Boyle makes Westmeath hurling panel cut
With Westmeath hurlers kicking off the 2012 season with a Walsh Cup clash against Offaly in Kinnegad on Sunday, Francis Boyle is one of five dual players included in Brian Hanley's 36-man panel for the competition. A mainstay of the county football team for the past five years, Boyle has decided to concentrate on hurling this year and is included in the squad along with fellow dual stars Brendan Murtagh, Paul Greville, Conor Jordan and Philip Gilsenan, who has been named vice-captain. The team will be captained by Clonkill's Paddy Dowdall. Veterans Andrew Mitchell, Darren McCormack and John Shaw are also included, while the talented Fennell twins, David and Paul, from Kilbeggan are among a number of last year's talented minor team to make the cut. A further eight players will be cut from the squad before the start of the Allianz Hurling League next month. In announcing the panel and management team, manager Brian Hanley thanked the clubs in the county for the "magnificent response" from all the players. He also paid tribute to all the local press for the positive manner in which they report on and promote Westmeath hurling, and for their patience with him since becoming county hurling manager. This Sunday's Bord na Móna Walsh Cup meeting with Offaly throws in at 2pm in Kinnegad. Westmeath SH Panel Cathal Scally (Clonkill), Shane McGovern (Crookedwood), Paddy Maloney (Castletown-Geoghegan), Pat Burke (Ringtown), Darren McCormack (Castlepollard), Paul Fennell, David Fennell (both Castletown-Geoghegan), Paddy Dowdall, Andrew Mitchell (both Clonkill), Philip Gilsenan (Brownstown), Conor Jordan (Raharney), Adam Price (Clonkill), Eamonn "g Clarke (Castletown-Geoghegan), Alan McGrath (Clonkill), Tommy Doyle (Lough Lene Gaels), Francis McGrath (Delvin), Eoin Price (Clonkill), John Gilligan (Fr Dalton's), Aonghus Clarke (Castletown-Geoghegan), Cormac Boyle (Raharney), Shane Fagan (Castlepollard), Kevin Orme (Crookedwood), Paul Greville (Raharney), Brendan Murtagh (Clonkill), John Shaw (Raharney), Andrew Dermody, David Higgins (both Castlepollard), Francis Boyle (Raharney), Dan Carty (Lough Lene Gaels), Alan Aughey (Turin), Barry O'Meara (Crookedwood), Darren Kilcoyne (Ringtown), Killian Murphy (Delvin), Seamus Savage (Crookedwood), Thomas Gallagher (Castlepollard), Robbie Greville (Raharney). Team Management Manager: Brian Hanley. Selector: Ray Gavin (Castletown-Geoghegan). Physical Trainer: Peter Leahy. Co-ordinator: Martina Seery. Physio: Kevin Darcy. Doctor: Liam Dalton. Stats: Karen Gavin, Fergal Fagan, Shane Briody, Tommy Keegan and Michael Reynolds.