Padraic Harnan, Meath, and Peter Healy, Antrim, pictured at Croke Park. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Sunday June 25
Tailteann Cup Semi-Finals
Meath v Antrim, Croke Park, 2pm, RTE 2
Referee: Barry Judge (Sligo)
There will be no shortage of sub-plots when Antrim and Meath collide at GAA headquarters on Sunday afternoon.
That is strange considering that they have only met twice in Championship fare previously.
Meath defeated Antrim in a 2005 qualifier, while the Royals also won an All-Ireland Semi-Final way back in 1951.
Former Meath boss Andy McEntee has carried out very impressive work with Antrim, who are enjoying a productive stint.
Leitrim, Wexford, Fermanagh, and Carlow have all been defeated by Antrim with Dominic McEnhill impressing for McEntee's charges.
Goalkeeper Michael Byrne, Patrick McCormick, and Ronan Boyle are others making an impact for Antrim.
Meath's mixture of emerging and established footballers have fared well in this competition.
Tipperary, Waterford, Down, and Wexford have all been overcome with Jordan Morris and James McEntee prominent.
Aaron Lynch and Matthew Costello are others making valuable scoring contributions with the splendid Donal Keogan remaining a key performer at the opposite end of the field.
Meath: Seán Brennan; Adam O'Neill, Ronan Ryan, Harry O'Higgins; Donal Keogan, Pádraic Harnan, Seán Coffey; Ronan Jones, Conor Gray; Daithí McGowan, James McEntee, Jack O'Connor; Jordan Morris, Matthew Costello, Aaron Lynch.
Subs: Harry Hogan, Ciarán Caulfield, Cillian O'Sullivan, Cathal Hickey, Jack Flynn, Eoghan Frayne, Michael Flood, Donal Lenihan, Diarmuid Moriarty, Michael Murphy, Keith Curtis.
Antrim: Michael Byrne; Patrick McCormick, Peter Healy, Eoghan McCabe; Dermot McAleese, Declan Lynch, Marc Jordan; Eunan Quinn, Cathal Hynds; Patrick McBride, Adam Loughran, Ruairí McCann; Ronan Boyle, Ruairí McCann, Dominic McEnhill.
Subs: Luke Mulholland, Cormac McGettigan, James McAuley, Barry McCormick, Gerard Walsh, Colm McLarnon, Conor Hand, Joseph Finnegan, Conhuir Johnston, Odhran Eastwood, Calum Higgins.
Robert Pigott, Laois, and Pierce Laverty, Down, pictured at Croke Park. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Down v Laois, Croke Park, 4pm, RTE 2
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin)
Morale boosting victories have been registered by Down and Laois in recent weeks.
Defeating the 2022 runners-up Laois last weekend illustrated Down's ability with Conor Laverty's evolving team prevailing at Kingspan Breffni.
It means the response since losing in the group to Meath has been effective with Odhran Murdock, Danny Magill, and Pat Havern contributing handsomely throughout 2023 for Down.
Billy Sheehan is delighted by the momentum being generated by Laois. Character was shown securing draws against Offaly and London in the group stages, but in knockout fare Laois have flourished.
Mark Timmons' enduring excellence has been a key factor for Laois, while Mark Barry and Colm Murphy are making an impact too.
Away wins over Fermanagh and Limerick ensure that Laois will head for Croke Park armed with hope and expectation.
The last Championship encounter between Down and Laois was back in 2009 when the home team triumphed by eight points in Newry.
Down: Niall Kane; Patrick McCarthy, Pierce Laverty, Anthony Doherty; Miceal Rooney, Ceilum Doherty, Patrick Branagan; Daniel Guinness, Odhran Murdock; Liam Kerr, Donach McAleenan, Danny Magill; Eugene Branagan, Pat Havern, Ryan Johnston.
Subs: John O'Hare, Shane Annett, Shealan Johnston, Rory Mason, Ross Carr, Ryan McEvoy, Gerard Collins, Andrew Gilmore, Conor Poland, Conor Francis, Ruairí O'Hare.
Laois: Killian Roche; Seán Greene, Alex Mohan, Robert Pigott; Pádraig Kirwan, Mark Timmons, Patrick O'Sullivan; Kieran Lillis, Damon Larkin; Colm Murphy, Paul Kingston, James Finn; Mark Barry, Evan O'Carroll, Eoin Lowry.
Subs: Scott Osborne, Seamus Lacey, Trevor Collins, Seán O'Flynn, Kevin Swayne, Ciaran Burke, Dylan Kavanagh, Damien O'Connor, Niall Corbet, Brian Daly, Cathal Doyle.
