Team manager Robbie Brennan has unveiled the match day panel of 26 for the opening round of the Allianz Football League and he has opted to go with twelve of the side that started against Donegal in the GAA Football Championship All-Ireland Semi-Final last July.
The three players to come into the side from that game are Brian O’Halloran, Cathal Hickey and Jack Flynn with Ronan Ryan, Adam O’Neill and Ruairí Kinsella missing out.
Tickets for the game on Saturday are available via: Meath vs Derry Tickets
The Club+ Season Ticket is available to purchase up to 12:00 on Friday January 23: Meath Club+ Season Ticket
Billy Hogan will bring up the quarter century of appearances in goals on Saturday with the Longwood custodian having Seamus Lavin, Seán Rafferty and Brian O’Halloran in front of him in the full back line.
There is a vey settled and familiar look to the half back line where Seán Coffey lines out at centre back and he is flanked by Donal Keogan and Ciarán Caulfield.
Jack Flynn who missed out on the run to the All-Ireland Semi-Final last year after picking up an injury against Cork in the opening round of the group stage makes his return to the side at midfield and he resumes the partnership with Bryan Menton which was a feature of the majority of the 2025 season.
Mathew Costello will lead the attack from centre forward and he is joined in the half forward line by his Dunshaughlin teammate Conor Duke at right half forward and his former Minor teammate Cathal Hickey at left half forward.
Team captain Eoghan Frayne will line out at top of the left, with Jordan Morris in his regular right corner forward berth while Keith Curtis will be on the edge of the square at full forward.
There are potential League debuts for Killian Smyth, Oisín Martin and Charlie O’Connor who are all on the replacements bench and they are joined there by Jordan Muldoon who could make a first appearance since 2022.
Player Name |
Club |
Total Number of Appearances |
|
| 1. | Billy Hogan | Maigh Dearmhaí | 24 |
| 2. | Seamus Lavin | Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne | 61 |
| 3. | Seán Rafferty | Na Fianna | 19 |
| 4. | Brian O’Halloran | Baile Íomhair | 22 |
| 5. | Donal Keogan | Rath Cheannaigh | 182 |
| 6. | Seán Coffey | Baile na Breacaighe | 31 |
| 7. | Ciarán Caulfield | Átha Troim | 32 |
| 8. | Bryan Menton | Domhnach Mór/Cill Dhéagláin | 150 |
| 9. | Jack Flynn | Rath Tó | 28 |
| 10. | Conor Duke | Domhnach Seachnaill | 16 |
| 11. | Mathew Costello | Domhnach Seachnaill | 62 |
| 12. | Cathal Hickey | Baile Sencaill | 51 |
| 13. | Jordan Morris | Réaltaí Dhún a Rí | 54 |
| 14. | Keith Curtis | Rath Cheannaigh | 28 |
| 15. | Eoghan Frayne (Capt.) | Druim Samhraidh | 30 |
| 16. | Seán Brennan | Dún Doire | 15 |
| 17. | Ronan Ryan | Druim Samhraidh | 57 |
| 18. | Killian Smyth | Baile an Chaisleán | 2 |
| 19. | Adam O’Neill | Bhulf Tón | 37 |
| 20. | Cian McBride | Na Dúnaibh | 15 |
| 21. | Oisín Martin | Bhulf Tón | 2 |
| 22. | Jason Scully | Sean Chaisleán | 30 |
| 23. | Aaron Lynch | Átha Troim | 29 |
| 24. | Jack O’Connor | Currach Átha | 47 |
| 25. | Jordan Muldoon | Gaeil Colmcille | 6 |
| 26. | Charlie O’Connor | Domhnach Seachnaill | 1 |
Match Officials
- Referee – Barry Tiernan (Áth Cliath)
- Standby Referee – Liam Devenney (Maigh Eo)
- Line Umpire – Mark Loughran (Tír Eoghain)
- Sideline Official – Dan Stynes (Áth Cliath)
- Time Official – Eamon O’Grady (Liatroim)
- Hawkeye Official – Dickie Murphy (Loch Garman)
