John Heslin in action.

"We're all looking forward to it. There's no pressure on us at all."

Despite his mere 20 years, Westmeath and St Loman's star John Heslin is a study in confidence, as a Kerry team brimming with legends gets set for the trip to Cusack Park, and Sunday's All-Ireland SFC Round 2 qualifier (3pm).

"I suppose when we went out against Louth, we were under a bit of pressure, after losing to them about five times in a row," the midfielder explained. "But all we've ever been asked all year is to go out and give a good performance, and that's exactly what we're going to do on Sunday."

Heslin will be the thin end of the wedge as Pat Flanagan's charges look to cause the upset of all upsets against the Kingdom, who on Monday last, were hit by the news that they'll be without defender Daniel Bohan for the rest of the championship.

Between injury problems and poor results, have poked holes at many other weaknesses in this Kerry side, but with midfield talisman Bryan Sheehan back, Westmeath will remain rank underdogs no matter what fifteen takes to the field in green and gold.

With nothing to lose, Heslin will bask in the coming occasion.

"It's a dream and a privilege for me to play in such a game, in front of a home crowd, and against Kerry," he said, referring to his own family links to the Kingdom.

"They were always a pleasure to watch when I was growing up, and the players they've had over the years have been outstanding, as is their style of play."

With Heslin's recent injury problems behind him, he hopes that the DCU Sigerson Cup-winning clubman and the county's marquee full back, Kieran Galvin, will be at full fitness for Sunday's game.

"Kieran has been a massive loss for us, and his leg is still at him a bit," he said. "But if we get him back for this game it would be a massive boost to us."