Mayo unchanged for Division 1 decider

Mayo manager John O'Mahony has kept faith with the same team that started the win over Cork two weeks ago, confident that they can do the business against the same opposition in Sunday's Allianz NFL Division 1 final at Croke Park (throw-in 4pm).

Mayo have had a number of injury doubts coming into this weekend's game, but centre-back Trevor Howley, who sat out training last week and also missed his club Knockmore's game against Crossmolina, is poised to start. He suffered a groin strain in that recent 0-16 to 0-11 victory over Cork.

Nonetheless, key men like Keith Higgins (knee), Ronan McGarrity (hamstring) and leading scorer Enda Varley (hamstring) do not feature in the Connacht champions' starting line-up, and it remains to be seen if they will have impact roles as substitutes.

Peadar Gardiner made his return with Crossmolina last weekend, following a broken bone in his arm, and it does not seem likely that he will be risked off the bench. Knockmore attacker Aidan Kilcoyne is also coming back into contention after a long spell out with a collarbone injury.

Of the starters for Sunday, midfielder Seamus O'Shea has recovered from a foot injury to retain his place in the side, while big games will be expected from Alan Dillon and Conor Mortimer who scored four points apiece in Mayo's last clash with Cork.

The westerners, who last appeared in the final in 2007, are chasing their first Division 1 title since 2001.

O'Mahony's men won six of the seven games in this season's league phase, with their only defeat coming against Dublin who won by a point in Castlebar in round 3.

Mayo's forwards have been very productive, hitting Galway for 2-14 and Derry and Monaghan for 2-12 each.

MAYO (NFL v Cork): David Clarke; Chris Barrett, Ger Cafferkey, Liam O'Malley; Donal Vaughan, Trevor Howley, Kevin McLoughlin; Tom Parsons, Seamus O'Shea; Andy Moran, Alan Dillon, Trevor Mortimer; Conor Mortimer, Aidan O'Shea, Mark Ronaldson.