Pairc Tailteann will play host to a first Leinster championship encounter in 20 years when Meath take on Wicklow tomorrow.

The Royals, who finished third in Division 2, are up against the team who finished bottom of Division 4 and, all things considered, anyone expecting a close game should be left disappointed.

"It's a daunting task going up there," Garden County legend Kevin O'Brien conceded this week.

"We had a very disappointing league and some players are not available. We don't have Leighton Glynn and Seanie Furlong, our two go-to players who can score. We'll miss them."

Meath will take to the field minus the service of regulars such as Kevin Reilly, Conor Gillespie, Conor McGill, Bryan Menton, Mickey Newman and Shane O'Rourke.

James McEntee, Davy Dalton, Nicky Judge, Brian Power, Harry Rooney and Joey Wallace have been handed their first championship starts.

"It's  a long time since Leinster championship football has been in Navan so we're expecting a big buzz, a big crowd and we're really looking forward to it," Mick O'Dowd remarked.

Former Dublin centre-back Jonny Magee is in charge of Wicklow this year and one win and a draw was all they had to show for their efforts in Division 4.

It will be the third championship meeting of these two counties in four years. The spoils went to the Royals in 2012 (0-16 to 0-11) and 2013 (1-17 to 1-12) and tomorrow should be no different.

Verdict - Meath.

Meath team: Patrick O'Rourke; James McEntee, Donncha Tobin, David Dalton; Nicky Judge, Donal Keogan, Brian Power: Harry Rooney, Adam Flanagan; Graham Reilly, Padraic Harnan, Andrew Tormey; Joseph Wallace, Stephen Bray, Brian McMahon.

Wicklow team: tbc.

Match details: Sunday; Pairc Tailteann; 3.30pm.

Referee: Barry Cassidy.

Odds: Meath 1/50, Draw 25/1, Wicklow 12/1.

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