Tipp name strong side for Westmeath clash

GAA: Allianz National Hurling League Preview

 

By Shane Brophy

TIPPERARY v WESTMEATH
Semple Stadium, Thurles
Sunday 23rd February
Throw-in @ 2.00pm
Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)

 

Tipperary are now playing catch up in terms of games and points when they host Westmeath in round 4 of the All Ireland Hurling League on Sunday.
 

Tipperary will be expected to record the win to get their campaign up and running before going onto their final two games against Waterford and the rearranged encounter with Galway chasing down a quarter final sport.

However, this is a game they wouldn't want to take lightly, particuarly considering the difficulty endured at the hands of the Lake men in the All Ireland qualifier in 2017 at Semple Stadium where Westmeath were within three points of Tipperary with fifteen minutes to go before the Premier County pulled away to win by a flattering nine points.

Westmeath, who were promoted as champions from division 2 last year, have lost all three games in the league so far but they have been competitive and pushed Cork all the way last Sunday, before falling by four points in the end.

That they were bitterly disappointed they didn't take the chance of a milestone victory hurt them bitterly which shows they are not in division 1 to make up the numbers and as they reflect on that performance this week, they should come to Nenagh with some level of confidence.
 

Tipperary match day panel v Westmeath

1 Brian Hogan - Lorrha-Dorrha
2 Cathal Barrett - Holycross-Ballycahill
3 Barry Heffernan – Nenagh Éire Óg
4 Seán O'Brien – Newport
5 Séamus Kennedy - St. Mary's
6 Ronan Maher - Thurles Sarsfields
7 Bryan O'Mara - Holycross-Ballycahill
8 Alan Flynn – Kiladangan
9 Michael Breen – Ballina
10 Mark Kehoe - Kilsheelan-Kilcash
11 Niall O’Meara – Kilruane MacDonaghs
12 Cian Darcy - Kilruane MacDonaghs
13 Jason Forde – Silvermines
14 Séamus Callanan (Capt.) - Drom-Inch
15 Jake Morris - Nenagh Éire Óg

16 Barry Hogan - Kiladangan
17 Paddy Cadell - JK Brackens
18 Jerome Cahill - Kilruane MacDonaghs
19 Paul Flynn – Kiladangan
20 Paul Maher - Kilsheelan-Kilcash
21 Brian McGrath - Loughmore-Castleiney
22 John McGrath - Loughmore-Castleiney
23 Noel McGrath - Loughmore-Castleiney
24 Craig Morgan - Kilruane MacDonaghs
25 Joe O'Dwyer – Killenaule
26 Dillon Quirke - Clonoulty-Rossmore