No major surprises as McNulty names team for Westmeath clash

UNLIKE Laois’s pervious game, when Laois manager Jusin McNulty sprung a surprise when Mark Barry stared the game against Offaly in O’Connor Park, there were no major changes to team named to take on Westmeath in Mullingar tomorrow.

While the 15 that started in the win over Offaly starts against Westmeath, there are a number of positional changes.

The full back line remains the same.

Patrick O’Sullivan, who had an exceptional game at right wing back against Offaly wears the number six jersey this week. O’Sullivan displayed pace and awareness against Offaly and that should serve Laois well in the central defensive.

Seamus Lacey who filled the centre back position has been switched to midfield, where he will partner Damon Larkin, who was deployed further forward against Offaly.

The other change in the half back line sees Emo’s Padraig Kirwan moved from wing forward to wing back.

Conor Heffernan moves from midfield to left half forward while the other wing forward role is filled by Mark Barry. Ronan Coffey remains at the centre of the half forward line.

Up front team captain Brian Byrne switches corners with Niall Corbet with the full forward role being handed to Kevin Swayne.

There are also a couple of changes to the bench. Conor Brown replaces Aaron Cooney as the substitute goalkeeper, while Cian Ryle comes into the matchday 26 with Ryan Brady losing out.

LAOIS: Killian Roche (Killeshin); Ben Dempsey (Portlaoise), Trevor Collins (Graiguecullen), Liam Knowles (Stradbally); Pa Kirwan (Emo), Paddy O'Sullivan (Portarlington), Aaron McEvoy (Ballyroan Abbey); Seamus Lacey (Ballylinan), Damon Larkin (Portlaoise); Mark Barry (O'Dempsey's), Ronan Coffey (Portarlington), Conor Heffernan (Killeshin); Niall Corbet (Clonaslee/St Manman's), Kevin Swayne (Portlaoise), Brian Byrne (Graiguecullen).

Subs: Conor Brown (Portlaoise), John Brennan (Crettyard), Jamie Conway (Arles Kilcruise), Jake Darcy (Annanough), Michael Doran (Killeshin), Josh Hogan (Portlaoise), Jonah Kelly (Crettyard), Cathal Lee (Clonaslee/St Manman's), Jack Lennon (O'Dempsey's), Sean O'Neill (The Rock), Cian Ryle (Kilcavan).

The game will throw-in at 5pm And can be viewed on GAA+