Mayo recall Harte for Derry trip

Midfielder Pat Harte is straight back into the Mayo team for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC qualifier clash with Derry after serving a suspension (Celtic Park, throw-in 3.30pm).

Harte was banned for four weeks after being sent off in the Connacht championship defeat to Galway in May, but has earned a quick recall to partner David Brady at midfield for the trip north.

Mayo boss John O'Mahony has made two changes to the side that beat Cavan 1-19 to 3-7 in the first round of the qualifiers last Saturday.

Both changes come on the right side of the westerners' defence with Aidan Higgins and Peadar Gardiner both dropping to the bench. Under-21 player Tom Cunniffe is promoted to right corner back while with Harte's return, former captain David Heaney reverts to wing back, having played at centre-field last week.

Tomorrow's encounter marks the first ever All-Ireland SFC fixture between Mayo and Derry and O'Mahony rates the Oak Leafers highly.

"Derry beat Armagh, one of the favourites for the All-Ireland, last Sunday and that was a huge win for them. This is a home game for them and that's also a huge factor," he told the Mayo News.

"They're a typical Ulster team. Some people will have seen them as underachievers but the reality is that they responded to their defeat to Monaghan very positively. To do that, and beat Armagh without Enda Muldoon, is the sign of a very good team.

"They have a lot of players who have had success at underage and colleges level and they're a big, strong, mobile team. They'll fancy their chances against us."

The pacy Pierce Hanley, who made his championship debut against Cavan, has shrugged off a knock to retain his place in the Mayo attack, while big Barry Moran, the westerners' goalscorer last week, is again positioned at full-forward.

MAYO (SFC v Derry) - D Clarke; T Cunniffe, L O'Malley, T Howley; D Heaney, D Kilcullen, T Mortimer; D Brady, P Harte; BJ Padden, P Hanley, A Dillon; C Mortimer, B Moran, A Moran.