Weir rings the changes for Ballycran trip

When Meath played Down in the final game of their NHL Div 2A campaign manager Nick Weir opted to fielded an experimental side, but for Saturday's Joe McDonagh Cup opener against the Mournemen in Ballycran Weir has opted to revert to his strongest side.

There are eight changes from that experimental line-up against Down in their last outing.

The manager is without Ratoath's McGowan contingent after some of the brothers played in a Brendan Davis Cup game for their club last week.

The team for Saturday's trip to Ballycran shows three changes from the last meaningful side Weir selected for the NHL Div 2A clash with Carlow.

In defence Ger Murphy is selected in the full-back line ahead of Shane Brennan, while Darragh Kelly moves from midfield top centre-back with James Toher going in the other direction.

Toher will be joined at midfield by Stephen Morris who comes into the side in place of David Reilly.

In attack Daithi McGowan is replaced by Trim's Ian Birmingham, with the other five forwards who started that loss to Carlow retaining their places up front.

Meath - Charlie Ennis; Ger Murphy, Shane Whitty, Sean Geraghty; James Kelly, Darragh Kelly, Keith Keoghan; Stephen Morris, James Toher; Ian Birmingham, Jack Regan, Mark O'Sullivan; Adam Gannon, Alan Douglas, Paddy Conneely.