MICK O’DOWD HAS placed the faith in six newcomers as Meath get their Leinster championship campaign on the road against Wicklow this weekend.
James McEntee, David Dalton, Nicky Judge and Brian Power all make their first championship starts in a youthful back-line while midfielder Harry Rooney and corner-forward Joey Wallace will also make their championship bow.
O’Dowd’s hand was forced into turning towards youth following the array of injuries that has hindered his team selection. Kevin Reilly, Conor Gillespie, Conor McGill, Bryan Menton, Mickey Newman and Shane O’Rourke are all sidelined for the Royals, meaning there are only seven survivors from the side that started last year’s qualifier against Armagh.
There’s no place for livewire attacker Eamon Wallace however. The corner-forward suffered a cruciate ligament injury last March and he will start from the bench on Sunday.
23-year-old Rathkenny defender Donal Keogan will captain the side from centre-back. Throw-in at Páirc Tailteann is at 3.30 pm on Sunday.
Meath team
1. Patrick O’Rourke
2. James McEntee
3. Donncha Tobin
4. David Dalton
5. Nicky Judge
6. Donal Keogan
7. Brian Power
8. Harry Rooney
9. Adam Flanagan
10. Graham Reilly
11. Padraic Harnan
12. Andrew Tormey
13. Joseph Wallace
14. Stephen Bray
15. Bryan McMahon