Westmeath Legend Set For Shock Comeback Ahead Of Leinster Final

Westmeath will be aiming to make history this weekend, with the midlands county aiming to win just their second ever Leinster title when they take on Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday.

Mark McHugh’s side have produced a thrilling run to the final up to this point. After hammering Longford in their provincial opener, they would go on to shock Meath in the quarter-finals before a dramatic extra-time victory over Kildare in the semi-final.

Westmeath will enter the final as significant underdogs, with their task made all the more difficult by some key injury absentees. Talismanic forward Luke Loughlin has been ruled out for the rest of the season, with a big injury doubt lingering over breakout star Matthew Whittaker.

However, it seems as though they could also make an unlikely addition to the panel ahead of that game.

Westmeath Legend Set For Shock Inter-County Comeback

The Westmeath Independent broke the story last night that John Heslin is back training with Westmeath and could be in line for a shock return to the panel ahead of the Leinster final.

The St Loman’s man officially retired from inter-county football at the start of 2025, with his last appearance coming in the All-Ireland round robin game against Derry in June of 2024. He has continued to play with his club in the time since, also forming part of the punditry team on GAA+.

It now seems as though Mark McHugh has tempted him back into the fold ahead of the game against the Dubs. Heslin lost two Leinster finals to the same opposition back in 2015 and 2016.

It remains to be seen whether he will be included in the panel for the provincial decider. Still just 33-years old, he should still have something to offer Westmeath if given the opportunity over the remainder of the 2026 campaign.

This is certainly another layer of intrigue added to what should be a big occasion for the county on Sunday afternoon.

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