DEFENDING CHAMPIONS MAYO can call on no fewer than five of the side that started last year’s All-Ireland final as they set out to defend their EirGrid U21 Football crown.

Mike Solan’s side open their provincial campaign with a semi-final against Galway in Tuam this Saturday (5pm).

Goalkeeper Matthew Flanagan, defenders Eoin O’Donoghue and Shairoze Akram, midfielder Matthew Ruane and forward James Kelly all return following last year’s triumph.

Ardagh’s James Carr, who came off the bench in the final against Cork, starts at corner-forward while Brian Reape, who missed that game through injury, captains the side from full-forward.

Mayo U21 (v Galway)

1. Matthew Flanagan (Balla)

2. Stephen Brennan (Claremorris)
3. Eoin O Donoghue (Belmullet)
4. Sean Conlon (Castlebar Mitchels)

5. Marcus Park (Knockmore)
6. Dylan Cannon (Breaffy)
7. Shairoze Akram (Ballaghaderreen)

8. Matthew Ruane (Breaffy)
9. Mikey Murray (Ballina Stephenites)

10. James McCormack (Claremorris)
11. Gerry Canavan (Mayo Gaels)
12. James Kelly (Belmullet)

13. James Lyons (Aghamore)
14. Brian Reape (Bohola Moy Davitts, captain)
15. James Carr (Ardagh)

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