Westmeath and Wicklow name teams for league opener
Jack Cooney has named his Westmeath team for the Allianz Football League Division 3 opening round game against Wicklow at TEG Cusack Park tomorrow (Sunday).
David Giles, Jonathan Lynam, Conor McCormack and Alex Gardiner - a quartet who are trying to establish themselves at inter-county level - have all been handed starting places.
Athlone's Shane Allen - who made his debut in the O'Byrne Cup game against Kildare - is included among the substitutes, as are Conor Dillon, Nigel Harte, Eoin Monaghan and Andy McCormack.
Former captain Kieran Martin is also listed in the subs after a serious injury ruled him out of last year's championship campaigns for both Westmeath and Maryland.
Ger Egan, whose involvement has been blighted by injuries in recent years, and Garrycastle's James Dolan are conspicuous absentees from Westmeath's match-day squad.
Wicklow, now managed by former Westmeath boss Colin Kelly, have also named their starting XV (see below for both team lists) for tomorrow's game in Mullingar (throw-in 2pm).
Supporters are reminded that all tickets for all Allianz Football League games must be purchased in advance of arrival at the ground.
Tickets can be purchased online via https://am.ticketmaster.com/gaa/westmeathwicklow3001 and from SuperValu Moate, Centra Kilbeggan, Centra Mullingar and SuperValu Mullingar. Tickets will not be sold at match venues.
Westmeath team v Wicklow:
1. Jason Daly (St Loman's, Mullingar)
2. Jack Smith (Skerries Harps)
3. Kevin Maguire (Caulry)
4. Jamie Gonoud (Tyrrellspass)
5. David Giles (Coralstown/Kinnegad)
6. Ronan Wallace (Multyfarnham)
7. Sam McCartan (St Loman's, Mullingar)
8. Ray Connellan (Athlone)
9. Jonathan Lynam (The Downs)
10. Luke Loughlin (The Downs)
11. Conor McCormack (Caulry)
12. David Lynch (St Malachy's)
13. Ronan O'Toole (St Loman's, Mullingar)
14. John Heslin (St Loman's, Mullingar)
15. Alex Gardiner (Garrycastle)
Subs:
Trevor Martin (The Downs)
Darragh Seery (Ballinagore)
Nigel Harte (Tyrrellspass)
Shane Allen (Athlone)
Conor Dillon (Milltown)
Kieran Martin (Maryland)
Fola Ayorinde (St Loman's, Mullingar)
Lorcan Dolan (Castledaly)
TJ Cox (St Loman's, Mullingar)
Eoghan Bracken (Coralstown/Kinnegad)
Eoin Monaghan (Garrycastle)
Andy McCormack (Rosemount)
Wicklow team v Westmeath:
1. Mark Jackson
2. Patrick O'Keane
3. Nicky Devereux
4. Eoin Murtagh
5. Andy Maher
6. Niall Donnelly
7. Zach Cullen
8. Dean Healy
9. Pádraig O'Toole
10. Craig Maguire
11. Mark Kenny
12. Darragh Fitzgerald
13. Rory Stokes
14. Kevin Quinn
15. Paul Cunningham