Mayo get vote of confidence ahead of Tyrone showdown

MAYO have no injury problems ahead of next Sunday’s All-Ireland U-21 FC semi-final clash with Tyrone in Sligo.

County Secretary Sean Feeney said no changes are likely to be made to the side that defeated All-Ireland champions Galway to win the provincial title.

"I honestly cannot visualise any changes being made because the lads played extremely well, particularly when triumphing over reigning champions Galway," said Feeney.

Mayo will have three first-team members of their senior side in action. Fintan Ruddy will be between the posts, while Alan Dillon is expected to be selected at full-forward and with Conor Mortimer is set to start in the corner.

Meanwhile, Tyrone have given the go-ahead to three members of their senior team John Deviney, Dermot Carlin and Sean Cavanagh to play.

The Tyrone team will not be named until the day of the game because of injury doubts surrounding Kelvin Hughes, Mark Donnolly and Ciaran McCroary.

However, Devinney will play in goal, fronted by Carlin, with Cavanagh at midfield. A stylish Tyrone side retained their Ulster title in impressive style and will be hoping to go one better than last season, when they lost out to Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Tipperary hurler Noel Morris has admitted that he fears his inter-county career could be over after suffering possible cruciate ligament damage to his left knee in a club football match last weekend.

Morris was stretchered off during the first-half of Loughmore Castleiney's mid-division football final with JK Brackens after he fell awkwardly. It has been confirmed that Morris tore his medial ligaments but he is still fearful that the cruciate could also have snapped in the fall.

"I went up for a ball, came down and twisted my knee I was in absolute agony," Morris said.

"There's a strong possibility the cruciate has gone. On Sunday night there was nothing I could really do except ice it and take anti-inflammatories.

"On Monday, I consulted Peter Murchin at Our Lady's Hospital in Cashel before travelling to see knee specialist Tadhg O'Sullivan in Waterford Regional Hospital on Tuesday.

"I have to go back and see him in two weeks for a full diagnosis. I'm 28 at Christmas and this could be the end of my career. If I could get back to something like I was before it wouldn't be too bad but when it rains it pours."

Meanwhile, the Ladies football All-Ireland minor semi-finals take place are down for decision tomorrow. Mayo take on the Ulster Champions Monaghan in Longford at 2pm, while Cork and Laois meet in Cahir at 2pm.

Mayo upset caused somewhat of a surprise when they defeated champions Galway in the Connacht final.

Led by captain Triona McNicholas and with experienced players like Anette Gallagher, Emma Mullin and Caroline McGing, they are a promising outfit. Though Monaghan will field five of their senior panel Aisling Tierney, Slainey Murray, Lisa Hughes, Catriona Byrne, and Therese McNally the vote goes to the Mayo girls.

Following their comprehensive win over Kerry in the Munster final, Cork will start as favourites against Laois. Some 14 of their side have had senior experience and, with Brid Stack, Norita Kelly, Briege Corkery and Sile Burns, they should have too much firepower for Laois.