Westmeath star O'Shaughnessy to miss qualifier

An Achilles injury is expected to keep Westmeath midfielder David O'Shaughnessy out of Saturday's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Galway at Pearse Stadium (throw-in 7pm).

The knock forced the Garrycastle clubman to miss his county's last two championship fixtures - against Limerick and Sligo - and he has not been able to train fully since.

Midfield is certain to be a key area for what is the counties' first ever championship meeting.

Galway's centre-field pairing of Michael Donnellan and Niall Coleman struggled against Mayo in the Connacht final, and Westmeath's David Duffy and Paul Bannon will hope to prosper in Salthill.

Westmeath, who will wear green on Saturday due to a colour clash between the sides, also have concerns over their 18-year-old corner forward John Connellan, who is nursing a shoulder injury.

Derek Savage, corner forward on the All-Star team of 2000, and Salthill-Knocknacarra youngster Sean Armstrong have both been ruled out of Galway's plans.

Savage injured his leg a fortnight ago and sat out the Connacht final - a game in which Armstrong strained his hamstring just before the interval. Galway selector Francis Roche confirmed that "Savage is unlikely to make it at this stage".

Having made a stunning return from a knee ligament injury, Moycullen's Paul Clancy will be back in contention, while the return of veteran forward Ja Fallon - whose last championship appearance came against Donegal in 2003 - is a welcome boost for the Tribesmen.

A former Footballer of the Year, the 33-year-old Fallon has been in excellent form for his club Tuam Stars in recent weeks.