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Colin Walshe ready for leading role

MOVING ON UP: Colin Walshe is Monaghan's new captain having served as vice-captain for three years Picture: Seamus Loughran
MOVING ON UP: Colin Walshe is Monaghan's new captain having served as vice-captain for three years Picture: Seamus Loughran MOVING ON UP: Colin Walshe is Monaghan's new captain having served as vice-captain for three years Picture: Seamus Loughran

Mayo team news due tonight

Allianz Football League Division One: Mayo v Monaghan (tonight, Elvery’s MacHale Park, 7pm, live on Eir Sport)

HAVING served a three-year apprenticeship, Monaghan defender Colin Walshe will tonight get the honour of leading his county out as captain for the first time as they face last year’s All-Ireland finalists Mayo at MacHale Park.

As vice-captain between 2014 and 2016, the Doohamlet man did go up for the toss on occasion when Conor McManus was absent, but this is a new chapter in the career of the 2013 Allstar with Drew Wylie now acting as his deputy.

“I was acting captain in a few games when ‘Mansy’ wasn’t playing, McKenna Cup and things like that,” said Walshe.

“I didn’t expect Malachy (O’Rourke) to change it up but it’s been the same way for three years now so maybe he thought a change would be good.

“The team is full of captains really. Darren Hughes has been captain before, Vinny (Corey) has been captain, ‘Mansy’ obviously, so there are plenty of leaders in the dressing room.”

Mayo away presents a difficult start for Walshe and his teammates. The bookmakers have clearly identified a top four and bottom four in Division One with Stephen Rochford’s side lumped in with Dublin, Kerry and Tyrone while the Farney men are expected to battle at the bottom with Donegal, Roscommon and Cavan.

“It’s a tricky enough one to start off with but I suppose in Division One you’re never going to get too many easy games,” said Walshe.

“We’re looking forward to going to Castlebar. They gave us a right trimming two years ago down there so that’s something we can hopefully turn around.”

After two games last year, Monaghan had amassed four points while Mayo were pointless, but it was O’Rourke’s side that came closest to relegation.

That fade was replicated in the Championship as they blitzed Down in the Ulster opener before Longford dumped them out of the Qualifiers after an agonising one-point replay loss to Donegal.

Although unwanted at the time, Walshe is hoping that the extended break will have recharged batteries for Mayo and, indeed, the entire season.

“We were wrapped up early last year so the boys are just mad to get back at it,” he said.

“People have come back with fresh minds and fresh bodies with no club, bar Donaghmoyne, having long Ulster campaigns.

“We have a few boys out of the U21s mad for football too at this time of the year so hopefully that will all pay off.”

Mayo News columnist Billy Joe Padden described this match as “the biggest League game that Mayo have played for years” as their players prepare for a year of intense scrutiny.

Last year’s All-Ireland final replay loss to Dublin was viewed as the last hurrah by many, so it’s up to the squad to convince sceptics that there is life left in them yet.

While there is merit in calling this a probable home victory, there are just enough seeds of doubt to open the door for Monaghan.

The Westerners were on a team holiday in South Africa until mid-January so there preparation will not have been as thorough as their opponent’s. Aidan O’Shea, Brendan Harrison and Ger Cafferky are out injured while Monaghan have named an extremely strong side.

Since their move to the top division in 2015, Monaghan have recorded some impressive away wins with the likes of Kerry, Tyrone and Donegal falling to them on home turf. Mayo could be added to that list tonight.

Monaghan: R Beggan; F Kelly, D Wylie, R Wylie; C Walshe, N McAdam, K Duffy; D Hughes, K Hughes; K O’Connell, S Carey, G Doogan; C McCarthy, T Kerr, C McManus

Mayo: TBA