Aughrim 'a bit of a fortress' cautions McCabe

Westmeath manager Dermot McCabe has spoken of the need to remain fully focused ahead of his side’s Tailteann Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

Westmeath make the trip to Aughrim, a venue with a big tradition, and will face Oisin McConville's Wicklow side who stunned the Lake County in last year's Leinster championship. McCabe is hoping star midfielder Ray Connellan will have recovered from a hamstring injury in time for the big game.

Connellan has been named at midfielder in place of Athlone club mate Shane Allen on the Westmeath team to face Wicklow.

The Westmeath manager has announced just one change from the team which proved too strong for Laois last weekend. The full forward line of Luke Loughlin, Stephen Smith and Robbie Forde have been given the nod after Westmeath scored 3-26 against the O’Moore County to book their place in the quarter-final. Loughlin also carried a back injury in last weekend's midlands derby, but saw out the full match.

“There are no easy games. That’s the difficulty of not topping your group; it means you have the extra week. Wicklow is a bit of a fortress down there in Aughrim," observed Dermot McCabe following Westmeath's victory over Laois.

Wicklow topped their group and have secured home advantage for Sunday’s game (1.15pm), which could be a factor in their favour.

Danny Scahill, Danny McCartan, Tadhg Baker, Eoghan McCabe and Shane Ormsby, who all saw action against Laois, have been named on the bench, as have Shane Allen, Brandon Kelly, Kieran Martin, Lorcan Dolan and Brían Cooney.

It is definitely a tricky assignment for Westmeath who recovered well after their loss to Limerick. The Lake County lost to Wicklow in last year’s Leinster championship (2-9 to 1-11) and will be keen to make amends on Sunday, but certainly there is no room for complacency.

Westmeath are 1/4 favourites to win on Sunday and 9/4 second favourites behind Kildare (7/4) for Tailteann Cup success this year. However, Wicklow, considered 4/1 outsiders, will relish the opportunity to take a scalp and motivation will not be a challenge, one suspects.

The Wicklow teams and scorers vs Waterford in the final group game of the Tailteann Cup was: Mark Jackson (0-05, 1f, 2 tpf); Tom Moran (0-01), Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Joe Prendergast (1-03), Patrick O'Keane, Darragh Fee (0-01); Dean Healy (1-04, 2 tp), Padraig O'Toole (0-01); Christopher O’Brien, Eoin Darcy (1-02), Cathal Baker (0-01); Oisin McGraynor (0-06, 3f, 1 tp), Craig Maguire, Mark Kenny (0-04). Subs: Jack Kirwan for C O’Brien (58), Andy Maher for Joe Prendergast (62), Conor Fee for Mark Kenny (70), Ryan Harrison for Eoin Darcy (72), Liam O’Neill for Cathal Baker (74).