More of the same for Meath as Brennan names unchanged side

Fergal Lynch

Published: Fri 11 Jul 2025, 12:04 PM

Last updated: Fri 11 Jul 2025, 12:16 PM

More of the same for Meath as manager Robbie Brennan has named the starting 15 that saw off Galway in the quarter-final for Sunday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash with Donegal at Croke Park (4pm).

With Ronan Jones, Jack Flynn, James Conlon and Jack Kinlough ruled out for the rest of the campaign Brennan has had to dig deep into his panel and his players certainly haven't let him down with several stellar performances.

When beating Galway two weeks ago Meath became the first team since Offaly in 1982 (and we all know what happened that year, isn't that right Seamus Darby) to beat the Connacht side, Dublin and Kerry in the same season - will history repeat itself?

Robbie Brennan certainly has belief and he has named the same starting 15 from that win over Galway with Conor Gray held in reserve despite his game-changing performance when introduced against the Connacht champions.

Eoghan Frayne will captain the Meath side in his 30th appearance, while Donal Keogan with make his 182nd appearance for the Royals, his 173rd as a starter, in the number five jersey.

Donal Keogan will make his 182nd appearance for Meath on Sunday. **Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net** Photo by Gerry Shanahan

Bryan Menton, who will make his 150th appearance for Meath if they reach the All-Ireland final, will be partnered at midfield by Adam O'Neill.

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

Donegal - Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Caolan McColgan; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Shane O'Donnell, Ciaran Thompson, Ciaran Moore; Conor O'Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen. Subs - Gavin Mulreany, Stephen McMenamin, Odhran McFadden Ferry, Eoin McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Odhran Doherty, Patrick McBrearty, Jamie Brennan, Niall O'Donnell, Dáire Ó Baoill, Jason McGee.