Westmeath announce team for Antrim tie
Westmeath manager Pat Flanagan has made four changes to his team for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier against Antrim at Casement Park (throw-in 2pm).
Michael Curley and James Dolan have been added to the defence, while there is a midfield berth for David Duffy and teenage starlet John Heslin will make his first Championship start at centre-forward.
From the side that lost 1-24 to 0-15 to Wexford last time out, Francis Boyle, who has back spasms, Paul Sharry, David Glennon and dual player Paul Greville are the players to make way.
Former All-Star Dessie Dolan has been named at corner forward despite doubts over his fitness. He aggravated a hamstring injury in last week's 0-15 to 0-8 challenge match win over Longford.
Kieran Gavin, who damaged his ankle against Wexford, is fit to start in the full-back line and Flanagan has also made a number of positional switches.
Aidan Finnan is stationed at full-back, Gavin is in the left corner and both Ger Egan and Doran Harte are now in the half-forwards. Denis Corroon drops back to wing back, with Conor Lynam joining Dessie Dolan and captain Denis Glennon in the full-forward line.
Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, Flanagan said: "The players were very drained after the Wexford game. We expected to do much better in Wexford and that's why confidence was hit hard.
"But we did fairly well in the league and I felt we were in a good position to attack the Championship. Hopefully the players have learned a few valuable lessons after Wexford, because we're still a very young team, and take them lessons into the Antrim match.
"It's six weeks since Antrim played Donegal in the Ulster Championship, so it's very difficult to know what shape they'll be in. They got a bit of criticism after the Donegal game, but I'm not sure how fair that was.
"There have been rumours of a few players leaving the Antrim panel since, but I don't put much emphasis on that. We're facing a proud county at Casement Park, and they'll have the added advantage of a large home support.
"It's up to us to go there and produce a much improved showing from the Wexford game and I'm very hopeful we'll do that."
WESTMEATH (SFC v Antrim): Gary Connaughton; Michael Curley, Aidan Finnan, Kieran Gavin; Denis Corroon, Kieran Martin, James Dolan; David Duffy, Darragh Daly; Ger Egan, John Heslin, Doran Harte; Conor Lynam, Denis Glennon (capt), Dessie Dolan.
