By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
Sports
Off-and-On Again UCLA Hoops Peaking at the Right Time
It has been quite the season for the Bruins, both on and off the court.
Most of the headlines this season, beyond the gym, have involved head coach Mick Cronin.
From questioning his squad’s toughness to kicking Steven Jamerson out of a game to doubting his team’s potential, the seventh-year coach has been borderline embarrassing.
Through it all, though, UCLA has persevered and seems to be peaking at the right time.
The Bruins’ tournament resume got a big boost this week after knocking off Illinois on Saturday and dismantling USC on Tuesday night.
Donovan Dent had a big week. Against Illinois, he played 42 minutes, finishing with 14 points, including the game-winner to cap the upset.
He followed that up with a 30-point performance against the crosstown rivals.
More impressively, over the last two wins, he has dished out 22 assists without turning the ball over in 80 minutes of court time.
The two-game winning streak has improved UCLA’s record to 11-6 in Big Ten play and 19-9 overall.
Winners of seven of their last 10 games, the Bruins seem to have righted some of their woes following a tough two-game swing through the State of Michigan.
The trip to the Great Lakes State is certainly no picnic this season as both the Wolverines and Spartans look like legitimate challengers in March.
But a pair of lopsided losses by an average of 26.5 points in the two contests could have signaled the end for UCLA.
Instead, the Bruins got themselves off the mat with a pair of impressive performances.
This UCLA team enters March with seven of its nine losses coming against Quad 1 opponents, and only one of them at Pauley Pavilion.
If Dent can start finding his shooting stroke consistently—especially on threes—it will be a big lift for the Bruin offense.
The senior point guard has connected on only 24.1% of his triples this season.
That makes his performance against the Trojans all the more promising, as he knocked down five of six from distance.
He ranks fifth in the nation with 7.2 assists per game, but his threat to score from outside will open things up more for the likes of Tyler Bilodeau and Trent Perry.
Perry has stepped up recently as the sophomore guard has reached double figures in nine of his last 10 games, while averaging 15.2 points per outing during that stretch.
UCLA’s offense is averaging 78.0 points per game, ranking 136th nationally, but 77.6% of the team’s scoring has come from five players.
The Bruins could use more production from their bench down the stretch.
UCLA does not have any bad losses this season, with a neutral-site loss at the hands of California being the worst on the resume.
That loss could loom large down the stretch as the Bears are a fellow bubble team and the head-to-head result could come into play.
The homecourt overtime loss to Indiana would fall into that same category. But UCLA has a chance to erase all bubble talk with a strong finish to the regular season.
Each of the final three games on the schedule would be Quad 1 wins today.
Trips to Minnesota and USC sandwiched around a visit from Nebraska give UCLA the chance to make a statement before they head to Chicago for the Big Ten Tournament.
The Bruins need to continue their current surge. They are right smack dab in the midst of the huge NCAA bubble, but the opportunity is there to separate themselves from the pack.
UCLA had high expectations heading into the season, and they still have time to deliver on them. This is a talented team with the potential to make a lot of noise in March if they click.
The Bruins seem to be getting hot at the right time, but just how hot remains to be seen.
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).
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Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates with catcher Drake Baldwin (30) after a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson and Michael Harris II each hit home runs in the sixth inning as the Atlanta Braves picked up an 11-5 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Friday.
Atlanta sent 10 batters to the plate, pounded out seven hits and scored six runs in the decisive sixth inning.
Acuna’s first home run of the season came on a hanging curve ball and tied the game at 2-2. Drake Baldwin singled to center before Olson launched a 3-0 pitch to right field for a two-run homer and the put the Braves up 4-2.
Austin Riley singled to left field and scored on Dominic Smith’s RBI single for a 5-2 lead. Harris’ two-run shot scored Smith as the Braves opened up a 7-2 lead.
Ozzie Albies and Smith notched two-out RBI singles in the bottom of the seventh and Atlanta led 9-2.
The Guardians loaded the bases in the top of the eighth and a Rhys Hoskins’ RBI single scored Chase DeLauter. Angel Martinez’s RBI bloop single drove in Juan Brito and Hoskins as Cleveland cut its deficit to 9-5.
An RBI double by Baldwin gave the Braves a 10-5 lead in the top of the ninth. He scored on an error two hitters later as Atlanta closed out the scoring.
Cleveland starting pitcher Slade Cecconi (0-2) took the loss as he threw 5 1/3 innings, yielded seven hits, five runs (four earned), walked one and struck out three. Reliever Tyler Kinley (2-0) picked up the win in with a scoreless sixth inning. Starter Bryce Elder lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, three walks, while recording three strikeouts. Acuna’s broken-bat RBI single up the middle snuck past a drawn-in infield and plated Smith as Atlanta seized a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
Kyle Manzardo’s solo home run tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning.
In the top of the fifth, Martinez followed up an opposite field single with a steal of second base. Steven Kwan also lined an opposite field single to left and Martinez scored on an error by Braves left fielder Mike Yastrzemski as the Guardians took a 2-1 lead.
Kwan and Martinez each went 2-for-4 for the visitors. Atlanta pounded out 15 hits, led by a 3-for-4 effort by Smith. He scored twice, drove in a pair and raised his batting average to .357. All nine Braves either scored or drove in at least one run.
–Field Level Media
WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia appears to have had a change of plan when it comes to his future, seemingly looking elsewhere after previously announcing his next opponent.
‘King Ry’ dominated his clash against Mario Barrios back in February, utilising the right-hook, rather than his trademark left, to catch ‘El Azteca’ by surprise and comfortably claim a unanimous decision win to finally get his hands on world honours.
That triumph seemed to tee up a grudge match rematch and now title unification against fierce rival and WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney, but the latter was instead targeting an alternate champion in Rolando Romero (WBA).
Then, at the beginning of the month, Garcia revealed that he would be taking on Teofimo Lopez on Saturday, July 25, but collapsed talks for a fight between Haney and Romero seem to have intervened on those plans.
Instead, on a Kick stream, Garcia told UFC lightweight title hopeful Arman Tsarukyan that he is currently hoping that the Haney rematch can happen next.
“Hopefully, [it is Devin Haney next]. He doesn’t really want to call me out, I put a lot of fear into him last time.”
Additionally, WBC mandatory challenger Conor Benn is intending on fighting Garcia later this year, but a unification bout between Garcia and Haney would trump any mandated fight between Benn and the WBC champion.
Haney-Garcia II was previously touted for September, with Haney wanting a fight beforehand, seeking to give himself the optimal chance to right the wrongs of their initial encounter.
LSU Tigers star Flau’jae Johnson has been widely projected to be a lottery pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. Johnson’s collegiate career ended last month, and she has her eyes set on Monday’s draft.
In her interview with NBC Sports on Thursday, Johnson was asked by hosts Natalie Esquire and Terrika Foster-Brasby about her preferred destinations in the WNBA.
“My mindset right now is really just like, I can’t control none of that,” Johnson said. “I’m not even thinking about that. Honestly, I’m like, whoever picks me, I’m grateful, you know, to even have the opportunity to play in the WNBA. Like that sounds crazy. And whoever doesn’t pick me, like I get to see them all the time. I get to play them.
So for me, it’s a win-win situation. For whoever drafts me is a win-win situation. I’ll be very thankful to bring my talents to that city and represent how I do. But I can’t control any of it. It’s not like I could be like, ‘I wanna go there.’ So I’m just thankful for where I’m at right now. I just wanna hear my name get called.”
In her final collegiate season with the Tigers, Johnson averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 46.5% shooting, including 39.3% from 3-point range. She was a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award as the National Player of the Year this year and ranks No. 6 in LSU history with 2,050 career points.
Johnson was part of LSU’s 2023 championship team. Following that, she led the team to two Elite Eight appearances and a Sweet 16 berth this season.
In ESPN analyst Michael Voepel’s mock draft on Wednesday, Flau’jae Johnson is projected to be selected by the Chicago Sky with the No. 5 pick.
Flau’jae Johnson is part of the official WNBA draft invitees
On Friday, the WNBA released a list of 15 prospects who will attend Monday’s draft day at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. The list notably includes LSU Tigers star Flau’jae Johnson, Spain’s Awa Fam, UCLA’s Lauren Betts, Connecticut’s Azzi Fudd and TCU’s Olivia Miles.
Before the traditional “orange carpet,” the invited prospects will visit the Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony to celebrate the draft. Also invited are Nell Angloma, Angela Dugalić, Gabriela Jaquez, Raven Johnson, Gianna Kneepkens, Ta’Niya Latson, Cotie McMahon, Madina Okot, Kiki Rice and Marta Suárez.
The Dallas Wings have the top pick in the WNBA draft for the second straight season. The Minnesota Lynx have the No. 2 pick, followed by the Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky. The expansions teams, Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, will have the No. 6 and No. 7 picks, respectively.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
The Minnesota Vikings are currently stacking quite a few pre-draft visits with the event two weeks away, and among the names, Ole Miss wideout De’Zhaun Stribling is on Kevin O’Connell’s team’s radar.
Minnesota keeps checking on receiver options as the middle rounds draw closer.
O’Connell is apparently in the market for another wide receiver, one year after his club drafted Maryland’s Tai Felton in Round 3.
Stribling Offers Size and Developmental Upside at Wide Receiver
Minnesota has 9 picks this year, and Stribling might be one of them.
Vikings to Meet with Stribling
Get to know Stribling because he’s on Minnesota’s radar.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Thursday, “The Vikings are spending some time with a potential addition to their wide receiver group on Thursday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that former Ole Miss wideout De’Zhaun Stribling is visiting with the team. Stribling played at Washington State and Oklahoma State before moving to Oxford for his final college season.”
“He had 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns in his lone season with the Rebels and had 50-catch seasons at each of his first two stops as well. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are the top returning members of a receiving corps that also includes Myles Price, Tai Felton, Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, and Joaquin Davis.”
The Vikings also met with Miami wide receiver CJ Daniels this week.
The Scouting Report for Stribling
Stribling is 6’2″ and 210, which would instantly make him the Vikings’ biggest receiver of those expected to make the September roster. He also has tremendous speed, especially at his height, logging a 4.36 forty during the draft build-up. Stribling is known for getting vertical in the deep passing game, his willingness to block downfield, and his marked improvement throughout college.
The drawbacks? Stribling isn’t a contested-catch demon, and he’ll be 24 years old as a rookie, a turn-off for some.
The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler on his skill set: “Stribling isn’t the most well-rounded in terms of his route success, but he is a big-bodied athlete with strong ball skills and a pro mindset. He has the talent and competitive toughness to settle into a WR2/3 role for an NFL offense.
“A one-year starter at Ole Miss (and a four-and-a-half-year starter overall), Stribling was an outside receiver, primarily to the left of the formation, in former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.’s scheme (also used on motions and in the backfield). The Hawaii native spent two years at Washington State and another two at Oklahoma State before helping Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff in 2025 (averaged 92.7 receiving yards in three Playoff games).”
The last player from Ole Miss drafted by the Vikings? A fellow wide receiver by the name of Laquon Treadwell in 2016.
Brugler continued, “With his tall, muscular frame, Stribling quickly accelerates to his top speed and has quickness out of route breaks, even if he didn’t put the most versatile route inventory on film (hitches and go routes accounted for 57 percent of his route frequency in 2025).”
“He has dependable hands (1.9 percent drop rate in 2025) and plays strong to the football, but needs to do a better job with his positioning downfield to finish tight-window throws. His smarts and willingness to do the dirty work are coach-pleasing qualities.”
The WR3 Roster Concern
Jalen Nailor’s departure to the Raiders in free agency, reuniting him with Kirk Cousins and Klint Kubiak, created a void at WR3 for the Vikings. This prompts a key question for Minnesota: Is the solution already on the roster, or will they need to look elsewhere?
The aforementioned Felton now finds himself under the spotlight. Drafted in the third round last year — a selection that typically signals significant offensive intentions — Felton spent most of his rookie season on special teams with minimal impact on offense.
The central question is whether the Vikings believe Felton can effectively fill the WR3 role this season. If so, they can move forward with him. If not, they must find an alternative, either by drafting a rookie or signing a free agent. Stribling is a rookie route.
Other WRs in Stribling Territory
If the Vikings fancy a wide receiver from Round 2 or 3, but it’s not Stribling after all, the options would look like this on Friday, April 24th:
- Malachi Fields (Notre Dame)
- Antonio Williams (Clemson)
- Ted Hurst (Georgia State)
- Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
- Skyler Bell (UConn)
- Bryce Lance (North Dakota State)
- Deion Burks (Oklahoma)
- Ja’Kobi Lane (USC)
- Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State)
Minnesota has drafted just one WR from Rounds 2 or 3 in the last 19 years: Felton. It’s usually Round 1 or “wait until later” at wide receiver for the Vikings.
Will the Minnesota Vikings actually use their 1st-Round draft pick in two weeks on a wide receiver? Probably not. Can the selection of one, like Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, be ruled out? Nope.
A first-round receiver for Minnesota still feels unlikely, but Tyson has entered the conversation.
Tyson has begun to inch onto Minnesota’s mock-draft radar, as he could blend the Vikings’ draft position — No. 18 — with the “best player available” mindset.
Tyson Brings the Type of WR Talent That Can Shift Draft-Day Debate
Would you oppose another Round 1 wideout for Minnesota?
Nick Wright Mock Draft: Tyson to MIN
For starters, The Tennessean‘s Nick Suss posted a mock draft this week, connecting Tyson to the purple team. He explained at No. 18, “A … less sensible pick. The Vikings have their top two receivers set with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. But Tyson might just be the best talent available at this point, so it’s not as if it’s a reach and a bad fit.”
Meanwhile, on the same day, just hours apart, Fox Sports‘ Nick Wright followed suit, explaining Tyson to the Vikings in his mock, “I feel like Jordan Addison’s star has dimmed over the last couple of years for lack of on-field production and off-field stuff. It feels like the defense has people everywhere already. Odds that Vikings use first pick on a wide receiver: +1800.”
And, incidentally, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Thursday, “Arizona St. WR Jordyn Tyson, a projected first-round pick, will hold his own individual workout day for NFL teams on Friday, April 17 at Arizona State.”
Folks will learn in about a week if the Vikings attend.
The Tyson Bio and Skill Set
Let’s just get this out of the way: Tyson is no joke. He’s 6’2″ and 205 pounds. His claim to fame? The son of a gun gets open because of his exquisite route-running, and his contested-catch rate is fantastic. Tyson is also known for his hands. The drawbacks? A lengthy injury history prevents him from being the top wideout in this draft, he isn’t a burner, and it’s a little weird that he skipped the NFL Combine and Arizona State’s Pro Day.
NFL Draft Buzz on Tyson: “This is a receiver who wins with craft, body control, and competitive fire rather than overwhelming physical tools. His 4.5 speed is not going to scare anyone on paper, but his release package and route-running savvy create separation that stopwatches cannot measure.
“He thrives in the intermediate areas of the field, finding soft spots in zone coverage and working back to the quarterback on in-breaking routes. His basketball background is not just a fun biographical note; it genuinely shows up in how he plays the position, particularly in contested-catch situations where he boxes out defenders like he is working for position in the paint.”
Tyson tallied 61 catches for 711 yards and 8 touchdowns last year.
TBD added, “The positional flexibility is a major selling point. Tyson has produced from the outside, from the slot, and in motion, giving offensive coordinators a movable chess piece who can be deployed in multiple alignments. He fits best in passing attacks that emphasize intermediate concepts, play-action designs, and timing routes where his precise stems and reliable hands can shine.”
“His willingness to block in the run game, a trait drilled into him by Hines Ward, will endear him to coaching staffs who value complete receivers rather than one-dimensional route runners. The medical questions are real and cannot be ignored.”
The Departure of Jalen Nailor
If the Vikings had kept Nailor and hadn’t let him leave for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, Tyson may not even be found in mock drafts for Minnesota. But the reality is that Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tai Felton, and return man Myles Price are the only rosterable wide receivers on the current depth chart.
Unless Felton is sitting on a sophomore breakout, Minnesota will likely leave the 2026 NFL Draft with a wideout, whether it’s Tyson in Round 1 or a Round 5-7 sleeper.
Minnesota could also sign a free agent after the draft, as players like Deebo Samuel, Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyreek Hill remain unemployed. Brandon Aiyuk, too, could be on the wire before too long.
More Realistic Draft Selections at No. 18
As a Tyson pick is unlikely on the whole, the more realistic draft options for the Vikings look like this:
- Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Kayden McDonald (DL, Ohio State)
- Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
- Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami (FL))
- Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
- Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Peter Woods (DL, Clemson)
Most pundits and sportsbooks expect the Vikings to draft a defensive player in Round 1, with Thieneman, a safety from Oregon, leading the way in the court of public opinion.
Tyson will turn 22 this summer.
The Minnesota Vikings have needed an infusion of young talent at the running back position since the departure of Dalvin Cook. There was a belief that Alexander Mattison could be the answer, but that flopped. Ty Chandler was a long shot, and he never panned out either.
Rather than run things back with Aaron Jones last year, the Vikings opted to bring in Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers. Having filled in plenty previously for the oft-injured Christian McCaffrey, Mason brought quite the track record to U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota’s Backfield Outlook Faces Another Potential Shift
In 2026, the Vikings found a path to retain Jones, and they still have Mason under contract. There’s a real need to infuse young talent in the organization, but they could swing for even more. Fox Sports columnist Ralph Vacchiano recently suggested a trade for De’Von Achane.
There’s no denying that Achane would be a great fit in the Vikings offense, and he’d likely take over the top of the depth chart. The only question is whether there is room for three talents of that ilk as things stand currently.
Had the Vikings not brought back Jones, this seems like a much more straightforward fit. With Jones in tow, though, you have three running backs all worth of real reps, and there isn’t a path to playing time for them all. That’s before even considering that Kevin O’Connell hasn’t leaned into the running game at any point during his coaching career.
If the Dolphins were interested in taking Jones in a swap, then clearing some playing time would make a path forward much more tenable. It’s still going to cost a second or third round pick, and the assumption of a hefty contract extension down the line. Short of additional reps, though, there are better ways to utilize roster openings.
The Vikings haven’t taken a running back in the early rounds for quite some time. They could change that by using a top 100 pick this year, and Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson (who hails from Minnesota) would easily fall into that category.
Short of shedding Jones, which could have ripple effects in the locker room at this point, it’s hard to envision the addition of another starting-caliber contender.
Canelo Alvarez is hoping to bounce back from a first super-middleweight defeat upon his ring return later this year and it is quickly becoming clear which belt he will target.
Last September, the Mexican superstar lost out to Terence Crawford in a fight that will be spoken of for years to come. Canelo underwent elbow surgery after the contest, which is expected to keep him out of the ring until this autumn.
In recent weeks, it has become increasingly expected that Canelo will jump back into an immediate title challenge against Cameroon-born Christian Mbilli – who was elevated to full WBC super-middleweight world champion earlier in the year.
On Thursday, Mbilli’s promoter, Camille Estephan, watched on as another of his fighters, Osleys Iglesias, captured the IBF super-middleweight world title in style. During the post-fight interview, Estephan made it clear that Canelo ‘wants’ to win his WBC belt back, but vowed that Mbilli will overcome him.
“Canelo will hopefully fight Christian [Mbilli]. He seems to want the WBC title. We’re not gonna give it to him. We will beat him. We want to have all the titles in Quebec, all five, soon enough.
“We [Mbilli and Osleys Iglesias] are gonna get all the other titles, and then they’ll fight and we’ll have the superstar out of Quebec right here.”
Elsewhere, both the WBA and WBO super-middleweight titles are on the line next month, in separate bouts involving Jose Armando Resendiz and Jaime Munguia (May 2, for Resendiz’s WBA title), and then Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic (May 23, for the vacant WBO).
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Shane Lowry is sitting in a solid position heading into the weekend of the 2026 Masters Tournament.
The 39-year-old shot a bogey-free 69 Friday and sits comfortably six shots behind fellow Northern Ireland native Rory McIlroy.
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“Look, I’m in a nice position. I played well today,” Lowry said. “I felt like I did a lot of good things, and my attitude was great. So I’m very, very happy. If you give me this position yesterday morning, I would have taken your hand off. To be kind of in the mix going into the weekend around here is nice, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Shane Lowry reacts after a putt on the 18th green during the second round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
This is Lowry’s eighth made cut in 11 Masters starts, his best finish coming in 2022 at T3. He finished his round Friday with birdies on the par-3 No. 16 and No. 18.
“I obviously had to stay patient, and I holed a couple of nice par putts kind of on 11 and 14,” he said. “Then, yeah, just kept trying to give myself chances and hit some great shots on the way in. I’m very happy.”
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Masters leaderboard: Shane Lowry birdies 16, 18, climbs into top 5
Image for representation only© AFP
Operations at the canteen inside the Sports Authority of India headquarters in Delhi have come to a partial halt. The cooking activities have been suspended amid what is being described as an LPG supply issue. However, sources indicate the disruption may be linked to pricing disputes with the vendour and not exactly shortage of cooking gas. According to officials familiar with the matter, the private vendor managing the canteen raised concerns over insufficient LPG supply, leading to a complete stoppage in food preparation. But a well-placed source suggested that the issue could stem from the “high prices he has been quoting,”
For now, only tea is being served to staff, prepared using induction cooktops instead of gas. The canteen, which caters to roughly 150 employees at the headquarters, has stopped serving breakfast and evening snacks, leaving staff to make alternative arrangements for meals.
“The cooking of breakfast and evening snacks stopped around the time the West Asia crisis escalated,” an official said on condition of anonymity. “It was part of an effort to ration resources. We were informed by the canteen staff that only tea would be available.”
Despite the disruption at the headquarters, SAI has clarified that athletes remain unaffected. Those training at the stadium continue to receive their meals at the athletes’ mess, which is fully operational. Additionally, there has been no reported shortage of LPG across SAI’s National Centres of Excellence or hostel facilities nationwide, where food services are functioning normally.
According to sources, NDTV has learnt that this vendor handling the headquarters canteen reportedly took charge only a few months ago, raising further questions about the sudden suspension of services.
While the LPG crunch has been cited as the immediate cause, the broader context of supply chain concerns linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia may also be playing a role
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London v Mayo Preview, Team News, Betting and Prediction – Connacht SFC 2026
The 2026 Connacht Senior Football Championship gets under way in Ruislip on Saturday afternoon as London welcome Mayo to McGovern Park, and all the early signs point towards the visitors making a winning start.
Mayo enter the championship in a strong place after finishing third in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League, winning five of their seven games. London, by contrast, finished sixth in Division 4, leaving a huge gulf between the teams heading into this Connacht quarter-final.
That gap is reflected in both the history of this fixture and in the betting market. Mayo have won each of the last five championship meetings between the counties, including the 2013 Connacht final and a 2016 quarter-final clash. London will hope that home surroundings and championship intensity keep them competitive for periods, but this is a very tall order.
London v Mayo recent championship meetings
- 2016: Mayo 2-16 London 0-9
- 2013: Mayo 5-11 London 0-10
- 2011: Mayo 0-19 London 2-10 aet
- 2006: Mayo 1-18 London 0-8
- 1996: Mayo 1-11 London 1-5
Mayo’s athleticism, pace through the middle and proven scoring ability should eventually make the difference. Even if London stay in touch for a while, the most likely outcome is Mayo pulling clear over the final 20 minutes.
Betting odds
- London: 25/1
- Draw: 35/1
- Mayo: 1/100
The outright market offers little value given how short Mayo are. The smarter betting angle is likely to be on the winning margin, with Mayo expected to cover a sizeable handicap.
Prediction
London should battle honestly, but Mayo are operating at a far higher level and anything other than an away win would be a major shock.
Prediction: Mayo to win comfortably
Predicted score: London 0-11 Mayo 1-22
Next up: The winners will play Roscommon or New York in the Connacht semi-final.
Team News
London – TBA
Mayo –
The 2026 Connacht championship throws-in on Saturday as Mayo travel to Ruislip to face London.
It will be Mayo’s first visit to the venue since 2016, when they recorded a 2-16 to 0-09 win over the hosts. Manager Andy Moran has named two championship debutants in Hugh O’Loughlin and Cian McHale. Notably, two members of the current matchday squad – Rob Hennelly and Cillian O’Connor – also made their debuts against London, in 2011. Throw-in at McGovern Park is scheduled for 2.30pm.
1. Rob Hennelly – Raheny
2. Jack Coyne (C) – Ballyhaunis
3. Rory Brickenden – Westport
4. Fenton Kelly – Davitts
5. Sam Callinan – Ballina Stephenites
6. Michael Plunkett – Ballintubber
7. Paddy Durcan – Castlebar Mitchels
8. Bob Tuohy – Castlebar Mitchels
9. David McBrien – Ballaghaderreen
10. Jack Carney – Kilmeena
11. Ryan O’Donoghue – Belmullet
12. Hugh O’Loughlin – Kilmaine
13. Cian McHale – Moy Davitts
14. Aidan O’Shea – Breaffy
15. Paul Towey – Charlestown Sarsfields
16. Jack Livingstone – Breaffy
17. John MacMonagle – Castlebar Mitchels
18. Donnacha McHugh – Castlebar Mitchels
19. Stephen Coen – Hollymount/Carramore
20. Sean Morahan – Castlebar Mitchels
21. Jordan Flynn – Crossmolina Deel Rovers
22. Conal Dawson – Westport
23. Fergal Boland – Aghamore
24. Diarmuid O’Connor – Ballintubber
25. Tommy Conroy – The Neale
26. Cillian O’Connor – Ballintubber
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