Higgins returns to Mayo defence

KEITH Higgins returns to action for Mayo for the first time since last year's All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin.

The Ballyhaunis player opted to play hurling with Mayo and did not appear in any of Mayo's National League games. He has, however, been named in the familiar number 4 shirt for Mayo's Connaught championship quarterfinal clash with Galway on Sunday at MacHale Park, Castlebar (throw-in is at 4 p.m.).

Caolan Crowe loses out in the Mayo full-back line, with Eoin O'Donoghue now named at right full-back and Ger Cafferkey retained at full-back.

Cillian O'Connor has been named a full-forward line that includes Conor Loftus and Andy Moran.

This Sunday will see current footballer of the year Andy Moran make an incredible 165th appearance for the county (73 championship and 92 league). He made his championship debut against New York back in 2004.

The half-foward line has a familiar look to it, with Kevin McLoughlin, Aidan O'Shea and Diarmuid O'Connor filling it out, while, as expected, Tom Parsons and Seamus O'Shea are in midfield.

The team is: David Clarke; Eoin O’Donoghue, Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins; Patrick Durcan, Colm Boyle, Stephen Coen; Seamus O'Shea, Tom Parsons; Kevin McLoughlin, Aidan O’Shea, Diarmuid O’Connor; Conor Loftus, Cillian O’Connor, Andy Moran.