The Exiles are going native.
The London team that take on hot favourites Mayo in Ruislip Sunday afternoon will feature four English-born starters, with another four on the bench.
Former Wexford forward Ciaran Deely has taken over as manager after the hugely successful Paul Coggins era, which saw London give today’s opponents a real fright five years ago before reaching the 2013 Connacht final, beating Sligo and Leitrim along the way.
Deely has shown faith in native talent, with goalkeeper Gavin McEvoy, corner-back Philip Butler (pictured above), midfielder Liam Gavaghan and wing-forward Adrian Moyles all starting, with Sean Hickey, Alfie McNulty, Ciaran Healy and Killian Butler on the bench.
Down-born Dave McGreevy said the development took the squad somewhat by surprise too.
“It is something that we haven’t probably noticed or emphasised in recent years, but I remember when played Louth in a challenge there a few weeks ago, they were over, the team was named and everything, and then it was said that we had eight English born players out on the pitch,” McGreevy told GAA.ie.
“They aren’t on because they want to play English born players, they are just cracking players. They’ve been well coached all the way up. The development squads only really started in 2013, but you can see progress being made.”
McGreevy (above) said the future of London GAA will be built on the likes of McEvoy, Butler and Moyles, as the days of focusing on attracting talent from Ireland are gone.
“Yeah, it is something you would notice in club football that these guys have improved throughout the years. They are far more committed as well. You get guys coming over, you get a few coming over every year from club to club asking how much you’re going to give me, but it is pure nonsense. That day is gone.”
Mayo manager Stephen Rochford, chasing a sixth straight Mayo SFC title for the county in his first summer in charge, will be hoping to avoid the extra-time drama that marked James Horan’s first Championship match back in 2011.
