McDonald to face fitness test

Laois wing back Paul McDonald is to undergo a fitness test later this week to determine whether he can start Sunday's All-Ireland quarter-final replay against Mayo.

The Arles-Killeen clubman carried an ankle injury into the drawn game at Croke Park, and aggravated it during the second half.

Laois boss Mick O'Dwyer is due to finalise his side tonight. Should McDonald not make it, O'Dempsey's star Peter O'Leary is on standby.

Opponents Mayo have concerns over the fitness of midfielder Ronan McGarrity, who had to be stretchered off the field last Sunday after injurying his leg.

Manager Mickey Moran confirmed that the Ballina man had injured his knee, but subsequent tests revealed only nerve damage.

McGarrity has "damaged a nerve below the knee" and his condition will be monitored over the coming days.

Mayo's lady footballers, meanwhile, are in action in Portlaoise on Saturday as they take on reigning champions Cork in the TG4 All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.

The westerners lost to Cork at the semi-final stage last year and Mayo's leading forward Cora Staunton is eyeing revenge.

The Carnacon sharpshooter said: "We feel like we threw the All-Ireland semi-final away last year as we led by four points with four minutes to go but ended up losing by a point (to Cork).

"That defeat is the single biggest motivation for this team and we feel that if we get over this weekend's game, our season will take off."

Mayo, the 2003 All-Ireland champions, lost last month's Connacht final to Galway - 2-12 to 1-13 - with Staunton contributing 0-9.