Heslin's rumoured return a "huge boost" for Westmeath says Keane

Former Westmeath senior football John Keane has said the rumoured return of John Heslin to the county's senior panel ahead of Sunday's Leinster final against Dublin is a "huge boost".

Heslin, 33, is Westmeath's all-time top scorer, having played from 2011 until the end of the 2024 season. He announced his decision to retire from the intercounty game in January 2025, but has continued to impress for his club St Loman’s, Mullingar.

Speaking to Irish sports website Balls.ie, Keane said he expected to see Heslin feature "at some stage" if he is included in the matchday squad for the provincial decider.

"If the game is close towards the end, it would be exciting to see Heslin come off the Westmeath bench and the lift it would give the supporters," said the two time All-Star award winner.

The defender, who was an integral part of the Westmeath team who won the Leinster senior football title in 2004, has praised the passion shown by team manager Mark McHugh, during his term at the Lake County helm.

"Mark is an incredibly passionate manager and you can see how his attitude is rubbing off on the players. It also means so much to the supporters to see such passion in a manager," Keane added.

The Rosemount man said Westmeath have some "top guys" on the team, referencing Matthew Whittaker, Sam McCartan, Ray Connellan and Ronan Wallace, all of whom he said would "grace any team in the country".

"It would be absolutely amazing to see these guys and all the players get their reward for all the effort they have put in," Keane stated.