It promises to be a special occasion on Sunday in Longwood when the club plays host to a landmark game for their veteran player Mickey Burke as he lines out for the 200th time in a Meath jersey in the Dioralyte Kehoe Cup opening round encounter against Down. For a record of Mickey’s football appearances, check the bottom of the article.
Burke will pull on the number four jersey as he lines out at left corner back for the game and there promises to be a huge crowd present at the game to witness the local hero on his big day.
Debutant Ronan Byrne and Ciaran Lonergan will join the hometown hero in the full back line with Jack Fagan lining out between the uprights behind them. There is a welcome return to the fold at centre back of Shane Whitty and he will be flanked in the half back line by Simon Ennis and Kris Gorman.
The Shine twins both line out from the outset with Tom being joined in the middle of the field by Nicky Potterton while Daire is at centre forward where he is flanked by Eoin Donegan of Wolfe Tones and Seánie Martin of Na Fianna.
There is a potent look to the inside line which is made up of Mark Horan, James Kelly and Padraig O’Hanrahan. Among the players on the replacements bench is Jack Walsh who is another to make a welcome return to the fold for 2024.
Entry on Sunday in Longwood is free.
- Jack Fagan (Dún Doire)
- Ronan Byrne (Na Fianna)
- Ciarán Lonergan (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne)
- Mickey Burke (Maigh Dearmhaí)
- Simon Ennis (Rath Moliadhain)
- Shane Whitty (Gaeil Bhláth Gall)
- Kris Gorman (Cill Mheasáin)
- Tom Shine (Cill Scíre/Maolach)
- Nicky Potterton (Cill Dealga)
- Eoin Donegan (Bhulf Tón)
- Daire Shine (Cill Scíre/Maolach)
- Seánie Martin (Na Fianna)
- Mark Horan (Cill Mheasáin)
- James Kelly (Cill Teidhil)
- Padraig O’Hanrahan (Rath Tó)
- Philip O’Reilly (Naomh Pádraig)
- Fergal Chawke (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne)
- Jarlath Ennis (Rath Moliadhain)
- William Gleeson (Clann na nGael)
- Adam Kelly (Dún Doire)
- Paul Kelly (Gaeil Bhláth Gall)
- David Murtagh (Átha Troim)
- Seán Quigley (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne)
- Karl Rogers (Droim Riogh)
- Josh Wall (Droim Riogh)
- Jack Walsh (Ó Mathúna)
The following is a breakdown of Mickey Burke’s appearances for the Senior Football team.
- Championship – 38 Appearances
- League – 58 Appearances
- O’Byrne Cup – 23 Appearances
- Total Football – 119 Appearances
| O’Byrne Cup Debut | November 27 2004* | O’Byrne Cup Round 1 | Castletown (Wexford) | Meath | (1-14) | (0-10) | Wexford | Right Half Forward |
| League Debut | February 6 2005 | Division 2B Round 1 | Dean McGlinchy Park Ballinascreen | Meath | (2-09) | (0-15) | Derry | Right Half Forward |
| Championship Debut | June 18 2005 | All Ireland Qualifiers Round 1 | Casement Park | Meath | (5-12) | (0-13) | Antrim | Substitute |
| 1st Championship Start | August 9 2009 | All Ireland Quarter Final | Croke Park | Meath | (2-15) | (1-15) | Mayo | Right Half Back |
