Donaghmore Ashbourne footballer Niall Farrell has made the New York senior football panel. The exiles take on Mayo in the opening round of the Connacht SFC this Sunday in Gaelic Park.

Farrell was one of the stars back in 2007 as Donaghmore Ashbourne blazed a trail to Meath Intermediate Football Championship glory. Castletown were defeated in the decider at Pairc Tailteann. The club also won the Division 3 league the same year.

Seneschalstown's Paddy Curtis, meanwhile, is the team trainer.

Just five players survive from last year's defeat to Leitrim with Gavin Joyce keeping his place in goal, Keith Scally moving from center-back to right half-back and Alan Raftery moving out to midfield from the half back line.

Gary O'Driscoll pushes forward from midfield to corner-forward while Jason Kelly will start once again at centre-forward.

There will be championship debuts in the colours of New York for captain Brendan Quigley, Down pair Gerard McCartan and Keith Quinn, former Donegal player Ross Wherity and former Cork player Denis O'Sullivan.

One Mayo native is among the substitutes - goalkeeper Ray Coyle.

Mayo, meanwhile, will reveal their starting line-out tonight after 10pm.

New York (Connacht SFC v Mayo) - Gavin Joyce (Cavan NY/Ballymartin, Down); Ronan McGinley (Cavan NY/Errigal Ciaran, Tyrone), Gerard McCartan (Kerry NY/Burren, Down), Kieran O Connor (Kerry NY/Listowel Emmett's, Kerry); Keith Scally (Westmeath NY/Tyrrellspass, Westmeath), Paul O'Connor (Cork NY/Kilmurry Ibrickane, Clare), Denis O'Sullivan (Cork NY/Clonakilty, Cork); Brendan Quigley (Captain, Donegal NY/Timahoe, Laois), Alan Raftery (Cork NY/Oranmore / Maree, Galway); Paddy Boyle (Donegal NY/Castlewellan, Down), Jason Kelly (Offaly NY/Shannonbridge, Offaly), Ross Wherity (Kerry NY/St Eunans, Donegal); Johnny McGeeney (Armagh NY/Culloville Blues, Armagh), Keith Quinn (Leitrim NY/Mayobridge, Down), Gary O Driscoll (Kerry NY/Skellig Rangers, Kerry). Subs: Ray Coyle (Westmeath NY/Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin, Mayo), Conor McCormack (Kerry NY/St Mary's, Dublin), Hugh Curran (Cork NY/Newcestown, Cork), Shaun McNamee (Cork NY/Crossmaglen Rangers, Armagh), Niall Farrell (Kerry NY/Donaghmore, Ashbourne, Meath), Lonan Maguire (Leitrim NY/Clones, Monaghan), Tommy Warburton (Cavan NY/Castledaly, Westmeath), James Huvane (St Raymond's), Pauric Graham (Monaghan NY/Oram Sarsfields, Monaghan), Michael Reilly (Cavan NY/Shercock, Cavan), Richey Morgan (Armagh NY/Keady Micheal Dwyers, Armagh). Tweet

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