Glennon, Mulvihill make championship debuts for Westmeath

Westmeath boss Páidí O Sé has handed David Glennon and Patrick Mulvihill their championship debuts as the provincial champions open the defence of their Leinster crown on Sunday against Kildare at Croke Park.

The absences of Donal ODonoghue, Paul Conway and Brian Morley are the only changes from last year's championship-winning line-up.

O'Donoghue only rejoined the panel recently, having completed exams in UCD, Conway is on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery and Morley withdrew from the panel at the start of the season.

David Glennon joins his brother Denis in the full-forward line, while Mulvihill lines out at left half-forward.

WESTMEATH (SFC v Kildare): G Connaughton; J Davitt, D Healy, J Keane; M Ennis, D Heavin, D Kilmartin; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; A Mangan, F Wilson, P Mulvihill; David Glennon, Denis Glennon, D Dolan.