O’Higgins set for first start

Meath are once more on the road on Saturday but this time it is Celtic Park in Derry which is the venue for what has transpired to be the third away trip in a row for the county hurlers in the Allianz Hurling League.

Having travelled south last weekend, this time the compass is pointed north as Meath go in search of a third victory in this year’s Allianz League, with the two previous victories having come against Ulster opposition in the form of Donegal and Tyrone.

For the game in Celtic Park, which will throw in at 16:00 on Saturday, Meath have made three alterations in personnel from the team that narrowly lost out to Kerry a week ago.  The experienced James and Darragh Kelly return in the half back line with the resultant reshuffle seeing Daire Shine drop back a line from centre back to man the edge of the square at full back.

Shine is one of two Kilskyre/Moylagh players in the starting line-up as he is joined by Darren O’Higgins who is set to make his first ever start at this level.  O’Higgins comes in as a direct replacement in midfield for Joey Cole.

Tickets for the game on Saturday at 15:30 in Tralee are available from selected Super/Valu or Centra stores or by clicking the link: Meath v Derry Tickets

Colm O’Riordan continues between the uprights in goals and in front of him Jarlath Ennis and Domhnall Rogers will once more line out at corner back with Daire Shine joining them in the full back line.

Darragh Kelly returns to the side at centre back and he is flanked by James Kelly and Kris Gorman with Gorman switching flanks from the right half back berth he filled last week to this week line out at left half back.

Simon Ennis pushes forward from left half back to midfield where he will be joined by U-20 player Darren O’Higgins.

The half forward line has a new look to it with Nicky Potterton moving out from left corner forward to right half forward and Seán Quigley going from midfield to centre forward.  Lorcan Byrne continues at left half forward.

Inside, Mikey Cole who was in superb form against Kerry will once more line out at top of the right, Jack Regan pulls on the no.14 jersey and Evan Fitzgerald goes in the opposite direction to Nicky Potterton as he lines out at left corner forward.