By Cian O'Connell

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Initially Eoghan Kerin simply thought it was just another routine injury, but within a matter of minutes the Annaghdown clubman because aware of how much distress Tom Parsons was in.

Kerin, the 24 year old corner back, is disappointed for Parsons, who will miss the remainder of the year. Since breaking through in 2016 Kerin has forged a reputation as a defender of some renown in an improving Galway backline, but his thoughts quickly turned to Parsons' wellbeing that evening in Castlebar.

“I thought nothing of it initially,” Kerin says. “It was only when I got up off the ground, I could hear him in real pain. You could hear him screaming on the ground. In fairness to Conor Lane, he stopped the game straight away.

“I was the one that was directly involved. I was the one under his knee. It was just really innocuous. I just dived down on the ball and I think it was whatever way his leg was planted, it was just unlucky more than anything.

“I popped him a text on the Monday night just to wish him well. I think a lot of the other lads did as well, Army (Sean Armstrong) and Damo (Damien Comer) and I think a lot of the lads just touched base, more or less to just say best of luck with the recovery.

“Look it’s not nice to see. I think it took the sting out of the game. The game was held up for a good while. Tom seems like a real gentleman so it wasn’t nice to see him on the ground and in real pain as well. But I think the procedures have gone pretty well, so I’d like to wish him well in the recovery as well.”

Kerin expects Mayo to embark on another backdoor adventure similar to their trips in 2016 and 2017. "I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Mayo this year," Kerin states. "They’re really good, they’re a seasoned team. You’ve the likes of Lee Keegan and these guys coming into a team.

“I suppose they’ve four weeks between then and their next qualifier game, it’s Limerick they’ve got. I would be very, very surprised if we don’t see them in the Super 8s.

“I know they’ve quite a bit more games, but they’re a really experienced side, I can’t see them slipping up. We haven’t seen the last of them anyway that’s for sure.”