Louth unchanged for shot at Meath

Louth manager Eamon McEneaney has stuck with a winning formula and named an unchanged side for Sunday's Leinster SFC opener against Meath.

The Wee county have undoubtedly their best chance in recent years to grab a precious victory over their neighbours - it has been 31 years since Louth beat Meath in a championship game.

Recently crowned Division Two champions, Louth are certainly on the up, whereas Eamon Barry's Meath side were relegated from Division 1B. McEneaney also has a settled side - he has kept faith with the team that beat Donegal for Division Two honours on April 30.

Coupled with the fact that McEneaney had inside knowledge of Meath football - the former Monaghan player used to manage Kilmainhamwood and Trim - then there is the very real possibility of a first round beating for the Royals, who began the year in such style by winning the O'Byrne Cup. The prize for Sunday's winners is a quarter-final date with Wexford.

The losers of Sunday's tie at Croke Park will go into the All-Ireland qualifiers - with the first round scheduled for June 17.

LOUTH (SFC V Meath) - S Reynolds; D Brennan, C Goss, J Carr; J O’Brien, P McGinnity, J Neary; M Farrelly (capt), P Keenan; C Grimes, M Brennan, M Stanfield; JP Rooney, A Hoey, D Clarke.