Murphy key to Meath success

At first glance the sense of déjà vu runs through the team selections with few changes from the sides that met on three occasions last year. Closer scrutiny reveals some significant change in quality if not in quantity.

John McDermott has retired and so has Enda McManus, depriving Meath of two double All-Ireland winners and the former's inspirational presence at centrefield. Westmeath's rallying point last year was frequently captain Ger Heavin who has been bothered by injury all year and sits this out on the bench. Damien Healy is considered doubtful and that leaves a man-marking task to be sorted out by Luke Dempsey.

On top of all this we can add the doubts lingering over Ollie Murphy's fitness. His predatory instincts kept Meath afloat last year and did much to demoralise Westmeath in the process. His would be a hugely significant absence - as Meath's implosion in last year's All-Ireland final after he had to leave with a broken finger demonstrated.

Last year's All-Ireland brought home a few unpalatable truths, principally concerned with Meath's reliance on key players. If Trevor Giles has an off-day the team struggles. When Murphy had to leave the field Paddy Reynolds - a wing back - came on to fill in for one of the game's most lethal scorers.

Then what happens when Darren Fay plays well but his man plays better? It's almost a contradiction in terms but Pahraic Joyce posed the oxymoron last September.

At present there's still life in these reservations. There were stronger than usual indicators during the league campaign that Giles was being considered for what many believe to be his best position, centre back, but his control on the other 40 has obviously been seen as too big a sacrifice.

Murphy may or may not be grappling with injury but on the basis of recent challenges he is definitely struggling with general fitness and Meath's attack looks unconvincing if he's not on his game.

It hasn't been all sweetness and light for Westmeath either. Their championship opener against Carlow was unimpressive. A dogged debut season in Division One ended in a quick return downstairs. But the benefit of the experience won't have been lost on Luke Dempsey, and JP Casey had a good campaign and looked a useful acquisition.

In theory this match is wide open for Westmeath. But so were last year's and they just couldn't get across the line. Opting for the status quo may be elevating voodoo over reason, but it is Meath voodoo.

MEATH: C Sullivan; M O'Reilly, D Fay, C Murphy; P Shankey, H Traynor, P Reynolds; N Crawford, J Cullinane; E Kelly, T Giles, N Nestor; O Murphy, G Geraghty, D Curtis.

Westmeath: A Lennon; AN Other, D Mitchell, F Murray; B Morley, P Conway, J Keane; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; S Colleary, M Flanagan, M Ennis; F Wilson, D Dolan, JP Casey. Subs: G Connaughton, D Healy, D Murphy, D Brady, D Heavin, D Gavin, G Heavin, J Fallon, A Mangan, V Gavin, K Burke, D Hughes, K McKinley, J Davitt.