Holders Sligo will be missing two key men as they host Meath in the first round of the Rackard Cup this weekend. Yeats County boss Mickey Galvin must plan without full back Walter Gill and play-anywhere Dermot Clarke as Sligo open their defence of the third-tier All-Ireland championship at Markievicz Park on Saturday. The two Galway men - who were instrumental in last year's national breakthrough - will miss the game due to club commitments in their native county. Defender Ronan Cox (ankle) and midfielder David Colleary (hamstring) are also in races against time to be fit for the visit of the Royal County. "We made the big breakthrough last year and we're excited by the challenge of trying to win back-to-back titles," says Galvin. "We know it will be extremely tough, but we'll give it our best shot. "As a Division Three team, Meath will be capable of playing at a pace which we're not used to. But we're aware of the threat they'll pose and we'll have to come to terms with it. "We have a great record at Markievicz Park in recent years. We like playing there and it should be a help to us on Saturday." Tweet

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