Hammer blow for Mayo as key player needed surgery on hand injury

Bad news for Kevin McStay.

Mayo have been dealt a hammer blow as one of their key defenders, Eoghan McLaughlin, has had to get surgery on a hand injury that he picked up.

The flying back came off the bench against Kerry two weeks ago to score a goal, and has been an imperative part of this Mayo team for the last number of years.

Mayo are set to play Louth, and although most people wouldn’t hold out much hope for the Leinster side, Mickey Harte is always capable of making a few surprises.

McLaughlin is officially ruled out of that game, and will be looking to try and make it back in some capacity for their final group game against Cork.

One of the issues with the split season is that when games come so thick and fast, any slight injury could you rule out for two games or more.

In the past you might have had a 3-5 week period of training before the next game, now something has innocuous as a hamstring pull can result in missing a string of games.

The only other real injury concern for the Connacht side is Cillian O’Connor, who has been struggling to get his body right this season.

O’Connor was used mostly from the bench during the league campaign and injuries have been niggling at him, preventing him from getting a real run in Kevin McStay’s team.

The Louth game looks like it might come just too soon, but if he is available for their last game against The Rebels, and provided they have two wins under their belt, it could be the perfect opportunity for him to get some game time.

Related links:

• Kyle Coney recalls battle with Aidan O’Shea in 2008 All-Ireland Minor final
• “You’d swear we were a lower level team altogether” Burke hits out at narrative surrounding Roscommon-Mayo
• Enda McNulty on how Al Pacino speech was theme for Armagh’s All-Ireland win

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