Mulgrew's Fermanagh hope for history

Charlie Mugrew's Fermanagh take on Connacht champions Mayo at Croke Park today in the Erne County's first ever appearance in an All-Ireland football semi-final.

Fermanagh take on Connacht champions Mayo at Croke Park today in the Erne County's first ever appearance in an All-Ireland football semi-final.

Despite not having reached this stage in five years, Mayo are no strangers to semi-finals and either is manager John Maughan. Maughan took Clare to the penultimate stage in 1992 and led Mayo to semi-finals in 1996, '97, '98 and '99.

The Westerners' defeat of Tyrone in the quarter-final two weeks ago means that the last 13 All-Ireland champions have failed to retain the crown.

Wins over Cork, Meath and Ulster finalists Donegal proved to be the tip of the iceberg as Fermanagh ousted Ulster champions Armagh in the quarter-final by a point, scored by super-sub Tom Brewster.

Fermanagh boss Charlie Mulgrew has resisted the temptation to start Brewster and has stuck with the same side that began against the Orchard County for today's clash.

Mulgrew has made one positional switch, which sees Stephen Maguire go from centre to full-forward in a direct swap with James Sherry.

Mayo boss Maughan has dropped his captain, Fergal Costello, for today's tie after the wing-back failed to impress in the Westerners' quarter-final victory over reigning champions Tyrone.

Pat Kelly, who came on for Costello in the first-half of that game, retains his place.

The rest of the team remains unchanged from the side that took to the field against the Red Hands, despite doubts over full-back David Heaney, who picked up an ankle injury in that match and did not train until late in the week.

Mayo are now second favourites (after Kerry) to land the Sam Maguire, but with Fermanagh gaining momentum with each win, the northerners cannot be discounted.

The sides will wear changed strips to avoid colour clashes for today's match, with Fermanagh wearing all white jerseys while Mayo will be in all red.

FERMANAGH (SF v Mayo): N Tinney; N Bogue, B Owens, R McCluskey; R Johnson, S McDermott, P Sherry; M McGrath, L McBarron; E Maguire, J Sherry, M Little; C O'Reilly, S Maguire, C Bradley.

MAYO (SF v Fermanagh): P Burke; C Moran, D Heaney, G Ruane; P Gardiner, J Nallen, P Kelly; R McGarrity, D Brady; J Gill, K McDonald, A Dillon; C Mortimer, T Mortimer, B Maloney.