Ahead of Sunday’s Tailteann Cup semi-final fixture against Antrim, the Meath panel has been unveiled and it shows two changes in personnel on the starting XV and one on the replacements bench from the side which defeated Wexford in last weeks quarter final.
Having missed out on the Wexford fixture, Ronan Jones resumes his regular midfield spot where he is joined by Conor Gray and having impressed off the bench in the last two games, notching five points across both matches, Daithí McGowan returns to the starting XV for the first time since the Round 2 game against Fraher Field. Jack Flynn and Cathal Hickey who were late additions to the starting team last week, revert to the replacements bench.
James McEntee who has impressed since returning to the side in recent weeks is once more selected in the half forward line at centre forward where he is joined by clubmate Jack O’Connor and the returning McGowan. Sean Brennan continues in goals having broken into the team during the Tailteann Cup and he once more has Adam O’Neill, Ronan Ryan and Harry O’Higgins in front of him manning the full back line.
22 June 2023; In attendance during the Tailteann Cup Semi-Finals media event at Croke Park in Dublin are Padraic Harnan of Meath, left, and Peter Healy of Antrim. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***
The half back line has a familiar look with Padraic Harnan holding down the centre back berth and he is flanked once more by Donal Keogan and Sean Coffey, another player to have broken into the team this summer. The full forward line of Jordan Morris, Mathew Costello and Aaron Lynch accounted for 1-12 in the Wexford game and they will be looking to continue that impressive form.
- Sean Brennan – Dunderry (4 Championship Apps.)
- Adam O’Neill – Wolfe Tones (4 Championship Apps.)
- Ronan Ryan – Summerhill (14 Championship Apps.)
- Harry O’Higgins – Drumbaragh Emmets (5 Championship Apps.)
- Donal Keogan (Captain) – Rathkenny (47 Championship Apps.)
- Padraic Harnan – Moynalvey (32 Championship Apps.)
- Sean Coffey – Ballinabrackey (5 Championship Apps.)
- Ronan Jones – St. Peter’s Dunboyne (14 Championship Apps.)
- Conor Gray – Dunshaughlin (4 Championship Apps.)
- Daithí McGowan – Ratoath (6 Championship Apps.)
- James McEntee – Curraha (21 Championship Apps.)
- Jack O’Connor – Curraha (8 Championship Apps.)
- Jordan Morris – Kingscourt Stars (13 Championship Apps.)
- Mathew Costello – Dunshaughlin (13 Championship Apps.)
- Aaron Lynch – Trim (4 Championship Apps.)
- Harry Hogan – Longwood (5 Championship Apps.)
- Ciaran Caulfield – Trim (2 Championship Apps.)
- Cillian O’Sullivan – Moynalvey (30 Championship Apps.)
- Cathal Hickey – Seneschalstown (13 Championship Apps.)
- Jack Flynn – Ratoath (6 Championship Apps.)
- Eoghan Frayne – Summerhill (2 Championship App.)
- Michael Flood – St. Brigid’s (3 Championship Apps.)
- Donal Lenihan – St. Peter’s Dunboyne (15 Championship Apps.)
- Diarmuid Moriarty – Curraha (1 Championship App.)
- Michael Murphy – St. Peter’s Dunboyne (0 Championship Apps.)
- Keith Curtis – Rathkenny (2 Championship Apps.)
Tickets for the game can be purchased from selected SuperValu and Centra stores or online here: Meath v Antrim Tickets
Cover photograph via Brian Mulligan.
By Meath GAA Fri 23rd Jun
