McEntee finalising panel ahead of O'Byrne Cup opener

Meath manager Andy McEntee is finalising his panel for the forthcoming O'Byrne Cup against Wicklow and Carlow in three weeks and has added former goalkeeper David Gallagher to the panel.

There appears to be a mini-crisis in relation to the number one position and the addition of Gallagher as a back up goalkeeper solves the immediate problem in the short term.

Gallagher departed the Meath panel in 2005, but returned in 2009 for a brief spell before retiring due to injury. 

He came back again, briefly, in 2011 and now is also going to help with the goalkeeping coaching. 
Dunshaughlin’s Adam McDermott is also expected to feature while a number of players from the Leinster JFC-winning team have been promoted to the panel also with Conor Dempsey (Dunderry) and Luke Moran (Trim) in the frame.

At the launch of the Bord na Móna competitions yesterday  yesterday Leinster GAA Chairman Jim Bolger said: 

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Bord na Móna and build upon the strong relationship we have established since 2012.

“The  Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup football trophy has been competed for since 1954 and the Tom Walsh Cup has existed since 1956. 

"Between them they have played a crucial role in Leinster GAA as Accident Tournaments whereby the proceeds generated by attendances is used in a special fund that looks to benefit ordinary GAA people in Leinster who are in dire need of assistance.

“These are special competitions that have a crucial place in the calendar because in both codes they act as a vital dress rehearsal for the start of the national leagues and provide a warmly welcome outlet for supporters who have been starved of seeing their county play since the summer," he added.

MEATH FIXTURE FOCUS 
O'BYRNE CUP 
WEDNESDAY 3rd JANUARY 
Carlow - Carlow v Meath, O'Byrne Cup second round, 8pm.
SUNDAY 7th JANUARY 
Navan - Meath v Wicklow, O'Byrne Cup third round, 2pm.
NFL
SUNDAY 28th JANUARY
NFL Div 2 - Roscommon v Meath
SUNDAY 4th FEBRUARY
NFL Div 2 - Meath v Clare
SATURDAY 10th FEBRUARY
NFL Div 2 - Cavan v Meath.
SATURDAY 24th FEBRUARY
NFL Div 2 - Tipperary v Meath.
SUNDAY 4th MARCH
NFL Div 2 - Meath v Cork
SUNDAY 18th MARCH 
NFL Div 2 - Louth v Meath
SUNDAY 25th MARCH
NFL Div 2 - Meath v Down
CHAMPIONSHIP
SUNDAY 27th MAY
Longford or Navan - Longford v Meath, Leinster SFC quarter-final. 
SUNDAY 10th JUNE
Leinster SFC semi-final - Longford or Meath v Offaly or Wicklow or Dublin.