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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Mcdaids performance should be lauded the same way as Clifford’s and Walsh’s. Actually think mcdaid should get player of the year.
@Barry Newell: Mcdaid was unbelievable yesterday, MOTM for me.
@Barry Newell: Yes indeed, I’ve watched McDaid since the CShip started, He was excellent in every match . Scored Four points yesterday from Midfield- he is a powerhouse . Just a pity they have a habit of giving Man of the Match to the winning side. There was a case for JOINT Man of the Match there yesterday , — Walsh gave an exhibition .
I think everyone was expecting Kerry to annihilate Galway yesterday BUT Galway were brilliant. They might have been second best but that only happened when things began to unravel near the end. They have the tools and talent and have obviously bonded well that it is now only a matter of working on the finer points of the game before they start collecting several Sam’s over the coming years. As a Dub, I cannot help but admire the resilience of that Kerry team and even though they beat Galway and Dublin, in the game of the year, given their ‘resources’, I expected them to be more convincing against both Congratulations to both Kerry and Galway on a brilliant game and the real winners in the future will be the fans. I hope the Ulster teams will learn from these displays, get rid of ‘ possession football’ and incorporate the hidden skills they obviously have.
@Barrycelona: an Ulster team won Sam just 11 months ago or did that slip your mind
@Barrycelona: it might have Been because I was hungover but I thought the game was crap. Virtually no atmosphere for long periods and possession seemed to be what we were watching for the most part. Soft fouls as well are terrible to watch. I hate to back up hurling snobs but it’s such a better game to watch now.
Walsh was clear MOTM match IMO – even better than brilliant Clifford
Mayo next year me thinks?
Barrycelona Kerry had 14 men in their own half for much of the game it appears that they have adopted the Ulster way. One very bad Refereeing decision yesterday at a vital time in the game.
@Kevin Byrne: 2 very bad decisions in quick succession. Both teams scored from the frees so evened out.
A dour affair, we were all spoiled by the silky skills of the Dublin six-in-a-row team. Maybe next year.
@Jim O’Sullivan: are ya catching much lately Jim. Great time for fishing.
Rule is 4 steps – 7 or 8 by Walsh for one great point that should have been disallowed