Four players to make westmeath debuts against louth
The Westmeath team for Sunday’s clash with Louth in Drogheda contains four Championship debutants.
The newcomers include Castledaly’s Paddy Holloway at wing-back and Athlone’s John Stapleton in the half forward line, with Killian Daly and Shane Dempsey also handed their first starts at this level by team manager Tom Cribbin.
Garrycastle’s James Dolan makes a welcome return to the starting XV, having missed a significant chunk of the Allianz Football League Division 2 campaign which ended in relegation.
The versatile Kieran Martin has been selected at centre-back rather than in attack, while team captain Ger Egan and Daragh Daly form the midfield partnership. Denis Glennon is not included in the team, having fractured his hand in training last month.
Sunday's Leinster SFC opening round clash takes place in the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda (throw-in: 3.30pm).
Westmeath Team v Louth (Leinster SFC)
1. Darren Quinn (Tyrrellspass)
2. John Gilligan (Ballymore)
3. Kevin Maguire (Caulry)
4. Killian Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks)
5. Paddy Holloway (Castledaly)
6. Kieran Martin (Maryland)
7. James Dolan (Garrycastle)
8. Daragh Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks)
9. Ger Egan (Capt., Tyrrellspass)
10. Paul Sharry (St Loman’s Mullingar)
11. Ray Connellan (Athlone)
12. John Stapleton (Athlone)
13. Callum Mc Cormack (Maryland)
14. John Heslin (St Loman’s Mullingar)
15. Shane Dempsey (St Loman’s Mullingar)