Mike Finnerty in this week’s Mayo News has a report on where we currently stand on the injury front, which is here, there and everywhere by the sounds of it.
More or less definitely out of the London match it would appear are both Ronan McGarrity and Keith Higgins. Ronan was, according to the lads on gaaboard.com, seen hobbling round Ballina on crutches not all that long ago and although Mike doesn’t say he’ll be out for London, it’s difficult to see him being sufficiently fit and raring to go from the off in that one. Having once again put his body on the line for the hurlers, Keith has again come off second-best and his torn hamstring makes him an almost definite non-starter in Ruislip.
New captain Alan Dillon appears to be recovering well from his hamstring problem, though, so there’s a good chance he’ll be back for the London game. Others suffering ailments of some sort at the minute are Seamus O’Shea, Neil Douglas, the two Feeneys and Ger Cafferkey. Andy Moran came off in Ballagh’s match last weekend too but Mike says that this was just a precautionary move.
But it’s not all bad news. Both Donal Vaughan and Trevor Howley made comebacks for their respective clubs last weekend, with Donal lining out at midfield for Ballinrobe while Trevor came on as a sub for Knockmore against Burrishoole. Donal’s return obviously gives us an additional option in the half-backs but, in Keith’s absence, Trevor could well find that there’s a place for him in the starting team for Ruislip in the corner.
The first hints about what our formation might be for London should come this weekend in the challenge match with Antrim that takes place in Kiltimagh (throw-in 2.30 pm). I doubt, though, that we’ll hear anything in advance about what our line-up is going to be in Gilmartin Park on Sunday.
Is Seamie O Shea going to be another Barry Moran…the lad is always injured. Makes me wonder how these lads keep going injury after injury. Was it just me or did anyone else feel Barry Moran was hard done by getting dropped. He was only coming back from injury so i thought he would have at least being give a run out in the challenges….
Good to see Donal Vaughan and Trevor Howley back.I would like to see Trevor Howley corner back, he would put a bit of steel into it.I would like to see Donal Vaughan get a run at centre back,he must have got stronger over the winter and would tighten up our porus defence.
I believe Keith Higgins is best suited to the half backs, he has one weakness ,in that he can be turned easily and if out in the half backs ,he would have time to recover, while if turned at corner back it could be late .
I also liked what I saw of James Kilcullen,(in the league) he won’t be pushed around, is a good fielder, distributes well and has two good feet able to score from play.I have not seen any better mid field player in the league to partner McGarrity.
Last year in Sligo, McGarrity was targarted for extra attention ,off the ball stuff by a Sligo (former Mayo player) half forward resulting in McGarrity been booked and knocked off his stride, depriving Mayo of valuble possession. I believe if Kilcullen was parntering Ronan McGarrity he would not allow this to happen and would complament his style of play, just as David Brady did.
Nice one Ed and well spotted. The day that a former fringe panellist from a Mayo squad gets the better of us then its time we took off the gloves. I for one would need no motivating next time we meet with that team and guy. As they say “what will come before me will come before me”