Leitrim and New York name teams for Saturday's Connacht SFC clash in Gaelic Park

Leitrim and New York have named their teams for Saturday's eagerly anticipated Connacht Senior Football Championship First Round clash in Gaelic Park, New York with Fenagh St Caillins Conor Dwyer set to make his championship debut after he was named in the starting 15.

With much speculation over who would and who wouldn't be playing for New York on Saturday, the Exiles have also named a team replete with inter-county experience with former Dublin star Shane Carty, two time Connacht winner Eoghan Kerins and Kerry duo Gavin O'Brien and Robert Wharton named in their starting 15.

Conor Dwyer's selection in the starting 15 is the biggest surprise as the Fenagh man has not seen action in this year's Allianz League while Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins' Tom Prior and Gortletteragh's Jack Heslin have both been named on the bench.

Sam Maguire, not Tailteann Cup, is Keith Beirne's main target for Leitrim in 2023

Top scorer Keith Beirne feels the Green & Gold need to compete at the top level if they want to improve but admits New York are a tricky proposition on Saturday

Former All-Ireland winner hurler Johnny Glynn is named to start at midfield, the 6 foot five Galway man paired with Kerry's Gavin O'Brien while Galway's Adrian Varley, who caused Sligo no end of problems last year in Gaelic Park, will start from centre-forward.

Former Melvin Gaels player Darragh Rooney is not named on the starting 26 for the game while Barry McNulty, controversially withdrawn from the U20 side for their Connacht Semi-Final against Galway last Tuesday, is named on the bench but is sure to see action at some stage.

Looking forward to tomorrow's @ConnachtGAA match with @NewYorkGAA in Gaelic Park. See you all there! pic.twitter.com/cpLC8vSGaq

— Leitrim GAA (@LeitrimGAA) April 7, 2023

Other changes to the team that started the final league game against Sligo sees Conor Farrell (St Mary's Kiltoghert) and James Rooney (Glencar Manorhamilton) named at wing-back, Farrell impressing off the bench after an early introduction against the Tribesmen.

However, as with all teams nowadays, it wouldn't be a surprise if there were a few changes to the formation and starting line-ups before Saturday's game.

New York fancy their chances of winning first ever Connacht SFC game as Leitrim visit the Big Apple

Former Leitrim player & New York manager Frank Brady casts his eye over Saturday's Connacht SFC clash in Gaelic Park as New York set their sights on creating history by winning their first ever Connacht Championship tie

The teams and full match day panels are as follows:

LEITRIM

1. Nevin O’Donnell Shannon Gaels Cavan
2. Paddy Maguire Glencar Manorhamilton
3. Mark Diffley St Mary’s Kiltoghert
4. Conor Reynolds Annaduff
5. Conor Farrell St Mary’s Kiltoghert
6. Shane Quinn Mohill
7. James Rooney Glencar Manorhamilton
8. Pearce Dolan Aughawillan
9. Donal Wrynn Fenagh St Caillins (Captain)
10. Conor Dwyer Fenagh St Caillins
11. Mark Plunkett Aughawillan
12. Paul Keaney St Mary’s Kiltoghert
13. Aidan Flynn Leitrim Gaels
14. Keith Beirne Mohill
15. Evan Sweeney Glencar Manorhamilton
16. Darren Maxwell Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins
17. Tom Quinn Castleknock
18. Adam Reynolds St Mary’s Kiltoghert
19. Domhnaill Flynn Mohill
20. Diarmuid Kelleher St Mary’s Kiltoghert
21. Jack Heslin Gortletteragh
22. Cillian McGloin Melvin Gaels
23. Tom Prior Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins
24. Oisín McLoughlin Fenagh St Caillins
25. Barry McNulty Glencar Manorhamilton
26. Stephen McLoughlin Kiltubrid

NEW YORK

1. Michael Cunningham
2. Jamie Boyle
3. Alan Campbell
4. Eoghan Kerin
5. Bill Maher
6. Robert Wharton
7. Shane Brosnan
8. Johnny Glynn
9. Gavin O'Brien
10. Mark Ellis
11. Adrian Varley
12. Shane Carthy
13. Mikey Brosnan
14. Patrick Boyle
15. Daniel O'Sullivan
16. Adam Loughlin Stones
17. Matthew Queenan
18. Killian Butler
19. Colin Keane
20. Connell Ahearne
21. Niall Madine
22. Jack Reilly
23. Luke Kelly
24. Peter Fox
25. Tiernan Mathers
26. Padraig Studdard