Injuries a curse for both Mayo and Donegal

Mayo and Donegal are both cursing the luck and timing of their injury problems ahead of Sunday's football league final in Croke Park, and it could be Saturday before the teams are finalised.

Mayo saw goalkeeper David Clarke, full back James Kilcullen and team captain Kevin O'Neill all injured in last Sunday's semi-final win over Galway, and all three are listed as doubtful.

Clarke has a hamstring problem, Kilcullen a groin injury, and O'Neill a calf injury, and that's sure to force some changes in Sunday's line-up. If Clarke is ruled out it's likely Morvin Connolly will make his debut in goal, as second choice Kenneth O'Malley is also ruled out with a dislocated thumb. Connolly has never figured competitively for Mayo at any level.

"We only had 11 players able to train with us in Castlebar on Tuesday night," said manager John O'Mahony, "with another eight or nine on the treatment table, and couple more of the group based in Dublin also injured.

"It's a bit of a worry not having everyone we want. But I would always have full confidence in any player I put out for Mayo."

Donegal manager Brian McIver has his equal share of problems: Leon Thompson is out for the season with a knee ligament tear, both Brendan Devenney and Neil McGee retired early last Sunday, and Rory Kavanagh also had to pass a late fitness test on Sunday and that will probably be the case again this time.

Midfielder Kevin Cassidy will also know this evening if he is cleared to play after picking up a double-yellow card in recent weeks: "We've been very fortunate so far in that we've been at full strength for every game," said McIver, "but that has changed over the past few weeks."