Cillian O'Connor returns as Mayo team named for National Football League Division 1 final against Kerry
Cillian O'Connor is set for his first Mayo appearance since the 2021 National League, after being named on the bench for Sunday's Division 1 final against Kerry. The Ballintubber forward suffered an Achilles Tendon injury last June, as has not featured for the county since then.
Last Updated: 02/04/22 4:49pm
Mayo have received a significant boost ahead of the 2022 Championship, with the news that Cillian O'Connor has returned from injury.
The Ballintubber sharpshooter has not featured for the county since June 2021, after suffering an Achilles injury in the National League tie with Clare.
However, he has been included in the panel for Sunday's Division 1 final against Kerry in Croke Park.
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The return of the championship's all-time top scorer is a major fillip for James Horan and Co, as they prepare for their Connacht Championship opener against Galway on Sunday, April 24.
His recovery also offsets the loss of Tommy Conroy, who is set to miss the entire season after an ACL injury.
O'Connor has been named on the bench for Sunday's clash.
Elsewhere, the Westerners have made four changes from the team that defeated Kildare last week. Stephen Coen, Padraig O'Horan, Enda Hession and Conor Loftus all come into the side, in place of David McBrien, Brendan Harrison, Rory Brickenden and Diarmuid O'Connor.
Meanwhile, Jack O'Connor has made six changes to the Kerry team for the tie.
Shane Ryan returns in goals, replacing Shane Murphy. Gavin White, Jack Barry, Dara Moynihan, Paudie Clifford and Adrian Spillane all come into the side. Seán O'Shea is on the bench, as is David Moran.
Mayo: Rory Byrne; Lee Keegan, Stephen Coen, Padraig O'Hora; Michael Plunkett, Oisin Mullin, Enda Hession; Jordan Flynn, Matthew Ruane; Conor Loftus, Aidan O'Shea, Jack Carney; James Carr, Jason Doherty, Ryan 'Donoghue.
Subs: Colm Reape; Donnacha McHugh, Rory Brickenden, Eoghan McLaughlin, Kevin McLoughlin, Conor O'Shea, Darren Coen, Darren McHale, Fergal Boland, Aiden Orme, Cillian O'Connor.
Kerry: Shane Ryan; Graham O'Sullivan, Jason Foley, Tom O'Sullivan; Gavin White, Tadhg Morley, Brian Ó Beaglaíoch; Diarmuid O'Connor, Jack Barry; Dara Moynihan, Paudie Clifford, Adrian Spillane; Stephen O'Brien, David Clifford, Paul Geaney.
Subs: Shane Murphy, Tony Brosnan, Dylan Casey, Jack Savage, Joe O'Connor, Micheál Burns, Killian Spillane, Gavin Crowley, Pa Warren, Seán O'Shea, David Moran.
