One debut as familiar faces return for Royals rebel trip

New Meath manager Robbie Brennan will hand a debut to St Peter's Jack Kinlough when Meath play Cork in this evening's NFL Div 2 opener at Pairc Ui Chaomh.

Bryan Menton and Seamus Lavin return to the team after being recalled to the panel following a number of years away, while Jack Flynn will partner Menton in midfield after a year out from county football.

Menton last featured for Meath in the League in March 2022, while Lavin's last appearance was in 2021.

Kinlough, who was part of the winning Leinster u-20 FC team, will line out in the half-forward line alongside Cian McBride and Shane Walsh.

Six of the team that played in the final game of the NFL Div 2 last year are retained, Billy Hogan, Adam O’Neill, Brian O’Halloran, Donal Keogan, Cian McBride and Shane Walsh.

James McEntee is listed among the substitutes, but he won't feature having picked up an injury midweek in training. Eoin Harkin and Thomas O'Reilly also return to the matchday squad.

Read Fergal Lynch's preview of the NFL Div 2 campaign here and his interview with Meath manager Robbie Brennan here.

The Meath team to face Cork is - Billy Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Adam O'Neill, Brian O'Halloran; Seán Coffey, Donal Keogan, Ciarán Caulfield; Jack Flynn, Bryan Menton; Cian McBride, Shane Walsh, Jack Kinlough; Jordan Morris, Mathew Costello, Eoghan Frayne. Subs - Harry Hogan, Eoin Harkin, Seán Rafferty, Ronan Jones, Keith Curtis, James McEntee, James Conlon, Cillian O'Sullivan, Conor Duke, Aaron Lynch, Thomas O'Reilly.