Cillian O’Connor makes the first Mayo start while Waterford hurlers hold Austin Gleeson and Jamie Barron in reserve

Cillian O’Connor will make his first start for Mayo in almost a year when he takes on old rivals Galway in this Sunday’s much-anticipated Connacht SFC quarter-final against Galway.

‘Connor, the top scorer in Championship history, is making his first start since suffering an Achilles tendon injury against Clare last June and his return is a big boost after the sobering league final against Kerry.

The addition of O’Connor is one of four changes Mayo boss James Horan has made for the McHale Park (4.0) clash, with Oisin Mullin and Eoghan McLaughlin also returning on defense, while the experience of No McLoughlin returns in the storm is required.

With Jordan Flynn out injured, Aidan O’Shea returns to midfield where he will support Breaffy club-mate Matthew Ruane, while other key players such as Paddy Durcan and Rob Hennelly were also absent from the matchday judging panel through injury.

Meanwhile, Waterford hurling boss Liam Cahill has named the same 15 for their delicious Munster SHC showdown with Limerick tonight at the Gaelic Grounds (7.0), although Austin Gleeson and Jamie Barron could still be in it from the start.

The all-star duo made a big impression when they jumped into the half-time clash against Tipperary at half-time last Sunday – both scoring two points each – but Cahill has named the same side that started against the Premier.

Mayo (SF vs Galway): R Byrne; L Keegan, O Mullin, P O’Hora; S Coen, M Plunkett, E McLaughlin; A O’Shea, M Ruane; K McLoughlin, R O’Donoghue, C Loftus; J Carr, J Doherty, C O’Connor.

Waterford (SH vs. Limerick): S O’Brien; Gleeson C, Prunty C, McNulty S; J Fagan, T de Burca, C Daly; D Lyons, C Lyons; N Montgomery, J Prendergast, P Curran; Hutchinson D, Bennett Stephen, Kiely M.