Mullen and Dolan named in Westmeath team for AIT clash

By Kieran Galvin Rosemount's Declan Mullen is among the new faces in the Westmeath team for Sunday's O'Byrne Cup clash against Athlone IT at Hogan Park, Moate (throw-in: 2pm). Mullen and Mullingar Shamrocks duo Aaron Purcell and Ciaran Curley have been handed starting berths by Westmeath manager Pat Flanagan. The returning Dessie Dolan is also named in Westmeath's starting fifteen. Dolan took a year out from inter-county football last year, having helped Garrycastle to a historic Leinster club title and an All-Ireland final appearance. David Duffy, another player who has returned to the Westmeath fold, has been selected at midfield alongside Athlone's Paul Bannon. Callum McCormack, joint-captain of the Maryland/Tang team which won the county U21 title late last year, has been picked at full-forward. A number of Westmeath players such as Ger Egan, Kieran Martin and James Dolan are expected to line out for AIT in Sunday's game. The fixture was orginally scheduled to take place in Pairc Chiarain, Athlone, but it was moved to Moate earlier this week. AIT are away to Offaly in their second O'Byrne Cup game on Wednesday, January 9 (Gracfield, 7.30pm). On the same night, Westmeath will travel to Portlaoise to face Laois. Westmeath team v AIT: Gary Connaughton; Mark McCallon, Kieran Gavin, Aaron Purcell; Michael Curley, Paul Sharry, Doron Harte; David Duffy, Paul Bannon; Ronan Foley, Denis Glennon, Declan Mullen; Ciaran Curley, Callum McCormack, Dessie Dolan.