O'Shea brothers to remain sidelined for Mayo's clash against Cavan
MAYO GAA supporters will be delighted to hear that both Seamus and Aidan O'Shea have returned to full training with the county senior squad.
The Breaffy stars haven't played with the Mayo senior team since the All-Ireland final replay against Dublin last October due to injury.
Injuries meant they missed all of Mayo's Connaught FBD League games and the four opening rounds of the national league.
However, while they have returned to full training it is unlikely they will be fit enough to start against Cavan in round five of the Allianz National League next Sunday in Elverys MacHale Park.
If Mayo beat Cavan it is almost certain they will have guaranteed their Division 1 status for next year.
But it is also very unlikely they will qualify for the league final even if they win their three remaining group games.
In such an scenario it would mean Mayo will be left with two competive games (round 6 and 7 of the league against Tyrone, away, and Donegal at home) in which Stephen Rochford and his management team will have an opportunity to try out some new players and give the players, including the O'Shea brothers, who are coming back into the fold from injury, some game time.
Among the other players who have been out with long terms injuries and are making good progress are Ger Cafferkey and Chris Barrett, while Alan Dillon is back doing gym work.
Meanwhile, Galway Under 21 footballers set up a mouth-watering Connaught championship semi-final with Mayo following their four-point victory over Leitrim on Saturday evening.
However, Galway, who led by 4-8 to 0-2 at the interval, were a little fortunate to hold on for the victory over a Leitrim side which staged a remarkable second-half fight back. In the end Galway won by 4-10 to 2-12, but not before they were given one hell of a scare.
Now they will have home advantage when they face the current Connaught and All-Ireland champions Mayo, on Saturday evening week.
The venue is Tuam Stadium with a 5 p.m. start.