Westmeath's achievement in reaching today's All-Ireland under-21 football final is all the more impressive when viewed in the context of the county's All-Ireland minor win of four years ago - only two of that team are included today as they attempt to become the county's first All-Ireland winners at this grade.

Corner back Fergal Murray and wing forward Shane Deering are the two survivors. Murray is one of the four under-21 players withdrawn from last Sunday's senior championship match in Carlow. Westmeath are lucky in two regards: first, the comedy in Carlow distracted attention from the under-21s and two, Kerry carry such heavy baggage as favourites that no one's been wondering about the pressure on Westmeath.

As holders, Kerry have earned the baggage. Over half the team from last year remain and they have been in good form, winning out well in the end against Cork and brushing Roscommon aside. Strong in the central positions with seniors Tomas O Se at centre back and high-scoring Aodan MacGearailt at centre forward in super form, Kerry have been confident of retaining their title since the championship started. MacGearailt lines up on Westmeath's commanding captain Aidan Canning in the match's pivotal tussle.

MacGearailt is flanked by Tim Kennelly's sons, Noel and Tadhg, in what is an accomplished half forward line.

The Leinster champions also field some impressive names. They weren't fully tested by Monaghan, but an arduous provincial campaign won't have left them unprepared. Kerry look too strong throughout the field and it will be a big surprise if they don't record their fourth All-Ireland success in five years.

Kerry: K Cremin; S O'Sullivan, T O'Sullivan, M McCarthy; S Hegarty, T O Se, E Galvin; T Griffin, J Sugrue; N Kennelly, A MacGearailt, T Kennelly; P Galvin, L Murphy, I Twiss.

Westmeath: C Mullin; P Mullen, J Galvin, F Murray; B Lambden, A Canning, M Burke; K Burke, D O'Shaughnessy; S Deering, F Wilson, R Browne; J Fallon, M Ennis, D Dolan.