Durkan to make a splash for Lake men?
Westmeath manager Tomas O Flatharta is hoping teenage terror James Durkan can set Salthill alight tomorrow night and lead the Lake county to victory over Galway (Pearse Stadium, throw-in 7pm).
O Flatharta has handed the 17-year-old Durkan his first championship start for the All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifier against the Tribesmen.
It is the Ballinagore starlet's first real chance to impress as a senior player - he came off the bench for another teenager John Connellan against Limerick at the start of the month.
Durkan was also a blood sub for goal scorer Gary Dolan in the third round win over Sligo two weeks ago.
The 18-year-old Connellan sustained a shoulder injury against Sligo and has failed to recover in time. Durkan, who was outstanding in Ballinagore's claiming of the Westmeath and Leinster Junior titles this year, takes his place at right corner forward.
That is the only change O Flatharta has made to the side that edged Sligo after extra-time.
2004 Leinster-winning captain David O'Shaughnessy, who is still battling an Achilles tendon injury, will not be risked but has been included amongst the substitutes. The big midfielder has not played since last month's first round qualifier against London.
Westmeath, who will wear green to avoid a colour clash, have not played Galway - in a competitive sense - since the 2002 National League when the men from the west bagged a 3-12 to 0-13 victory in Mullingar.
Tomorrow will be the counties' first championship meeting.
The winners will face Leinster champions Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-finals. If Westmeath make it through, the Dublin tie will be their third quarter-final appearance in six seasons.
WESTMEATH (SFC v Galway) - G Connaughton; D Healy, J Keane, F O'Boyle; M Ennis, D O'Donoghue, G Glennon; D Duffy, P Bannon; D Heavin, G Dolan, A Mangan; J Durkan, D Glennon, D Dolan (capt).
