AllStars tour limits O'Byrne Cup sides

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.

Ó Sé has named Derek Heavin in his starting 15 for the game at Mullingar.

With defender John Keane unavailable, as he is travelling with the football AllStars, Heavin returns at left half-back and newcomer Danny McDermott goes to corner-back.

Seven of the side that defeated Laois in the provincial final replay last summer line out again today, but with ace forward Dessie Dolan also in Hong Kong with the AllStars, Ó Sé has retained the six who began in attack last Sunday against Louth.

Meanwhile, the touring AllStar party has robbed Mick O’Dwyer of many of his guaranteed starters for today’s tie.

O’Dwyer has had to call up Portlaoise goalkeeper Michael Nolan as the county’s number-one netminder, Fergal Byron, is in Hong Kong.

The remaining Portlaoise players who are involved with the Laois panel are unavailable, due to their upcoming All-Ireland club semi-final against Armagh and Ulster champions Crossmaglen.

The Kerry manager is also without Padraig Clancy, while attacker Ross Munnelly is struggling with a back injury. Mark Dunne and Noel Garvan will battle it out in midfield in Clancy's absence.

Three 18-year-olds - Donie Brennan, Niall Donoher and Colm Begley - are tipped to be included in the starting line-up.

Westmeath are favourites today and have a habit of beating Laois in finals. Their minors did so in 1995, their U21s in 1999 and last summer it was the turn of the seniors.

WESTMEATH (SF v Laois): G Connaughton, D O’Donoghue, D Mitchell, D McDermott, M Ennis, D Kilmartin, D Heavin, R O’Connell, C Galligan, A Lambden, D Brennan, J McAteer, A Mangan, D Glennon, P Mulvihill.