By Cathal Dervan

MAYO boss John O’Mahony has confirmed that ace attacker Ciaran McDonald won’t be fit for the Connacht SFC first round clash with Galway on May 20. McDonald hasn’t played since the All-Ireland defeat to Kerry last September and his long running back injury looks set to keep him out of action for another two months at least . . .

KILDARE midfielder Killian Brennan is out of action for the rest of the season after he picked up a serious ankle injury against Donegal on Sunday . . .

ARMAGH boss Joe Kernan has admitted that injured duo Brian Mallon and Ronan Clarke will miss the start of the Ulster SFC campaign. “There is no chance they’ll be ready for the first game against Donegal on May 27,” said Kernan ahead of a training camp in Spain . . .

THE Tipperary County Board have confirmed that a further €12million is to be spent on revamping Semple Stadium in Thurles after the first phase of the redevelopment, at a cost of €5million, was opened for Sunday’s NHL semifinals . . .

TYRONE GAA officials are to investigate ugly and violent incidents which led to the abandonment of a Division 1A league game between Ardboe and defending champions Dromore at the weekend . . .

KERRY star Colm “Gooch” Cooper was sent off playing for Dr. Crokes against Kilcummin on Sunday and now faces a one month club ban while Darragh O Se has resumed training with the Kerry squad . . .

DONEGAL are to appeal against Kevin Cassidy’s suspension ahead of the NFL final against Mayo with Brendan Devenney, Neil McGee and Paddy McConigley all doubtful for the game with injury . . .

MIDFIELDER Eoin Lennon is out of the NFL Division Two semifinal against Meath at Croke Park on Saturday night after he broke his jaw in Sunday’s win over Leitrim.

CORK star Neil Ronan faces a month on the sidelines with a thumb injury picked up in Sunday’s NHL semifinal defeat to Waterford . . .

WICKLOW boss and Kerry legend Mick O’Dwyer has begun work on his autobiography with re-nowned Irish Inde-pendent journalist Martin Breheny . . .

THE 2007 Provincial Railway Cups, sponsored by Martin Donnelly, will be played under the floodlights at Croke Park in October.