THE gods have been cruel to Roscommon. No fewer than five established players have been ruled out of their Connacht senior football championship semi final with Mayo at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday, forcing manager Donal Shine to gamble on young blood.
"To lose five players is a real body blow," admitted Shine.
"The only piece of luck we had is that corner forward Luke Dolan has recovered from injury in time. But, hopefully, we can lift ourselves.
"Despite all the injuries, I believe our preparations have gone well and we can rise to the challenge. There appears to be something about the month of May, it is a difficult month and a lot of injuries occur. It is enough to suffer the loss of so many players, but I feel it is important to keep a positive, approach.
"There is a good mood prevailing in Connacht football and Sundays match between Galway and Leitrim emphasised that things are definitely on the up. I'm sure that feeling - will be passed on next Sunday, and we can all rise to the occasion," added Shine.
Roscommon's injury woes have forced them to introduce six newcomers to championship fare and five of them are in defence. Enon Gavin is the sole defender with previous, championship experience.
Ciaran Grogan and Martin Feeley, in the full back line, and the half back trio of Rossa O'Callaghan, Clifford McDonnell and Ciaran Henneaghan are all being thrown in at the deep end. Right corner forward Niall O'Donoghue also makes his debut.
The five players missing because of injury are goalkeeper Shane Curran, who has a groin strain, Joe Connaughton, Gerry Gray, Fergal O'Dowd and Tommy Grehan.
Kerr manager Paidi O Se has injury worries over Seamus Moynihan and Sean Burke as he prepares for the Munster senior football semi final clash with underdogs Waterford at Dungarvan on Saturday evening. Kerry hope to name their team tonight.
"We have our share of injuries," said O Se. "Seamus and Sean are our main concerns but John Driscoll, Morgan Nix and John Crowley, who had stitches inserted in a hand wound last weekend, are also causing us some concern. Hopefully, we will have a clearer picture after training."
Munster champions Cork - have injury worries of their own, with inspirational full back Mark O'Connor, who sustained an injury in a club game with Bantry Blues, causing most concern. However, wing back Ciaran O'Sullivan, who has made a remarkable recovery from a knee injury, and full forward Colin Corkery have recovered from injuries and are available.
Monaghan manager Mick McCormack, meanwhile, reports an "injury free" set up - quite a rare occurrence in the Gaelic games world - as he prepares his men to take on the 1994 All Ireland champions Down in the Ulster football championship on Sunday.
McCormack expects to name his team tonight, and commented: "We have put in a big effort with our preparations this year. We wound things down with a couple of challenge matches against Roscommon and Meath and, although we lost both those games, I am happy we can give a good account of ourselves.
Dublin defender Keith Barr will use video evidence to help his case when the Leinster Council meet tonight to discuss the All Star's dismissal in the Leinster championship quarter final win over "Westmeath last Sunday week.
Although referee Noel Cooney has reported Barr for "striking"
which normally carries a minimum suspension of one month (which would rule him out of the semi final clash with Louth on Sunday week), the Dublin County Board will produce television pictures to back up their argument that the player was harshly treated.
Two other Dublin players are also in the dock. Charlie Redmond was sent off in Erin's Isles' county championship semi final win over St Olaf's last Saturday night but it is felt he will receive the minimum two weeks ban and will be available to face Louth. Paul Clarke was also dismissed in a club match last week and the referee's report is still awaited.
