Whenever these sides meet, memories of their famous Leinster SFC first round clash in 1996 are usually evoked.

Meath supporters will happily recall that that game in Croke Park proved to be the launching pad for an unlikely All-Ireland success later that summer. They will also recall that some pundits had expected Sean Boylan's new-look side to lose to a Carlow team backboned by the great Eire Og side of that period, but the same pundits got it badly wrong as the Royals powered to an emphatic victory.

Not unlike then, expectations aren't particularly high in the Royal County after an ill-fated Allianz League campaign and a far from impressive first round victory over Wicklow. Yet, it would represent a major shock if they don't win with a bit to spare and progress to a semi-final meeting with their old nemesis Kildare.

Despite the best efforts of Luke Dempsey, who is now in his fourth and more than likely final year as manager, Carlow have failed to make any real progress and remain among the minnows of Gaelic football. They possess one of the top midfielders in the country in former Aussie Rules recruit Brendan Murphy, but Thomas Walsh's decision to emigrate has been a huge blow to a county that seems to be putting more emphasis on hurling of late.

Meath are certainly no world-beaters at the moment and the loss of their captain Seamus Kenny to a season-ending cruciate ligament injury has only added to the sense of doom and gloom on Boyneside. They will have former All Star Stephen Bray back after he missed the Wicklow game with a hamstring strain and, with Joe Sheridan, Brian Farrell and Graham Reilly showing up well against the Garden County, they should have too much for a Carlow team that is unlikely to repeat the surprise win they enjoyed over Louth 12 months ago.

Verdict: Meath

Meath - D Gallagher, D Keoghan, K Reilly, B Menton, D Tobin, S McAnarney, M Burke, C Gillespie, B Meade, A Forde, S Bray, G Reilly, B Farrell, J Sheridan, C Ward.

Carlow - T O'Reilly; P Murphy, C Lawlor, B Kavanagh; K Nolan, S Redmond, T Bolger; B Murphy, D Foley; B Murphy, P Reid, E Ruth; JJ Smith, S Gannon, D St Ledger.

Odds: Meath 1/14, Draw 14/1, Carlow 9/1

Match Details: Leinster SFC quarter-final, Tullamore, Sunday 10 June, 2pm Tweet

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