Hurlers show their hand for League opener

There is a fresh look to the Meath side for the opening round fixture against London in Division 2 of the Allianz Hurling League with only five players lining out who also started the final round game against Kildare in the 2025 League.

Tickets for the game on Saturday are available via: Meath vs London Tickets

Those five are Simon Ennis, Jarlath Ennis, Lorcan Byrne, Mikey Cole and Damien Healy, showcasing the level of change in the Meath panel over the last year or so as the management have freshened up the group and given youth its chance.

A feature of the side for Saturday is the number of sets of brothers in the starting line-up, with the Cole, Ennis, Leavy and Shine brothers all lining out together.  And it is a big day for the Shine family as Daire captains the side from full back.

Gavin King who came on as a half time substitute in the two Dioralyte Kehoe Cup games to date has gotten the nod this week to start between the uprights and he will have Conor Leavy, Daire Shine and Jarlath Ennis in front of him in the full back line.

Darragh Heffernan will pull on the number five jersey for the third week in succession and on the opposite wing of the defence Sean Geraghty returns to the side bringing his experience after missing out on the 2025 season through injury.  Simon Ennis will occupy the centre back berth.

In what is a youthful midfield, Lorcan Byrne is joined by Tom Shine with the duo getting a second game together after last week’s encounter with Wicklow.

Joey Cole comes back into the side at centre forward and he is joined in the half forward line by Damien Healy and Eoin Donegan.

That switch sees the elder Cole, Mikey, moving into full forward and he is flanked by Mark Leavy and Darren O’Higgins in the corners.