Qualifier Question

Qualifier Question

MIKE FINNERTY

MAYO continued their preparations for their upcoming All-Ireland SFC Qualifier with two challenge games in the past seven days, losing to Cavan and beating Laois, as John O’Mahony experimented ahead of the Qualifiers draw next Sunday.
A three-point defeat against Cavan last Tuesday evening in Kiltoom was followed by a nine-point win over Laois on Saturday at the same venue.
The likes of Ger Brady, Trevor Mortimer, Trevor Howley and Tom Cunniffe were all given an opportunity to impress in Mayo’s defence during the course of the two games. Among those who held down positions in the attack at various stages were Aidan Campbell, Billy Padden and Austin O’Malley. Conor Mortimer was Mayo’s top scorer in both matches.
On the injury front, Kenneth O’Malley didn’t feature in either game as he is currently struggling with a recurrence of a groin injury. Austin O’Malley also limped out of Saturday’s match and missed Louisburgh’s Leo Kenny Cup Final defeat on Sunday as a result.
However, the most worrying injury news to emerge from last weekend concerns Keith Higgins. The Mayo dual star fractured a bone in his hand while playing for the county hurlers against Kerry in the Christy Ring Cup in Tralee on Saturday.
Mayo hurling manager Martin Brennan confirmed that the player had cracked a bone just below his thumb, on the wrist, and his arm is now in plaster. And while the fracture isn’t viewed as particularly serious, Higgins has his arm in a sling this week. His participation in the first round of the All-Ireland Qualifiers on Saturday, July 7 now seems highly unlikely.
Mayo will learn the identity of their opponents next Sunday when the draw will be made in Carrick-on-Shannon.
The draw takes place after Galway’s meeting with Leitrim in the Connacht Championship semi-final and will pit Mayo against any one of Donegal, Down, Limerick, Roscommon, Westmeath, Longford, Louth, Armagh, Cavan, Fermanagh, Kildare, Meath, Leitrim or Galway, Laois or Wexford, Derry or Monaghan, or Dublin.
If Offaly were to beat Dublin in next Sunday’s Leinster SFC semi-final then a preliminary round match would be required. In that scenario, if Mayo were drawn as one of the first two names from the draw-drum then they would be in action on Saturday, June 30.
The Qualifier matches will be played on a home and away basis.