Wicklow manager Harry Murphy isn't reading anything in Meath's league woes ahead of Sunday's Leinster SFC opener in Carlow.

Many are expecting Murphy's Division 4 champions to pull off a shock against the troubled Royals, who will join them in Division 3 next year, but the Rathnew man is bracing himself for a Meath backlash.

"We had a great run in the league, and to win in Croke Park was a great old boost for us," he told the Evening Herald.

"But we are under no illusions - we are meeting Meath in the championship. They've had a few problems there, but we know we're going to be up against it on Sunday.

"If the Dubs or Kildare were playing Meath on Sunday, they would be worried - so we are obviously worried. It's not too long ago that they put five goals past Dublin (in the 2010 Leinster semi-final), and they put five past Louth last year as well. So their goal-scoring potential is phenomenal. We go in as total underdogs."

Already planning without Nicky Mernagh, who has a hand injury, and Paddy Dalton, who has a broken bone in his hand, Murphy revealed that centre back Mick McLoughlin is also struggling to be fit for the Dr Cullen Park clash.

"He picked up a knee injury before the Fermanagh game (Division 4 league final); he got through that but it flared up again. It's looking bad for him at this stage," he explained. Tweet

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