O’Shea set for bench role after three-month spell on sidelines

Despite being sidelined for almost three months with a stomach muscle injury, Aidan O’Shea looks set to be named among the Mayo substitutes for Sunday’s Connacht SFC final against Sligo.

The 22 year-old took a full part in last weekend’s final ‘A’ v ‘B’ trial match in Castlebar and suffered no adverse reaction.

However, O’Shea’s older brother, Seamus (groin), Peadar Gardiner (foot) and Aidan Campbell (hip) have all been ruled out of next weekend’s showpiece in Roscommon.

There was better news for goalkeeper, Kenneth O’Malley, who was unexpectedly invited to return to training with the Connacht champions last Friday evening.

The 2006 All-Ireland U21 winner was not involved in Mayo’s championship squad last summer but has been recalled after Robert Hennelly’s surprise decision to leave the panel two weeks ago due to work commitments.

James Horan was due to finalise his selection last night and the line-out will be released to the general public today at 1.30pm via the Mayo GAA twitter account.

Among those believed to be pushing hard for inclusion are half-back Richie Feeney and inside forwards Conor Mortimer, Michael Conroy and Enda Varley.

Connacht GAA Council officials are expecting a crowd of approximately 20,000 people to attend the decider.