Derek Heavin has launched a scathing attack on GAA authorities after the Westmeath player was forced to announce his retirement from senior inter-county football earlier this week.

Westmeath manager Pat Flanagan and his Derry counterpart Damien Cassidy have announced their teams for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC second round qualifier in Mullingar (throw-in 5pm).

Westmeath's experienced wing forward Derek Heavin is still a number of days away from being released from the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

Louth 1-15 Westmeath 2-10

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.

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).

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

PÀIDI Ò SÈ has pleaded that whoever broke into Derek Heavin’s house and stole his medal collection should return them to the Westmeath defender as quickly as possible.

Westmeath defender Derek Heavin has been ruled out of the Leinster champions' side to face Cork in the National Football League on Sunday.

Michael Ellard and Brendan Larkin

Laois and Westmeath meet today in the O’Byrne Cup final, a repeat of last year’s Leinster final, which Páidí Ó Sé’s side won for the first time.

UNPACK the crampons, Longford have picked their way to the sort of altitude that gives men nose-bleeds.

Donegal 1-7, Westmeath 0-7