McGarrity return to lift Mayo
MAYO football has received a timely boost ahead of the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers with the return of Ronan McGarrity.
The Ballina dual star played for 20 minutes in a challenge against Cork last weekend, his first appearance in the county colours since late February. McGarrity's four-month lay-off was enforced due to treatment for testicular cancer.
Mayo boss John O'Mahony is already without corner-back ace Keith Higgins, who broke his wrist in a recent club game, and Ciarán McDonald is also struggling with a muscle injury.
Mayo beat an experimental Cork side by two points. Apart from goalkeeper Alan Quirke, Billy Morgan's side have a clean bill of health before Sunday's Munster Final with Kerry and will name their side tonight.
Meanwhile, Clones could hold a qualifier double bill on Sunday, July 8 as two Ulster counties could be forced to concede home venue.
Armagh and Derry could be preceded by Fermanagh and either Wexford or Laois if the recently renovated Brewster Park in Enniskillen is not deemed ready to host that match. A decision will be made later in the week.
In the absence of the Athletic Grounds in Armagh, Armagh don't have a venue capable of hosting the anticipated crowd for their match with Derry so they have agreed on Clones which has been a home from home in the past.
The other six first-round qualifiers will all take place on Saturday evening, July 7 (7.0) with one exception. The game between Roscommon and Kildare at Hyde Park will have a 3.0 throw-in.
Carrick-on-Shannon gets a second chance to show off its new stand when Leitrim play host to Donegal.
SFC QUALIFIERS & TOMMY
MURPHY CUP FIXTURES Saturday, June 30
Tommy Murphy Cup - Prel. Rd
Kilkenny v Antrim, Nowlan Park, 3.0.
Saturday, July 7
SFC Qualifiers - Round 1
Limerick v Louth, Páirc na nGael, 7.0; Mayo v Cavan, Castlebar, 7.0;
Down v Meath, Newry, 7.0;
Roscommon v Kildare, Hyde Pk, 3.0
Westmeath v Longford, Cusack Park, 7.0;
Leitrim v Donegal, Carrick-on-Shannon, 7.0.
Tommy Murphy Cup - Round 1
Waterford v Carlow, Dungarvan, 7.0
Wicklow v Offaly, Aughrim, 7.0
Tipperary v Clare, Ardfinnan, 7.0
London v Kilkenny or Antrim, Ruislip, 3.0.
Sunday, July 8
SFC Qualifier - Round 1
Fermanagh v Laois/Wexford, Enniskillen/Clones, 2.0; Armagh v Derry, Clones, 4.0.
- Cliona Foley and Colm Keys
