Three debutants for Westmeath

June 11, 2009

Westmeath's Martin Flanagan
Keith Scally, Conor Lynam and Willie Murtagh will make their Leinster SFC debuts for Westmeath against Wicklow at O'Connor Park on Sunday. By Randal Scally Martin Flanagan and Fergal Wilson will also make their first appearances since last July's narrow All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Tyrone, while Donal O'Donoghue returns as well after missing most of the National League. But Dessie Dolan and Michael Ennis aren't included in Tomas O Flatharta's starting XV after failing to recover im time from knee and Achilles tendon injuries. Tyrrellspass clubman Scally and St. Loman's teenager Lynam will make their championship bows at right half forward and left corner forward respectively, while Ballynacargy's Murtagh - who saw action as a sub in last year's All-Ireland qualifiers - has been given the nod to start ahead of Damien Healy at left half back. Healy only recently returned from a stint abroad, and his lack of match practice means he has to be content with a place on the subs bench. Martin Flanagan renews his midfield partnership with David Duffy after recovering from ankle surgery, while Fergal Wilson has also put his injuries problems behind him to line out alongside Denis Glennon and debutant Lynam in the full forward line. Lynam's inclusion comes as something as a surprise given that fellow under 21s Thomas McDaniel and John Connellan were believed to be ahead of him in the pecking order in the event of Dessie Dolan not been passed fit. Garrycastle's Doran Harte has been selected at left half forward, but is expected to play as an extra defender just as he did against Dublin and Tyrone last year. Westmeath (SF v Wicklow): G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane (captain); D O'Donoghue, D Heavin, W Murtagh; M Flanagan, D Duffy; K Scally, J Smyth, D Harte; F Wilson, D Glennon, C Lynam.

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