TEAM NEWS:AS EXPECTED, Westmeath manager Tomás Ó Flaharta has made some interesting switches to his team to face Dublin in Sunday's Leinster football semi-final in Croke Park – although not by recalling the experienced Dessie Dolan and David O'Shaughnessy.
There are just two changes in personnel from the team which struggled past Wicklow a fortnight ago, after extra-time, as Michael Ennis starts in the defence in place of Willie Murtagh, while John Connellan is preferred in the attack in place of Keith Scally. However, Connellan is named at right-corner forward, with Fergal Wilson reverting to the half-back line – while Ennis is named at right-half back, with Donal O’Donoghue switching to the left.
The continued absence of Dolan and O’Shaughnessy, however, is likely to be the main talking point.Both were introduced against Wicklow and proved a hugely steadying influence, although there are still concerns about their match fitness and ability to last a full 70 minutes against Dublin. Dolan twice suffered a hamstring pull earlier this year, and more recently suffered minor knee cruciate damage. He is almost certain to feature at some stage.
O’Shaughnessy’s introduction against Wicklow was his first championship performance in over a year, having missed all of last year with injuries, but likewise his services are almost certain to be called on come Sunday. David Duffy, Derek Heavin and John Smyth failed to finish the Wicklow game with hand, shoulder and leg injuries respectively, but all three are passed fit to start.
Conor Lynam, last year’s minor captain who enjoyed a superb debut against Wicklow, will once again wear the number 15 shirt.
The one other injury concern was over forward Denis Glennon, who went into the Wicklow with a suspected hamstring pull, only to come through relatively unscathed. Clearly that problem hasn’t worsened as he completes the full-forward line alongside Connellan.
Westmeath are looking for their first championship win over Dublin since their famous victory in the 2004 Leinster quarter-final. Westmeath did run them close in last year’s Leinster semi-final, losing 0-13 to 1-8, but since then they’ve endured a league roasting on April 12th, where Dublin enjoyed a 5-22 to 0-10 victory in Parnell Park.
Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney has made just one change for tomorrow’s Leinster football semi-final against Laois, as Mickey Conway returns to his left-half back position in an indirect swap with Andriú Mac Lochlainn. A knee injury forced Conway to miss the win over Wexford a fortnight ago, but his return was expected given his hugely creative role in the Kildare half-back line so far this year, having been converted from the forwards.
With Conway starting at half back Emmet Bolton drops back to the full-back line in place of Mac Lochlainn. There were some concerns about the fitness of Eamonn Callaghan with a back problem, but he came through a full training session last night.
Kevin O’Neill, who has returned to full fitness after a broken collarbone, must be content with a place on the bench alongside Gary White, Anthony Rainbow and Declan Brennan.
Meanwhile, Antrim manager Liam Bradley has made two changes to his side for tomorrow evening’s Ulster football semi-final against Cavan in Clones. Peter Graham replaces the injured Seán McGreevy in goal, while Kevin O’Boyle comes in at left-corner back for Dermot McCann.
Both changes were anticipated with Graham having replaced McGreevy after just nine minutes of the shock win over Donegal, and O’Boyle having come on for McCann, who had also picked up a knock after 44 minutes.
Galway manager Liam Sammon has made three changes from the team which eased past London back on May 24th for Sunday’s Connacht football semi-final against Sligo. Veteran Declan Meehan replaces Gary Sice at number seven, and Matthew Clancy starts at corner forward in place of Nicky Joyce, who was last week dropped from the panel for an alleged breach of discipline. Fit-again Joe Bergin replaces Damien Dunleavy in the half-forward line.
WESTMEATH (SF v Dublin):G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, K Keane; M Ennis, D Heavin, D O'Donoghue; M Flanagan, D Duffy; F Wilson, J Smyth, D Harte; J Connellan, D Glennon, C Lynam.
KILDARE (SF v Laois):T Corley; H McGrillen, M Foley, E Bolton; M O'Flaherty, B Flanagan, M Conway; D Flynn, D Earley; R Sweeney, P O'Neill, J Kavanagh; E Callaghan, A Smith, J Doyle.
ANTRIM (SF v Cavan):P Graham; C Brady, A McClean, K O'Boyle; T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughrey; M McCann, A Gallagher; T O'Neill, K Brady, N McKeever; P Cunningham, S Burke, T McCann.
GALWAY (SF v Sligo): A Faherty; D Burke, F Hanley, N Coyne; G Bradshaw, D Blake, D Meehan; P Conroy, G O’Donnell; C Bane, P Joyce, J Bergin; S Armstrong, M Meehan, M Clancy.
