Mayo unchanged for semi-final derby

Mayo manager Mickey Moran has named an unchanged side for tomorrow's crunch NFL Division One semi-final against neighbours Galway (Castlebar, throw-in 2pm).

1993 All-Star Kevin O'Neill has shrugged off an ankle injury to be named at left corner forward for the McHale Park clash.

Moran admitted he would rather be bringing his team to "Croke Park, or a neutral venue" for the semi-final. The Connacht rivals tossed a coin at An Sportlann in Castlebar on Monday evening to decide home advantage with Mayo, with County Secretary Sean Feeney in attendance, winning it.

Derry man Moran said: "We'll be playing in Castlebar and Galway and these places in the championship and I would liked to have brought the lads to Dublin to get some more experience up there.

"It would have been a fitting tribute to the work they have put in to play it at Croke Park. But it's not to be, so we'll get on with it."

An unchanged line-up means last year's Mayo captain Ciaran McDonald remains on the sidelines. The fitness of the Crossmolina star is still under wraps after he broke a bone in his hand recently.

Trevor Mortimer, David Brady, who is fighting off a shoulder injury, and Dermot Geraghty (hamstring) have to be content with places on the bench.

A 1-08 to 0-11 draw with All-Ireland champions Tyrone at Castlebar last weekend qualified Mayo through to the knockout stages as Division 1A table-toppers.

Moran's men have already played Galway this season - February's Connacht FBD League final finished in a 2-08 to 0-09 win for the Tribesmen.

Tomorrow's tussle is the first NFL fixture between Mayo and Galway since the 2001 final which Mayo won by a point (0-13 to 0-12).

MAYO (NFL v Galway) - J Healy; T Howley, D Heaney (capt), L O'Malley; K Higgins, J Nallen, P Gardiner; J Gill, R McGarrity; BJ Padden, G Brady, A Dillon; A Moran, A O'Malley, K O'Neill.