Varley in for Moran ahead of semi-final

As predicted, Enda Varley has replaced injured captain Andy Moran in the Mayo team to play Dublin in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park (throw-in 3.30pm).

Varley has beaten off competition from Alan Freeman for the position in the full-forward line, with Moran ruled out by the cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered against Down last time out.

Varley will start at top of the right against the Dubs, while Cillian O'Connor is positioned at full-forward and Burrishoole's Jason Doherty leads the Connacht champions' attack from centre forward..

Ballina Stephenites goalkeeper David Clarke will captain the team in Moran's absence, as they bid to reach the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2006.

Speaking ahead of the game, Mayo manager James Horan said: "We like playing in Croker. We've done pretty well there. We've a good record there, some of our best performances have been there, so when you play a team like Dublin, in front of a full house, that's absolutely where you want to be.

"We feel we have the game and the players. We're prepared well and we can't wait to get cracking at it. It'll be pretty close to a full house and that's where you want to play. We're really looking forward to it. We can't wait."

He added: "I'd be very confident that we've improved from last year. Defensively we're stronger and smarter, and we've got a lot more strings to our bow than we had last year. But it's all based on the same principles.

"The principles are the same as every successful team in the world; tackle high, high work-rate, pressure, tempo, good skill execution and decision-making.

"There's no secret to that, and we're happy that we're further along the road than we were last year."

Mayo won their last Championship clash with Dublin, winning the 2006 All-Ireland semi-final by a single point, and they also beat Pat Gilroy's men in the Allianz League earlier this season.

MAYO (SFC v Dublin): David Clarke (capt); Kevin Keane, Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins; Lee Keegan, Donal Vaughan, Colm Boyle; Barry Moran, Aidan O'Shea; Kevin McLoughlin, Jason Doherty, Alan Dillon; Enda Varley, Cillian O'Connor, Michael Conroy.