Duffy still in Mayo’s plans, assures boss Horan

Former Irish rugby international Gavin Duffy is still very much part of Mayo’s plans, according to James Horan.

There was no place in Mayo’s matchday squad of 26 players in Roscommon yesterday for the recently retired Connacht captain, but Duffy was among the extended Mayo party that attended the game.

The former Mayo minor star, who hasn’t played Gaelic football for the county since 1999, had been expected to line out for Salthill-Knocknacarra in the Galway SFC on Saturday. However, he was an unused sub and also failed to break into Mayo’s panel yesterday, leading to some speculation about Duffy’s future.

“Gavin’s involved with us and training very, very well,” explained the Mayo manager.

“He wasn’t involved in the matchday panel today but there’s five weeks now where there’s going to be a lot of fun and a lot of competition so we’re just really excited about that.”

Horan also addressed the issue of Andy Moran not being selected to start yesterday. It was the first time the Mayo captain hadn’t started a championship game for the county, when fully fit, in seven years. The Ballaghaderreen clubman came off the bench to shoot two inspirational points and helped turn the game in Mayo’s favour.

“Ah look, it’s always tough, a decision like that,” said the Mayo boss.

“But we’ve always said we’ll try and play form players and some of the guys have been playing very well. Andy’s been playing well too, it was a tight call. But with Andy the guy he is, you saw his response today, that’s the way it should be.”

Roscommon fans will have been encouraged by the sight of Donie Shine walking away from the home dressing room after yesterday’s game.

The talented marksman had been stretchered off with a knee injury during the second half.