Connellan and Harte both return for Laois test

Ray Connellan has been declared fit to start and takes his place at midfield alongside Eoghan Mccabe, while Nigel Harte has recovered and starts at wing forward against Laois in Saturday’s Tailteann Cup Preliminary quarter-final at TEG Cusack Park, 5pm.

Westmeath manager Dermot McCabe has made two changes to the starting team: Daniel Scahill has been selected at corner-back, replacing David Giles; Brandon Kelly replaces Lorcan Dolan at corner forward from the side that lost to Limerick.

Tadhg Baker and Shane Ormsby, two of the stars of the county’s U20 ‘B’ All-Ireland success, are named on the panel, as is Moate All Whites’ star Robbie Forde. Danny McCartan and Brían Cooney are other attacking options off the bench, while veteran Kieran Martin may also come into the reckoning.

Westmeath are under pressure after a positive start that saw them secure victories over Antrim and London and the one-point defeat by Limerick has thrown up a very tricky preliminary quarter-final tie, one in which the Lake County will simply need to find a consistent performance over 70 minutes if they are to prevail. Laois come into the game with a little more momentum having defeated Offaly, 3-18 to 3-16, in last weekend’s final group game.

Conor McCormack has retained the goalkeeper’s jersey, but Westmeath struggled badly on kick-outs last weekend and that is an area they must improve on if they are to get back into the reckoning. Ronan Wallace, an inspirational figure at times against Limerick in the second half, retains the number six jersey and Westmeath will once again be looking for him to lead the charge.

Westmeath team to play Laois: Conor McCormack; Daniel Scahill, Sam Smyth, Jamie Gonoud; Joseph Moran, Ronan Wallace, Sam McCartan; Ray Connellan, Eoghan McCabe; Matthew Whittaker, Kevin O’Sullivan, Nigel Harte; Luke Loughlin, Stephen Smith, Brandon Kelly.