Brian Smyth has warned his former London teammates that they must stop Westmeath forward Derek McNicholas on Saturday in their All-Ireland Preliminary Round fixture, if they are to set up a mouth-watering clash with either Waterford or Offaly.

Smyth helped the Exiles to Christy Ring success last year but the maths and PE teacher at St Paul's Academy in South London has been forced to put hurling on the back seat this year as he concentrates on his Masters.

The Raherney hurler, who previously captain Westmeath won a Christy Ring with the Lake County in 2005, believes that London must keep McNicholas under wraps at Ruislip.

"If the London boys can keep tabs on Derek McNicholas it will go down to the wire," Smyth told the Irish World in London. "He could be a thorn in their side - he's a class act.

"They've a lot of strong lads. Adam Price is flying at full back, he's lording it. Brendan Murtagh is another big name at centre forward and Eoin Price in the middle of the field.

"Philip Gilsenan is another experienced player. He's on the team a long time and he'll be hard enough to handle. If they all perform it will be very hard to stop them, but I'd say it could come down to the luck of the draw on the day.

"Some teams don't like having to travel over to London to play, but Westmeath won't be thrown off by the fixture. They'll be coming over to win."

But Smyth believes that Eamonn Phelan's side have every reason to be confident that they can stop Westmeath's danger men.

"Eamonn will have his boys well geared up for it - he'll have them fine-tuned and I'm sure London will be ready, especially on their home turf," he added.

"It should be an interesting game - it should be a good game. London have a strong team with a lot of experience.

"I'd absolutely love to be playing. Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit a ball or kick a ball this year, but I'll be at the game. I'm looking forward to it." Tweet

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