Westmeath football has received a timely boost with the return of Dessie Dolan for tomorrow's second round qualifier against Limerick in Cusack Park, Mullingar. Dolan's return from a serious groin injury might just save what seemed destined to be a miserable debut year for manager Tomás O'Flatharta.
Like Wexford's Matty Forde - or even Colm Cooper in Kerry - a good football team becomes just average when robbed of a player of such attacking brilliance.
Dolan was supposed to be hors-de-combat for the remainder of the season, or at least the length of time Westmeath were expected to survive without their one truly gifted player. However, he defied medical opinion to come off the bench in the 0-20 to 0-8 victory over London two weeks back.
Dolan was advised to take a 12-week hiatus from the game after a groin operation at the start of the summer. With their captain in absentia, the 2004 Leinster champions duly crashed out of the provincial competition at the first hurdle with a four-point defeat to Offaly on May 14th.
"It hurt Dessie to miss the Offaly game," said team selector Paddy Collins. "Yes, it should have been a 12-week lay off, but Dessie has worked extremely hard to get back four or five weeks ahead of schedule. He has shown great determination."
Gary Dolan, who attempted to do an impression of his younger brother in the Offaly match, replaces Dolan on the sidelines due to a hamstring complaint. Midfielder David O'Shaughnessy is another major concern due to an ongoing Achilles tendon problem.
Meanwhile, Tyrone's bid to retain their All-Ireland title has received yet another blow with the news that Colin Holmes has been ruled out for the rest of the championship due to damage to a cruciate ligament in his knee.
Those attending Croke Park on Sunday for the Leinster hurling final should view the line-ups in the programmes with a pinch of salt, as neither Kilkenny nor Wexford have announced their teams.
It remains uncertain whether Wexford boss Séamus Murphy can call upon injured duo Des Mythen (hamstring) or Paul Codd (calf). Ditto Darragh Ryan.
Ryan will most likely be named as a substitute having only just returned to intercounty training, though one wild rumour has the full back tipped to be utilised as a full forward.
Regardless of the combinations, Brian Cody will field a fearsome-looking Kilkenny side, as only corner back Michael Kavanagh is out of the reckoning through injury. Richie Power is expected to return, but in what position remains a mystery.
Limerick's team for the first round hurling qualifier clash with Offaly in Tullamore tomorrow shows four changes from the side which lost to Clare.
Into the team come TJ Ryan (back after injury), Willie Walsh, Niall Moran and Donal O'Grady, with Kieran Breen, Mark Riordan, Mike O'Brien and the injured Olly Moran making way.
Offaly football manager Kevin Kilmurray has named his team for Sunday's Leinster semi-final. Opposite number Paul Bealin - in his first year as Wexford boss - will select a team tonight that should include Rory Stafford.
The Tipperary football team to play Longford tomorrow in the All-Ireland qualifiers has also been announced. Edward Connolly and Niall Fitzgerald come in to the half back line while Peter King and Eamonn Hanrahan are demoted to the bench.
WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; F Boyle, B Nannery, J Keane; M Ennis, D O'Donoghue, G Glennon; D Duffy, D O'Shaughnessy; G Duffy, D Healy, A Mangan; J Fallon, D Dolan (capt), D Glennon.
TIPPERARY (SF v Longford): P Fitzgerald; M Phelan (capt), C Maher, A Morrissey; E Connolly, N Fitzgerald, R Costigan; K Mulryan, M Peters; P Austin, D O'Brien, B Lacey; B Mulvihill, D Browne, B Hickey.
KILDARE (SF v Derry): E Murphy; A McLoughlin, K O'Neill, M Hogarty; M Foley, J Divilly, A Rainbow; K Brennan, D Earley; J Doyle, J Kavanagh, R Sweeney; T Archbold, T Connor, P O'Neill.
LIMERICK (SH v Offaly): B Murray; D Reale, TJ Ryan, S Hickey, W Walsh, B Geary, M Foley; B Foley, S Lucey; N Moran, D O'Grady, C Fitzgerald, D Ryan, B Begley, A O'Shaughnessy.
