Ronan Wallace is held back by Limerick's Mark McCarthy during last Saturday's Tailteann Cup game at Laois Hire O'Moore Park: there was frustration that no penalty was awarded for the challenge. Pic: J McCauley.

Lake County must recover against Laois next Saturday

Damien Maher

Published: Mon 2 Jun 2025, 4:14 PM

Westmeath have injury concerns around two key players ahead of next Saturday's Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final clash with Laois, at TEG Cusack Park, 5pm.

Ray Connellan was forced off near the end of Saturday's game against Limerick, while Nigel Harte had to retire even earlier. The Treaty County recorded a 0-19 to 0-18 victory, their first ever over Westmeath in senior football, and it means the Lake County must recover in time for next Saturday's crucial game.

“We don't know the severity (of Ray Connellan's injury)" said manager Dermot McCabe afterwards.

"We're hoping maybe that it might be cramp, but you’ll not know for a day or two how severe it is.”

Nigel Harte received a bad knock in the first half.

“He got a bang on the ribs and we're hoping he has not sustained a broken rib. I think he broke a finger as well perhaps in the challenge. Again, I don't think there was a free given for it. There was a couple of strange calls, but that’s for another day," said the manager, who was disappointed with his side's overall performance.

There was frustration over a first-half incident involving Ronan Wallace, which McCabe felt could have resulted in a penalty.

“It did seem like it. Our analysis team was on to us; I think the ref was trying to say that he (Wallace) lost possession, but the Limerick player had a grab of both sides of him, so he couldn't progress on to get the ball. That’s where our annoyance is,” he observed.

Westmeath will have home advantage for next Saturday's tie, which is a boost, but they have ground to make up if they're to get back into the Tailteann Cup race.