Tipperary v Meath Preview

After two opening League defeats, it looked like John Evans’ Tipperary would be heading straight back to Division 3.

However, the tenacity they showed in garnering a deserved point against Down bodes well for a productive survival bid. Meath will not fancy heading to Thurles for this clash.

Evans makes three changes to his side with Stephen Hassey coming in at full-forward and Peter Acheson starting at wing forward. In defence, Paddy Codd takes over at corner-back.

Against the Mournemen, it looked the game was slipping away from Tipp on a few occasions, yet the hung in, and Barry Grogan’s precision from placed balls kept them in touch. Indeed, his levelling score deep in injury time was sublimely executed.

Meath appeared to be on course for an easy victory against Westmeath last weekend, but their tendency to go long stages in matches without scoring nearly cost them as the Lakes county sensed an unlikely victory.

The Bray brothers, David and Stephen, were to the fore in grinding out the Royal victory, with the latter kicking over a vital score – the end product of a sweeping Meath counter attack.

Manager Eamonn O’Brien was a relieved man afterwards, and he knows his side must be more consistent over the 70 minutes.

John Evans and his Premier backroom team will be keen to exploit any weaknesses and will target a good start in Tom Semple’s field.

Defeat for either team will have consequences for different reasons – and to that end it may be hard to separate them at the end of 70 minutes.

Verdict: Draw