Quinn to debut for Westmeath

Mullingar Shamrocks clubman Simon Quinn will make his senior championship bow for Westmeath in tomorrow afternoon's GAA All-Ireland football championship qualifier against Tipperary at Ardfinnan, throw-in at 3pm.

Having impressed Westmeath boss Tomas O'Flatharta at training, Quinn will start at right half-forward in place of shoulder injury victim Fergal Wilson.

His inclusion is a surprising one given that he has no pedigree as an inter-county minor or Under-21 player and his only previous appearance for the Westmeath seniors was against Leitrim in a challenge match two years ago.

With midfield duo David Duffy and Martin Flanagan both injured, Athlone clubman Paul Bannon will partner Donal O'Donoghue in centre-field.

He beat both Gary Dolan and Padraig Leavy for the starting position, although with his knee injury improving Flanagan is expected to play some part against Tipp.

Bannon's younger brother Dermot will start at left corner-forward having recovered from the shoulder injury he picked up against Dublin.

Francis Boyle has shrugged off concerns over his fitness to be named at right corner back for the midlanders' first championship meeting with Tipp since their first round qualifier win in 2005.

Westmeath won that tie by 0-12 to 1-08 and are expected to progress tomorrow in what will be their fourth championship outing of the summer - as well as facing the Dubs, they have also played Longford and Offaly.

WESTMEATH (SFC v Tipperary) - G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane; M Ennis, D Heavin, D Healy; D O'Donoghue, P Bannon; S Quinn, J Smyth, D Harte; D Dolan (capt), Denis Glennon, D Bannon.