Westmeath include skipper Dolan

2004 All-Star Dessie Dolan has earned a quicker than expected recall to the Westmeath side for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Limerick (Cusack Park, throw-in 5pm).

The 26-year-old was expected to return to action in late July as he underwent an operation on his groin early last month. However, his appearance as a substitute in the Lake men's first round win over London two weeks ago gave manager Tomas O Flatharta an ideal boost.

Ahead of schedule, Dolan, with his recovery near complete, has been named at full-forward for tomorrow's first championship game between the counties since they met twice in the qualifiers in 2001.

O Flatharta's selection shows four changes to the team that beat London by 0-20 to 0-08. Francis O'Boyle from the Killucan club will make his championship debut at right corner back. Alan Mangan and Joe Fallon, who scored three points between them as substitutes against the Exiles, have earned recalls to the Lake county attack.

Derek Heavin, PJ Ward, Gary Dolan, who is nursing a hamstring injury, and John Smyth are the four players to lose out.

Damien Healy, a noted centre back and stand-in captain during Dessie Dolan's absence, continues in his new role at centre forward.

Westmeath have won seven of 13 fixtures in the qualifiers since the introduction of the qualifier series in 2001, whereas Limerick have won only three of nine.

WESTMEATH (SFC v Limerick) - G Connaughton; F O’Boyle, B Nannery, J Keane; M Ennis, D O’Donoghue, G Glennon; D Duffy, D O’Shaughnessy; G Duffy, D Healy, A Mangan; J Fallon, D Dolan (capt), Denis Glennon.