Pat Rabbitte's late emergence as an inter-county footballer has been put on hold.

The Labour TD for Dublin South West had been offered a run for his native Mayo by county manager John Maughan during a broadcast to celebrate the politician's 50th birthday. Despite offers of donations to charity, Rabbitte resisted and yesterday confirmed that he wouldn't be able to take up this challenging offer in Mayo's match against Dublin in Castlebar this evening.

This will doubtless come as a blow to Maughan who is missing several regulars because of injury. Kenneth Mortimer, Pat Holmes, and James Nallen have all short-term problems but Maurice Sheridan and Pat Fallon may miss out on next weekend's championship date with New York, also in Castlebar.

MAYO (SF v Dublin) - P Burke; A Higgins, K Cahill, G Morley; F Costello, A Roche, R Connelly; D Brady, D Heaney; C McManamon, J Horan, M Moyles; D Nestor, G Smith, G Brady.