One westmeath debutant for league opener against laois

 

Castledaly’s Paddy Holloway will make his Allianz Football League debut for Westmeath in this Sunday’s clash with Laois at Cusack Park (2pm).

Holloway impressed during the recent O’Byrne Cup campaign and he has been rewarded with a place at midfield.

Paddy is a former Westmeath minor captain and his sister Stacey has previously represented the Westmeath senior ladies. The Castledaly player will be partnered by Paul Sharry in a new look midfield pairing.

John Heslin and Jamie Gonoud – who were college tied for the O’Byrne Cup – are both named in the team, with Heslin positioned at full-forward.

The versatile Kieran Martin has been selected at centre-back and his Maryland club-mate Callum McCormack will line out in the half forward line.

Athlone IT and Tyrrellspass ace Ger Egan will captain the team from centre-forward.

Athlone’s John Connellan is included among the subs, having returned to the county scene following a lengthy absence during the O’Byrne Cup. His brother Ray has been selected at corner-forward.

Westmeath selector and former All-Star goalkeeper Gary Connaughton has been named as substitute 'keeper.

Interestingly, Sunday's League opener will see a Westmeath team under a former Laois manager, Tom Cribbin, take on a Laois team managed by a former Westmeath boss in Tomas O Flatharta.

According to Paddy Power bookmakers, Westmeath are rated as 5/6 favourites to be relegated from Division 2, with Laois second favourites at 6/4. Obviously, both counties will be keen to prove the bookies wrong and, in that regard, Sunday's result could prove crucial.

Westmeath SF team v Laois

1. Darren Quinn (Tyrrellspass)
2. Mark McCallon (Garrycastle)
3. Kevin Maguire (Caulry)
4. John Gilligan (Ballymore)
5. John Egan (Athlone)
6. Kieran Martin (Maryland)
7. James Dolan (Garrycastle)
8. Paddy Holloway (Castledaly)
9. Paul Sharry (St Loman’s Mullingar)
10. Callum McCormack (Maryland)
11. Ger Egan (capt., Tyrrellspass)
12. Jamie Gonoud (Tyrrellspass)
13. Ray Connellan (Athlone)
14. John Heslin (St Loman’s Mullingar)
15. Denis Glennon (Tyrrellspass)

Subs:

Gary Connaughton (Tubberclair)
Francis Boyle (Killucan)
Killian Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks)
David Whelan (St Loman’s Mullingar)
Alan Coffey (Tubberclair)
Timmy Mescall (Ballynacargy)
Damien Dolan (Caulry)
David McCormack (Rosemount)
John Connellan (Athlone)
John Stapleton (Athlone)
Lorcan Smyth (Mullingar Shamrocks)