Conor Gray, Daithi McGowan and Diarmuid Moriarity provide a smidgeon of experience as Robbie Brennan unveils a largely experimental side for his team’s season opener against Wicklow in the resuscitated Dioralyte O’Byrne in Aughrim’s Echelon Park.
Throw in among the Wicklow hills is at 1.30pm and the match will be shown live on Clubber TV. Over the breadth of the 26-player panel named, there’s a possibility of 20 lads tasting senior inter county action for the first time. Definitely doing so will be goalkeeper Finn Moore, the entire full back line of Oran Smullen, Gerry Dwane and Shane Gibney, half backs Killian Smyth and John O’Regan and Oisin Martin, Gary Breslin and Niall Finnerty up top.
There are also deserved and welcome returns to the county set up for Summerhill’s Ross Ryan and Darragh Campion.
MEATH – Finn Moore (Rathkenny); Oran Smullen (Na Fianna), Gerry Dwane (Trim), Shane Gibney (Moylagh); Killian Smyth (Castletown), John O’Regan (Skryne), Ross Ryan (Summerhill); Conor Gray (Dunshaughlin), Charlie O’Connor (Dunshaughlin); Daithi McGowan (Ratoath), Rian McConnell (Castletown), Oisin Martin (Wolfe Tones); Gary Breslin (Meath Hill), Diarmuid Moriarity (Curraha), Niall Finnerty (Skryne).
SUBS – James Dillon (St Peter’s, Dunboyne), Darragh Campion (Skryne), Sean Emannuel (St Patrick’s), Jack Swan (Skryne), Mark Coffey (Ballinabrackey), Oran Mulvaney (Oldcastle), Dylan Garrigan (Oldcastle), Rian Stafford (Kilmainhamwood), Conor Ennis (Ballinabrackey), Ciaran McCarrick (Dunshaughlin), Michael Gavin (Simonstown Gaels)