Mayo manager James Horan reckons Mayo are favourites for 'very logical reasons' ahead of Sunday's trip to Pearse Stadium.

His Galway counterpart Alan Mulholland doesn't disagree. "We are under no illusions that we are the underdogs," he said during the week.

So is this weekend's encounter a foregone conclusion?

There is no doubting that it would constitute a major shock if Galway were to upset the formbook against the treble chasing champions but it is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Mulholland's charges' Division 2 league campaign was crippled by inconsistency but if they can string a 70 minute performance together then they will be in with a shout.

The loss of captain and full-back Finian Hanley with a shoulder injury is a serious set-back to their chances but the seniors will look to take a leaf out of their Under 21s book.

The Under 21s went into their All-Ireland semi-final and final against Kildare and Cork respectively as 'underdogs' but came away with the silverware. The senior team have failed to win a Connacht SFC title since 2008.

Horan, meanwhile, has resisted the temptation to start Alan Dillon and Andy Moran and both are named amongst the substitutes.

Cathal Carolan (left half-forward) and Darren Coen (left corner-forward) have been handed championship debuts by the Mayo boss.

Regular midfielder Barry Moran and forwards Jason Doherty, Cathal Freeman and Michael Boyle have failed to make the 26-man squad because of injury.

Despite their injury woes, last year's All-Ireland finalists are odds-on to advance to a last four meeting with Roscommon on Sunday, June 16th and it is hard to argue against that.

Verdict: Mayo

Galway: M Breathnach; J Duane, C Forde, G Sweeney; G Bradshaw, K Kelly, G Sice; N Coleman, F O Curraoin; T Flynn, P Conroy, C Doherty; S Armstrong, M Meehan, D Cummins.

Mayo: D Clarke; K Keane, G Cafferky, K Higgins; L Keegan, D Vaughan, C Boyle; A O'Shea, S O'Shea; K McLoughlin, C O'Connor, C Carolan; E Varley, A Freeman, D Coen.

Referee: Martin Duffy (Sligo)

Odds: Galway 7/4, Draw 15/2, Mayo 4/7

Match Details:Pearse Stadium, 4pm, Sunday, May 19th Tweet

Most Read Stories