Flynn in line for Dublin start as Rochford ponders Durcan call

MAYO and Dublin will both wait until Friday night to finalise their All-Ireland football final teams – with speculation about the potential for one change on either side.

Mayo went with the same team for both semi-finals against Kerry and have locked into a pool of just 16 starters over their last four games.

The one floating position has seen Paddy Durcan miss out against Kerry on both occasions but the Castlebar man’s pace is giving the Mayo management a lot of food for thought since the pairings were known with the memory of his performances in last year’s All-Ireland finals still strong.

Dublin have a raft of choices available but have kept changes to the minimum over the last three games with Eric Lowndes and Niall Scully rotating in and out of the first 15.

Scully got the nod the last time but in anticipation of a physical battle, Paul Flynn could be in the reckoning after an impressive contribution off the bench the last day.

Meanwhile, Eamonn Fitzmaurice looks set to see out the remaining year of his term in charge of Kerry.

Fitzmaurice cut a disappointed figure after the All-Ireland semi-final replay defeat to Mayo over two weeks ago, stressing how no one could really know the time that those involved invested in the inter-county game.

But he is understood to have already started to conduct a review of the season with a view to putting plans in place for next year.

BRIAN CODY was last night ratified as Kilkenny manager for next year. The county board meeting also ratified Derek Lyng and James McGarry as selectors which Michael Dempsey will continue in his role as physical trainer.

Tipperary boss Michael Ryan is also expected to stay on as the county’s senior hurling team manager.