Athlone teenager John Connellan could have a vital role to play for Westmeath when they take on Sligo in the third round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers tonight (Markievicz Park, throw-in 7pm).

Westmeath manager Tomás Ó Flatharta has handed six players their senior inter-county debuts for Sunday's O'Byrne Cup clash with Carlow.

GAA officials have played down the Cork hurlers’ withdrawal from the All-Star trip to Singapore, saying withdrawals have always been a feature of the scheme.