Unchanged Meath hurling team announced

Meath manager Martin Ennis has announced the same starting 15 that featured against Kerry for Sunday's second round Leinster SHC game against Laois at Páirc Táilteann.

That's despite the fact that team captain Damien Healy limped out of last Sunday's first round win over Kerry after 13 minutes with a hamstring injury.

The Longwood man is named again at full-back in an unchanged starting 15.

Tomorrow's game pits the two first round winners in opposition while in the other game in the group will take place in Mullingar where Kerry and Westmeath will be looking to a first win on the board.

Meath defeated Kerry last week in Navan while Laois edged out Westmeath at O'Moore Park.

Playing at home will be a big advantage for Meath and manager Martin Ennis has every reason to approach the tie in a confident mood.

“We aren't going to take Laois lightly, we know that they are a formidable outfit. Home advantage is good for us and we are really looking forward to that clash, we are just steering the thing, hoping we can do the best we can for Meath hurling,' he commented.

Laois retained their status in NHL Div 1B - two grades higher than Meath this year - when they defeated Kerry in a relegation play-off that went to extra-time.

However, manager Eamonn Kelly isn’t taking anything for granted going into this game.

“I’ve seen Meath a few times, they are an honest outfit and they work very hard, it’s a huge game for both teams,” he said Kelly.

Meath - Shane McGann (Kiltale); Shane Whitty (Blackhall Gaels), Damian Healy (Longwood - captain), Cormac Reilly (Navan O'Mahonys); Shane Brennan (Kilmessan), Daragh Kelly (Ratoath), Keith Keoghan (Killyon); Anthony Forde (Kiltale), Joey Keena (Kilmessan); Sean Quigley (St Peter's Dunboyne), Steven Clynch (Kilmessan), James Kelly (Kiltale); Gavin McGowan (Ratoath), Mark O’Sullivan (Kiltale), Adam Gannon (Killyon).