Tough test expected in Mullingar

Johnny Greville's side travel to Mullingar this weekend to face Westmeath

Meath will be hoping to build on the momentum created in their opening NHL Div 2 victory over London when they travel to Mullingar for a second round clash with neighbours Westmeath on Sunday at 2pm.

The Royals pulled away from London in the second-half and made a bright start to their league campaign at Trim to weeks ago.

Meath and Westmeath’s most recent clash was in the latter rounds of the 2024 Joe McDonagh Cup. That day the Lake County made light work of the Royals as they defeated the side then in the temporary care of Steven Clynch on a scoreline of 1-29 to 0-14.

Out of the 15 players that started the last encounter at Cusack Park 21 months ago, only four started against London.

Daire Shine, Tom Shine, Sean Geraghty and Simon Ennis were the only survivors still amongst the starting 15.

In terms of turnover of players, Westmeath are in a very similar position to Meath and only three players who started against Meath in that Joe McDonagh Cup game, Johnny Bermingham, Peter Clarke and Kevin Regan, lined out against Kerry last weekend for their league opener.

The landscape of hurling, particularly at the mid-tier level is changing.

Barring a few experienced heads in both camps, the vast majority involved in the fresh-looking Meath and Westmeath squads are only beginning their inter-county journey.

In recent years, Westmeath have been stronger on the hurling field but Sunday presents an opportunity for the new generation of Royal hurlers to get one over their rivals.

It would be ironic if a Meath team led by a Westmeath native were to stun their neighbours but in truth the Meath hurling faithful will be with a good performance in their first outing outside of the county for 2026.

Westmeath will be warm favourites to secure the spoils at home but a close encounter will be a satisfactory outcome for Johnny Greville’s side.