Published: Friday, 9th July, 2010 12:12pm

Keane returns to Westmeath team as Gaffey earns call-up

John Keane has returned to the Westmeath starting line-up for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC round 2 qualifier against Derry at Cusack Park, Mullingar (throw-in: 5pm).

The Rosemount man returned to the Westmeath panel shortly before the Leinster semi-final against Louth, having missed the National League campaign after announcing his retirement from inter-county football last year.

Keane was introduced as a substitute in the defeat to Louth, and the doublem All-Star performed well when given the task of marking Louth full-forward Shane Lennon. However, Keane has been selected at centre half-back, rather than his more familiar place in the full-back line, for the clash with Derry.

There are two changes in personnel from the Louth match, with Garrycastle's John Gaffey drafted in at full-back in place of Donal O'Donoghue, who was replaced in the 46th minute of the Leinster semi-final.

Kieran Martin, who started at No 6 against Derry, has been moved to right half-forward in place of Derek Heavin. Heavin suffered a serious knee injury against Louth which has required the Castledaly man to undergo surgery twice at the Mater Hospital in Dublin. The injury is set to rule Heavin out for the rest of the season and is believed to be serious enough to threaten his football career.

Martin Flanagan, who could only come on as a sub against Louth because of a foot injury, looks set to miss the Derry clash entirely, as he is not named on the listed subs. However, it remains to be seen if the veteran attacking ace is added to the panel on the day of the game.

Westmeath (SFC v Derry): 1. Gary Connaughton; 2. Francis Boyle, 3. John Gaffey, 4. Kevin Maguire; 5. Michael Ennis, 6. John Keane, 7. Doran Harte; 8. David Duffy, 9. Paul Bannon; 10. Kieran Martin, 11. Conor Lynam, 12. Ger Egan; 13. Paul Greville, 14. Dessie Dolan, 15. Denis Glennon. Subs: 16. Darren Quinn, 17. Donal O'Donoghue, 18. Tommy Warburton, 19. Gary Glennon, 20. Ian Coffey, 21. Alan Gaughan, 22. John Smyth, 23. Tommy McDaniel, 24. Damien Healy, 25. Paul Sharry, 26. Gary Flanagan, 27. James Dolan, 28. James Durkan, 29. Callum McCormack.

McGuckin back for Derry

Meanwhile, Derry manager Damien Cassidy has recalled All-Star defender Kevin McGuckin to his starting line-up for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Westmeath at Mullingar.

The Ballinderry man starts at full-back after missing out on Derry's win over Carlow in the previous round, as his wife had a baby on the weekend of the Dr Cullen Park clash.

There are a number of positional changes to the team which see Enda Muldoon starting at centre-field alongside Joe Diver instead of the injured Fergal Doherty.

Gerard O'Kane moves to centre-back with Barry McGoldrick switching to the left wing of the attack. Star forward Paddy Bradley is absent again and Derry will be looking to his brother Eoin for scoring inspiration. Eoin has been selected at right corner-forward in a full-forward line that also includes Mark Lynch and Ray Wilkinson.

Derry (SFC v Westmeath): B Gillis; B Og McAlary, K McGuckin, D McBride; M Craig, G O'Kane, C Kielt; J Diver, E Muldoon; C McKeever, J Kielt, B McGoldrick; E Bradley, M Lynch, R Wilkinson.

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