Westmeath's Flanagan ruled out of Championship

Lively Westmeath forward Martin Flanagan has been ruled out for the rest of the season because of a niggling ankle problem.

Flanagan had hoped to get away without surgery on the injury but specialists have told him he must go under the knife, effectively ending his hopes of playing championship football.

Boss Paidí Ó Sé said: "It now looks like that he will be out for a considerable time and most likely won't be available for the Leinster championship clash against Offaly."