Mayo leave vacancy at number 10

Mayo have left one vacancy in the their starting line-up ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland football semi-final against Dublin.

With wing forward Billy Joe Padden still hampered by the hamstring injury sustained in the All-Ireland quarter-final replay against Laois last Sunday, manager Mickey Moran decided to wait until closer to throw-in before confirming who would wear the number 10 shirt.

Padden was called ashore after 28 minutes and replaced by Aidan Kilcoyne from the Knockmore club. Kilcoyne went on to have a fine game and is the obvious replacement if Padden's injury isn't about to be risked further.

The Mayo team had their only full training session of the week in Castlebar yesterday evening, but made the most of it - not finishing until after sundown. Afterwards, Moran, his assistant John Morrison and selector Kieran Gallagher met for over half an hour to discuss their starting line-up, eventually deciding on the same team that started against Laois, while awaiting on Padden's fitness.

It means David Clarke retains his place in goal, having been called up ahead of John Healy before the Laois game - apparently with the full backing of Healy.

Martin Conroy from the Davitts club will also start again, at right corner forward, having been given that place just before the Laois game, when Kevin O'Neill dropped to the bench. Andy Moran and Barry Regan, who also appeared as second-half substitutes against Laois, are other possible contenders for the vacant spot.

MAYO (SF v Dublin): D Clarke; D Geraghty, D Heaney, K Higgins; A Higgins, J Nallen, P Gardiner; R McGarrity, P Harte; AN Other, G Brady, A Dillon; M Conroy, C Mortimer, C McDonald.