IT LOOKS LIKE MAYO will be without their captain Diarmuid O’Connor for the rest of the All-Ireland SFC series after he fractured his wrist in training last night.
O’Connor, who led Mayo to their first National League title in 18 years at the end of March, is believed to have suffered the injury during a squad training session at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan.
It is understood that the Ballintubber clubman is expected to undergo surgery to repair the damage at some stage this week.
Mayo take on Armagh in Round 3 of the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers in Castlebar on Saturday evening at 7pm.
O’Connor’s injury is the latest blow to James Horan’s plans to qualify for the Super 8s with midfielder Matthew Ruane already ruled out for the rest of the campaign after breaking his collarbone during a training session earlier this month.
Horan’s midfield options are already stretched with experienced duo Tom Parsons (knee) and Seamie O’Shea (ankle) both currently trying to work their way back to full fitness, along with the aforementioned Ruane.
Parsons has been out of action for over a year while O’Shea hasn’t lined out with Mayo for four months.
The likes of Stephen Coen and Mikey Murray, who came off the bench to make his championship debut against Down last Saturday, are among the most likely replacements for next weekend’s knock-out game at MacHale Park.
Another possible replacement option, Donal Vaughan, has also missed Mayo’s last four competitive games due to injury but was due to return to training this week, according to the Mayo manager.
Horan also confirmed last week that Diarmuid O’Connor’s older brother, Cillian, was ‘very very close’ to making his competitive return.
Mayo’s all-time leading scorer hasn’t played a full competitive game for club or county in seven months after undergoing knee surgery last December.
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“If everyone was fit at the start of the Six Nations you definitely wouldn’t have picked that backline but Ford, Watson and Joseph have all been excellent. Ford controls the team so well and Joseph has been fantastic so far.”
This quote brings to mind the benefits of picking players in the position they play week in week out for their clubs.
Haskell is 3-1 to run head-long as fast as he can into one of the posts again. Free money!
The guys who are lighting up the 6 nations wouldn’t even get picked if they were full strength.
Strength in depth or a head coach who can’t pick his best 15 players?
Heaslip will be a huge loss against England. Jordi Murphy isn’t good enough for this kind of test. I think the best option is Henderson, O Mahoney and O Brien at 8.
O’Brien has only played 8 once for Ireland, I think you’d be more likely to see POM move to 8 then SOB – but it won’t happen. Joe likes his structures and it makes more sense from a squad perspective for one natural 8 to drop in and replace another.
It’s a pity though because I would love to see that backrow, Henderson is something else.
Is there anything to be said for bringing on Madigan for Payne after 60 mins for the Sextón, Madigan, Henshaw axis we all want to see? Payne has been great in defence but he’s not gelling with Sextón fast enough.
I dont want to see that trio against England.
Let me guess? Keatley, JJ and Earls would be your pick? ;)
Nothing to do with any alleged pro munster bias more to do with Madigans weakness in defense.Leave Payne at 12.
I don’t want to see that trio ever, I don’t want to see Madigan on an international pitch as I don’t think he’s anywhere near that standard of player so please speak for yourself.
@Fecky Din: Madigan is a good defender, he has proven that. That statement is simply made because you don’t like him, and/or he is a pretty boy. The stats don’t lie however. He is solid in defence.
@Stuart: The problem with that trio is that Henshaw is an unbelievable 12 and we have plenty of good 13′s. Payne, Earls, McFadden, Cave and Fitzgerald. Then there is the fact that 10 cover isn’t that great, with only Madigan and Keatley at the moment. Personally I’d pick Earls/Fitzgerald, but we can’t deny Payne has been doing a good job
Lovely reasoned comment and a beautiful name. We should all strive to be more like young Rudiger here!
Back to my point, I’m not saying Madigan should start. I think Payne is a less risky option. But when the game needs to be won in the last quarter you need to take a calculate risk at a game breaker. Payne hasn’t been as electric for Ireland compared to where he had loads of space at 15 in the Pro12. Granted neither has Madigan but we got a glimpse of his vision in the perfect pass to TOD against Italy who admittedly scored when he had no right to!
Why would I want to see 3arls playing in the Centre or why in Gods name would I have Keatley instead of an on fire Sexton? Are you insane? Straight in with the provincial cr@pology. Grow up, its Ireland.
Captain Craic!
As long as Earls isn’t playing 12 or 13 then it will be fine.
Payne doesn’t play 12 !!!!
Utter nonsense – you know absolutely nothing about rugby if you can’t see the obvious talent of Madigan – you may not like his personality but his talent is undeniable. Just a really silly comment
I never said he’d no talent. He is, however, pretty much untested at test level and as for throwing him in at 12 against England, why? Henshaw and Payne are rock solid defensively and with space will prosper in attack. Madigan isn’t as good defensively as either IMO. As for my knowledge on rugby, you may be right. I might know nothing. Madigans personality is not my affair or business, as an Ireland fan I do not want him at 12 V England.
I agree with Patrick! A lot is said for picking players who play week in week out in a position
Luke Fitz deserves his go at 13… That man of the match performance v Wasps showed how good he can be
Would ya stop. Biggest game of the tourno and throw in an untested player at a position he hasn’t held down since underage, madness.
“Untested” Lions test starter with a grand slam and 3 Heineken Cup medals in his pocket?
More experience at 13 than Payne!
Playing right into our hands if everyone keeps tipping the English. . Ireland better as the underdogs backs to the wall (hopefully)
England look OK – but only in the second half of the matches they have played so far.
Thoughts on Jordi Murphy??
Lovely hair
I can show you plenty of examples of his dynamism in attack. Have you got any examples of his weakness in defence? He’s the only way we are scoring trying against England. Luke and Earls are playing well too. We won’t beat England with penalties…
There is nothing to be said for it, the chap makes me nervous when he leaves the bench to warm up or even hand out water, his decision making is poor, his ability to control a game is poor, he came on as a blood replacement for sexton during the French game and twice he dragged our backline out of shape as he didn’t know whether he was playing 10 or 12
Nah…he was solid when he came on. Slotted his penalty with confidence. Worked a great wrapped around to get an attack goin on a penalty advantage and if Heaslip had off loaded the pass in the tackle back to him he’d have set the backs up for a score out wide. I think he’s been black listed cause of one shite wolfhounds night and that’s really unfair
This team is built around solid defence and unfortunately for earls because he is a great attacking player. He simply isn’t strong enough in defence to warrant a place in the squad.
And Jones…
To be honest Ireland are the form team. Lets not lose sight of that fact and making others favourites as usual.
Why is it that just before any championship whether its football or rugby or whatever, even though England doesn’t have good form, suddenly they can win it. Ireland are the form team and that is a fact.
You can’t deny that England look good for the tournament so far.
But I think Joe Schmidt is too smart a coach for anyone to be convinced.
I have faith for Sunday week and if we win – I’m predicting Ireland 16 England 11 – and then it’s ours to lose.
COYBIG!!!!!!!!!!!!