WHATEVER ABOUT the exact motivations behind James Horan’s decision to drop Conor Mortimer he can’t possibly have imagined it would have blown up so spectacularly – with Mortimer, it seems, getting plenty of sympathy, at least from his own family.

Just how much it upsets Mayo’s game tomorrow remains to be seen, although Horan is unlikely to be too worried: the Mayo manager can’t have dropped Mayo’s all-time leading scorer if he didn’t have confidence in the players on his starting team, who have all served him well.

What might be possibly worrying Horan is Mayo’s route to this final, at least compared to Sligo: while their 4-20 to 0-10 win over Leitrim didn’t amount to much, Sligo eased through the always testing New York assignment, then truly stunned Galway, in Galway.

So, while Mayo do start as favourites, Sligo surely start with the greater momentum – and their first challenge facing Horan’s men is halting Sligo in the tracks. It’s a mostly young, versatile team, and while neither of the O’Shea brothers, who had formed the midfield fulcrum, have claimed a place, Aidan is expected to feature among the substitutes.

The 2011 All Star Andy Moran will front the attack alongside Enda Varley and Jason Doherty and Mayo’s scoring threat is unquestionably one of their strengths. For Sligo, the big question is how big a threat can Adrian Marren pose, after his 2-6 tally against Galway.

If Sligo can match Mayo at midfield then it will come down to a battle of the forward momentum, and where, just maybe, Mortimer’s absence will be felt.

Previously:The counties last met in the championship two years ago when Sligo won a first round Connacht tie by four points, which actually makes them the last team to beat Mayo in the provincial football championship.

You bet:Mayo are fancied here at 1 to 3, the draw is 8 to 1, and Sligo are 10 to 3.

Just the ticket: The stand tickets are sold out, with only sideline and terrace tickets still available: Sideline seating €25; Terrace €20; Juveniles (U-16) €5; Students OAPs: Full price must be paid, usual rebates.

Crystal gazing: It's not quite as easy to see Sligo repeating their semi-final performance against Galway as it is to see Mayo gradually imposing their superiority and winning out, albeit by a narrow margin.

Referee: C Reilly (Meath).