Four changes to Westmeath team for Antrim clash

Pat Flanagan has made four changes to the Westmeath team for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier against Antrim at Casement Park (throw-in: 2pm). After the 1-24 to 0-15 defeat to Wexford in the Leinster championship quarter-final, changes hardly come as a major surprise. Micheal Curley and James Dolan have been drafted into the defence, while David Duffy comes in at midfield and John Heslin has been handed a starting berth at centre-forward. Francis Boyle, who has been carrying an injury and who missed the recent challenge match against Longford, is not named among the starting fifteen. However, pre-match injury worries Kieran Gavin and Dessie Dolan have both been passed fit to start. In addition to Boyle, the other players to lose their starting places from the Wexford match are Paul Sharry, David Glennon and Paul Greville. There are a number of positional swtiches, with Ger Egan and Doran Harte both moved from the half-back line to the half-forward line. Denis Corroon has been switched from midfield to wing-back, while Conor Lynam has been moved inside to the full-forward line. The team bears a strong resemblance to the side which started last Friday's challenge match against Longford, a game Westmeath won on a 0-15 to 0-8 scoreline. Westmeath SF v Antrim: Gary Connaughton; Micheal Curley, Aidan Finnan, Kieran Gavin; Denis Corroon, Kieran Martin, James Dolan; David Duffy, Darragh Daly; Ger Egan, John Heslin, Doran Harte; Conor Lynam, Denis Glennon, Dessie Dolan.