Horan makes changes for Mayo's clash with Clare

Mayo manager James Horan has made a number of changes to the starting 15 for the Allianz NFL Division 2 semi-final against Clare in Cusack Park, Ennis, on Sunday (June 13).

Enda Hession returns to the team at right full-back, with Rory Brickenden named at right half-back Tommy Conroy selected at right full-forward.

Also returning is Paddy Durcan, the team captain, at centre half-back, with Stephen Coen keeping his place in the team but switching from the centre to left half-back.

Fergal Boland, who operated at left half-back the last day out against Meath, moves to a more customary role at right half-forward, with Darren McHale and Bryan Walsh keeping their places in that half-forward line.

The team in full is: Rob Hennelly; Enda Hession, Oisin Mullin, Lee Keegan; Rory Brickenden, Paddy Durcan, Stephen Coen; Matthew Ruane, Diarmuid O'Connor; Fergal Boland, Darren McHale, Bryan Walsh; Tommy Conroy, Cillian O'Connor, Ryan O'Donoghue.

Sunday will Mayo face Clare for the 22nd time in the league, and there's much at stake, with the winners securing promotion to Division 1 next year.

The counties' first league meeting was in 1936 and the most recent was in 2002. Mayo have 14 wins to Clare's six, with the 1999 clash in Ballina ending in draw (0-09 each).

Cillian O'Connor (Ballintubber) will make his 100th appearance in the Green and Red. O'Connor is the all-time leading scorer in the championship with 30-337 (427 points) in 60 games, putting him ahead of Colm Cooper (Kerry), Mikey Sheehy (Kerry), Johnny Doyle (Kildare) and Dean Rock (Dublin), but the all-time leading scorer in the league will be in the opposite corner on Sunday.

With 22-412 (478 points) to his name, Clare's David Tubridy is ahead of Mickey Kearins (Sligo), Ronan Carolan (Cavan) and Tony McTague (Offaly) in the league scoring charts.

Throw-in for Clare v Mayo on Sunday is 1.45 p.m.