Minors face bank holiday Mullingar tie

MEATH minors are the first into Leinster football championship action when they travel to TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, on bank holiday Monday to take on Westmeath at 2pm.

Not only has the minor grade a new age group this year of 17 but also a new format, with Meath guaranteed at least five games.

The new-look minor championship consists of two group, with Group 1 comprising of Louth, Meath, Dublin, Westmeath, Offaly and Wicklow. Group 2 includes Wexford, Kildare, Carlow, Laois and Longford.

There is a full round of games in each group on Monday. The top two counties in each section qualify for semi-finals, which will be played at neutral venues. There is also a shield competition for teams finishing third and fourth in their group.

Manager Joe Treanor (Walterstown) has two of last year’s U-17 team that captured a Leinster crown before being defeated by Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final at his disposal - captain Matthew Costello and Cian McBride.

Meath are expected to make an impression in this year’s campaign. They defeated Armagh and Tyrone in recent challenge games but went down heavily to Kerry.

Included in the panel is promising St Colmcille’s youngster David Bell, Slane’s Sean Martyn, St Vincent’s Conor Harford and Seneschalstown duo Cathal Hickey and Joseph Moore.

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