Hackett names panel for O'Byrne Cup clash with DCU

Ahead of next Sunday's rescheduled O'Byrne Cup clash with DCU, the Westmeath Senior Football management team has announced a preliminary panel the competition. The panel is due to commence training this week weather permitting. This group will also form the basis of the league panel.The management team of Brendan Hackett, Mattie Fox, Spike Fagan and Paddy Collins has had considerable difficulty putting plans in place in recent months. The wet weather followed by the current cold spell meant the cancellation of several trials in November and December and the panel has not been able to train since 1 January due to frozen pitches.Sunday's game is due to take place in Cusack Park, Mullingar with a 2pm throw-in.Of additional interest to spectators is the fact the O'Byrne Cup will see the introduction of the new playing rules.Commenting on the new look panel, manager Brendan Hackett stated,"There was a very thorough and open process in assembling the panel. A selection committee with representatives from clubs at senior, intermediate and junior levels nominated approximately 70 players to begin with. Clubs had the option to add to this list and did. A series of trials followed in October and a core of 60 players accepted the invitation to commence training. Training programMes were given to each player for the months of November and December and regular fitness testing took place to monitor progress.We selected this panel after the final trials just before Christmas. Naturally there are a number of new players and in some cases we have not had sufficient time to effectively evaluate them at this level. We have decided, however to give them the opportunity to train in the set up and see how they measure up. To date they have shown commendable commitment and enthusiasm."Obviously some people will focus on the names not in there but all players were given the opportunity to be part of this process. Some chose not to respond and others declined, citing inability to give the commitment required. John Keane indicated before my appointment that he had retired and he asked me not to consider him when I met him. I respect his decision and I also accept the decisions of the others."The management team will now focus on preparing this panel for the league. We have been very impressed by their attitude and commitment and there has been a very positive response from the players".The panel is: Aidan Finnan, Darren Quinn, Damien Healy, David Duffy, David Reynolds, Denis Glennon, Donal O'Donoghue, Doran Harte, Fergal Wilson, Francis Boyle, Gary Connaughton, Gary Flanagan, Gary Glennon, Gary Quinn, Gavin Hoey, Greg Crowley, Jack Hogan, John Gaffey, John Smyth, Mark Dalton, Michael Curley, Michael Ennis, Niall Kilcoyne, Noel Kiernan, Paul Greville, Philip Gilsenan, Ronan Doolin, Stephen Gallagher, Stephen Bracken, Tommy Warburton, Willie Coyne and Willie Murtagh.A number of players are not available for the O Byrne Cup due to college commitments. These include, Gary Connaughton and David Reynolds AIT, Tommy Warburton UCD, David Duffy NUIG and Mark Dalton ULFIXTUREJanuary 17, 2010Cusack Park, Mullingar: O'Byrne Cup SF Westmeath v. DCU, 2pm, Fergal Barry (Kildare)Extra time in above game must be played if sides finish level.New Experimental Rules to apply in these games.