Long-suffering Meath supporters will be looking for a reaction after Louth game
Royals have chance to shine against Kingdom
Meath supporters will be looking for a reaction from the players for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC Qualifier clash with Kerry after last week's dispiriting defeat to Louth.
Nobody gives Meath a chance against Jack O'Connor's team but this would be a perfect time for the Royals to show they are much better than what the 10-point defeat in Inniskeen indicated.
Most worrying for the fans Meath played without confidence or the type of efficiency required in that forgettable Wee County clash and their long-suffering supporters will be looking for both when they host the Kingdom at Pairc Tailteann at 2pm
The game will be shown live on RTE 2 and the hope is that it doesn't turn into horror show for the home team. A defeat by less than five would represent something of a moral victory for Meath - that's where they are right now. Sadly.
Meath manager Colm O'Rourke has shown tremendous faith in the players by naming the same team - if indeed that is the team that starts.
What will be interesting to see is if the same players are chosen in the same positions.
Clearly some of the players chosen against Louth didn't play as well as they could in the roles they were asked to play in.
It's a big call by the manager to go with the same team. He must have been tempted to make changes following a dreadful display against the Wee County.
The fact that O'Rourke and his selectors has not opted for widespread changes should give the players confidence ahead of their clash with David Clifford & Co. It could also indicate that the strength in depth in the squad is just not there.
Kerry have made three changes from the side that saw off Monaghan in their opening joust in the All-Ireland series for the trip to Navan.
Jack O’Connor has brought Dylan Casey, Mike Breen and Cillian Burke into the team with Paul Murphy, Tadhg Morley and Dara Moynihan dropping to the bench.
Another intriguing aspect of tomorrow's game is who will Meath assign to mark Clifford? Will it be Donal Keogan or Ronan Ryan or perhaps someone else?
One thing for certain is that the Royals have to shore up their defence that was so badly exposed against Louth.
If they can do that they will at least give themselves a chance.
Meath - Billy Hogan (Maigh Dearmhaí), Donal Keogan (Rath Coinnig), Adam O'Neill (Bhulf Tón), Ronan Ryan (Druim Samhraidh), Harry O'Higgins (Emmet Druim Bhearradh), Darragh Campion (Scrín), Sean Coffey (Baile na Breacaighe), Ronan Jones (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne) (Capt.), Cian McBride (Naomh Ultain), Ciaran Caulfield (Áth Troim), Cillian O'Sullivan (Magh nAilbhe), Cathal Hickey (Baile Sencaill), James Conlon (Naomh Colmcille), Mathew Costello (Domhnach Seachnaill), Eoghan Frayne (Druim Samhraidh).
Subs - Sean Brennan (Dún Doire), Michael Murphy (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne), Sean Ryan (Naomh Peadar Dún Bóinne), Brian O'Halloran (Baile Íomhair), Ross Ryan (Druim Samhraidh), Conor Gray (Domhnach Seachnaill), Daithí McGowan (Rath Tó), Ruairí Kinsella (Domhnach Seachnaill), Jack O'Connor (Currach Átha), Jordan Morris (Réaltaí Dún a Rí), Aaron Lynch (Áth Troim).
KERRY (SFC v Meath): S Ryan; D Casey, J Foley, T O’Sullivan; B Ó Beaglaoich, M Breen, G White; D O’Connor, J O’Connor; T Brosnan, P Clifford, C Burke; D Clifford, S O’Shea, P Geaney.