With all the injury concerns in defence proving groundless, Mayo's selectors have made only one change for Sunday's All-Ireland football final against Kerry. John Casey comes in at left wing forward in place of out-of-form James Horan.

Other bulletins include the retention of Dermot Flanagan at corner back and David Heaney at centrefield. Flanagan's place has been the subject of speculation, although John Maughan and his management team have always stood unwaveringly behind the veteran's inclusion which had also been threatened by an injury sustained last week.

Captain Noel Connelly has recovered from a knock received in the same training match and takes his place at left wing back. Liam McHale's controversial switch to full forward is persevered with despite extensive phases of the semi-final having passed him by.

Presumably, the perceived vulnerability of Kerry full back Barry O'Shea to aerial bombardment played a role in the selection.

Casey's re-entry to the side after being dropped for the Offaly match was generally expected. His tenure as full forward had run into difficulties after last year's All-Ireland final and he never recaptured form during this season's Connacht campaign. His recall was on the cards, according to Connacht Railway Cup manager Martin Carney who had Casey under his wing at under-21 level.

"It was much as I expected. It represents hard luck for James and a great opportunity for John Casey to display his considerable talent. Of all the under-age players I worked with, he was in the top three. The further outfield he plays, the better he gets. I think he'll be very effective out there on the half forward line and his form in training is excellent.

"Full forward was never really his position. I think Jack O'Shea brought him on there in the Connacht final against Leitrim and Anthony Egan also used him there. John Maughan recognised him as a player he could mould into the position and, in fairness, he was outstanding in last year's Connacht final on Gary Fahy, who was the best full back in the province.

"His best position is left wing back and I played him there in the All-Ireland under-21 final against Cork in '94. The following year I selected him at centrefield and used him in more forward positions where he scored 1-2, I think, against Kerry in the final replay. It's a question of form. He looks sharper than James Horan."

Horan's decline has been a puzzle as well as a worry for the team. In three visits to Croke Park last year, he scored 1-9. Since then, his form has plummeted and he has been substituted in all matches this championship.

"James has been in difficulties all year," says Carney. "He wasn't great in the League and I had him for the Railway Cup and couldn't get anything out of him. There's always a danger that anyone managing will remember the great games a player has had and James had great games last year.

"John Maughan hoped his form would come back and only recently have the other half forwards on the panel started to create competition for the place."

Another indication of Casey's suitability for his new position is his form in the triumphant Sigerson Cup campaign of Tralee RTC. Casey played for the side in the half forwards and showed frequent glimpses of his ability to run with the ball.

Martin Carney believes that the season in Tralee will have greater benefits for Casey than merely experience on the half-forward line.

"He'll enjoy playing outfield. He's good at getting on breaking ball and, providing he stays calm, I think he'll thrive in the final. I would imagine the idea is to try him one-on-one with Seamus Moynihan. They were team-mates in Tralee this year and he might know some weakness of Moynihan's that could be exploited."