Westmeath manager Colin Kelly has hit out at the new rule which doesn't allow for any crossover between senior and U20 teams.

Having seen his squad depleted by withdrawals and injuries in recent weeks, Kelly was forced to introduce U20 captain Finbar Coyne after half-an-hour of yesterday's Leinster SFC quarter-final defeat to Laois, meaning the Milltownpass clubman is now ineligible to play in tomorrow evening's Leinster U20 first round clash with Wexford at TEG Cusack Park.

"When are the GAA going to realise that the smaller counties aren't resourced to sustain this type of situation?" Kelly asked in an interview with RTÉ.

"The rules are set up to allow fellas to travel, go to America whenever they want, come back and play for their clubs, U20s can't come into a senior set-up because then they're out of the loop for the U20s team - it's just ridiculous.

"You're trying to run all this along with the fact that you're losing player, after player, after player through injuries, work commitments or fellas having enough of playing inter-county football.

"Unfortunately we are another county who has suffered through that loss of experience."

Westmeath were dismal in the second half against Laois, but Kelly has vowed to fight on in the All-Ireland qualifiers.

"There's no doubt about it; in terms of personnel Westmeath have lost a lot of experienced, talented players. There are a lot of other counties in the same boat, but we just have to pick it up and do the best we can.

"I can spend my time wondering about who's not there or concentrating on trying to improve who is there and I'm all for the second. The lads in that dressing room I have are top class.

"We're like any squad and management - we don't always agree, but we have each others' backs. We'll continue to fight as long as we're in the competition."

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