Mike O’Halloran on Kerry’s match in the Leinster Hurling Championship Round Robin Round 2 this Sunday against Westmeath…

There are six changes to the Kerry hurling team for the game v Westmeath on Sunday in Mullingar.

Rory Horgan moves to fullback with James O’Connor coming in at corner back. Jack Goulding, who was influential when introduced on Sunday last, returns to partner Paudie O’Connor at midfield. This partnership has worked well during the league.

Continued below…

Patrick Kelly was injured in the game last Sunday against Meath and does not play on Sunday next.

The two O’Leary brothers Michael and Brendan start for the first time since recovering from injury, they have had some minutes on the pitch and that should stand them in good stead for the challenge posed by Westmeath.

I suppose the best news from a Kerry point of view is the return of Padraig Boyle to the full forward line. His ability to score goals was sorely missed last Sunday.

Strange that there is no Causeway man on the team on Sunday – Brian Murphy does not start and Keith Carmody also loses out on a starting position.

Philip Lucid, who replaced Padraig Boyle last week, is also benched. Martin Stackpoole returns between the posts in place of Aiden McCabe. Aiden pulled off two point blank saves last week and smothered another Meath chance.

Tom Murnane takes over as captain on the field in Aiden’s absence.

It is D Day for Kerry as they have to win this game in order to qualify in the top two, provided they can also win the last game in the series at home to Laois.

The inclusion of the twin towers (The O’Leary’s) and Padraig Boyle could go a long way to securing the much needed win.