Athlone's Ray Connellan, pictured here after Westmeath's Leinster final success against Dublin, will again take up his important role in the Lake County midfield against Cavan on Saturday. Photo: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

Westmeath name unchanged team for Cavan clash

Published: Fri 29 May 2026, 12:10 PM

Last updated: Fri 29 May 2026, 2:10 PM

Westmeath manager Mark McHugh has named an unchanged starting team for Saturday's Round 1 All-Ireland SFC Championship clash against Cavan (TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 5pm).

The Lake County is currently riding the crest of a wave following the recent Leinster final victory against Dublin at Croke Park, where thousands of Westmeath supporters basked in the glory of the county's second ever senior provincial title win.

McHugh has decided to keep faith with the 15 men who started against the Dubs', with Caulry's Senan Baker and returning talisman John Heslin listed to start on the bench again.

Baker made a phenomenal impact upon his introduction at Croke Park, scoring a valuable four points, while Heslin, returning from inter-county retirement, contributed 0-3 and fitted back in seamlessly.

Cavan, meanwhile, will visit Mullingar having last played in the Ulster Championship on April 19, when they suffered a quarter-final defeat to Monaghan. The Breffni men has also named its side, with former Westmeath manager Dermot McCabe (whose nephew Eoghan is on the Westmeath bench) making four changes to the starting team from the Monaghan match.

Going out of the side are Ryan Tobin, Peter Corrigan, Eoin Clarke and Oisin Brady, to be replaced by Gerard Smith, Ciaran Brady, Paddy Meade and Caoimhan McGovern.

Westmeath team (v Cavan):

1. Jason Daly

2. Daniel Scahill

3. Charlie Drumm

4. Tadhg Baker

5. Ronan Wallace

6. Shane Allen

7. Matthew Whittaker

8. Brían Cooney

9. Ray Connellan

10. Kevin O'Sullivan

11. Sam McCartan

12. Conor Dillon

13. Shane Corcoran

14. Jack Duncan

15. Brandon Kelly

Substitutes: 16. Jack Connaughton, 17. Adam Treanor, 18. Tom Molloy, 19. Robbie Forde, 20. Ian Martin, 21. Harry Niall, 22. Shane Ormsby, 23. Stephen McGonagle, 24. Eoghan McCabe, 25. Senan Baker, 26. John Heslin. Standby players: Ciaran Daly, Eoghan Hogan, Dillon Matthews, James Mitchell. Extended panel: Devin Hill, Darragh O'Keeffe, Luke Loughlin, Jonathan Lynam, Conor McCormack, Boidu Sayeh, Danny McCartan.

Cavan team (v Westmeath):

1. Liam Brady

2. Cormac Brady

3. Brían O'Connell

4. Niall Carolan

5. Gerard Smith

6. Ciaran Brady (captain, Arva)

7. Conor Brady

8. Ciaran Brady (Corofin)

9. Paddy Meade

10. Tiarnan Madden

11. Ryan Donohoe