St Patricks v Donaghmore/Ashbourne Saturday at 6.30pm in Pairc Tailteann. Referee Pat Clarke

These two met in the past two hoganstand.com Meath Senior Football Championships with Donaghmore Ashbourne holding the upper hand on both occasions.

Last year Donaghmore Ashbourne recorded a comfortable 2-16 to 3-4 win at Duleek Bellewstown. The result saw The Moores qualify for the quarter-final and left the Stamullen men in a relegation battle. Bryan Menton and Michael Deegan hit 1-3 each that day for the winners. The Dublin Under 21 star will need to rush back from All Ireland semi final duty against Mayo in Tullamore if he is to see any action with his club in Pairc Tailteann.

It was closer in 2014 with Donaghmore Ashbourne emerging victorious on a 0-17 to 1-11 scoreline at Pairc Tailteann. Niall Mooney scored 1-6 for St Pats but it was not enough as Paul Clarke's charges maintained their 100% record.

The teams lined out that day as follows:

Donaghmore-Ashbourne - Andrew Colgan; Thomas McGovern, Cormac McGill, Jason Boland; Paul Gilligan (C) (0-1), Shane Melia, Ciaran Ellis (0-2); Conor Carey, Bryan Menton, Dara McGovern (0-1) , Andrew Tormey (0-3, 1f), Shaun Byrne (0-3); Eoghan Riordan (0-2), Ciaran Beirne (0-2), Michael Deegan (0-2). Subs - Eric Callaghan for Carey (48), Mattie Devine (0-1) for Beirne (48), Conor Carton for Boland (53), Aidan Hughes for Riordan (56), JP Casserly for Gilligan (60).

St Patrick's - Seamus Byrne, Diarmaid Quinn, Ciaran Calvey, Andrew Mooney;Finian Everard (0-1), Darren Hagan, Ray Russell; Shane Dowling, Kieran Lynch, David Stafford, Neil O'Flaherty (0-1f), Barry Mooney; Niall Whearty (0-3fs), Donal Landy, Niall Mooney (1-6, 0-6fs). Subs - Shane Landy for A Mooney (34), Shane McGinty for B Mooney (50), Keith Whearty for Everard (55).

Sean Kelly has returned as manager. He will look to Jack Hannigan, Cormac McGill, the McGovern twins Thomas and Darragh, Shane Melia, Sean Curran, Shaun Byrne, Bryan Menton, Michael Deegan, Andrew Tormey and Ciaran Ellis to provide the platform for an opening round win.

St Pats are always capable of producing good results. Last year they drew with Navan O'Mahonys but avoided relegation with a win over Walterstown. In Daithi Whyte, Niall Mooney, Shane Dowling, Neil O'Flaherty, David McQuillan, Shane Landy, Ciaran Sullivan, Alan Vickers, Brian Calvey, Kieran Calvey, Kieran Lynch and Andy Mooney they have more than enough to mix it once more with Donaghmore Ashbourne.

Donaghmore Ashbourne's league form has been excellent this year, played four won four and they sit at the top on the Division 1. St Pats have played the same amount of games with two wins and 2 losses. Last time out The Moore's defeated Skryne while St Pats shipped a heavy defeat to Gaeil Colmcille.

Match odds - Donaghmore Ashbourne 1/4 Draw 9/1 St Patricks 10/3

Outright odds - Donaghmore Ashbourne 5/1, St Patricks 50/1

Verdict: Donaghmore Ashbourne

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