Toher out of hurling team for Sunday's NHL opener against Down
Meath's Christy Ring Cup-winning captain James Toher will miss Meath's opening NHL Div 2B game against Down tomorrow at Páirc Táilteann (1pm) but the Trim man will start for the footballers in the second round of the NFL Div 2 against Derry at 3pm.
Toher has been selected by football manager Andy McEntee for the second game in the double-header at Páirc Tailteann tomorrow.
Also out for Meath Darragh Kelly from Ratoath and Kiltale's Mark O'Sullivan while Tipperary man Ronan Sherlock, who featured in that Christy Ring Cup-winning run last year has left the panel.
“We lost Darragh (Kelly) and Mark (O'Sullivan) to injuries in the Walsh Cup against Kildare and they will not be available for Sunday,' commented the manager.
The absence of James Toher will be a disappointment for Martin Ennis also, but he has a strong panel of players.
'I believe that our squad is stronger now than it was 12 months ago and we will just have to cope with these things, that's sport, that's the way things go,' stated the manager.
The manager will have Damien Healy back in the team after he featured for IT Carlow in the Walsh Cup and the experienced and talented Steven Clynch also starts in the corner forward position.
Joey Keena and Athnony Forde will start at midfield.
Meath - Shane McGann (Kiltale); Sean Geraghty (Kilskyre/Moylagh), Shane Whitty (Blackhall Gaels), Cormac Reilly (Navan O'Mahonys); Shane Brennan (Kilmessan), Damien Healy (Longwood), Keith Keoghan (Killyon); Joey Keena (Kilmessan), Anthony Forde (Kiltale); Sean Quigley (Dunboyne), Cathal McCabe (Kiltale), James Kelly (Kiltale); Steven Clynch (Kilmessan), Adam Gannon (Killyon), Kevin Keena (Kilmessan).
SUNDAY FIXTURE FOCUS
NHL Div 2B - Meath v Down; Mayo v Derry; Roscommon v Wicklow.