Westmeath and offaly minor teams named for leinster clash

 

The Westmeath team for the Leinster MFC clash against Offaly tonight (Wednesday) shows three changes from the side which was defeated by Wexford in the opening round.

Billy Flynn – son of former Meath star Bernard Flynn – has recovered from injury to take his place in defence. Flynn had been originally named in the team for the Wexford game but was then deemed not fit to take part.

Caulry’s Sean O’Neill, having been introduced as a sub against Wexford, has been handed a start on this occasion. He is one of three players from the Mount Temple/Baylin club in the team. O’Neill replaces Ben Traynor while Niall Gavin (The Downs) has been ruled out through illness.

Maitiú Scully went off with an injury against Wexford but is named among the subs for tonight’s game at Cusack Park, Mullingar (throw-in: 7.15pm).

Meanwhile, Offaly have named an unchanged team from the side which lost to Dublin for the meeting with Westmeath. Offaly put in a fine display in their opening round game at Parnell Park, running the highly rated Dubs to five points (2-11 to 1-9).

Ryan Heavin, son of former Moate All Whites and Westmeath star Ger Heavin, is included in the Offaly team.

Offaly defeated Westmeath in comprehensive fashion in the quarter-finals of last year’s Leinster MFC at Tullamore, and the Faithful County also emerged as winners in the Leinster MFL meeting between the counties earlier this year.

The formlines suggest Offaly are strong favourites but Aidan Lennon’s charges will be hoping to spring a surprise. The winners will advance to meet Kildare in the next round.

Westmeath MF team v Offaly:

1. Joe Hyland (Tyrrellspass)
2. Sean O’Neill (Caulry)
3. Garrett Carr (Shandonagh)
4. Billy Flynn (Mullingar Shamrocks)
5. Emmet Nally (Caulry)
6. Darragh Healy (Rosemount)
7. Plunkett Maxwell (Rosemount)
8. Finbar Coyne (Milltownpass)
9. Sam Duncan (Milltownpass)
10. Aaron Roarke (Caulry)
11. Ronan O’Toole (St Loman’s Mullingar)
12. Cathal Daly (Rosemount)
13. Cathal Mannion (Garrycastle)
14. Joe Halligan (Milltown)
15. Billy Berry (Moate All Whites)

Offaly MF team v Westmeath:

1. Kevin Kinahan, Clodiagh Gaels
2. P.J. Daly, Cappincur
3. Clint Horan, Clodiagh Gaels
4. Ronan Hynes, Shannonbridge
5. David Dempsey, Ballycommon
6. Gavin Smyth, Gracefield
7. Adam Keyes, Shamrocks
8. Ciaran Maher, Clonbullogue
9. Cathal Mangan, Kilclonfert
10. Dylan Hyland, Raheen
11. Kyle Higgins, Ferbane
12. Ryan Heavin, Ferbane
13. Shane Tierney, Daingean
14. Shane O'Brien, Clonbullogue
15. Jack Walsh (capt.), Gracefield

Leinster GAA Fixtures

Wednesday April 29

Electric Ireland Leinster GAA MFC (Losers Group)
Cusack Park, Mullingar (7.15pm) Westmeath v Offaly, Ref: Davey Moore (Laois). Extra time if necessary

Sunday May 3

Leinster GAA SHC Round Robin One ]
Cusack Park, Mullingar (3.30) Westmeath v Carlow, Ref: John Keenan (Wicklow)
Ballycastle (3.30) Antrim v Laois, Ref: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)