Mayo's Lee Keegan will play no part in this weekend’s All-Ireland qualifier against Galway after he picked up an ankle injury in the win over Armagh last Saturday.
The former Footballer of the Year had to be helped off the pitch and though the Mayo management is remaining tight-lipped about his prospects of facing the Tribesmen, he isn’t expected to feature.
Mayo are more optimistic about Jason Doherty, who also went off injured against Armagh and he hasn’t yet been ruled out of facing Galway.
Keegan adds to manager James Horan’s significant injury headache. Midfielders Tom Parsons, Seamus O’Shea and Matthew Ruane are all long-term injury absences and they were joined by captain Diarmuid O’Connor, who broke his wrist in training last week.
This meant that Mikey Murray had to be given his debut in the Orchard County game at Elverys McHale Park. There was some good news, as Cillian O’Connor made his first appearance of the season as a substitute and landed two frees.
"During Saturday night's game with Armagh both Lee Keegan and Jason Doherty suffered ankle injuries," said a Mayo statement.
"Both players were immediately assessed by the Mayo senior medical team and they are now working on their rehab programmes.
"As with any injury or medical intervention the privacy and confidentiality from a medical perspective is important for the players in allowing them the time for a full recovery. We will monitor their progress closely over the coming weeks."
Mayo and Galway are both in the qualifiers having lost to Roscommon in the Connacht championship.
Mayo have already had to win through two rounds while Saturday's clash in Limerick will be the Tribesmen’s first in the backdoor this season having made the provincial final.
The winner of this game will be through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, aka the Super 8s.
