Murphy named at centre forward for Carlow's clash with Westmeath
By Kieran Galvin
Carlow's outstanding midfielder Brendan Murphy has been somewhat surprisingly selected at centre-forward for this Sunday's Leinster SFC clash against Westmeath at Cusack Park (throw-in: 3.30pm).
While many fans were probably anticipating a midfield battle between Murphy and Westmeath's John Heslin, instead Darragh Foley and John Murphy will form the Barrowsiders' centrefield pairing.
Both Murphy and Heslin are former Aussie Rules recruits and a duel between the talented duo would be almost worth the admission price alone on Sunday.
Murphy is joined in the half forward line by his brother Brian, who is the Carlow team captain, and Eoghan Ruth.
Sunday's game will see Shane Mernagh make his first championship start for Carlow at full-back.
With Carlow failing to make a genuine promotion push in Division 4 of this year's League campaign - while Westmeath were promoted from Division 2 - the Lake County are warm favourites to emerge victorious in Mullingar on Sunday.
But Carlow manager Anthony Rainbow and his players will be quietly confident of throwing a spanner in the works.
The winners of Sunday's game will face Dublin in the Leinster quarter-finals at Croke Park on Saturday, June 1.
Match tickets
Leinster Championship games this season are 'all ticket' and can be purchased by a variety of means, including online. A ticket booth will be in operation outside Cusack Park, Mullingar, on Sunday, from where supporters can purchase tickets.
Stand tickets are priced at €20, with terrace tickets €15. There are concessions for senior citizens and students.
See http://www.leinstergaa.ie/ticket-information for full details.
Carlow (Leinster SFC V Westmeath)
Trevor O'Reilly; Conor Lawler, Shane Mernagh, Barry John Molloy; Kieran Nolan, Shane Redmond, Benny Kavanagh; Darragh Foley, John Murphy; Brian Murphy, Brendan Murphy, Eoghan Ruth; Sean Gannon, Paul Reid, Derek Hayden.
Subs: Craig Kearney, Jeffrey O'Donoghue, Martin Doyle, Tony Bolger, Alan Kelly, Ciaran Moran, Con Murphy, Daniel St Ledger, Jack Kennedy, Jason Kane, Andy O'Brien.
Westmeath (Leinster SFC v Carlow)
Gary Connaughton; Mark McCallon, Kieran Gavin, Kevin Maguire; Doron Harte, Paul Sharry, John Gaffey; David Duffy, John Heslin; Kieran Martin, Callum McCormack, James Dolan; Ger Egan, Denis Glennon, Dessie Dolan.
Subs: Eoin Carberry, Damien Dolan, Aaron Purcell, Paul Bannon, Darragh Daly, Denis Corroon, Ciaran Curley, Lorcan Smyth, Ronan Foley.
*Log on www.westmeathindependent.ie on Sunday for a live blog on the Westmeath v Carlow game.