Huge injury blow for Royals ahead of Kerry test

TEAM NEWS Kerry make five changes for Tullamore trip

Fergal Lynch

Published: Fri 13 Jun 2025, 12:26 PM

Meath's hopes of securing an All-Ireland SFC round three win over Kerry at Tullamore on Saturday (4.15pm) were dealt a blow this morning with the news that Mathew Costello will miss the game through injury.

It is believed that the hamstring curse that has already ruled out Ronan Jones and Jack Flynn has struck Costello with the Dunshaughlin playmaker expected to miss at least two weeks.

Costello's absence has forced Meath manager Robbie Brennan into making one change from the side that secured a draw against Roscommon last time out with Seneschalstown's Cathal Hickey coming in as a direct replacement for Costello.

Meath's Mathew Costello is challenged by Kerry's Jason Foley during last year's All-Ireland SFC clash. Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

Adam O'Neill retains his place in midfield in place of Flynn, while Jordan Morris showed no ill effects of his 70 minutes against Roscommon and will once again wear the number 13 jersey.

Kerry have made five changes from the side that defeated Cork ion round two as they bid to secure the point they need to ensure top spot in the group and a place directly into the quarter-finals.

Experienced duo Paul Murphy and Tadhg Morley start in defence, while Mark O’Shea comes in at midfield, and Killian Spillane and Dylan Geaney are named in attack.

Dylan Casey is on the bench, while Barry Dan O’Sullivan, Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Paudie Clifford and Paul Geaney are absent.

O’Sullivan, Clifford and Geaney all went off injured in the first half of their match with Cork in the last round.

Brian Ó Beaglaoich is a huge loss for Kerry ahead of Saturday's clash with Meath. Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

Diarmuid O’Connor is also unavailable through injury, while Dara Moynihan comes into the squad.

Meath - Billy Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O'Halloran; Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey, Ciaran Caulfield; Bryan Menton, Adam O'Neill; Conor Duke, Ruairi Kinsella, Cathal Hickey; Jordan Morris, James Conlon, Eoghan Frayne. Subs - Sean Brennan, Ronan Ryan, Eoin Harkin, James McEntee, Cian McBride, Conor Gray, Shane Walsh, Aaron Lynch, Daithi McGowan, Keith Curtis, Diarmuid Moriarty.

Kerry - Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Tom O’Sullivan; Tadhg Morley, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Joe O’Connor, Mark O’Shea; Graham O’Sullivan, Seán O’Shea, Míchéal Burns; David Clifford, Killian Spillane, Dylan Geaney. Subs - Shane Murphy, Dylan Casey, Tony Brosnan, Armin Heinrich, Conor Geaney, Evan Looney, Seán O’Brien, Tom Leo O’Sullivan, Darragh Lyne, Cillian Trant, Ruairí Murphy, Damien Bourke, Dara Moynihan.