Mayo could be without a handful of first-choice starters when they face All-Ireland Champions Kerry in their Allianz League opener in a fortnight.

It will be the sides’ first meeting since their epic two game tussle in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, which climaxed in that thrilling extra-time replay in Limerick.

Mayo joint manager Pat Holmes has admitted that the Connacht Champions who lost to Roscommon on Sunday last in the FBD League on 2-12 to 1-10 scoreline, could be missing a handful of their most experienced men for the League opener.

Aidan O’Shea, Ger Cafferkey, Andy Moran, Alan Dillon will all be likely to miss the Kerry game to injury whilst Mayo will also be without the services of Cillian O’Connor as he was sent off in the late stages of that All-Ireland semi-final replay as his red card carries over in to this season.