Change kept to the minimum for visit to the Mourne County

Páirc Esler in Newry is the venue this evening for the meeting of Meath and Down in Round 3 of the Allianz Football League and ahead of the game, Meath have made one change in personnel among the starting line-up.

Brian O’Halloran, whose sole appearance to date in 2025 came as a second half replacement against Cork in Round 1, comes in to replace Eoin Harkin at wing back.

Billy Hogan continues between the uprights with Seán Rafferty who made his first start for the county two weeks ago maintaining his position at full back where he will be flanked by the experienced Seamus Lavin and Donal Keogan.

Joining O’Halloran in the half back line are Ciarán Caulfield who captained DCU to win the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup on Wednesday evening and Seán Coffey.

Jack Flynn who was Man of the Match the last time these counties met, back in the 2023 Tailteann Cup Final, will once more partner Bryan Menton at midfield with the half forward line having a youthful look to it with Conor Duke and Jack Kinlough from last year’s U-20 side lining out at right half and centre forward respectively.  Ronan Jones completes the line.

The inside line of the attack will once more see Jordan Morris and Eoghan Frayne occupy the corner forward berths, with Shane Walsh lining out on the edge of the square at full forward.

In total there are nine changes in personnel from the last meeting between the sides with Billy Hogan, Brian O’Halloran, Bryan Menton, Conor Duke, Eoghan Frayne, Jack Kinlough, Seamus Lavin, Seán Rafferty and Shane Walsh all coming into the side in place of Aaron Lynch, Adam O’Neill, Cathal Hickey, Conor Gray, James McEntee, Mathew Costello, Padraic Harnan, Sean Brennan and Ronan Ryan

Tickets for this evening’s game are on sale from the selected Super Valu/Centra outlets or by clicking the link Meath v Down Tickets.