Mullin makes Mayo return for Croke Park date with Dubs

Oisin Mullin will make his first appearance for Mayo since deciding against a move to Aussie Rules when James Horan's side travel to Croke Park on Saturday evening (live on RTÉ 2) to take on Dublin.

The two-time Young Footballer of the Year is one of seven changes to the team that defeated Monaghan last weekend, with the Kilmaine man named at wing-back for the Allianz Division One clash.

In November it was confirmed by Geelong Cats that the 21-year-old had penned a two-year contract with the AFL club.

Doubts surfaced around Christmas whether the dynamic defender would make the career switch.

Last month he confirmed the change of heart, saying that while "going to Australia to play professionally was a really interesting opportunity and it was something I wanted to research and consider in detail" he had decided to remain in Ireland.

Mullin was part of the Mayo panels that reached the 2020 and 2021 All-Ireland SFC finals, starting both deciders as James Horan's side lost to Dublin and Tyrone respectively at Croke Park.

Elsewhere on the Mayo team, All-Star Matty Ruane will make his first league start, Kilmeena's Jack Carney starts at wing-forward and Paul Towey gets the nod ahead of Jason Doherty in attack.

Rory Brickenden and Donncha McHugh replace Padraig O'Hora and Paddy Durcan in defence.

Mayo team: Rob Hennelly; Lee Keegan, Rory Brickenden, Michael Plunkett; Oisín Mullin, Stephen Coen, Donnacha McHugh; Matthew Ruane, Jordan Flynn; Bryan Wals, Diarmuid O’Connor, Jack Carney; Paul Towey, Ryan O’Donoghue, Aiden Orme

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