Mayo search for Oscar Traynor Cup gold



Our Logo 3 April 1997


A 19-strong squad has been selected to represent Mayo in the Oscar Traynor Cup finals being staged at Milebush, Castlebar, on Saturday and Sunday next.

Mayo open their campaign in the series when they face Kerry in an intriguing semi-final clash on Saturday morning. It represents the first meeting between the sides at this level.

In the other semi-final, the Athletic Union League (Dublin) play Kilkenny at 2.30p.m. The final is fixed for Sunday at 2.30 in Milebush with the third-place play-off at Manulla at 12.00 noon on Sunday. The tournament is being hosted by the Mayo Association Football League in association with the F.A.I. Junior Council.

Mayo have only reached the final once in the history of the competition. That was in 1981 when they were defeated 2-0 by a Paul McGrath inspired Leinster Senior League outside.

Managed by Donal Benson, who is now the chairman of the Mayo League, the Mayo side on that occasion was Padraig Cresham, Mickey Nallen, Seamus McHugh, Lar Morahan, Greg Earls, Charlie Davis, Fergus McEllin, Mickey Curran, Brian Ainsworth, Joe Lindsay and Noel Walsh, with Michael McLoughlin and Frankie Gordan being used as substitutes.

The only other time Mayo reached the semi-final of the series was in 1988 when they lost 3-0 at the hands of the Athletic Union League at Westport .

MEET THE CURRENT MAYO SQUAD

Declan Prendergast, Ballyglass. Goalkeeper. Aged 27. Hero of the quarter-final win over Galway at Terryland Park, Mayo's first win at the venue in sixteen years. Works as a Window Fabricator. Sponsored by Golden Mile Window Systems, Castlebar.

Rory O'Malley, Manulla. Goalkeeper. Aged 19. Holder of two Mayo League Premiership medals. A student. Sponsored by the Flower Shop, Castlebar.

Tom Healy, Manulla. Central defender. Aged 32. One of the most experienced members of the side, he has been inspirational throughout the Oscar Traynor Cup campaign. He is employed as a sales representative. Sponsored by Sheebeen Bar, Balla.

Damian Ansbro, Manulla. Central defender. Aged 20. Voted the youngest 'Footballer of the Year' in Mayo in 1994. Is an employee of Volex, Castlebar. Sponsored by the Old Woods, Balla.

Kieran McDonnell, Manulla. Full back. Aged 19. Can play as effectively on the right or left side, as well as at midfield. A student. Sponsored by Mannion's Bar, Balla.

Vincent Gallagher, Achill Rovers. Left-full. Aged 20. Has made a tremendous impact in his first season playing at inter-league level. A carpenter by trade, he is sponsored by Achill Rovers F.C.

Roger Clarke, Manulla. Midfielder. Aged 21. Scored in the opening round win over Inishowen. A student, he is sponsored by Raymond Clarke Auctioneers, Balla.

Tim Moriarty, Urlaur United. Central midfielder. Aged 28. His power and passion are key factors in the Mayo side. Employed as a metal fabricator. Sponsored by F.D.K. Engineering Services Limited.

Kevin Ring, Claremorris. Central midfielder. Aged 22. A clinical passer of the ball, he also gets into good positions. Selected for a junior international trial this season. Employed as a quarry excavation driver. Sponsored by Claremorris F.C.

Chris Jordan, Urlaur United. Midfielder. Aged 23. Possesses great stamina and running ability, he is one of Mayo's brightest young stars. A civic engineer by profession. Sponsored by Lackagh Quarries, Recess, Galway.

Ray Prendergast, Ballyglass. Midfielder. Aged 30. A member of the Ballyglass side which captured the Mayo League Premiership title in 1996. Very experienced. A company director. Sponsored by Westport Windows and Doors.

Martin Vahey, Ballyglass. Forward. Aged 24. Named Mayo 'Footballer of the Year' a number of weeks ago. Has tremendous pace. An electrician by profession. Sponsored by the Old Ground, Ballyglass.

Stephen Ring, Claremorris. Midfielder. Aged 25. Very resourceful, did very well when introduced against Galway in the quarter-final. Works as a quarry excavator driver. Sponsored by P. Ring Quarries, Claremorris.

Justin Keady, Ballyglass. Defender. Aged 27. He is the side's dead-ball specialist. A carpenter by trade. Sponsored by Dalgan Wood Industries Limited, Shrule.

Iain McLoughlin, Westport United. Defender. Aged 25. A son of former Mayo great, Sean McLoughlin, Iain is a strong and purposeful player. Works as a printer. Sponsored by Berry's Print Works, Westport.

Alan Rumley, Manulla. Forward. Aged 21. Made his inter-league debut in the quarter-final victory over Galway. A consistent goalscorer. Employed as a Roofer, he is sponsored by Padraig Kiernan Roofing Contractors.

Michael Roache, Conn Rangers. Defender. Aged 21. A newcomer to the squad, he played at youth level for Mayo. Won a Connaught Youth Cup medal with his club in 1992. A precast concrete worker, he is sponsored by Ballyvary Precast Concrete Products.

Declan Shaw, Snugboro. Forward. Aged 25. Called into the squad following his magnificent season at club level. Will add considerable firepower to the side. Employed as a landscape contractor, he is sponsored by Shaw's Garden Centre, Castlebar.

Gerry Jennings, Manulla. Winger. Aged 21. Another newcomer to the panel, he provides the side with another attacking option. On song, he is exceptionally good. A construction worker, he is sponsored by John Jennings Electrical, Manulla.

P.J. Duffy, Conn Rangers. Manager. In his second season in the job, he has won four out of five Oscar Traynor games played under his management. Quick to make changes when they are needed. A Building Suppliers Salesman, he is sponsored by Chadwicks of Castlebar.

Tom McDaniel, Castlebar. Assistant Manager. A hardworking and committed official, he puts long hours into the game. A Construction Foreman, he is sponsored by the Bank of Ireland.

Paul Jordan, Urlaur. Coach. Aged 31. The captain of the Mayo team before injury ruled him out of the Oscar Traynor Cup campaign, Paul holds the position of player-coach. Works as a graphic artist. Sponsored by Berry's Print Works, Westport.



Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - April 1997