TEAM NEWS: Major boost for Meath u-20s

Meath's bid to topple Dublin in tomorrow's Leinster u-20 FC semi-final at Parnell Park (2pm) has received a significant boost with Shane Walsh and Mathew Costello both available and selected to start.
Walsh and Costello are also part of Andy McEntee's senior panel and with Meath taking on Kerry in NFL Div 1 on Sunday there were fears that the dynamic attacking duo might not be available to u-20 manager Ger Robinson.
Walsh and Costello's availability means that Robinson has selected the same 15 that started last week's semi-final win over Wexford with James O'Hare, who was a late replacement for Sean Ryan in Enniscorthy, retaining his place in the full-back line.
Despite being replaced at half-time in the semi-final over Wexford Aaron Lynch is selected at corner-forward, while Luke Mitchell is once again held in reserve.

Meath (v Dublin) - Seán Brennan (Dunderry); Michael Gavin (Simonstown), James O'Hare (Rathkenny), Ben Wyer (Ratoath); Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown), Liam Byrne (Dunboyne), Michael Murphy (Dunboyne); Jack Flynn (Ratoath), Daithí McGowan (Ratoath); Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin), Cian Rogers (Ratoath), Jack O'Connor (Curraha); Jordan Morris (Nobber), Shane Walsh (Na Fianna), Aaron Lynch (Trim). Subs - Harry Hogan (longwood), Sean Ryan (Dunboyne), Conor Farrelly (Walterstown), Luke Mitchell (Dunshaughlin), Matt Moyles (Dunshaughlin), Barry O’Connell (Walterstown), Dylan Keating (Seneschalstown), Conor Hartford (St Vincent's), Paddy Matthews (Meath Hill), Seán Bannon, Harry O'Higgins (Drumbaragh), Jack McMahon (Meath Hill), Paddy McDermott (Carnaross), Conal Courtney (Gaeil Colmcille), Alan Mulvany (Seneschalstown).

MATCH PREVIEW

JIMMY GEOGHEGAN

Meath v Dublin. The fixture always has long-held a fascination, a certain allure that attracts the attention - and the renewal of the old rivalry is sure to draw a big crowd to Parnell Park on Saturday, 2pm, when the two counties meet in the last four of the Leinster u-20 FC. 

Meath have a chance, of course, but Dublin look like a team poised to make it to the final. The meeting of the two teams was confirmed last Saturday when both won their respective quarter-final ties.

Dublin got the better of Longford (3-9 to 0-9) while Meath travelled to Enniscorthy and pushed aside the challenge presented by the Model County - although not without a struggle. It finished 1-12 to 1-5 and by the end Meath knew they had been in a tough, uncompromising battle. 

Meath manager Ger Robinson will be hoping the rigours of that game will have helped his team sharpen up and that's sure to be the case, but there were warning signs in that game. Meath cannot afford the type of start they made against Wexford conceding an early goal. 

Robinson wants his charges in the zone from the throw-in, especially against Dublin. Despite the reputation Dublin has of producing a steady steam of talented footballers there are firm reasons for Meath to believe they can win this one.

There is the fact that they have already defeated Dublin this year. That was in the John Kerins Cup in Dunganny last month with the home side emerging on the right side of a 2-13 to 2-11 scoreline. 

However, it should be remembered that at the break Meath trailed 1-4 to 2-8 - also at the interval Dublin changed practically their entire team. Arguably, a more compelling reason for Meath to feel optimistic is the fact that many of the their players will know what it's like to defeat Dublin teams at younger age groups. 

"At u-17 level we beat them twice and the u-19s beat them," commented Robinson after Saturday's game in Enniscorthy.  "We have great respect for them and they are a great team, a dangerous team but our u-20s this year and last year's u-19s have great experience of beating Dublin. There's no fear there, there's respect, but no fear. We are confident we can go and beat them," he added.

Meath have an array of fine players such as Mathew Costello, Luke Mitchell, Aaron lynch, Jack O’Connor, Shane Walsh and Jordan Morris.

There is strength-in-depth as seen in the way they could send on a player of the quality of Mitchell in the second-half on Saturday.

However, Dublin have fine players too including Adam Rafter, Ciaran Archer, Lorcan O'Dell and Killian McGuinness. They too are sure to have sharpened up from their game with Longford. 

This is a good Meath team not lacking spirit or fight or real talent, but Dublin look to have the edge.