Seven debuts as O'Rourke names first Meath team

Colm O'Rourke has named his first Meath team that will take on Carlow in the opening round of the O'Byrne Cup on Wednesday night with seven players expected to make their debuts.

The entirety of the full-back and the goalkeeper positions will be filled by newcomers, with Dunderry's Sean Brennan given his opportunity between the posts, behind Rathkenny's James O'Hare, Drumbaragh's Harry O'Higgins and Na Fianna's Sean Rafferty.

The other three debuts will come in the forward division with the Moriarty brothers from Curraha - Conor and Diarmuid filling the number 10 and 14 jerseys respectively, while Trim's Aaron Lynch will also make his first senior appearance.

There is a return to the starting 15 for Skryne's Darragh Campion after a spell away, while St Brigid's Michael Flood and Trim's Conor Quigley are also expected to make their debut from the bench.

Meath team to face Carlow in Dr Cullen Park on Wednesday night - Sean Brennan (Dunderry); James O'Hare (Rathkenny), Harry O'Higgins (Drumbaragh), Sean Rafferty (Na Fianna); Eoin Harkin (Dunsany), Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), Cathal Hickey (Seneschalstown); Daithi McGowan (Ratoath), Brian Conlon (Simonstown); Conor Moriarty (Curraha), Darragh Campion (Skryne), Jason Scully (Oldcastle); Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin), Diarmuid Moriarty (Curraha), Aaron Lynch (Trim). Subs - Harry Hogan (Longwood), Conor Quigley (Trim), Robin Clarke (Duleek/Bellewstown), Michael Flood (St Brigid's), Shane McEntee (St Peter's), Jack O'Connor (Curraha), Donal Lenihan (St Peter's), Cillian O'Sullivan (Moynalvey), Keith Curtis (Rathkenny).