This writer cannot actually remember a time – other than when she was being rested – when Monica McGuirk wasn’t between the posts for the Meath Ladies. But that is exactly the case this weekend as Shane McCormack takes his new look troop to, ironically, Newtownstewart, home of the legendary goalkeeping brothers – Finbarr and Paschal McConnell – to take on newly promoted Tyrone.
Monica’s absence, in this instance, presents an opportunity to Robyn Murray to act as last line of defence, while directly in front of her will be Dunboyne’s Sarah Wall. The latter’s selection thus allows Mary Kate Lynch anchor the side from centre back. While there would be absolutely no problem with the brilliant Summerhill lady at No. 6, I would just feel safer with the two ladies in question the other way around.
Anyway, elsewhere, new appointed captain Aoibhin Cleary will lead her crew from centre field as the hope will be that Ciara Smyth, Meadbh Byrne, Marion Farrelly and the very promising Kerrie Cole can tack on the scores needed to get them off to a winning start.
Meath: R Murray; A Sheridan, S Wall, N Troy; N Gallogly, M.K. Lynch, C Millington; A Cleary (capt.), K Bermingham; M Thynne, O Sheehy, C Smyth; M Byrne, M Farrelly, K Cole.