LAST UPDATE | 14 Jul 2023
COLM O’ROURKE HAS opted for midfielder Ronan Jones and wing forward Daithí McGowan in his starting XV for tomorrow’s Tailteann Cup final with Down.
They are the Meath manager’s only two changes from the team that defeated Antrim in the semi-final three weeks ago.
The team news is in for tomorrow’s Tailteann Cup Final against Down.@BectiveStud
— Meath GAA (@MeathGAA) July 14, 2023
📸 via @BMPHOTOME #AnMhíAbú #MeathGAA #BectiveStud pic.twitter.com/cSqr9xebHc
McGowan has perhaps been given the nod over Seneschalstown’s Cathal Hickey given he struck two points off the bench against the same opposition during the group stage of the competition earlier this season.
Ratoath’s Jack Flynn is replaced by Jones in the middle of the park while Flynn’s clubmate Ben Wyer has earned a place on the bench with Michael Murphy dropping out.
Meanwhile, Patrick Branagan and Donagh McAleenan are both set to start for Down in Saturday’s final.
Both players were introduced as second-half substitutes in the 22-point demolition of Laois in the semi-finals, and manager Conor Laverty now recalls them to the starting XV.
Shealan Johnston and Rory Mason both drop to the subs bench.
Throw-in at Croke Park is at 3pm, Live on RTE 2.
Meath
1. Sean Brennan (Dunderry)
2. Adam O’Neill (Wolfe Tones), 3. Ronan Ryan (Summerhill), 4. Harry O’Higgins (Drumbaragh Emmets)
5. Donal Keogan (Captain – Rathkenny), 6. Padraic Harnan (Moynalvey), 7. Sean Coffey (Ballinabrackey)
8. Ronan Jones (St. Peter’s Dunboyne), 9. Conor Gray (Dunshaughlin)
10. Daithí McGowan (Ratoath), 11. James McEntee (Curraha), 12. Jack O’Connor (Curraha)
13. Jordan Morris (Kingscourt Stars), 14. Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin), 15. Aaron Lynch (Trim)
Subs: 16. Harry Hogan (Longwood), 17. Ciaran Caulfield (Trim), 18. Cillian O’Sullivan (Moynalvey), 19. Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown), 20. Jack Flynn (Ratoath), 21. Eoghan Frayne (Summerhill), 22. Michael Flood (St. Brigid’s), 23. Donal Lenihan (St. Peter’s Dunboyne), 24. Diarmuid Moriarty (Curraha), 25. Keith Curtis (Rathkenny), 26. Ben Wyer (Ratoath).
Down
1. Niall Kane (Kilcoo)
2. Patrick McCarthy (Burren), 3. Pierce Laverty (Saval), 4. Anthony Doherty (RGU Downpatrick)
5. Miceál Rooney (Kilcoo), 6. Ceilum Doherty (Kilcoo), 7. Patrick Branagan (Clonduff)
8. Daniel Guinness (Carryduff), 9. Odhran Murdock (Burren)
10. Liam Kerr (Burren), 11. Donagh McAleenan (Warrenpoint), 12. Danny Magill (Burren)
13. Eugene Branagan (Kilcoo), 14. Pat Havern (Saval), 15. Ryan Johnston (Kilcoo)
Subs: John O’Hare (Glenn), Shane Annett (Mayobridge), Ryan McEvoy (Kilcoo), Ross Carr (Clonduff), Shealan Johnston (Kilcoo), Rory Mason (Loughinisland), Gerard Collins (RGU Downpatrick), Andrew Gilmore (St John’s), Conor Poland (Longstone), Peter Fegan (Burren), Ryan Magill (Burren).
Whoever gets to play Mayo in the final is going to have 31 counties against them.
It’s how we like it. Áth Cliath abúuuuu.
Not afraid at all , we were tested by Tyrone an came out on top .. Everyone in the country knows mayo are a different team this year .. Bring it on Dublin or Kerry cause Sam will b in the west this year !
Cool vid.. I hope mayo finally get over the line this year. As a limerick man we feel yere pain
Different ! I like… :-)
Leslie Alan rock , silly cocky dub comment best let your football do the talking Sunday … As a mayo man I hope Kerry beat ye !!
Nothing cocky. Just humourous. Why would ye want kerry to beat us? Afraid are we?. If its Mayo v dublin in the final and you start like ye did against tyrone, its good night Irene
Looking forward to the Dublin/Kerry game, it’ll be like a final.
Poor Mayo, I think they actually believe the hype.
Bless ‘em.
Why are people so begrudging towards Mayo? Seriously?! Its not like they haven’t waited long enough to win without listening to the typical “choke” comments every 5 mins. They are in a different league this year, anyone can see that they have just as good a chance of winning the all ireland as Dublin/Kerry, if not better. Maigh-Eo abu!
Its fear……
Whos begrudging ? Every man and his dog wants Mayo to win and im from Kerry.
Delighted to hear that Ciaran! And in fairness most people feel the same , was just saying that some people seem a bit put out (scared) that Mayo are doing so well this year and just cant seem to give credit where it’s due! I really think this is the year they will do it and well deserved too!
Don’t take it personally – wait till you win it – then it’s 10 times worse. It’s just petty envy.
Don’t worry about Mayo our boys are training for a final id but be looking at Kerry
Mayo for sandwiches, dubs for Sam!
Dubs could get smoothered in Kerry Gold on Sunday Chris
Hang sambos, with Kerry Gold butter, mmmm. All that’s missing is the flask of tae, and a package of Tayho.
Fair play to them.
Sure why wouldn’t Mayo be the best at football, there is £uck all else to do there, except your cousin and sheep.
Fishing, mountain climbing, hill walking, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, beautiful scenery, amazing beaches, good pubs (cheap pints), great restaurants, sense of community, cheaper cost of living. Sure who would want any of that ;)
All that from a bottle of Hellmans. Cool.
And why does 1/2 of Dublin have a holiday home in Mayo then sid?
As a dub (and proud of it ) ive just come back from mayo and to say they are an amazing bunch is an understatement .i found them very friendly and genuine .. So if the dubs don’t win Sam id like to see mayo .. It will be a cracker of a day on Sunday :)
Ah people are always nice to pretty faces :)
You describe it as humorous Paul. I describe it as original, different and cool. I describe your hairstyle as humorous :)
Did he choke when he was on the crest of a wave?
Wow that’s original :)
We’ll beat kerry by 10-15 points, then beat mayo by 6-8, i get slattec everytime i predict this, but watch the dubs slaughter kerry on sunday. #COYBIB
Nice song
Niall I wouldn’t even respond to that pathetic comment
*slatted
*slated
Jesus ye don’t half build yourselves up in mayo, sharon murray you are simply a hype machine, you and your ilk should be playing things down, not ramping it up. Ye have’nt won it in sixty odd years, hold off on yer “they deserve to win it” untill ye actually win it. Setting youselves up for a massive fall the way some of you carry on.