Westmeath ready to take on big guns

LEINSTER SHC FIRST ROUND

And Westmeath boss Brian Hanley is counting down the hours and minutes to throw in.

“This is a huge game for Westmeath, the Leinster championship. Being from Galway (Brian has three All-Ireland club medals with his native Athenry) I never fully appreciated what a provincial championship meant but I saw it when I came here two years ago. I couldn’t believe how much it meant to them. They have a real passion for it, feel so proud just to be in the same championship as the likes of Kilkenny.