WESTMEATH LEGEND JOHN Heslin has made a sensational return to the fold ahead of Sunday’s Leinster football final against Dublin.
The 33-year-old retired as Westmeath’s top scorer in championship history in January 2025.
Heslin made 150 appearances following his debut in 2011. The 2015 Leinster semi-final comeback win over Meath, Division 3 league glory in 2019, and inaugural Tailteann Cup success in 2022 were among his most memorable days in the Westmeath jersey.
More could follow as he was named on the bench by Mark McHugh for the county’s sixth-ever provincial decider.
Jack Duncan comes in at full-forward for Senan Baker in the only change from Westmeath’s semi-final extra-time victory over Kildare.
They are chasing a first Delaney Cup since 2004 (and second ever) while Dublin are targeting their 15th in 16 seasons after Meath ended their reign last year and Louth triumphed.
Meanwhile, Dublin captain Con O’Callaghan is absent from their match-day squad again. The Cuala clubman hasn’t played since being withdrawn at half-time of the quarter-final win over Wicklow and missed the semi-final victory over Louth.
Vice-captain Eoin Murchan, who was also forced off during the Wicklow game, is also missing from the squad.
Dublin have announced the same starting fifteen that defeated Louth. Throw-in at Croke Park is 2pm on Sunday and the game is live on RTÉ 2.
Dublin
1. Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams)
2. Theo Clancy (Kilmacud Crokes), 3. Nathan Doran (Clontarf), 4. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf)
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Con O'Callaghan absent again while John Heslin makes sensational return for Leinster final
LAST UPDATE | 15 May
WESTMEATH LEGEND JOHN Heslin has made a sensational return to the fold ahead of Sunday’s Leinster football final against Dublin.
The 33-year-old retired as Westmeath’s top scorer in championship history in January 2025.
Heslin made 150 appearances following his debut in 2011. The 2015 Leinster semi-final comeback win over Meath, Division 3 league glory in 2019, and inaugural Tailteann Cup success in 2022 were among his most memorable days in the Westmeath jersey.
More could follow as he was named on the bench by Mark McHugh for the county’s sixth-ever provincial decider.
Jack Duncan comes in at full-forward for Senan Baker in the only change from Westmeath’s semi-final extra-time victory over Kildare.
They are chasing a first Delaney Cup since 2004 (and second ever) while Dublin are targeting their 15th in 16 seasons after Meath ended their reign last year and Louth triumphed.
Meanwhile, Dublin captain Con O’Callaghan is absent from their match-day squad again. The Cuala clubman hasn’t played since being withdrawn at half-time of the quarter-final win over Wicklow and missed the semi-final victory over Louth.
Vice-captain Eoin Murchan, who was also forced off during the Wicklow game, is also missing from the squad.
Dublin have announced the same starting fifteen that defeated Louth. Throw-in at Croke Park is 2pm on Sunday and the game is live on RTÉ 2.
Dublin
1. Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams)
2. Theo Clancy (Kilmacud Crokes), 3. Nathan Doran (Clontarf), 4. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf)
5. Seán MacMahon (Raheny), 6. Charlie McMorrow (Cuala), 7. Eoin Kennedy (Cuala)
8. Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne (Cuala), 9. Brian Howard (Raheny).
10. Seán Bugler (St Oliver Plunkett Eoghan Ruadh), 11. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street), 12. Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock).
13. Paddy Small (Ballymun Kickhams), 14. Killian McGinnis (Skerries Harps), 15. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille)
Subs:
Westmeath
1. Jason Daly (St. Loman’s)
2. Daniel Scahill (Shandonagh), 3. Charlie Drumm (The Downs), 4. Tadhg Baker (Caulry)
5. Ronan Wallace (Multyfarnham), 6. Shane Allen (Athlone), 7. Matthew Whittaker (Tubberclair)
8. Brían Cooney (Coralstown-Kinnegad), 9. Ray Connellan (Athlone)
10. Kevin O’Sullivan (The Downs), 11. Sam McCartan (St. Loman’s), 12. Conor Dillon (Milltown)
13. Shane Corcoran (St. Malachy’s), 14. Jack Duncan (Milltown), 15. Brandon Kelly (Milltownpass)
Subs:
*****
Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney has named the same team for Sunday’s Ulster final against Monaghan, as the one that defeated Down at the semi-final stage.
Throw-in is 4.15pm in Clones, the game is live on RTÉ 2.
Armagh
1. Blaine Hughes (Carrickcruppin)
2. Peter McGrane (Ballyhegan) 3. Aaron McKay (Dromintee) 4. Paddy Burns (Burren)
5. Greg McCabe (Camlough) 6. Tiernan Kelly (Clann Éireann) 7. Jarly Óg Burns (Silverbridge)
8. Joe McElroy (Armagh Harps), 9. Jason Duffy (Cullyhanna)
10. Darragh McMullen (Madden), 11. Conor Turbitt (Clann Éireann), 12. Tomas McCormack (Annaghmore)
13. Cian McConville (Crossmaglen), 14. Andrew Murnin (Naomh Pól), 15. Oisín Conaty (Tir na nÓg)
Subs:
*****
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