MEATH HAVE DRAFTED Robert Burlingham into goal for next Sunday’s All-Ireland minor football semi-final against Mayo in Croke Park.
Burlingham came on in the first-half of their quarter-final victory over Tyrone in Páirc Esler in Newry when regular net minder Jack Hannigan had to go off injured during that game. The Simonstown Gaels player Burlingham has held onto his place in the only change from the side that defeated the Ulster champions.
There are two positional switches which see Shane McEntee go to centre-back while Pauric Harnan reverts to midfield and Declan Smyth will start at corner-back as Conor Carton plays at wing-back.
Wing-back Ruairi Ó Coileain was ruled out of the Tyrone game after he fainted just before the team boarded the bus in Navan to head to Newry for their quarter-final tie and was subsequently rushed to hospital. Seamus Lavin, who deputised on that occasion, retains his place. The full-forward line of Barry Dardis, Stephen Coogan and Fiachra Ward, which posted a combined total of 2-8 against Tyrone, will continue to carry much of the attacking threat.
MEATH MF: 1. Robert Burlingham (Simonstown Gaels); 2. Declan Smyth (Dunsany), 3. Brian Power (Ratoath), 4. Shane Gallagher (Simonstown Gaels); 5. Conor Carton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), 6. Shane McEntee (St Peter’s Dunboyne/Kilbride), 7. Seamus Lavin (St Peter’s Dunboyne/Kilbride); 8. Pauric Harnan (Jenkinstown Gaels), 9. Adam Flanagan (Clonard); 10. Cillian O’Sullivan (Jenkinstown Gaels), 11. Jason Daly (St Peter’s Dunboyne/Kilbride), 12. James McEntee (St Vincent’s/Curraha); 13. Barry Dardis (Summerhill), 14. Stephen Coogan (Dunderry), 15. Fiachra Ward (Wolfe Tones).
