Reilly a big loss for U-21s
Wednesday March 03 2010
FOLLOWING a disappointing opening round exit to Dublin in 2009 Meath will be hoping to make a much bigger impression on this year's under-21 Leinster championship when they take on Westmeath at Mullingar this Saturday at 2pm.
Already Meath hopes have suffered a blow with the loss of senior panellist Graham Reilly with a jaw injury picked up in a challenge against Armagh recently.
Reilly is expected to be out for a least a further two weeks though manager Colm O'Rourke and selectors Trevor Giles and Colm Menton have keeper Paddy O'Rourke midfielder Conor Gillespie, attacker Brian Sheridan and Ballinabrackey youngster Damien Carroll to call on from the senior squad.
Add to that the likes of Ciaran Lenehan (Skryne), Sean Curran and Bryan Menton ( Donaghmore/ Ashbourne), Michael Newman (Kilmainham), Daragh Smyth (Bective), Mark Collins (Duleek/Bellewstown) and Tommy Johnson (Dunshaughlin) and they have a good sprinkling of players with intercounty experience to choose from.
As well as home territory Westmeath also have the advantage of an outing behind them, though they were none too impressive when overcoming Kildare 1-6 to 0-6, also at Cusack Park.
Brendan Hackett's side missed a number of gilt-edged goal chances in that game and almost paid the penalty as the width of a crossbar denied the Lilywhites a goal in the closing minutes.
Indeed the hosts only managed a solitary point for the entire second half which suggests that they are no worldbeaters.
Meath has played a number of challenge games in recent weeks but preparations were disrupted, with a number of the squad involved with college teams.
The form of Brian Sheridan in DCU's Sigerson Cup win last weekend should prove a boost, while in Newman, Collins and Carroll, the Royals possess good scoring power.
Meath have failed to set the world alight at this level over the years, but they should be good enough to overcome this hurdle and set up a semi-final meeting at home to either Laois or Wicklow.
- Sean WALL
