Westmeath team named for O'Byrne Cup opener

Jack Connaughton has been selected as Westmeath's goalkeeper for the Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup clash against Longford tomorrow (Saturday). Glennon Brothers Pearse Park is the venue for the game (throw-in 1.30pm).

Last year, Connaughton's Caulry clubmate Conor McCormack was the surprise choice as Westmeath's first choice goalkeeper, though McCormack had always operated as an outfield player previously.

The experienced Jason Daly is now back on the Westmeath panel, but Connaughton has been handed the chance to impress from the start against Longford, with Daly on the bench.

Boidu Sayeh is another player who has returned to the Westmeath football squad and he has been selected at wing-back for the trip to Pearse Park. The Rosemount player impressed in a challenge match against Connacht champions Galway shortly before Christmas.

The 2026 season opener gives new Westmeath senior football manager Mark McHugh the opportunity to give fringe players some game time.

The vast majority of the starting XV has some senior inter-county experience, with full-back Darragh O'Keeffe (St Loman's, Mullingar) possibly the only debutant at this level.

In addition to the aforementioned Connaughton, the Caulry club is also represented on the starting team by the Baker brothers, Tadhg and Senan.

Harry Niall (Moate All Whites), Devin Hill (Killucan) and Tubberclair duo Stephen McGonagle and Kealan Connell are among the subs.

The winners of Saturday's tie will advance to a quarter-final meeting with Leinster champions Louth; the losers will go into the O’Byrne Shield against Wicklow or Meath.

Later in the month, Westmeath will begin their Allianz Football League Division 3 campaign with a home fixture against Sligo on Sunday, January 25.

Westmeath have been forced to cope with some high-profile retirements in recent years and Kieran Martin confirmed his retirement in November, adding to the previous departures of such key figures as John Heslin, James Dolan and Kevin Maguire.

Experienced players like Ronan O’Toole and David Lynch are unavailable due to work commitments in Australia, though there are hopes that Lynch will return to the Westmeath fold in April.

Westmeath team (vs Longford): Jack Connaughton; Danny Scahill, Darragh O'Keeffe, Tadhg Baker; Boidu Sayeh, Ronan Wallace, Brian Guerin; Jonathan Lynam, Brían Cooney; Danny McCartan, Senan Baker, Matthew Whittaker; Luke Loughlin, Brandon Kelly, Robbie Forde.

Subs: Jason Daly, Kevin O'Sullivan, Devin Hill, Dillon Matthews, Eoghan Hogan, Kealan Connell, Jack Geoghegan, Shane Corcoran, Harry Niall, Stephen McGonagle, TJ Cox.