Meath have made three changes in personnel in the starting line-up from the side which started the Allianz Football League Division 2 Round 2 game against Louth on Sunday March 23 for this Sunday’s Leinster Senior Football Championship opening round fixture against Carlow.
Coming back into the side are Cathal Hickey who returned to the panel towards the end of the League, Keith Curtis and Mathew Costello. They replace Jack Kinlough, Aaron Lynch and Jordan Morris who picked up an injury in that game against Louth.
There will be a notable appearance for Bryan Menton who is set to feature in his 40th Championship game for Meath on Sunday, having made his Championship debut 14 years ago against Kildare.
Billy Hogan by contrast made his just under a year ago but the Longwood clubman continues in goals and he will have a full back line of Seamus Lavin, Seán Rafferty and Brian O’Halloran in front of him as O’Halloran switches back to corner back from the centre half back role he filled the last day.
That switch for O’Halloran sees Donal Keogan moving in the opposite direction and he will don the no.6 jersey. Keogan will be flanked in the half back line by Eoin Harkin and the vice-captain Ciarán Caulfield. Jack Flynn and Bryan Menton will once more continue their unbroken spell this season at midfield.
Ruairí Kinsella who was selected at wing forward two weeks ago will this week lead the attack from centre forward and his is joined in the half forward line by clubmate Conor Duke at right half forward and the returning Cathal Hickey at left half forward.
There are then a brace of changes in the inside forward line, with Keith Curtis coming in at top of the right and Mathew Costello making his first start since the opening round of the League after returning from injury and they are joined by team captain Eoghan Frayne.
Two players are set to make their Championship debuts from the outset on Sunday, Seán Rafferty and Conor Duke.
Tickets for the game on Sunday are available from selected Centra/Super Vale stores or from the link: Meath v Carlow Tickets
Player Name |
Club |
Total Appearances |
|
| 1. | Billy Hogan | Maigh Dearmhaí | 14 |
| 2. | Seamus Lavin | Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne | 52 |
| 3. | Seán Rafferty | Na Fianna | 10 |
| 4. | Brian O’Halloran | Baile Íomhair | 15 |
| 5. | Eoin Harkin | Dún Samhna | 31 |
| 6. | Donal Keogan | Rath Cheannaigh | 173 |
| 7. | Ciarán Caulfield | Átha Troim | 23 |
| 8. | Jack Flynn | Rath Tó | 23 |
| 9. | Bryan Menton | Domhnach Mór/Cill Dhéagláin | 140 |
| 10. | Conor Duke | Domhnach Seachnaill | 7 |
| 11. | Ruairí Kinsella | Domhnach Seachnaill | 13 |
| 12. | Cathal Hickey | Baile Sencaill | 46 |
| 13. | Keith Curtis | Rath Cheannaigh | 19 |
| 14. | Mathew Costello | Domhnach Seacnhaill | 54 |
| 15. | Eoghan Frayne (Capt.) | Druim Samhraidh | 21 |
| 16. | Seán Brennan | Dún Doire | 15 |
| 17. | Ronan Ryan | Druim Samhraidh | 50 |
| 18. | Seán Ryan | Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne | 4 |
| 19. | Michael Murphy | Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne | 12 |
| 20. | Jack Kinlough | Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne | 7 |
| 21. | Aaron Lynch | Átha Troim | 26 |
| 22. | Shane Walsh | Na Fianna | 44 |
| 23. | Cillian O’Sullivan | Magh nAilbhe | 110 |
| 24. | Thomas O’Reilly | Bhulf Tón | 68 |
| 25. | Diarmuid Moriarty | Currach Átha | 15 |
| 26. | Jason Scully | Sean Caisleán | 30 |
Standby Players
Player Name |
Club |
Total Appearances |
| Cian McBride | Naomh Ultain | 13 |
| James McEntee | Currach Átha | 67 |
| Daithí McGowan | Rath Tó | 31 |
Match Officials
- Referee – Paul Faloon (An Dún)
- Standby Referee – Seamus Mulhare (Laois)
- Line Umpire – Barry Cassidy (Doire)
- Sideline Official – Mark Dorrian (Dún na nGall)
- Score Umpires – Noel Tumilty, Greg McGrath, Barry McAleer & Darren O’Hare.
