Sweeney, McCrabbe step up for Dublin

Dublin manager Tommy Naughton has drafted David Sweeney and Alan McCrabbe into his side for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC relegation play-off against Westmeath (Tullamore, throw-in 2pm).

Ballyboden clubman Sweeney is back in at midfield, partnering Stephen McDonnell, with last year's Leinster minor-winning captain John McCaffrey moving into the half-forward line and Stuart Mullen dropping to the bench.

Craobh Chiarain's McCrabbe, who has scored 0-04 to date in this summer's championship, returns after a bout of illness, replacing Peadar Carton in the full-forward line. John Kelly switches over to the right corner forward berth with McCrabbe on the left.

The Dublin attack has been heavily reliant on free-taker David Curtin in the championship to date - the Ballyboden forward has top-scored with 0-26 (21f, 1 '65').

The Dubs last met Westmeath in a Leinster SHC quarter-final in May when the Lake men ran out 0-13 to 0-11 winners. The losers of this weekend's tie will lose their Liam McCarthy Cup status and be playing Tier 2 hurling next summer.

Both sides lost their three games in the recent All-Ireland SHC qualifier series.

DUBLIN (SHC v Westmeath) - G Maguire; G O'Meara, K Ryan, P Brennan (capt); M Carton, R Fallon, T Brady; D Sweeney, S McDonnell; J McCaffrey, L Ryan, D Curtin; J Kelly, K Flynn, A McCrabbe.