Longford get their Leinster championship campaign underway on Sunday when Meath arrive in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Meath arrive in Pearse Park after a lack lustre Allianz league division two campaign. However, All-Ireland football is secured for Colm O’Rourke’s side after lifting the Tailteann cup last year.
Meath won just two of their division two encounters (Louth and Kildare) and claimed draws with Cavan and Fermanagh. Whereas, manager O’Rourke bemoaned a high level of injuries, he was happy overall with the campaign.
Longford bad to good to bad
Longford flatered to deceive somewhat in division four. Back-to-back defeats to Laois and Tipperary was a bad start. However, four straight wins setup Paddy Christie’s side for a promotion shot.
A draw would have been enough in Wexford, but Christie’s side were caught out early on and fell to a nine point defeat. Thus leaving the hosts in a very different space heading into this Leinster clash.
Longford need everything from their big guns. Namely Darren Gallagher, Mickey Quinn, Mark Hughes, Daniel Mimnagh, Daniel Reynolds and Ryan Moffett.
Meath are a way off the great Sean Boylan teams of old, yet have emerging talent in O’Rourke’s side. Shane Walsh and Jordan Morris are key players in attack. Whereas, Donal Keogan is becoming a fearsome corner-back.
The winners here play Dublin in next weekend’s quarter-final, a team who last lost a Leinster championship match 14-years ago. The trap door prize?
Longford v Meath, Sunday April 7, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park. Throw-in: 3pm - Live on Shannonside FM
Longford: Patrick Collum; Patrick Fox, Oisín O'Toole, Liam Hughes; Bryan Masterson, Ryan Moffett, Dessie Reynolds; Darren Gallagher, Paddy Kiernan, Mark Hughes; Michael Quinn, Joseph Hagan, Daniel Reynolds; Daniel Mimnagh, Keelin McGann.
Subs: Mícheál Hughes, Darragh Finlass, Bryn Peters, Diarmuid Farrell, James Kiernan, Sean O'Sullivan, Ruairí Harkin, Jayson Matthews, Dáire Duggan, Dylan Farrell, Cathal McCabe.
Meath: Seán Brennan; Donal Keogan, Adam O'Neill, Harry O'Higgins; Ciarán Caulfield, Ross Ryan, Seán Coffey; Ronan Jones, Daithí McGowan; Shane Walsh, Eoghan Frayne, Cathal Hickey; Jordan Morris, Mathew Costello, James Conlon.
Subs: Billy Hogan; Cian McBride, Darragh Campion, Jack O'Connor, Ronan Ryan, Michael Murphy, Keith Curtis, Aaron Lynch, Ruairí Kinsella, Jason Scully, Seán Rafferty.
Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)
Verdict: Meath
