Hurlers shape up for Antrim and Dublin
The countdown continues to the first competitive game of the 2018 campaign for Meath senior hurling manager Nick Fitzgerald who will see his team in action in Trim against Antrim on Saturday 30th December in a first round Walsh
The following Wednesday Meath will make the short trip to Abbotstown to tackle Dublin in a second round tie at 8pm.
Since he assembled his squad for a first training session last month, Fitzgerald has had the benefit of a number of challenge games and that continued last Sunday when Meath tackled Wicklow in Bray where a high-scoring encounter produced a 2-20 to 3-14 victory with James Toher returning to the starting 15 for the first time since the NHL Div 2B earlier this year.
Sunday morning for a challenge against Wicklow as he continues to work on a squad for the new season ahead.
James Toher, who opted for the county footballers during this years championship made his first start under the new manager. The Trim clubman, who captained Meath to their Christy Ring Cup success in 2016, was in fine form hitting eight points, five from play, as Meath finished well to forge a 2-20 to 3-14 win.
The Meath team was - Paul Fagan; Sean Geraghty, Shane Brennan, Jonathan McCloskey; Niall Weir, Damien Healy, Eoin Marsh; Sean Quigley, James Toher; Keith Keoghan, Colm O'Mealoid, Jack Walsh; Michael O'Grady, Peter Farrell, Conor Kearney. Subs - Josh Wall, Mikey Cullen, Anthony Healy, Adam Gannon.
Meath will face a stern test in the Walsh Cup, particularly against Dublin as new manager Pat Gilroy will be eager to make a positive start to his tenure.
Gilroy has welcomed Johnny McCaffrey and Peter Kelly back to the panel which will also be boosted when the Cuala players return after the All-Ireland club SHC
MEATH FIXTURES
SATURDAY 30th DECEMBER
Trim - Meath v Antrim, Walsh Cup first round, 2pm.
WEDNESDAY 3rd JANUARY
Abbottstown - Dublin v Meath, Walsh Cup second round, 8pm.
SUNDAY 28th JANUARY
NHL Div 2A - Kildare v Meath.
SATURDAY 3rd FEBRUARY
NHL Div 2A - London v Meath.
SUNDAY 18th FEBRUARY
NHL Div 2A - Meath v Westmeath.
SUNDAY 25th FEBRUARY
NHL Div 2A - Kerry v Meath.
SUNDAY 4th MARCH
NHL Div 2A - Meath v Carlow.
SAT 5th / SUN 6th MAY
Joe McDonagh Cup - Meath v Antrim.
SUNDAY 13th MAY
Joe McDonagh Cup - Westmeath v Meath.
SUNDAY 20th MAY
Joe McDonagh Cup - Carlow v Meath.
SUNDAY 3rd JUNE
Joe McDonagh Cup - Meath v Kerry
SUNDAY 10th JUNE
Joe McDonagh Cup (final qualifying round) - Meath v Laois.