Former Antrim stalwart Greg O’Kane believes many players have lost their pride in the jersey and need to be given a reason to want to play county hurling again.

Within a Páidí Ó Sé-managed team, there was another team — the defenders.

ONE can only surmise how either Westmeath or Wicklow would have fared in the Leinster SFC semi-final, but on the basis of the regulation 70 minutes yesterday, not very well.

WESTMEATH footballers haven’t gone away.

WESTMEATH secretary Pat Lynagh has revealed Denis Glennon’s return to inter-county training on Tuesday night came as a result of a couple of meetings between the player, manager, Tomás O Flatharta, and county board officials.

WESTMEATH manager Tomás O Flatharta is set to have talks with his star forward Denis Glennon about his absence from the Westmeath football panel since training resumed in the past two weeks.

THERE were doubts. Of course, there were doubts. There couldn’t but be. Over the past two faltering seasons, there was no money-back guarantee, no assurance that the glory days of 2003 and 2005 would ever return.

Tyrone 0-14 Westmeath 1-7

One of the men on trial in relation to the recovery of €440m worth of cocaine off the West Cork coast has a brother who was with the drug squad of the British Metropolitan Police, it emerged on the fourteenth day of the trial today.

Westmeath manager Tomas O'Flatharta has kept faith with the 15 players who started last month's first round win over Longford in his selection for tomorrow's Leinster SFC quarter-final clash with Offaly in Tullamore (throw-in 6.30pm).

TIPPERARY manager Liam Sheedy introduces two newcomers to the heat of Munster senior hurling championship action for Sunday’s semi-final showdown with arch-rivals Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Westmeath 1-10 Meath 0-8, Cusack Park

Westmeath manager Luke Dempsey has named Dessie Dolan in his starting 15 for this Sunday's Leinster SFC opener against Longford at Pearse Park.

Westmeath manager Luke Dempsey has named Dessie Dolan in his starting 15 for this Sunday's Leinster SFC opener against Longford at Pearse Park.

Westmeath's winning run in NFL Division 1B came to a end in rain-hit Dundalk this afternoon as Louth powered to a 1-12 to 1-7 win.

Dublin 1-12 Westmeath 0-5

Westmeath have received a massive boost ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Dublin at Croke Park with the return of David O’Shaughnessy to their starting line-up (throw-in 4pm).

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).

2004 All-Star Dessie Dolan has earned a quicker than expected recall to the Westmeath side for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Limerick (Cusack Park, throw-in 5pm).

All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier:

Westmeath 0-11 Offaly 0-15

Gary Glennon, PJ Ward, Gordon Duffy and John Smyth will all make their championship debuts for Westmeath when they take on Offaly in the Leinster SFC first round on Sunday (Croke Park, throw-in 4.00pm).

MEATH introduce two newcomers, goalkeeper Brendan Murphy and right half-forward Peter Curran, for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Leinster SFC first round clash with neighbours Louth at Croke Park.

Louth 4-11 Waterford 0-5

JOE KERNAN has made three changes in the Armagh line-out to face Meath in Sunday’s Allianz League clash in Navan.

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.

WITH Dave Bennett ruled out through injury, Brian Phelan retains his place at midfield on the Waterford hurling team to meet Offaly in tomorrow’s All-Ireland qualifier at Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow.

JACK O’CONNOR had many reasons to be cheerful on Saturday night.

Tyrone remain unbeaten in 2005 and have already picked up their first piece of silverware this year, but high-flying Offaly will provide a stern test for Mickey Harte's men in Division 1A of the National Football League.

Laois 0-17, Westmeath 0-12

Ulster and Leinster will face off in unfamiliar surroundings in today's M Donnelly Inter-provincial football final.

Leinster football manager Luke Dempsey has made three changes for tomorrow's M Donnelly Interprovincial final in Paris.

Luke Dempsey's Leinster will face Ulster in the Martin Donnelly & Co. Interprovincial football final in a fortnight, after late points from Damien Healy and Padraig Davis saw them edge Munster 1-10 to 1-9 in Portlaoise.

Enda Muldoon drove Derry to a surprise All-Ireland SFC quarter final win over Leinster champions Westmeath at Croke Park, as the inspirational corner forward hit a goal and six points in his side's 2-09 to 0-13 victory.

Wexford 1-14 Westmeath 2-15

LIMERICK are taking no chances ahead of their Bank of Ireland, Munster SFC semi-final clash with next-door neighbours Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday next.

Meath 2-13, Westmeath 2-13

Westmeath duo JP Casey and Damien Healy are doubtful for the Leinster SFC quarter-final clash with Meath on June 1.