Connacht Final countdown begins for Mayo

Final countdown begins


Mike Finnerty

WITH less than two weeks to go to the novel Connacht SFC Final against London, Mayo manager James Horan will be anxiously awaiting an update from his medical team at training in Castlebar tonight (Tuesday).
Last weekend’s third round of Mayo club championship matches would seem to have passed off without any major incident in terms of injuries to county panelists, but there were a number of issues that cropped up.
Arguably the most serious of them was a hamstring injury sustained by Ballinrobe’s Donal Vaughan. The Mayo centre-back was replaced after fifteen minutes of his club’s draw with Ballaghaderreen.
His county colleague, Alan Murphy, was forced to miss the game entirely with a groin problem.
Elsewhere, Richie Feeney also sat out Castlebar’s victory over Crossmolina due to a foot injury.
The versatile Feeney was wearing a brace on his foot last weekend.
Goalkeeper David Clarke and All Star defender Keith Higgins also watched their club’s matches from the sidelines.
The duo are both receiving treatment for hamstring injuries and haven’t played since Mayo’s victory over Roscommon more than three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, on a more positive note, Michael Conroy made his return to competitive action after more than two months on the sidelines after a shoulder operation.
The 28 year-old came on as a first half substitute during Davitts defeat to Breaffy in Ballindine.
Alan Dillon also lined out for Ballintubber against Ballina, having recovered from his exertions against Roscommon in the provincial semi-final.
Cillian O’Connor was named among the Ballintubber substitutes but was not togged out.
Talented dual star Cathal Freeman did make a welcome return to action for Aghamore last Sunday. It was his first game since breaking his collar-bone three months ago.
Meanwhile, The Mayo News understands that Ballina Stephenites forward Evan Regan will not be in Mayo’s plans for the upcoming Connacht Final.