Mayo duo fail fitness tests ahead of final

Mayo have been hit by a double injury blow a day before their National Football League Division 1 Final against Cork at Croke Park tomorrow.

Senior players Enda Varley and Keith Higgins will not be taking any part in tomorrow's game after failing a fitness test this morning.

Mayo manager John O'Mahony had originally opted for the same team that started the win over Cork two weeks ago.

Higgins (knee) and leading scorer Enda Varley (hamstring) were to have substitute roles only, but Peadar Gardiner, who made his return with Crossmolina last weekend following a broken bone in his arm, may be risked off the bench. Knockmore attacker Aidan Kilcoyne is also coming back into contention after a long spell out with a collarbone injury.

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.