Mayo goalkeeper facing extended lay-off after surgery

Mayo goalkeeper Rob Hennelly has undergone keyhole surgery on a knee injury, The Connaught Telegraph has learned.

It is expected to be six weeks before he can return to training.

That means he will miss the Connacht SFC quarter-final clash against Galway at Hastings Insurance McHale Park later this month.

However, Castlebar Mitchels goalkeeper Rory Byrne has proved himself a fine replacement for the Breaffy man in recent Allianz National League matches.

Byrne is selected to start against Kerry tomorrow in the National League final at Croke Park with Knockmore's Colm Reape named as the substitute goalkeeper.

It has also been learned that Paddy Durcan has suffered a setback in his efforts to regain full fitness for the match against Galway due to a leg strain.

Diarmuid O'Connor is a third key Mayo player facing the prospect of missing the start of the championship due to a nagging hamstring injury.