All-Ireland SFC semi-finalsThe tried and tested was the order of the day last night as both the Derry and Mayo managements stuck with the 15 players that started the last day ahead of their respective All-Ireland football semi-finals.
Despite rumours to the contrary, Mayo have opted to go with the line-up that barely survived last Sunday's battle in the rain with Fermanagh as they return to Croke Park for tomorrow's replay. This means that David Brady and Conor Moran see off strong challenges from some of the county's reserves.
Notably, captain Fergal Costello must be content again to be a substitute. He was dropped for Pat Kelly after the All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Tyrone.
Brady was excellent that day but was replaced midway through the second half last Sunday by Gary Mullins as Fermanagh's Martin McGrath and Liam McBarron shaded the midfield duel, despite the industry of Ronan McGarrity.
It had been suggested that James Gill, sent off in the first game, would be moved back to midfield to accommodate under-21 player Andy Moran in the half-forward line. However, the Mayo management is not prepared to punish a player of Brady's calibre after one off day.
"Everyone has to be reassessed but I don't need to tell you how valuable David Brady is to this team," said selector George Golden. "It was a huge decision to drop Fergal (Costello) for the last day even if he was a bit off the pace against Tyrone. He has massive leadership qualities and is a strong personality both on the pitch and in the dressing-room."
Basketball star McGarrity has been passed fit to play despite having to spend the night in the Mater Hospital last week after sustaining a chest injury. Also, Conor Mortimer, the third-top scorer in the championship with 1-36, has come through an ankle strain to take his place at corner forward.
Fermanagh have been dealt an unlucky hand as two, unnamed, players are carrying injuries serious enough for manager Charlie Mulgrew to postpone naming a team. It's unclear whether he will before tomorrow, as one of the wounded is considered extremely doubtful.
Presuming he is fit, Tom Brewster will be making the strongest push for inclusion from the outset.
Mulgrew has been sticking to a fairly rigid selection policy this year, with only minor changes made on the left side of the defence after defeat to Tyrone in June. It's unlikely that goalkeeper Niall Tinney, corner back Niall Bogue or forwards Eamon McGuire and Mark Little envisaged they would be competing for a place in the All-Ireland final when they made their championship debuts this season.
There is no knee-jerk reaction from Derry manager Mickey Moran to Kerry's decision to drop Mike Frank Russell ahead of Sunday's second All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park.
As expected, he has named the same team that disposed of Leinster champions Westmeath with the sharp-shooting combination of Enda Muldoon and Paddy Bradley named in the full-forward line. Between them the two have amassed 2-55 in this year's championship.
Conleth Gilligan and Gerard O'Kane are both still on the bench, where they have been since the Tyrone game, despite recent good form. Along with Eamon Burke they can expect to see some game time as Derry attempt to bring down the current National League champions.
Captain Seán Marty Lockhart starts just his second championship match of the season, after recovering from a leg infection, while Francis McEldowney has overcome a damaged back to take his slot at wing back.
The match is the fourth meeting of the teams at the semi-final stage, the last encounter being back in 1976, when current team selector Ger O'Keeffe captained Kerry to a 16-point victory before they eventually succumbed to Dublin in the final.
DERRY: B Gillis; K McGuckin, N McCusker, SM Lockhart; Francis McEldowney, P McFlynn, P Kelly; F Doherty, Patsy Bradley; J Donaghy, J McBride, C Moran; J Bradley, Paddy Bradley, E Muldoon. Subs: M Conlon, D Scullion, P Wilson, R Lynch, C O'Brien, C McWilliams, G O'Kane, C Gilligan, P O'Kane, Fergal McEldowney, G Donaghy, E Burke, D McIlvar, M Lynch, K McCloy.
MAYO (SF v Fermanagh): P Burke; C Moran, D Heaney, G Ruane; P Gardiner, J Nallen, P Kelly; R McGarrity, D Brady; J Gill, K McDonald, A Dillon; C Mortimer, T Mortimer, B Maloney.
