All-Ireland final team news:Mayo wing back Colm Boyle has been passed fit to start Sunday's All-Ireland final against Donegal. Mayo manager James Horan will also be able to call upon the services of Lee Keegan, who has recovered from the dislocated finger he suffered in the semi-final win over Dublin.
Boyle was an 11th hour withdrawal from the semi-final after coming down with a virus on the eve of the match. He was replaced in the starting line-up by Chris Barrett, but was fit enough to come on as a blood replacement for 20 minutes of the contest.
Despite reports from Mayo that Boyle’s training has been limited since as he struggled to overcome the illness, Horan had always been confident that he would be fit to take his place in the half back line. Elsewhere, it is a case of as you were for the Connacht champions as they seek to claim a first All-Ireland title since 1951.
Mayo captain Andy Moran, who was ruled out of the remainder of the championship after picking up a serious knee injury in the quarter-finals, will still play a central role at Croke Park after being added to Horan’s backroom team. Moran has been named as a selector for the final, joining Tom Prendergast alongside Horan on the sidelines.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness announced an unchanged side last night, the team featureing four of the players who started McGuinness’s previous All-Ireland, the under-21 final lost narrowly to Dublin two years ago.
There had been speculation Ryan Bradley’s place at wing forward might come under pressure, as he went into the semi-final win over Cork carrying a shoulder injury and was replaced by David Walsh after half an hour. But the Buncrana player has been an integral part of McGuinness’s team over the past two years and only recently was named the GAA/GPA Footballer of the Month for July.
“Ryan has started for us in every game in the championship this year and has been playing well,” said Donegal assistant manager Rory Gallagher.
Donegal have no injury worries, with Karl Lacey, Kavanagh and Gallagher all fit again. “We are very fortunate in that we are selecting from a fully fit squad,” said Gallagher said. “A couple of players had minor strains, but they have all been integrated fully back into our training again and they’re all good to go for the weekend.”
Donegal:P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, F McGlynn; A Thompson, K Lacey, E McGee, N Gallagher, R Kavanagh; R Bradley, L McLoone, M McHugh; P McBrearty, M Murphy, C McFadden.
Mayo:D Clarke; K Keane, G Cafferkey, K Higgins; L Keegan, D Vaughan, C Boyle; B Moran, A O'Shea; K McLoughlin, J Doherty, A Dillon; E Varley, C O'Connor, M Conroy.