Neary – Outstanding year for Breaffy for the hard running wing-forward. An exciting prospect, but probably a little raw just yet. I’d expect a year of learning & skill development for him ahead of expecting a big breakthrough (though he could absolutely prove me wrong). Not quite as big as some nor as fast as others, but the combination of the two he has will cause havoc at times for any defence. So often the one to unlock the door for others to tap in a goal or take an easy score, so a much better player than a stat sheet might show.
9. Prendergast – Still only ~24 despite seemingly being around & spoken about for so many years, he’s had a rollercoaster ride getting here. Outstanding underage talent, he ended up veering off towards rugby for a few years (representing Ireland at 18s & 19s, coming very close to pro ranks) & then a few years where injuries caused a lot of setbacks (significantly ACL & osteitis pubis) but always battled through like a warrior. When he hits form (I’d say ‘stays fit’ too, but even half injured he can do it at times) he’s absolutely outstanding & has looked unmarkable in games. Serious power, serious eye for goal and real potential to push for a starter spot if he can get the basic skills at high speed up to scratch (they look there watching club ball, but it’s a different story making that step up). Could be used from 8 to 15, I’d to see him mostly expect used inside but great flexibility there.
10. Dawson – I’d expect mostly a building year (S&C/skills) for Conal, though will certainly put pressure on lads for match day squads while doing it. We’ve used him at county underage as a corner back, wing back and midfielder (sometimes in the one game) while playing most of his club football at the time as a wing forward, so anyone’s guess where he might turn up. One of our few left-footed shooters on the panel (often takes frees on the right for Westport, though wouldn’t really be a county level kicker or a part of his game I’d expect much focus on atm), probably surprised a few bumping Sean Morahan to this spot.
11. O’Flaherty – Similar to Dawson, you’d expect mostly a building year. Talented wing forward, works his socks off and great skill with ball in hand. Physicals a bit short just yet, taken out of games a bit too easily at times for the u20s or NUIG last year, but with his work ethic he’ll be closing the gaps on that day by day. One for the future.
12. (C) McHale – Outstanding year for Moy Davitts, probably the most exciting club player I’ve watched this year (at any grade, nationally). Kicked some absolutely outrageous scores, from dead balls or play, with one of the best left feet in the county (intentionally laying down the gauntlet to Dylan Gallagher & Darragh Beirne saying that). Still u21 yet, so probably should just be a building year, but has the potential to push hard. You could see his left-footed frees alone nudging him up the pecking order a little.
13. Eamon Phillips – (Open to correction, but believe that’s his head I spot) Outstanding few years for Ballyhaunis (in both codes) for the free scoring forward. Right up there with the Coyne brothers and Zippy pushing for player of the match in most games. Huge lad, accurate free taker, would pose all sorts of different questions for a defender (e.g. set a defence up to mark Conroy and Towey and suddenly we pull Prendergast & Phillips off the bench, or vice versa). Another that could be in the first cut or could be a breakout, 50/50 between the two for me.
14. Ewan Duffy – (can’t spot him in the pic, but could easily be there) A bit of everything from Ewan. Athletic, ferocious work rate & potential for box to box play even under the more demanding new rules. Mostly plays 11 for Ballinrobe knitting everything around him together, something they could use him for (more of a running game than other options in there), but I could see him used as a flexible utility player solving specific problems (e.g. trying to get a grip on a rampaging defender while still asking questions going forward) rather than playing specific positions. Very similar to his younger brother already involved.
15. Finbar McLaughlin – (Another I can’t spot, but others have mentioned) The usual McLaughlin pace (Oisín, Eoghan, Fionnuala & Finbar all electric) with possibly the best shooting, relatively two footed too, among the bunch. Just out of 20s, would be a development year to get the S&C in place, but has caused havoc this year for Westport and looked at home playing colleges against some county level defenders. Could push through, but given his style of play needing the power to help break lines, I’d expect a quiet year just yet. Exciting potential going forward though.
16. Should be noted there’s ~40 lads in the pic with a number missing (O’Shea, Flynn & Loftus the obvious ones with potential for a few less obvious ones – Niall Coggins would be borderline there you’d imagine & you could see someone like Darragh Syron brought in as another to build S&C for the future), so some names mentioned might not be around for an extended period once it comes to getting the league panel and then later the Championship panel in place.

With the way young askin struck the ball from 50+ on on a cold damp November afternoon I'd be damn surprised if he didn't get a late call from Andy to join the boys in Portugal. From what I've seen he's the whole package; strength, size, power, muschle and a touch of finesse. Really looking forward to seeing him in action in the league this year

Askin a raw talent, but these young guys are committed to their education and future careers outside amateur football. He will develop like Eoghan McLaughlin into an exciting talent.
While he maay not make any mayo panel, you would hope that Andy/Colm Boyle noted his progress this year. There are many more like Leon and hopefully there will be somewhere to go in 2026. A lot of credit to clubs producing these outstanding athletes.

Askin? Which club?

@Catcol: Westport.

Leon (& Ryan both) making big strides there. Excited to see where next year takes him (and how Westport bounce back after a few tough losses this year). Wouldn't doubt him getting any calls for Portugal this year, but showing all the talents that you'd think he could firmly nail down a starting spot for the club (a much higher bar than it sounds given the talent in that Westport panel) in the next 12 or 18 months. Exciting prospect for sure.

I think 2026 will be a year for the west mayo men with significant young talent coming through, such as the afformentioned askin. I believe the men in black and white will make a real push for senior this year as I'm hearing whispers from the woods of kilmeena that a young Hastings will be returns. I remember seeing him in action back in the u17 a final a few years ago. He was teak tough, could take hits all day and not afraid to give them out! Looking forward to seeing him back in action