Just one player who started their last competitive game is playing.
Jack Cooney is taking a chance to blood a number of new faces in their first contest of the new year.
Westmeath open 2022 against Kildare in Newbridge tomorrow at 1pm. The Lake County will be looking to establish some depth in the playing pool as eyes turn to a tilt at another fine league campaign.
Last season saw them put up very creditable performances against eventual All-Ireland finalists Mayo, before continuing in that vein against Meath and Down. There was a very unlucky end to the league season as a six point defeat against Cork condemned them to division three for 2022.
With a new year comes new hope and a strong showing in the O'Byrne Cup would be a good platform for a promotion push.
Nine clubs are represented with a very inexperienced full-back line in particular and only Ray Connellan remaining from the team named in the Leinster Championship semi-final against Kildare in 2021, although Alex Gardiner did come off the bench in that fixture.
Westmeath starting XV:
- Trevor Martin - The Downs
- Eoghan Bracken - Coralstown-Kinnegad
- David Giles - Coralstown-Kinnegad
- Conor Dillon - Milltown
- Shane Allen - Athlone
- Nigel Harte - Tyrellspass
- Jamie Gonoud - Tyrellspass
- Jonathon Lynam - The Downs
- Ray Connellan - Athlone
- Eoghan Monaghan - Garrycastle
- Luke Loughlin - The Downs
- Conor McCormack - Caulry
- Brandon Kelly - Milltownpass
- Alex Gardiner - Garrycastle
- Robbie Forde - Moate All-Whites
We will have updates tomorrow afternoon on Midlands103.
Galway To Host Westmeath On Sunday June 14th
Second Round Draw Made For FAI Cup
Cian Reddy Keeps Up Unbeaten Professional Record
Westmeath Ladies Get Opening Win In All-Ireland Intermediate Championship
Athlone Town Knocked Out Of All-Island Cup
Limerick See Off Offaly In Senior Camogie Championship
Athlone Town Suffer Defeat Away To UCD In First Division
We Haven't Had Too Many Great Days In Cusack Park - Kevin O'Sullivan
Westmeath Take Down Cavan To Set Up Clash With Galway
Ella Cantwell Wins West Of Ireland Women's Amateur Open Championship
Volunteers Encourage People Across Westmeath To Hang Up County Flags
Athlone Town Aiming For First League Win
Offaly Camogie Manager Preparing For 'Massive Battle' Against Limerick
Athlone Town Announce Lily Agg As New Manager
FTD Brothers To Complete 32-Marathon Challenge Today
Offaly Ladies Footballers Begin All-Ireland Series In Antrim
Athlone Town Travel To Treaty United In All-Island Cup
Westmeath Need To Regroup And Make Improvements For Next Season - Gerry Buckley