Seamus O’Shea set to return for Mayo quarter-final clash
The 28-year old Breaffy clubman was substituted with a groin injury in the 24th minute of their comprehensive victory over Sligo in the Connacht final.
O’Shea, who has been shortlisted for All-Star awards in the last two years, started in the forward line and bagged a goal before he was replaced by Barry Moran in the 6-25 to 2-11 romp.
It was Mayo’s fifth Connacht title in a row and they must wait on this weekend’s 4B qualifiers at headquarters before they will know who awaits them in the last eight.
Joint manager Noel Connelly says the oldest of the O’Shea brothers will be back training by the end of the week and will be fit for their tie on August 8.
“It was more precautionary than anything else that we took him off. He had an old groin injury before, years back, and he had an operation on it,” said Connelly.
Elsewhere, Westport clubman Kevin Keane, who did not feature in the Connacht decider due to a leg injury he picked up in the week before the win over Sligo, should also be fit. Forward Diarmuid O’Connor, who kicked four points against Sligo, came through the game okay after he picked up a hairline fracture in his wrist against Galway.
Meanwhile, Ballina Stephanites’ Evan Regan could make his return after he was plagued with injuries including two broken collarbones since the start of the year. He has taken part in contact training in recent weeks and Connelly says this weekend’s session could be massive for him.
“Evan is back in full training, he is working hard and his fitness levels are getting up.
“He is pushing hard to get into the squad, so Saturday will be a big day for a lot of the fringe players.”
