Sammon makes four changes for Connacht SFC final

Midfielder Barry Cullinane has been drafted in as one of four changes to the Galway team for Sunday's Connacht SFC final against Mayo (Castlebar, throw-in 2pm).

Brought on as a substitute, Cullinane helped the Tribesmen turn the screw in their semi-final win over Leitrim and the Claregalway clubman has gotten the nod over Mark Lydon for the trip to Castlebar.

Although he has recovered from a hamstring injury after missing the Leitrim game, Corofin defender Kieran Fitzgerald has failed to win back a starting place.

Galway manager Liam Sammon has kept faith with Garreth Bradshaw and Damien Burke in the corner-back berths.

There is a change in the defence though with two-time All-Ireland winner Declan Meehan losing out to Niall Coyne at right half-back. Meehan has a hamstring injury.

Diarmuid Blake has overcome a knock to be named at centre-back, with Darren Mullahy losing out as Gary Sice moves to left half-back.

Up front, the team's fourth alteration sees Cormac Bane, who scored 1-02 as a substitute against Leitrim, earn a recall.

Bane will line at right half-forward, taking the place of Paul Conroy.

Galway are chasing their fifth Connacht title of the decade, after wins in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005.

Their last win over Mayo in Castlebar was back in 2002 when they won the Connacht semi-final. They lost there in both 2004 and 2006.

On the way to this year's decider, Sammon's charges scored a 2-16 tally against Roscommon and 2-14 against Leitrim.

Much of the scoring onus has been on key forwards Padraic Joyce, Michael Meehan and Matthew Clancy, who have scored 2-19 between them.

GALWAY (SFC v Mayo) - P Doherty; G Bradshaw, F Hanley, D Burke; N Coyne, D Blake, G Sice; B Cullinane, N Coleman; C Bane, P Joyce (capt), N Joyce; M Clancy, M Meehan, F Breathnach.