Moran is in no rush

Mayo manager Mickey Moran has yet to decide who will fill the left corner forward position for Sunday's All-Ireland football …

Mayo manager Mickey Moran has yet to decide who will fill the left corner forward position for Sunday's All-Ireland football quarter-final replay against Laois.

Despite a number of injury concerns, Moran still has a few options for the number 15 shirt, although that probably won't be decided on until prior to throw-in.

While Ciarán McDonald was named in the position for the drawn game last Sunday, he's been relocated to the half-forward line - where he in fact played much of his football last week, if not even deeper.

Kevin O'Neill, who played in the other corner, has been dropped down to the replacements bench, with Alan Dillon, who played in the half-forward line the last day, taking up that position.

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The likes of Trevor Mortimer, James Gill and Liam O'Malley would all have been in contention to take over in the forward line but have been carrying injuries of late, and the experienced David Brady - who has been out in recent weeks with a foot injury - could yet fill the vacancy depending on his latest fitness test.

In the meantime, there is one definite change from last Sunday. In a somewhat surprising move, David Clarke takes over the goalkeeping duties from John Healy - having been previously seen as Mayo's number one.

Despite keeping a clean sheet against Laois, Healy makes way for Clarke, who had been unavailable in the early part of the year due to injury. One of the possible explanations for the switch is Healy was seen to have some difficulty with the short kick-out tactic used in the second half against Laois.

Elsewhere, Ronan McGarrity has recovered from the leg injury and suspected concussion that forced his early retirement last Sunday and is fit to start again at midfield alongside Pat Harte.

There is one minor defensive switch with Dermot Geraghty this time named at corner back, with Peadar Gardiner at wing back, where he actually operated last Sunday.

Moran's counterpart Mick O'Dwyer announced one enforced change in his line-up, with Peter O'Leary getting his chance in the half-forward line after Paul McDonald was ruled out with an ankle injury. Donie Brennan is again named amongst the substitutes despite kicking 0-3 as a second-half replacement the last day.

Elsewhere, Tipperary hurler John Carroll won't be facing any disciplinary charges arising from an incident at the close of his county's All-Ireland hurling quarter-final defeat against Waterford. On receipt of clarification from the match referee, it was decided the incident had been dealt with on the day - and in line with the Disputes Resolution Authority ruling in the Ryan McMenamin case last summer, it was agreed the Central Disciplinary Committee were not in a position to pursue the matter.

MAYO (SF v Laois): D Clarke; D Geraghty, D Heaney, K Higgins; A Higgins, J Nallen, P Gardiner; R McGarrity, P Harte; BJ Padden, G Brady, C McDonald; A Dillon, C Mortimer, AN Other.

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics