News: Martin Flanagan will make his first start of the season for Westmeath in Sunday's second round of the National Football League.
After several appearances as a substitute during the O'Byrne Cup and also in last weekend's opening draw with Cork, Flanagan will start at centre forward for the Division One A clash against Longford at Mullingar.
As Westmeath manager Páidí Ó Sé continues his policy of rotating players, there are five changes from the team that started under the floodlights against Cork on Saturday. Among those changes is a surprise change of goalkeeper, with Gary Connaughton replacing regular number one Aidan Lennon.
Connaughton has been better known as goalkeeper with soccer club Athlone Town, but he has now fully committed to Westmeath.
Other changes see Damien Gavin take over at centre back from Damien Kilmartin, James Conroy introduced to the full forward line for the injured Paul Martin, and Gary Dolan, brother of Dessie, taking over at full forward for the injured Michael Ennis. Fergal Wilson and Paul Conway are also ruled out though injury.
Longford manager Denis Connerton hoped to stick with the team that shocked Kerry last time out, but there is a vacancy at right half forward due to concerns over the fitness of Michael Kelly, injured in the first half against the Kingdom.
Should Kelly fail to start then Paddy Dowd, his replacement on Sunday, is likely to fill in.
Elsewhere, Dublin are just one of several teams delaying naming their starting line-up for Sunday until players involved in yesterday's busy round of Sigerson Cup matches are given a clean bill of health.
But manager Tommy Lyons will definitely be without wing forward Senan Connell for the trip to Castlebar to face Mayo. The Na Fianna player was carried off with a suspected concussion against Tyrone, and while he has since been cleared to play, Lyons has indicated he won't risk starting him just yet.
Likewise, Galway manager John O'Mahony had several players on Sigerson duty yesterday, and cause for concern was the early departure of Micheál Meehan when playing for Galway NUIG against Maynooth, with a groin injury. The injury is not deemed serious enough to threaten his participation with Caltra in the All-Ireland club football semi-final a fortnight from Sunday. O'Mahony, however, is again likely to leave him on the substitutes' bench for Sunday's clash with Armagh at Pearse Stadium.
All-Ireland champions Tyrone will look to get their league title defence back on track on Sunday at home to Fermanagh, but are likely to be without midfielder Kevin Hughes, who injured an ankle in the defeat to Dublin.
Sunday's Division One B clash between Cavan and Limerick has been confirmed for Ó Raghallaigh Park in Kingscourt because of ongoing work at Breffni Park, which includes the provision of new terracing that will increase the capacity at the ground to 35,000. Cavan's three remaining home games will be at Breffni Park.
It was also confirmed that the Division Two A clash between Offaly and London will have a 1.0 throw-in at Tullamore on Sunday.
Kildare have made one change from the team which defeated Derry for Sunday's fixture against Antrim. Derek McCormack, who replaced midfielder Michael Foley, will start at right half forward. Ronan Sweeney moves from left half forward to midfield and Morgan O'Sullivan from right half forward to left half forward.
WESTMEATH (SF v Longford): G Connaughton; J Davitt, D O'Donoghue, F Murray; B Morley, D Gavin, D Heavin; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; J Fallon, M Flanagan, A Mangan; J Conroy, G Dolan, D Glennon.
LONGFORD (SF v Westmeath): D Sheridan; S Carroll, C Conefrey, A O'Connor; E Ledwith, D Hannify, S Lynch; L Keenan, F Coyle; AN Other, D Blessington, P Barden; D Barden, N Sheridan, P Davis.
KILDARE (SF v Antrim) E Murphy; B Lacey, D Hendy, A McLoughlin; E Callaghan, G Ryan, K Ennis; A Barry, R Sweeney; D McCormack, J Doyle, M O'Sullivan; P Brennan, R Glavin, T Fennin.
LOUTH (SF v Derry): S McCoy; A Page, J Kermath, S Gerard; P McGinnity, A Rogan, R Kelly; P Mallon, D Devenny; JJ Quigley, A Hoey, R Finnegan; D Clarke, O Mc Donnell, C Malone.
KILKENNY (Walsh Cup SH final v UCD) PJ Ryan; M Phelan, C Hickey, G Joyce; R Mullally, E Mackay, J Ryall; P Tennyson, P Cleere; M Rice, J Coogan, J Maher; A Fogarty, W O'Dwyer, P Quinlan. Subs: D Herrity, W Burke, K Coogan, J Tyrrell, P Mullally, C Phelan, J Fitzpatrick.
