Mayo opt to defer team announcement

Mayo's manager John Maughan and his selectors deferred the announcement of the team to face Kerry in Sunday's All-Ireland football final at Croke Park. It is expected that the line-up will be made public this morning, together with that of their opponents, who are scheduled to release their team today.

It isn't known what was causing a delay in Mayo. A number of issues arose after the Offaly semi-final and speculation was that some changes might be made, but in the last few days, injury worries have arisen in the case of defenders Dermot Flanagan and captain Noel Connelly.

Should either of them be unable to take the field on Sunday, Brian Heffernan would be the likely replacement at corner back or wing back. In the event of both missing the cut, there would be a possibility of David Heaney, who played centrefield the last day, reverting to wing back, with David Brady coming into the middle or Liam McHale switching back there.

If the management have a full pick at their disposal, there would still be problems to be solved. Flanagan's performances have been criticised and questions remain about his ability to mark a fast corner forward. Wing back Fergal Costello represents an option in this position, but because of his excellent displays on the wing, it is thought unlikely that he would be disturbed.

Centrefield also is open to debate. McHale's afternoon at full forward was at best a mixed success and there is little doubt that he would be more effective in a deeper position. David Brady, who played so well in last year's All-Ireland final, has only just recovered from a broken leg and lacks match fitness.

In the attack, the return of John Casey is anticipated at wing forward in place of James Horan, scorer of 1-9 on his three visits to Croke Park last year. This season has been a nightmare for Horan and he has been replaced in all matches to date.

Casey has also been mentioned in connection with any vacancy at wing back, but is thought more likely to start in the forwards from which he was dropped after a disappointing Connacht campaign at full forward.