Mayo GAA to appeal Fergal Boland suspension before clash with Derry

MAYO GAA are to appeal the red card issued to Fergal Boland ahead of Saturday's championship meeting with Derry, The Mayo News has learned. 

Boland was handed a two-game suspension after he received a straight red card after being introduced during Mayo's second-round championship meeting against Roscommon.

Mayo GAA PRO, John Walker, told The Mayo News that Mayo GAA would be appealing Boland's red card. If successful, it would pave the way for the Aghamore man to play against Mickey Harte's Derry in Saturday's knock-out preliminary quarter-final. Boland scored one point during the sides' last meeting on St Patrick's Day in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, when Ulster men prevailed on a score of 3-15 to 2-13. 

Walker also said that half-back Eoghan McLaughlin will be fit to play for Mayo this weekend. The Westport man was withdrawn in the 33rd minute of Mayo's final championship group game against Dublin due to a tight hamstring. 

_{Eoghan McLaughlin in action for Mayo against Cavan (Pic: Sportsfile)}

Speaking after the game, Mayo manager Kevin McStay said that McLaughlin was replaced by Conor Loftus as a precaution on Sunday.  

“It started with an ankle, then it went into a knee and ultimately he had a tight hamstring and he was afraid it would pop on him so we couldn’t take that chance,” McStay said. 

“A week is tight now, but that’s the rhythm we are involved in and screaming for and trying to get. We don't have the fortnight now, so everything tightens - medically, rest, recovery and all that. But I think we’ll certainly have a strong fifteen for next weekend.”