Freeman suffers a bad break
Mayo goalscorer set to miss two NFL games
Mike Finnerty
MAYO forward Alan Freeman looks set to miss at least the next two rounds of the Allianz National Football League after breaking a bone in his hand against Down last Saturday night.
The 21 years-old sustained the injury during the closing stages of last weekend’s game and had an operation on Sunday morning to repair the damage.
The Aghamore attacker, who was making just his fifth senior start, also scored the second goal of his inter-county career with an excellent individual effort before half-time.
However, he is now expected to miss upcoming NFL games against Kerry on February 20 and Galway a week later, as well as next Friday evening’s FBD Connacht League decider against NUI, Galway.
Mayo manager James Horan confirmed to The Mayo News last night (Monday) that Freeman would be out of action “for a number of weeks”. Knockmore’s Trevor Howley and Breaffy’s Seamus O’Shea will also be unavailable for Friday night’s floodlit final due to ankle injuries.
Horan also revealed that Tom Parsons and Peadar Gardiner had shown no ill-effects of their recent injuries after coming on during the second half against Down.
It also emerged that debutant Richie Feeney was withdrawn with ‘tight legs’ but he will be available for selection again later this week.
A number of players who were not included in Mayo’s 26-man squad for the opening game of the NFL season will also be back in the frame for the FBD Final.
These include Chris Barrett, James Burke, David Killeen, James Kilcullen, Aidan Kilcoyne, James Moran and Austin O’Malley, all of whom will be hoping for some game time.
Meanwhile, NUI, Galway manager John Maughan will be able to call on Mayo senior panellists Alan Dillon, Peadar Gardiner and Neil Douglas, as well as Ronan Rochford, Donal Newcombe, Kieran Conroy, Ger McDonagh and Jason Doherty.
Fixture
FBD League Final
Mayo v NUI, Galway
Friday, February 11
Castlebar at 7.30pm
