Mayo corner back Liam O'Malley is a major doubt for Saturday's Connacht SFC semi-final against Roscommon in Castlebar. The Burrishoole man damaged ankle ligaments in training last Thursday night, and is unlikely to recover in time for Saturday's game. His expected absence will pave the way for Keith Higgins to make his first competitive appearance for John O'Mahony's side since last year's All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Tyrone. After returning from an extended winter break in Australia, Higgins missed Mayo's first round win over New York in Gaelic Park, opting instead to play with the hurlers against Kerry in the Christy Ring Cup. Mayo will definitely be without regular goalkeeper David Clarke and centre back Tom Cunniffe, but Billy Joe Padden, Tom Parsons and Trevor Mortimer are all expected to be fit. John O'Mahony, who names his team after training tomorrow night, is predicting a tough game from a young Roscommon side which impressed in their first round win over Leitrim. "They're at a developmental stage, like ourselves. They have experience in the likes of Gary Cox, Seanie McDermott and Geoffrey Claffey, while the minors from 2006 have given them a fresh approach," he said. "Fergal O'Donnell has brought a lot of those minors through and they won their Connacht title in Castlebar so they'll know the place well. I know a few of their players from my work with St Brigid's too and guys like Senan Kilbride and Karol Mannion are ambitious, talented footballers." He continued: "Against Leitrim, what impressed me about them was that even though they got off to a bad start, they didn't panic. They seemed to be able to up it a gear when they needed to. "It's going to be a typical championship game, but I'd be confident that we can edge through." Tweet

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