Rare Roscommon start for Dolan

Roscommon have brought Frankie Dolan in from the cold for Sunday's NFL Division 2 visit of Meath to Kiltoom (throw-in 2.30pm).

Dolan will be making his first start for the county side in three years and manager John Maughan is hoping the St. Brigid's star can inspire Roscommon after their ten-point defeat to Monaghan in their league opener.

Maughan's changes to the side that lost 1-18 to 1-8 see Dolan in at centre forward with Jonathan Dunning positioned at left corner forward and Enda Kenny switching to centre back.

Meanwhile, Adrian Murtagh will make his league debut at left corner back.

Maughan agreed: "It's a big challenge but we've got to improve. We simply weren't competitive enough in the last game (against Monaghan). We found it exceptionally difficult to win our own ball. Our work-rate also has to be better.

"Fair play to the younger lads though, they kept going. They have a lot of good years in a Roscommon jersey in front of them. They'll learn from the experience.

"It will take a while but we've got to be more competitive. If we stick at it, winning will take care of itself," he told the Roscommon Herald.

Meath and Roscommon met in last year's Division 2 final with the Royals running out 2-12 to 0-10 winners with Brian Farrell contributing 2-7.

Maughan added: "Meath are a top class side. We've obviously been looking at them in action but we're more concerned about improving our own team performance.

"We fought hard enough last season to earn the right to be in this division. Now we have to make this chance count."

Meath have yet to confirm their starting line-up for the game but they will be without the services of midfielder Mark Ward who has an ankle injury.

Joe Sheridan, who is back in the Meath panel, is also sidelined after twisting his knee in training.

Previewing the trip, Meath boss Colm Coyle said: "People might point to the league final last year but it was a battle to get over the finishing line.

"I see that John Maughan is gradually introducing the minors of a few years ago. He's rebuilding brick by brick.

When you play Roscommon, you expect them to have a tough mentality. I always hated going to Roscommon as a player and I don't expect things to be any easier as a manager this weekend."

ROSCOMMON (NFL v Meath): G Coffey; P O'Connor, A McDermott, A Murtagh; D O'Gara, E Kenny, S Daly; K Mannion, M O'Carroll; J Tiernan, F Dolan, C Cregg; S Kilbride, G Heneghan, J Dunning.