WITH JUST OVER a month to go to their Connacht championship opener against high-flying Galway, All-Ireland finalists Mayo received a big boost with news that Keith Higgins has rejoined the football panel.
The dual-star had concentrated on hurling during the league, starring as Mayo marched to Division 2B glory, and it was unclear when, or if, he would return to the footballers.
Such speculation is at an end after Higgins trained with the footballers for the first time this year on Easter Monday.
With Mayo’s rivals Galway coming into the Connacht SFC quarter-final clash next 13 May on a high after an impressive league campaign, the news that four-time All Star Higgins is back is a timely boost for Stephen Rochford’s side.
Mayo struggled in the league and needed a last-gasp Kevin McLoughlin score in Ballybofey to avoid relegation. Speaking after that game, nine days ago, Rochford was hopeful, though not certain, when asked if Higgins would be back.
“We had left Keith to his own devices and hurling until the league was over so we will talk to him this week.
“Keith has given great service to it and all indications at the start were that he just wanted some time off. He’s mixed that in with a bit of hurling which was absolutely fine with us.
“He’s kept his fitness levels up so I don’t have any immediate concerns at the moment. We spoke in January and said we’d speak again at the end of the league and that’s what we’ll do,” said Rochford.
It remains to be seen if Higgins will feature with the Mayo hurlers in their upcoming Christy Ring Cup campaign. They are due to play their opening game in the Christy Ring on Saturday, 12 May away to Wicklow.
That’s the day before Mayo footballers take on Galway in Castlebar.
Mayo also have Christy Ring Cup games on 19 May (v Kildare) and 2 June (Roscommon).
Higgins and the rest of the Mayo senior squad return to their clubs later this week ahead of the opening round of the Mayo club championships this weekend.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Load of twaddle if he is so good play him more. Total lip service
@Seanie Bourke: it’s called man management ya cl0wn
@Paul Jennings: it’s not man management. he gets game time here and there because In klopps eyes the other 4 are better then him. he has scored some v important goals for Liverpool but will eventually get fed up and will want more active game time and move on.
@Macca1986: precisely the definition of man management, he gets used when needed because there are better players ahead of him. But he gets credit when he gets in and delivers, so he stays and is a useful squad member when called upon….
@Macca1986: it’s total man management he is needed as back up so when he playes well u praise in to keep him happy all managers do it
@Paul Jennings: hate to say it but Ur the c!own,big time
@Paul Jennings: no bucko it not . He comes out and says” im shocked no one came in for him in d summer’ thats as good as saying he can go. But in the other breath he is coming out about his next manager total cr ap very much like your comment to me
@Seanie Bourke: That’s not man management. He is encouraging him to go by saying he needs to get more game time. Klopp is clearly desperate to sell him
@Seanie Bourke: it’s OK for us to comment that’s why klopp is the manager and a good 1 at that too
@Seanie Bourke: it’s the truth. Origi isn’t as good as the other 4 so doesn’t play that often. Klopp is showing respect by saying he deserves to play more in general… It just won’t be at Liverpool.
@Paul Jennings: No, it’s called ” talking out of the two sides of his mouth”. B…….t talk.
@Mickety Dee: Everton will buy him for £50million, and that will be the last we hear of him…
This is Divock Origi’s World and we’re just living in it
He’s welcome at Elland Road at any stage, quality player.
Another runners-up medal for the lad before he leaves. 7 minutes they spent on top and yet they think its May
@Graham Ryall: yes another runners up medal to add to the prem league one, the champs league one, the super cup one and the fifa World Cup ones that he won with LFC. Sorry those ones aren’t runners up ones. Not a bad haul at LFC. And you are right the seasons far from over but if you think LFC aren’t contenders then maybe stick a few quid on Newcastle to top the prem league come end of season! Money for jam son.
@Graham Ryall: only a United w@nk would say thay
@Graham Ryall: Man u supporter I guess
@Graham Ryall: what a t00ser!go and get an education
@Graham Ryall: your whinging and tears bring me joy. Understandable though, given that we cleared out your own stadium for yas. Lol.
Hes another Solksjaer only not as good and he(Ole) was quite happy being a squad player…
If you’re picking up handy money and winning Medals then you’re more than likely going to stay put.. Origi is exactly that
@Darren: bit of a premature comparison
@Johnny Mads: how he’s hardly anywhere near Oles level now??
@Johnny Mads: it’s a fine comparison in terms of their value to a team. Impact subs. Very important CL goals. I don’t think Ole get half the plaudits he gets from utd fans without the 99 final. Divock had a very similar season in CL.
@Darren: I’d say it’s a safe bet that Origi is a better manager than Ole!
@Max Bailey: bit of a premature comparison there, Ole done what he had to do and steadied the Ship, just like some relationships it ran its course. Origi is almost a super sub but he’s a bit to go yet to get near Oles level for scoring goals off the Bench and just like Ole makes very little difference when he actually starts a game..
That is some statement from that Manager — talking out of both sides of his mouth . ” one of the best strikers I ever seen”" — but he cannot get into the team, only now and again. What kind of nonsense is he talking???.
@Eugene Comaskey: What Klopp actually said was he’s one of the best ‘finishers’ not ‘striker’…two very different things. And Origi can’t get into the team because there’s four of the best strikers in the world ahead of him, pretty simple really.