Mayo manager John Maughan does not feel the recent departures of Michael Conroy and Damien Munnelly will have an undue effect ahead of the championship opener against Roscommon on June 19th.

Both players were part of the under-21 team that lost to Armagh in last year's final, while Conroy is qualified to compete at under-21 level again next year. They are thought to be spending the summer abroad.

Conroy had been tipped to make a breakthrough this year after some impressive scoring displays in the underage ranks but a recent loss of form saw him slip down the pecking order of Mayo forwards.

"I don't know why they left," said Maughan. "They weren't playing particularly well. Damien Munnelly opted out weeks back so it's old news. He has returned to his club, where he can get back some lost confidence. "Look, both are young fellas and I expect them to play a role with Mayo in the future."

However, the future of Ballina's Patrick Harte, who also opted out of the intercounty scene, is less clear.

"Patrick left the panel of his own accord," continued Maughan. "After returning from club duty with Ballina maybe he didn't see the merit in persevering. Maybe it just wasn't for him."

Last year's captain Gary Ruane and Fergal Costello have also dropped out of the panel but Maughan is happy with the current progress and did receive a boost with the return of Enda Devenney after an ankle injury.

Mayo had an impressive league campaign which ended at the semi-final stage against eventual champions Armagh.

"With six weeks to go, we have started championship training so we hope to stay injury free in the run in," said Maughan.

They have at least four challenge matches lined up, starting with Derry this Saturday and Donegal on May 21st.

Finally, Kerry have confirmed that Johnny Crowley's intercounty football career has come to an end.

Crowley had not been part of the county panel since last year's All-Ireland victory over Mayo.