After what feels like the longest five weeks in history – to me at least – Meath’s senior footballers return to championship action with a clean slate tomorrow evening in the first round of the All Ireland SFC when the latest chapter in the current incarnation of the age old rivalry will play out in Pairc Ui Rinn.
A clean slate they may have but the rematch of the NFL Div. 2 Final will provide a significant analysis of the factual depth of Meath’s resources because, as per the released team, Robbie Brennan has had to plan around the absences of influential duo Jack Flynn and Ruairi Kinsella.
It’s all swings and roundabouts, though, because, while the aforementioned duo could prove to be calamitous losses to green and gold ambitions, their unavailability is offset somewhat by the return to the fold of both Adam O’Neill, and undoubtedly of greatest significance, Mat Costello.
The Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels clubman is set to see his first action since having to be withdrawn at half time in the league game against Louth on St Valentine’s Day with a hamstring injury which has kept him out since.
If, however unlikely it might seem, Meath do line out as selected, that will see Bryan Menton deployed at centre back, Adam O’Neill and Cian McBride form a new midfield combination and Costello and Jordan Morris swap what would be recognised as their natural and regular positions.
On the bench, Ronan Jones, James McEntee and Jamie Murphy are included in the matchday 26 for the first time in what feels like an age, though whether that released list turned out as it currently resides I would be highly doubtful. It is earnestly hoped there is some change, because, for Seamus Lavin to go from starting to being the last sub named seems very unjust indeed.
MEATH – S. Brennan; D. Keogan, S. Rafferty, B. O’Halloran; S. Coffey, B. Menton, C. Caulfield; C. McBride, A. O’Neill; J. O’Connor, J. Morris, C. Hickey; M. Costello, E. Frayne (Capt.), A. Lynch.
SUBS – B. Hogan, R. Ryan, K. Smyth, C. O’Connor, R. Jones, J. Conlon, O. Martin, K. Curtis, J. McEntee, J. Murphy, S. Lavin.
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