Moran confirmed as Mayo captain
Centre-forward Andy Moran has been officially installed as Mayo's captain, and he will lead the county in Sunday's Allianz League final against Cork.
Mayo boss James Horan plumped for Moran after using a number of captains during the early part of the season, including Keith Higgins, Moran and last year's skipper Alan Dillon.
Moran, a former vice-captain, was confirmed as the westerners' 2012 captain at the panel's training camp in Portugal last week.
The Connacht champions will be without groin injury victim Aidan O'Shea for this weekend's Division 1 decider, although Horan told the Mayo News that O'Shea's brother Seamus and Alan Freeman are 'both back in contention and going well'.
“It’s brilliant to be playing Cork in Croke Park. We’re looking forward to it, and we’re looking forward to putting in a big performance," he added.
“Regardless of the result on Sunday we have a huge amount of work to do before the start of the Championship.
"What we’re looking for against Cork is to play to the level that we know we’re capable of. If we do that, then whatever else happens is a bonus.”
Meanwhile, former Mayo skipper Trevor Mortimer has confirmed his retirement from inter-county football at the age of 31.
The versatile player was not available for this year's league campaign due to work commitments in Kenya.
Mortimer has been playing senior football for his county since 2000, and won a league title the following year. He played in Mayo's All-Ireland final defeats to Kerry in both 2004 and 2006.
Praising his former team-mate, Horan said: "Trevor was a great servant for Mayo football and we wish him well.
"We are fortunate that we have a number of good young players coming through but Trevor was a top class player and he has left some big boots to fill."
