Moran offers fresh update on return of seven Mayo players pre-Championship

Andy Moran has updated The Mayo News on the availability of seven players ahead of the Connacht Championship quarter-final against London.

The Green and Red make their way across to London for their opening game of the provincial campaign on Saturday, April 11, with the mission of taking one step closer to relinquishing Galway's grip on the competition.

At least one more player will be amongst Moran's ranks for the last-eight meeting. The man in the dugout confirmed that, after missing the entirety of the FBD and National Leagues, Matthew Ruane is fully fit and raring to go.

The towering man in the middle had been absent after battling injury, and hasn't kicked a ball in anger competitively since the Mayo Club Championship meeting between his own Breaffy and Westport in late September of last year.

He made a return in a challenge match last Friday, March 27, kicking a point as he got a half of football into his legs

Tommy Conroy also got a mention from his bainisteoir.

"Tommy was going to be minded to the Championship, that's the way it was going to be, but he played against Roscommon, played 45 minutes against Clare last week, so he's ready to go," Moran stated.

Both Conor Loftus and Enda Hession suffered blows towards the tail end of the League campaign. However, per their manager, they're pushing hard to be in contention.

Unfortunately, this game has come too soon for Darren McHale. The Knockmore man has been absent all season, and will remain sidelined with 'a longer-term injury'.

Kobe McDonald and Darragh Beirne are also unavailable for the Ruislip adventure, due to being part of Keith Higgins's Under-20 side.

The Connacht Under-20 final is set for Wednesday, April 29, while the Connacht Senior semi-finals and final are set for Sunday, April 26, and Sunday, May 10, respectively, should both sides progress.

It is unclear at present what availability would be if Andy Moran's side advance to the semis against Roscommon or New York.

 "They're in training with us all the time," Moran said of the aforementioned duo. "The Under-20 is awkward. Me and Keith talk after every game, so we'll be having a conversation today about what's the plan next week and where we're going. But they won't be togging with me over in London.

"But they'll be over, and they'll join us for a couple of days, a couple of hours with the group. Then, they'll come back, and they'll play Galway the Wednesday they come back from London."