Ger Heavin is a notable absentee from the Westmeath team selected for Sunday's Leinster SFC clash with Carlow at the revamped O'Moore Park in Portlaoise. The brilliant corner forward, who captained the side on their great run to the All-Ireland quarter-finals last year, is troubled by a hamstring injury and his place in the full forward line is taken by championship debutant JP Casey who, incidentally, was an ever-present throughout the National League. The forward line bears little resemblance to that of last season. This is due to the absence of Fergal Wilson and Heavin through injury while Michael Ennis hasn't fully recovered from a recent knee operation. Paul Conway, who played at centre forward last year, has switched to centre back. The Mullingar Shamrocks pair of Kieran Ryan and Shane Colleary, who have returned to the panel this season after lengthy absences, fill the two wing forward positions. As expected, Aidan Lennon is chosen in goals ahead of Gary Connaughton. The defence and midfield have a settled look, although there is a doubt over the fitness of Damien Healy at right corner back. Westmeath (SFC v Carlow): A Lennon; D Healy, D Mitchell, F Murray; B Morley, P Conway, J Keane; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; K Ryan, M Flanagan, S Colleary; J Fallon, D Dolan, JP Casey. Tweet

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