Two Leinster Championship debuts as Brennan names side to face Carlow

Fergal Lynch

Published: Fri 4 Apr 2025, 10:14 AM

Last updated: Fri 4 Apr 2025, 10:15 AM

Sean Rafferty and Conor Duke are pencilled in to make their Leinster SFC debuts when Meath take on Carlow in Sunday's round one clash at Pairc Tailteann, 3pm.

Rafferty and Duke featured extensively throughout Meath's NFL Div 2 campaign and retain their places, but manager Robbie Brennan has named three changes from the side that start the final league game against Louth.

Seneschalstown's Cathal Hickey replaces Jack Kinlough in the half-forward line with Ruairi Kinsella starting at centre-forward, while Keith Curtis and Mathew Costello come in in place of Aaron Lynch and the injured Jordan Morris.

Conor Duke will make his Leinster championship debut for Meath against Carlow on Sunday. Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net Photo by Gerry Shanahan

Bryan Menton will make his 40th championship appearance for the Royals, 14 years after his first game against Kildare.

In the continued absence of Sean Coffey Donal Keogan will wear the number six jersey, while Brian O'Halloran will revert to the corner-back role he occupied so successfully last year.

Sean Brennan continues as back-up goalkeeper to Billy Hogan, while Thomas O'Reilly, Mick Murphy and Diarmuid Moriarty all return to the matchday 26.

Meath - Billy Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O'Halloran; Eoin Harkin, Donal Keogan, Ciaran Caulfield; Jack Flynn, Bryan Menton; Conor Duke, Ruairi Kinsella, Cathal Hickey; Keith Curtis, Mathew Costello, Eoghan Frayne. Subs - Sean Brennan, Ronan Ryan, Sean Ryan, Mick Murphy, Jack Kinlough, Aaron Lynch, Shane Walsh, Cillian O'Sullivan, Thomas O'Reilly, Diarmuid Moriarty, Jason Scully.