King returns for Wicklow test

Mick O'Dowd has sprung a major surprise by naming Dunshaughlin's Caoimhin King at centre-back on the Meath team to face Wicklow in Aughrim on Saturday evening, 7.0.

King has yet to start a competitive game under O'Dowd but with injuries to Davy Dalton and Eoghan Harrington ruling that pair out of contention the manager has turned to King to solve his defensive concerns.

O'Dowd will also hand debuts to two players with Kilmainham's Michael Newman and Ratoath's Eamon Wallace flanking Stephen Bray in an exciting full-forward line.

Ballinabrackey's Damien Carroll also returns to the starting line up after recovering from a broken ankle, while Mickey Burke, who also missed the entire league campaign, is listed to start at wing-back.

The Meath team is - Paddy O'Rourke; Donal Keogan, Kevin Reilly, Bryan Menton; Ciaran Lenehan, Caoimhin King, Mickey Burke; Brian Meade, Conor Gillespie; Peadar Byrne, Damien Carroll, Graham Reilly; Eamon Wallace, Stephen Bray, Michael Newman. Subs - Conor McHugh, Brian Farrell, Joe Sheridan, Seamus Kenny, Padraig Harnan, Paddy Gilsenan, Andrew Tormey, Caolan Young, Dalton McDonagh, David Larkin, Brian Dillon.

 

Fergal Lynch