Gaffey called up in place of Gavin for Louth clash

By Kieran Galvin John Gaffey has been drafted into the Westmeath team for Sunday's Leinster SFC clash against Louth in Navan (throw-in 3.30pm). The Garrycastle player has been selected in place of regular full-back Kieran Gavin, who misses out due to a persistent quad muscle injury. Gaffey missed Westmeath's league campaign because of Garrycastle's involvement in the All-Ireland club championship. But with Gavin not even making the subs' bench due to that injury, Gaffey has been handed the No. 3 jersey for Sunday. The absence of Gavin is a significant blow but that news has been tempered by the fact that Denis Glennon is fit enough to start at corner-forward. Glennon had been a doubt due to a back injury he sustained against Garrycastle in the first round of this year's Westmeath championship. Although Paul Sharry has been named at corner-forward, he's expected to play at centre half-back, the role he filled to great effect in a number of Westmeath's league games. However, Sunday's game will be the first championship test of this bold redeployment of the St Loman's clubman, who is better known as an attacker. With Dessie Dolan currently taking a break from inter-county football, Gaffey is one of three players from Leinster club champions Garrycastle in the Westmeath team, the others being Doron Harte and James Dolan. Caulry's Kevin Maguire has been selected at corner-back but his club-mate Ben Moran has to be content with a place on the bench. Maryland's Callum McCormack is also among the subs and Westmeath fans will be hoping he can continue the knack he showed in the league of making a notable impact off the bench. Westmeath (SF v Louth): Gary Connaughton (captain); Micheal Curley, John Gaffey, Kevin Maguire; Doron Harte, Michael Ennis, Daniel McDermott; Paul Bannon, John Heslin; Kieran Martin, Ger Egan, James Dolan; Denis Glennon, David Glennon, Paul Sharry. Subs: 16. Darren Quinn, 17. Aidan Finnan, 18. Ben Moran, 19. Kieran Sheridan, 20. David Gavin, 21. Ronan Foley. 22. Callum McCormack. 23. Alan Giles. 24. Mark McCallon, 25. Philip Sheridan, 26. Trevor English, 27. Alan Stone, 28. Tommy Warburton, 29. John Egan, 30. Declan Mullen.