Former Hurler of the Year Joe Canning is a notable omission from the Galway starting line-up to face Westmeath in the opening round of the Allianz Hurling League at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday.

In what will be the first competitive GAA match of 2021 after the extended third lockdown, the Tribesmen will begin their Division 1 Group A campaign away to the midlanders.

Canning, who was hospitalised with concussion in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Limerick back in November, was “flying it” in training last week, according to manager Shane O'Neill.

But the ace Portumna forward has had to settle for a place on the bench for the trip to Mullingar as Kinvara's Conor Whelan captains the side from corner forward in the absence of Padraic Mannion.

Galway (Allianz HL Division 1 v Westmeath): Eanna Murphy; Sean Loftus, Gearoid McInerney, Jack Fitzpatrick; Aidan Harte, Shane Cooney, Fintan Burke; Johnny Coen, Cathal Mannion; Conor Cooney, Evan Niland, Brian Concannon; Jarlath Mannion, Niall Burke, Conor Whelan.

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