Westmeath’s Andy McCormack tries to shake off the attentions of Wicklow’s Craig Maguire during this year's league game between the teams. Photo: John McCauley.

Westmeath make one change for meeting with Wicklow

Kieran Galvin

Published: Fri 5 Apr 2024, 2:15 PM

Last updated: Fri 5 Apr 2024, 2:16 PM

The Westmeath team has been named for this Sunday's Leinster SFC first round clash against Wicklow in Portlaoise (3.30pm).

There is one change in personnel from the Division 3 league final win over Down, with Nigel Harte replacing his injured Tyrrellspass clubmate Jamie Gonoud. Harte replaced Gonoud in the closing stages of last Saturday night's game at Croke Park.

Team captain Kevin Maguire is not on the panel for the Wicklow clash as he continues to recover from a dead leg injury.

But John Heslin is among the substitutes, having made a late cameo appearance against Down, which followed the St Loman's man playing the second half of the defeat to Sligo.

Defender Jack Smith, who has missed a lot of action this year, is also on the bench for the meeting with Oisín McConville’s Wicklow outfit.

The Westmeath subs list also includes Caulry duo Senan Baker and Conor McCormack, Tubberclair pair Matthew Whittaker and Eoghan McCabe, Athlone’s Shane Allen, Castledaly’s Lorcan Dolan, Garrycastle’s Eoin Mulvihill, Multyfarnham’s Ronan Wallace and sub goalkeeper Trevor Martin.

Meanwhile, highly rated goalkeeper Mark Jackson is not included in Wicklow's match-day panel.

Jackson has returned to training with the Wicklow footballers after spending time in the USA attempting to become a kicker in American football.

Jackson, along with Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan and Down's Charlie Smyth, took part in the NFL Combine last month.

But although Jackson has returned to Gaelic football for the moment at least, he is not listed for involvement against Westmeath, with Shane Doyle selected in goal and Cathal Fitzgerald on the bench.

Dessie Dolan’s charges overcame Wicklow on their way to promotion in the Allianz Football League, though they found it hard to shake off the home side in Aughrim on that occasion.

The winner of Sunday’s match at Laois Hire O’Moore Park will face Kildare in the Leinster championship quarter-finals.

Westmeath (vs Wicklow):

1. Jason Daly

2. Daniel Scahill

3. Charlie Drumm

4. James Dolan

5. Nigel Harte

6. David Lynch

7. Sam McCartan

8. Ray Connellan

9. Andy McCormack

10. Jonathan Lynam

11. Ronan O'Toole

12. Conor Dillon

13. Luke Loughlin

14. Robbie Forde

15. Stephen Smith.

Subs: Trevor Martin, Matthew Whittaker, Senan Baker, Jack Smith, Shane Allen, Conor McCormack, Eoin Mulvihill, Lorcan Dolan, Eoghan McCabe, John Heslin, Ronan Wallace.

Wicklow (vs Westmeath):

1. Shane Doyle

2. Tom Moran

3. Jack Treacy

4. Eoin Murtagh

5. Matt Nolan

6. Patrick O'Keane

7. Gavin Fogarty

8. Dean Healy

9. Craig Maguire

10. Darragh Fee

11. Christopher O'Brien

12. Jack Kirwan

13. Jonathan Carlin

14. Kevin Quinn

15. John Paul Nolan

15. Stephen Smith.

Subs: Cathal Fitzgerald, Brian Nesbitt, Cillian McDonald, Gearoid Murphy, Joe Prendergast, Oisin McGraynor, Adam Arslan, Jacques McCall, Martin Cullen, Liam O'Neill, Dan Cooney.