The Galway game will come too soon for Mayo pair Alan Dillon and Andy Moran.

The Connacht champions open the defence of their provincial crown in Salthill on Sunday and manager James Horan has all but ruled Ballintubber clubman Dillon out, while suggesting that Ballaghaderreen's Moran has a slight chance of playing some playing some part, having returned to training following a nine-month lay-off.

"Alan still has a bit of a niggle but Andy is going well in training and we will see how things develop over the week," he is quoted in The Connaught Telegraph.

"We have guys getting very close to getting back playing and both Andy and Alan have a bit of time, but some of the younger players are showing up well.

Meanwhile, press officer Aiden McLoughlin told The Irish Times: "Andy has made great progress and was back training last week. His only problem, really, is that he hasn't had any game time.

"Alan is also back to full training now, but Sunday's game has come slightly too soon for them both. But they may still be selected as part of the 26-man panel to travel." Tweet

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