There was good news for fans of Donegal and Mayo over the weekend as two of the biggest names in Gaelic Football edged ever closer to a return to action after lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Footballer of the Year Karl Lacey didn’t pull on the green and gold jersey for Donegal’s entire league campaign in the spring having undergone surgery on a hip injury in December, but it now looks as if he will feature in some capacity during the much-anticipated clash with Tyrone on May 26.
According to The Irish Examiner, Lacey played in a challenge match against Galway on Friday night and then made an appearance for his club, Four Masters, against Kilcar on Sunday. Having been out for so long, Jim McGuinness might be cautious about throwing him in from the start against the Red Handers in three weeks time, but his return to the county colours is a huge boost nonetheless.
Mayo’s Andy Moran has been out of action for even longer than Lacey after a cruciate ligament injury suffered in the All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Down last August.
Like Lacey, he played no part in the National League but according to The Irish Independent, he played a full part in Mayo’s pre-game warm-up prior to a challenge against Fermanagh in Enniskillen on Saturday and was also kicking balls during the half-time break.
Due to the nature of Moran’s injury, the Ballaghdereen man won’t be rushed back into action until he is ready, but rumours suggest he may have a role to play, even as an impact sub, against Galway in Pearse Stadium on Sunday week.
With Michael Conroy out for the foreseeable future and Alan Dillon still easing his way back after missing the league through injury, Mayo could use a man of Moran’s class and experience in the forward line in their attempts to make it three Connacht titles on the trot.
