Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick makes one change to his side for the start of the Allianz National Football League Division 3 this weekend.

Louth take on Westmeath at the GAA Grounds on Sunday (throw-2.30pm), with Andy McDonnell returning to the side in the half forward line.

McDonnell, one of the stars of the county's journey to the Leinster SFC final last summer, comes into the side instead of Brian Donnelly having replaced the same player during the O'Byrne Cup final against Kildare last Sunday.

The remainder of the team remains unchanged, with goalkeeper Sean Connor retained after an at time very impressive January, although he was possibly at fault for Kildare's late, late winning goal in Newbridge.

Brothers Ray and Dessie Finnegan form two-thirds of the half-back line alongside Stephen Fitzpatrick, the son of the manager, while the in-form midfielder Ronan Carroll continues alongside captain Paddy Keenan in the absence of one of last year's key men, the emigrated Brian White.

McDonnell slots into the half forward line while Shane Lennon will again carry the burden of the scoring expectations at full forward.

Louth (v. Westmeath, Drogheda, Sunday, 2.30pm): Sean Connor; Eamonn McAuley, Aaron Hoey, Gerard Hoey; Ray Finnegan, Dessie Finnegan, Stephen Fitzpatrick; Paddy Keenan, Ronan Carroll; Derek Crilly, Mark Brennan, Andy McDonnell; Derek Maguire, Shane Lennon, Adrian Reid.

Subs: Neil Gallagher, JP Rooney, Brian Donnelly, Ronan Greene, Declan Byrne, Paraic Smith, Jamie Carr, Padraig Rath, Liam Shevlin, Colm Judge, Darren Clarke. Tweet

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