Mayo have revealed that Gavin Duffy wasn't able to play for them in 2014.

Former Connacht and Ireland rugby star Duffy, who played in the 1999 All-Ireland minor final defeat to Down, was called up to the county senior squad last summer by then manager James Horan after his rugby career ended, but the 33-year-old has yet to make his competitive debut for the Connacht champions.

The Salthill/Knocknacarra clubman had been named to start in midfield against IT Sligo in the FBD Connacht League on Sunday but was withdrawn at the last minute due to a paperwork hitch.

Spokesman Aiden McLoughlin has confirmed to The Irish Daily Star that the former rugby ace wasn't available to play last year: "Mayo is Gavin's home county and he has to declare for Mayo every year. Gavin wasn't eligible last year, we didn't publicise it.

"He wasn't named on any match squad last summer. The paperwork can't be done until the beginning of each year.

"Gavin was named on the team for the programme on Wednesday. The sanction didn't come down in time for Sunday. Hopefully it will be done for [this] Sunday. We were disappointed it wasn't ready."

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