In his 10 years as an inter-county manager, Kevin Walsh has never known anything like the “relentless” spate of injuries which have plagued the Galway squad this season.

It may be 18 years since Roscommon beat Mayo in the championship, but James Horan is bracing himself for a tough battle in Saturday evening’s Connacht SFC semi-final in Castlebar.

Mayo fans began queuing in the rain outside Gaelic Park in the Bronx before 8am this morning in an effort to get tickets for the Connacht SFC clash against New York.

James Horan maintains the demands placed on players have not increased during the four years he was away from the inter-county scene, with the Mayo manager taking umbrage to the suggestion that players make sacrifices to wear their county shirt.

New York boss Justin O’Halloran admits his side will be underdogs against Mayo in next month’s Connacht SFC opener — but is relishing the tag.

Mayo fans travelling to New York in May for the first GAA football championship match of the year have been warned that some of them may not get to see the match.

Fifteen county football championships are running later than they did in 2017, highlighting the total lack of impact the condensed inter-county calendar has had on the club scene.

Mike Casey is named at full-back on the Limerick team for tomorrow’s Munster SHC clash with Cork, the sole change to the side which overcame Tipperary.

"I looked down and absolute credit to my teammate Aidan O'Shea, within seconds, he had his paw on my forehead and pushed my head back. He said 'Tom, relax, don't look at it'."

Three Billboards Outside Castlebar, Mayo.

Leitrim’s hopes of avoiding being the first side to lose a championship match to New York have been boosted by some west of Ireland weather which is forecast for the opening round of the Connacht SFC at Gaelic Park tomorrow.

The Galway footballers will enjoy an uninterrupted six-week run-in to their Connacht SFC quarter-final against Mayo, with not a single club championship fixture scheduled for April.

Mayo’s championship hopes have received a big blow with the news that Lee Keegan is almost certain to miss their Connacht SFC quarter-final against Galway on May 13.

Critics must understand the context before demonising Lee Keegan for his GPS sleight of hand in the All-Ireland final, believes Mayo manager Stephen Rochford.

London manager Ciarán Deely says the GAA “have got it the wrong way around” by introducing the Super 8s ahead of securing more games for smaller counties.

Mayo manager Stephen Rochford says he “doesn’t really care” why he and his players seem to attract criticism on a regular basis.

Connacht Council secretary John Prenty has accused counties of “living beyond their means”, saying steps must be taken to rein in spending on inter-county teams.

Experienced Clare star Enda Coughlan has emerged as a late injury concern ahead of Sunday’s Munster SFC semi-final against Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium — as manager Colm Collins vows the Banner will be competitive in Killarney.

Sligo 1-14 Roscommon 0-13: Underdogs Sligo had too much bite for an under-performing Roscommon in Saturday’s absorbing Connacht SFC semi-final at Markievicz Park.

With Kerry, Donegal and Mayo all winning last weekend and Dublin likely to do likewise next weekend, the cosy consensus is that the Big Four of last year’s championship are going to have it all to themselves again this year.

Three of football’s ‘Big 4’ are in action this weekend, with All-Ireland champions Kerry, Mayo and Donegal all facing tough tests.

Donegal’s recent record in the Ulster SFC is exceptional.

Nobody told Mayo dual star Keith Higgins it was going to be easy trying to balance his football and hurling commitments but things couldn’t be more awkward for the talented all-rounder next weekend.

A Ciaran Murtagh goal proved decisive as Roscommon advanced to a GAA Connacht SFC Semi-final date with Sligo, following a seven-point win in Ruislip.

Aidan Ryan is a surprise inclusion as Cork make three changes for Sunday’s Allianz HL Division 1 final against Waterford in Semple Stadium (3.30pm).

Almost like clockwork, Paul Rouse has tweeted each Monday with the latest Sky Sports live GAA viewing figures in Ireland.

Midfielder Fiontán Ó Curraoin has been on the Galway panel for four seasons but didn’t think it would take this long to get to his first Connacht SFC final.

Roscommon's Donie Shine may have suffered cruciate knee ligament damage during last Sunday's Connacht SFC semi-final defeat to Mayo, but the injury is not expected to end his season.

Mayo manager James Horan believes referees should be given semi-professional status to keep up with the changes in the modern game.

CONNACHT SFC QUARTER-FINAL:

Mayo County Board officials will meet manager James Horan tomorrow night to discuss a claim he made that they proceeded with a fundraiser in New York despite being told the team would not be present.

Mayo 5-11 London 0-10

Recalled goalkeeper Robert Hennelly is one of four changes to the Mayo team for Sunday's Connacht SFC final against London in Castlebar (throw-in 2pm).

The Mayo senior football squad has been hit by a goalkeeping crisis ahead of Sunday’s Connacht SFC final with both regular netminders, David Clarke and Kenneth O’Malley, set to miss out through injury.

Armagh 8-13 Leitrim 0-10

Mayo forward Cillian O'Connor is itching to wear the green and red jersey again as he continues his gradual recovery from a dislocated shoulder.

'Go London!' - that was the message from Mayor of London Boris Johnson as he reacted to the news of yesterday's historic Connacht SFC semi-final victory over Leitrim.