Mike Finnerty
SOME of Mayo’s frontline players — including Aidan and Seamus O’Shea — are facing a race against time to be fit for the team’s opening game of the National League against Monaghan on Saturday week next.
Neither of the Breaffy brothers played any part in Mayo’s FBD League campaign, with Aidan forced to miss last Sunday’s win over Roscommon after injuring his ankle in training early last week. Seamus is understood to be suffering from a knee injury.
Both O’Sheas will now be trying to prove their fitness to Mayo manager Stephen Rochford over the coming weeks, and the same goes for Young Footballer of the Year, Diarmuid O’Connor.
The Ballintubber forward hasn’t played any competitive football yet this month, after injuring his hamstring in a colleges game with Dublin City University at the start of December.
Conor Loftus has also been sidelined since the start of the year with an injury.
Definitely out of Mayo’s game against Monaghan are Brendan Harrison and Ger Cafferkey, who are both following rehabilitation programmes, while Chris Barrett and Michael Hall are also both on the long-term injured list.
Alan Dillon and Barry Moran are unlikely to be considered for selection after only returning from their respective honeymoons last weekend.
However, the news is more positive on both Colm Boyle and Alan Freeman, both of whom sat out the game against Roscommon.
Boyle was believed to be carrying a slight knock and wasn’t risked while Freeman was stood down due to feeling unwell.
Caolan Crowe also didn’t start last weekend’s match due to an ankle injury.
Donie Vaughan will be available for selection against Monaghan after serving a one-game suspension in the FBD League while the availability of Westport duo Kevin Keane and Lee Keegan depends on how their club fares out in next Sunday’s All-Ireland Intermediate club football semi-final.
Some Mayo stars facing fitness race
