Six changes for Westmeath minors as Doyle and Hickey are handed starts

 

By Kieran Galvin

There are a total of six changes on the Westmeath minor team for the Leinster championship quarter-final against Wicklow tomorrow (Saturday) at Cusack Park (throw-in: 3pm).

Attacking ace Luke Loughlin and first choice goalkeeper Shane Keenan miss out through injury.

But those losses are tempered by the return of some other players. Caulry's Sean Doyle - who missed the opening round win over Wexford due to rugby commitments – has been selected at corner-back. Also drafted into the defence is Israel Ilunga, who played for Cnoc Mhuire, Granard in an All-Ireland Vocational Schools final on the same day as Westmeath beat Wexford.

The reshuffle means Athlone's Matthew Darling has been moved from full-back to corner-back, with Rosemount's Boidu Sayeh switching to wing-back. Bryan O'Donohoe (Maryland) and Liam Beddows drop to the bench.

Keenan is replaced between the posts by Joe Hyland while, at midfield, Athlone's Sam Omukoro comes in instead of Darragh Lyons.

In attack, Caulry's Robbie Hickey has been handed the full-forward berth in place of Shane Clavin. Hickey scored a fine point when introduced as a substitute against Wexford.

Liam Cassidy replaces the injured Luke Loughlin at corner-forward. Loughlin's scoring ability was crucial in the win over Wexford and team manager Tom Carr will be hoping other players can step up to the mark in his absence.

*See this week's Westmeath Independent for Tom Carr's views on Saturday's game.

 

Electric Ireland Leinster MFC quarter-finals

(Saturday, May 11)

Kildare v Offaly, Newbridge, 2pm
Dublin v Wexford, DCU Sportsgrounds, 3pm
Westmeath v Wicklow, Mullingar, 3pm
Laois v Meath, Portlaoise, 3pm

 

Semi-final draw

Westmeath/Wicklow v Laois/Meath

Kildare/Offaly v Dublin/Wexford

 

Westmeath MF team V Wicklow

1. Joe Hyland (Tyrrellspass)

2. Sean Doyle (Caulry)
3. Israel Ilunga (Inny Shamrocks)
4. Matthew Darling (Athlone)

5. Darren Giles (Coralstown/Kinnegad)
6. Ryan Caffrey (Coralstown/Kinnegad)
7. Boidu Sayeh (Rosemount)

8. Theo Watts (Rosemount)
9. Sam Omukoro(Athlone)

10. Jeremiah Scully (Shandonagh)
11. Alan Hughes (Shandonagh)
12. Ruairi Cunningham (Moate All Whites)

13. John Corbally (Moate All Whites)
14. Rob Hickey (Caulry)
15. Liam Cassidy (St Malachy's/Ballinagore)