Clarke to start for Mayo

Ballina goalkeeper David Clarke will step into the shoes of his club mate John Healy when Mayo line out against Laois in Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final replay at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

It will be Clarke’s first start of this year’s championship - the 24-year-old was in magnificent form last season, but a groin operation in February has curtailed his involvement in Mickey Moran’s maiden campaign.

Drafting in the tall figure of Clarke, certainly with the idea of keeping Laois’ imposing full-forward Noel Garvan at bay, is the only change Moran has made to the side that drew 0-15 apiece with the midlanders last weekend.

There could be another alteration as the westerners’ left corner forward berth has been left vacant, with former All-Star Kevin O’Neill omitted from the front line.

The fit-again David Brady or Under-21 starlet Aidan Kilcoyne, who made a sizeable contribution - slotting over two points - as a substitute in the drawn game, could take O’Neill’s place.

The roaming Ciaran McDonald has been slotted in at left half-forward, with Alan Dillon shifting up to right corner forward in the sole positional change.

The remainder of the Connacht champions’ line-up is unchanged with Ronan McGarrity tentatively named at midfield. The Ballina man damaged his knee last week and it is doubtful whether the injury will allow him to last the pace at headquarters.

Burrishoole defender Liam O’Malley remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

MAYO (SFC v Laois) - D Clarke; D Geraghty, D Heaney (capt), K Higgins; A Higgins, J Nallen, P Gardiner; R McGarrity, P Harte; BJ Padden, G Brady, C McDonald; A Dillon, C Mortimer, AN Other.