5 years after making his only Championship appearance to date, Ross Ryan will be one of four players making their Leinster Senior Football Championship debut in Sunday’s opening round fixture away to Longford. The Summerhill player made his previous appearance in the last eight encounter with Kerry back in 2019 and 1710 days later, he will make his first Championship start when lining out at centre back on Sunday.
The Summerhill clubman impressed in the final round defeat to Donegal in the Allianz Football League and moves inside from the left half back berth he occupied that evening to the centre back role he has made his own at club level with Summerhill. The three other Leinster Championship debuts on Sunday will be Sean Brennan, Ciaran Caulfield and Eoghan Frayne.
Having missed out on the entirety of the League campaign through injury, Jordan Morris makes his return to the fold at top of the right in what is a new look full forward line alongside Mathew Costello and James Conlon, another player who showed well against Donegal a fortnight ago.
The experienced Donal Keogan lines out for his fiftieth Championship appearance on Sunday and he reverts to the full back line where he is partnered by Adam O’Neill and Harry O’Higgins. Ross Ryan anchors the defensive effort at six with Ciaran Caulfield and Sean Coffey returning to the side to fill the wing back berths.
Team captain Ronan Jones will pull on his now customary no. 8 jersey and he is joined for this game by Daithí McGowan who pushes outfield from the wing forward berth he filled during the Allianz League. Eoghan Frayne leads the attack at centre forward with Shane Walsh and Cathal Hickey manning the wing forward berths.
Among the replacements, there is a welcome return to the match-day 26 for the first time in 2024 for the Tailteann Cup winning full back Ronan Ryan while there could potentially be Leinster Championship debuts for Billy Hogan, Cian McBride, Michael Murphy, Ruairí Kinsella and Sean Rafferty off the bench.
- Sean Brennan (Dún Doire) – 6 Championship Apps
- Donal Keogan (Rath Coinnig) – 49 Championship Apps
- Adam O’Neill (Bhulf Tón) – 6 Championship Apps
- Harry O’Higgins (Emmet Druim Bhearradh) – 7 Championship Apps
- Ciaran Caulfield (Átha Troim) – 4 Championship Apps
- Ross Ryan (Druim Samhraidh) – 1 Championship App
- Sean Coffey (Baile na Breacaighe) – 7 Championship Apps
- Ronan Jones (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne) (Capt.) – 16 Championship Apps
- Daithí McGowan (Rath Tó) – 8 Championship Apps
- Shane Walsh (Na Fianna) – 10 Championship Apps
- Eoghan Frayne (Druim Samhraidh) – 2 Championship Apps
- Cathal Hickey (Baile Sencaill) – 14 Championship Apps
- Jordan Morris (Réaltaí Dún a Rí) – 15 Championship Apps
- Mathew Costello (Domhnach Seachnaill) – 15 Championship Apps
- James Conlon (Naomh Colmcille) – 12 Championship Apps
- Billy Hogan (Maigh Dearmhaí) – 0 Championship Apps
- Cian McBride (Naomh Ultain) – 0 Championship Apps
- Darragh Campion (Scrín) – 3 Championship Apps
- Jack O’Connor (Currach Átha) – 10 Championship Apps
- Ronan Ryan (Druim Samhraidh) – 16 Championship Apps
- Michael Murphy (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne) – 0 Championship Apps
- Keith Curtis (Rath Coinnig) – 2 Championship Apps
- Aaron Lynch (Átha Troim) – 6 Championship Apps
- Ruairí Kinsella (Domhnach Seachnaill) – 0 Championship Apps
- Jason Scully (Sean Chaisleán) – 6 Championship Apps
- Sean Rafferty (Na Fianna) – 0 Championship Apps
Supporters attending Sunday’s game are asked to note the below message from the Longford Co. Board.
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Supporters should arrive early as there is very limited parking available at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
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Tickets must be purchased in advance and no tickets will be available at the venue.
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No ticket, no entry – strictly no cash accepted.
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Tickets can be purchased from McGrath’s (Centra) Filling Station in Longford town or Finn’s Centra in Ballymahon.
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Tickets can be purchased online at Meath v Longford Tickets
