PREVIEW: LOUTH v MEATH:WILL LOUTH'S need to avenge last year's provincial final loss or Meath's desire to prove a point, legally of course, hold sway? That this is debated in a first-round qualifier and not a Leinster final tells its own tale, writes GAVIN CUMMISKEY.

Meath manager Seamus McEnaney has resisted naming a team until tonight as Brian Farrell is suspended while Stephen Bray and his possible replacement Graham Geraghty await medical clearance on their respective calf and leg injuries.

Mick Fanning (calf) is replaced in the Louth defence by Peter Fitzpatrick’s son, Stephen, while John O’Brien returns to the panel.

Venue: Kingspan Breffni Park Time: Today, 7pm On TV: Live on RTÉ 2

LOUTH: Sean Connor; Declan Byrne, Aaron Hoey, Dessie Finnegan; Ray Finnegan, Liam Shevlin, Stephen Fitzpatrick; Paddy Keenan (captain), Brian Donnelly; Derek Crilly, David Reid, Adrian Reid; Derek Maguire, Shane Lennon, JP Rooney.

MEATH: TBA

Referee: M Deegan(Laois).