Dolan to undergo groin surgery
Dessie Dolan is in danger of missing Westmeath's entire championship campaign after a scan on a groin injury revealed the need for immediate surgery.
The operation means the 26-year-old Dolan, who played throughout the recent National League with the injury, is likely to be sidelined for 12 weeks and out of the Lake county's plans until late July at the earliest.
Another poor summer like last year's when Westmeath crashed out to Kildare in the Leinster quarter-finals and to Clare in the second round of the All-Ireland qualifiers would not see Dolan return.
The talismanic Garrycastle clubman put off a groin operation last October in favour of playing for Ireland in the International Rules Series.
The news follows last month's confirmation that 2004 All-Star midfielder Rory O'Connell will not play for Westmeath again. The 31-year-old Athlone clubman rejoined Tomas O Flatharta's county panel in January but a reccurence of a back injury has forced him to quit.
