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Rossies' key man Keenan a major doubt for Mayo showdown
David Keenan is looking doubtful for Roscommon's clash with Mayo. Photo: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE
Roscommon look likely to be without one of their best defenders – David Keenan – for Sunday's Connacht SFC semi-final with Mayo.
Rossies boss John Evans admitted that the St Barry's half-back "looks very doubtful" with the hamstring injury he picked up two weeks ago.
The former All-Ireland minor winning star was allocated one of Roscommon's main defensive duties in their quarter-final, man-marking Leitrim's classy sharpshooter Emlyn Mulligan.
Keenan would be a considerable loss to their half-back line, especially as one of his likeliest replacements, Conor Daly, is also ruled out since getting injured in the All-Ireland U-21 final against Dublin.
Mayo's main injury worry is Jason Gibbons.
He was a key man for them during this year's Allianz League when he formed a new midfield partnership with Aidan O'Shea and he started there for them in their first-round victory over New York.
He has since damaged his ankle and is believed to be very doubtful, but Mayo's consolation is that they have plenty of options in centre-field.
Mickey Conroy and Enda Varley both have had niggles but came through club games recently; Chris Barrett did the same, but he is not expected to make it.
The big talking point about their team against New York was the decision to move Keith Higgins back to corner-back, but since then manager James Horan has sensationally brought former Connacht rugby player Gavin Duffy into the fold.
Elsewhere, Paudie O'Sullivan has put himself in the frame for Cork's Munster SHC replay against Waterford after impressing in a club game for Cloyne on Sunday night, which was watched by members of the county management.
Only games that did not involve Cork seniors went ahead but O'Sullivan was given permission to play as Jimmy Barry-Murphy was anxious for him to get more game-time under his belt to aid his return from a horrific leg break.
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