Weather permitting – and at this stage it’s far from clear what the elements will permit – a new year of football for teams from the county gets underway tomorrow.
Andy Moran has already had a few run-outs with his Mayo team in the lead-up to Christmas but his first assignment of the new year is set to take place tomorrow at Fr O’Hara Park in Charlestown. Sligo provide the opposition for this first round clash in the revived FBD League and throw-in is set for 1pm.
Tickets for the game are available online from the Universe platform (here) and they’re also on sale at selected Centra and SuperValu outlets. Match passes to watch the game online on Connacht GAA’s streaming service may be purchased here.
I won’t be travelling west myself for this match and, in light of other commitments up here on the day, I won’t be watching the stream live either (though I’m aiming to do so at some point over the weekend). Mike is on commentary duties at Fr O’Hara Park, however, so we’ll have a Final Whistle pod up on Patreon after the game.
The footballers of Kiltimagh, meanwhile, are gearing up for a huge match tomorrow up in Carrick-on-Shannon. They’re playing Clogher Eire Óg from Tyrone in the All-Ireland Junior football Championship semi-final and throw-in at Páirc Seán MacDiarmada is set for 12.30 pm.
The ticket link for the game is here and it’s also being shown live on TG4. The Western People have a good preview of the game by Stuart Tynan here.
Mayomagic says:
January 2, 2026 at 6:11 pm
Team published for the Sligo game
1. Robbie Hennelly – Raheny
2. Eoin McGreal – Garrymore
3. Liam Golden – Ballina Stephenites
4. Enda Hession – Garrymore
5. Fenton Kelly – Davitts
6. Michael Plunkett – Ballintubber
7. Colm Lynch – Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin
8. Jordan Flynn – Crossmolina Deel Rovers
9. Brian O’Malley – Westport
10. Nathan Moran – Hollymount/Carramore
11. Adam Barrett – Kilmaine
12. Seamus Howard – Belmullet
13. Darragh Beirne – Claremorris
14. Aidan O Shea – Breaffy
15. Kuba Callaghan – Ballaghdereen
16. Jack Livingstone – Breaffy
17. Jack Coyne (C) – Ballyhaunis
18. Liam Donoghue – Kiltane
19. Cathal Keaveney – Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin
20. Bob Tuohy – Castlebar Mitchels
21. Ryan O Donoghue – Belmullet
22. Stephen Coen – Hollymount/Carramore
23. Diarmuid Duffy – Ballinrobe
24. Dylan Thornton – Ballina Stephenites
25. James Carr – Ardagh
26. Finbar McLaughlin – Westport
Sam og says:
January 2, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Must be the first time in years South Mayo had 6 players on a Mayo starting 15.
Paddyjoejohntom says:
January 2, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Some crowd at Tyrone v Armagh, live now on tg4 youtube
Clare says:
January 2, 2026 at 7:12 pm
Nice to see a good few new lads been given a chance .
Anne-Marie says:
January 2, 2026 at 7:15 pm
And a peach of a pass in there for the Tyrone goal too. A massive turnout but the McKenna Cup always brings big crowds. It'll be interesting to see if many will head to Charlestown tomorrow. If it goes ahead, it'll be a day for the thermals, and then some.
Happy New Year everyone!
MO2023 says:
January 2, 2026 at 7:47 pm
7k at the Armagh v Tyrone game and 14k watching it on YouTube
Lahanman says:
January 2, 2026 at 7:53 pm
AOS starting into his 17th senior season? What a servant and role model for Mayo football. Some commitment to want to line out in a pre season friendly on a freezing January day. Take a bow sir.
But hardly nessecary of course.
Its COC who might need game time as he hasnt played any inter county under new rules? But I wonder what Cillian's role will be this year?. I am not sure he still can be a game changer on the pitch but his leadership and experience of it is hugely beneficial.
Supermac says:
January 2, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Hard to believe the crowd at that tyrone armagh game. People absolutely itching to get out and watch some football again.
Mad to think these competitions were done away with last year, with county teams instead going out and playing closed door friendlies anyway with a fair amount of gate receipts lost
Mayo Man for Life says:
January 2, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Strong bench , would have thought someone that needs county football like James Carr would be starting ahead of AOS for a game like this tomorrow as we already know what AOS offers… Also interesting that ROD , Coen and the captain all appear happy to start on the bench ….but let’s wish Andy all the best with the start of the new season
Clare says:
January 2, 2026 at 9:13 pm
@Mayo man for life
I agree thought the same James Carr needs more game time ahead of Aido in an fbd game .
JoeG says:
January 3, 2026 at 7:36 am
Might be trying to build a chemistry between AIdan and others if Andy has decided AOS is going to be his full forward this season.
B o' red MAYO man says:
January 3, 2026 at 12:28 pm
In case anyone is looking to stream the game.
https://page.inplayer.com/connachtgaa/item.html?id=5075403
Southmayo Exile says:
January 3, 2026 at 12:35 pm
We starting with three midfielders in the forwards again.
Let's hope it's not a sign of things to come and we play more natural forwards up front
Clare says:
January 3, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Aido just had a new baby so that's why out congrats to him . Wont be worried whatever the result today only fbd .
JoeG says:
January 3, 2026 at 4:40 pm
Missing McBrien, McHugh, Brickenden, Durcan, Callinan, Morahan, Ruane, Flynn, Carney, Dawson, Boland, Towey, Darren McHale, Conroy, O'Shea. How many new faces will be able to displace some of these? If we're to improve some of the newbies have to step up or we're treading water.
Personally as of now and i know it's early days but one or two of forwards Bierne, Keaveney, Lydon and Cian McHale look the most likely.