Dolan names team for league final

Westmeath senior football boss Dessie Dolan has named his team for the Division 3 league final in Croke Park on Saturday evening and there is no place on the first 15 for marquee forward, John Heslin.

The St Loman's, Mullingar club man has not started in any of Westmeath's league games to date due to injury and while he did enter the fray at half-time against Sligo last Sunday - scoring a point from a free - his presence failed to inspire a victory. However, given his experience, he seems likely to feature at some stage.

Any McCormack, one of the players to stand out in what has been a fine league campaign for the Lake County, will partner Ray Connellan at midfield, while David Lynch is chosen at centre back and Ronan O'Toole leads the attack at number 11. Kevin Magurie and James Dolan add their experience to the defence, while Kieran Martin is chosen at full forward.

Robbie Forde of Moate All White, who had a fine games against Down in TEG Cusack Park a fortnight ago, is selected at corner forward, with Luke Loughlin (The Downs) in the other corner. His club mate Jonathan Lynam, who was chosen on the Sigerson Cup Team of the Year this week, is selected at wing forward.

The Leinster SFC clash against Wicklow comes a week later so undoubtedly Westmeath have one eye on that crucial encounter. Indeed, the hectic schedule has come in for criticism from various inter county managers, including Dolan.

While defeat was their lot last Sunday, Dolan has overseen an excellent league campaign by Westmeath in which promotion to Division 2 has been secured. There is much anticipation of a big display in Croke Park against a Down side who scored 3-15 when easily accounting for Clare last weekend.