Moran set for Mayo return

Mayo’s Andy Moran has given manager James Horan a boost by stating he could feature ahead of their Connacht SFC quarter-final clash with Galway.

The Ballaghaderreen clubman has been out injured for the past nine months since snapping his cruciate knee ligament in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Down. However, he has targeted an appearance off the bench against the Tribesmen for a return.

“So in terms of that [coming in with 10 minutes to go], yeah, I’m ready to go,” he said at yesterday’s Connacht SFC launch.

“I think that’s the big thing about not missing any training sessions. I’ve been there and I see the way we try to play and what we’re trying to do.”

Whether he’d be fit enough to start the game is something he can’t answer though.

“To be honest what I’m doing is just taking it one session at a time. I’m trying to put as much pressure as I can, but to be ready and to be 70 minutes ready is a different story.

“I haven’t been involved in any match, even an A versus B match in training for the last nine months.

“I’m back at that level now though and it’s time to go and take the shackles off. How ready I’m going to be on Sunday week though, I couldn’t honestly tell you.”

Moran isn’t the only one fighting for his spot with Barry Moran (ankle) and Alan Dillon (groin) reported fit and ready. Barry declared himself fit to play yesterday and Dillon featured in the county’s win over Fermanagh in a challenge match last week.

For Andy it’s no coincidence players are recovering in time for the game against Galway. While Mayo lost four games in the league but reached the Division 1 semi-final against Dublin without those regulars, the Connacht championship has always been their focus and they even sacrificed some league games with that in mind.

“It’s a great battle and has been the centrepiece of the Connacht championship for so long [Mayo v Galway]. Our focus has been on May 19 and we probably sacrificed a league game here and there in terms of preparation, strength and conditions and running.

“A lot of guys are pushing the boat out. The younger guys in particular like Evan Regan, Darren Coen and Conor O’Shea. There’s a lot of pressure on and fighting for positions at the minute.”

While a recurrence of the knee injury will always be a worry, Moran is trying to treat it like any other injury. He only missed one Mayo training session in all that time and the regular contact with the team, on their run to the All-Ireland final, helped occupy his mind.

“James kept me in there and I’m happy to be able to return now. It helps you [to be around].

“Being injured you train that little bit harder so I can’t wait to get back to full training with the lads.”

Unfortunately for Sligo manager Kevin Walsh, ahead of his side’s match with Leitrim, their semi-final will come too soon for sharpshooter David Kelly.

“It looks like that at the moment anyway,” he said. “He’s working very hard at the moment and has had no set-backs. He’s banging away but with the programme that’s in place then that London match will probably come a little bit early for him.

“But if things happen in the next 10 days then obviously we’ll be looking at him because his fitness would be okay.

“He’s working hard enough so it’s just a matter of whether or not the injury heals. As soon as it does, he’ll be ready to go.”