Search Results for 'shoulder injury'

As he did on the pitch, he did off the pitch, as Keith Higgins stood up and tried to answer the questions surrounding another All-Ireland heart-break for Mayo. He found it difficult to understand where it went wrong this time.

New recruit Craig Clarke is expected to win his first competitive cap for Saturday’s interprovincial against Ulster if he come through the week’s fitness testing.

John Muldoon, who is expected to win his 200th cap for Connacht when they face Cardiff in Arms Park this evening, says the province’s new crop of youngsters are keeping him on his toes.

By Linley MacKenzie

Mayo 1-16

With time ticking down to next Sunday’s Connacht semi-final against Roscommon in McHale Park, James Horan and his managment team took the chance of last Monday’s challenge game with Cavan in James Stephens Park to run the rule over a number of fringe contenders for a place in next Sunday’s side. Kenneth O’Malley in goal with Kevin Keane, Shane McHale, and James Burke were all given chances to impress in the defence, while Jason Gibbons put in a good shift, especially in the second half while partnering Aidan O’Shea in midfield. In attack Richie Feeney stepped into the number 11 shirt vacated by Cillian O’Connor because of his shoulder injury, while Darren Coen started at corner forward with Andy Moran in the other. The Ballaghaderreen man got some good game time under his belt in his battle to get back to full match fitness as soon as possible.

All eyes on Sunday will be on a new look Mayo front six as the Connacht Championship throws in for another exciting instalment. Injuries have forced the hand of James Horan into lining out without what most people would say are four of his chosen starting forwards. While it’s good news that Alan Dillon and Andy Moran have made sufficient progress to take their places on the bench for Sunday, how match fit they are and what kind of impact they will be able to have after prolonged lay-offs is yet to be seen. The loss of Jason Doherty in recent times has added even more to Mayo’s problems up front along with loss of Michael Conroy a few weeks ago for a good portion of the early summer at least. Stepping into fill the gaps on Sunday are two championship debutants, Cathal Carolan and Darren Coen. While Carolan has got some inter-county miles under his belt in this year’s league campaign from the first Dublin game on, the only game time that Coen has seen in the senior side in the league this term has been a brief blood sub appearance on Leeside. Joining Cillian O’Connor and Kevin McLoughlin and the pair of debutants in attack is the experienced duo of Alan Freeman and Enda Varley.

Westmeath v Wicklow (Cusack Park, Saturday, 3pm)

Interprovincial victories always have always been a little thin on the ground for Connacht, but when they host Ulster tomorrow evening (7.45pm), the home side has a real opportunity to make it two from three at home this season.

Wins are important in the league, they may not be the be all and end all of everything in inter county football, but they are important all the same. Not just to ensure that you’re playing against the very best next Spring in preparation for the championship in summer time, but to ensure that you have the right momentum going into that championship.