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Meath Forum

Club Football Championships 2026

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On the intermediate final, this will be a close titanic battle. If Clarke pick ups Higgins we could see a great duel there. From a Navan side, biggest question is who will take Armstrong, I would have Higgins go to centre back on him and McGrane to midfield. I haven't seen Navan this year so not sure who is going well for them.

Some of these Navan lads are around a long time and the like of James O Reilly, Conor Finnegan, Duggie Dillion, Niall McGranne Keelaghan will remember what it was like to win a senior championship in 2015 so they bring a wealth of experience.

Duleek bring something different though, most of these lads will remember the hurt of losing back to back finals. Not sure will a few of the older heads in Duleek come back if they lose a 3rd final in 5 years.

I reckon this has extra time written all over it and Duleek will get it done with Armstrong kicking the winner.

UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 480 - 07/10/2026 07:43:39    2696475

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I hope i am.wrong but the venue choices for both Intermediate and Senior finals could end up being the story in the next few weeks. Dunganny is not suitable for big championship games as with no bank anyone not at the fence will see very little, in particular young kids will not get to experience the proper feel.of their team in a final. No clock, poor score board and no PA system add to the issues. I fear with Ashbourne making the Senior final it will be a disaster with regard to traffic, parking and again viewing the game will be an issue with no bank.

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1524 - 07/10/2026 10:31:13    2696486

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After watching the senior semi finals at the weekend I have to say dual players are showing signs of exhaustion, those that are fit to play anyway. Summerhill were missing Iarla Hughes and Ronan Ryan due to their hurling match V Ratoath the week before and Ratoath missing Ben McGowan, with Jack not coming out for the second half due to the same game. Bryan McMc, Cian Rogers and Hayes looked off the pace, all 3 are dual players as well. Those players would have played 9/10 cship games in 9/10 weeks. You could see WT's and DA were fresher, more intense and at full compliment. Are clubs expecting too much from dual players or are clubs better off getting players to choose?

canalend96 (Meath) - Posts: 7 - 07/10/2026 11:14:25    2696495

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Replying To canalend96:  "After watching the senior semi finals at the weekend I have to say dual players are showing signs of exhaustion, those that are fit to play anyway. Summerhill were missing Iarla Hughes and Ronan Ryan due to their hurling match V Ratoath the week before and Ratoath missing Ben McGowan, with Jack not coming out for the second half due to the same game. Bryan McMc, Cian Rogers and Hayes looked off the pace, all 3 are dual players as well. Those players would have played 9/10 cship games in 9/10 weeks. You could see WT's and DA were fresher, more intense and at full compliment. Are clubs expecting too much from dual players or are clubs better off getting players to choose?"
Tones are in intermediate final this weekend and have a number of dual players also

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1524 - 07/10/2026 15:03:56    2696521

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Replying To canalend96:  "After watching the senior semi finals at the weekend I have to say dual players are showing signs of exhaustion, those that are fit to play anyway. Summerhill were missing Iarla Hughes and Ronan Ryan due to their hurling match V Ratoath the week before and Ratoath missing Ben McGowan, with Jack not coming out for the second half due to the same game. Bryan McMc, Cian Rogers and Hayes looked off the pace, all 3 are dual players as well. Those players would have played 9/10 cship games in 9/10 weeks. You could see WT's and DA were fresher, more intense and at full compliment. Are clubs expecting too much from dual players or are clubs better off getting players to choose?"
Ronan Ryan was playing, you're mixing him up with Ross. Heard them calling his name in the warm up.

RoyalStalwart24 (Meath) - Posts: 128 - 07/10/2026 17:46:02    2696541

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Replying To Analyst:  "I hope i am.wrong but the venue choices for both Intermediate and Senior finals could end up being the story in the next few weeks. Dunganny is not suitable for big championship games as with no bank anyone not at the fence will see very little, in particular young kids will not get to experience the proper feel.of their team in a final. No clock, poor score board and no PA system add to the issues. I fear with Ashbourne making the Senior final it will be a disaster with regard to traffic, parking and again viewing the game will be an issue with no bank."
Both venues will be tight for space around the pitches so get there early to secure your spot, Ashbourne shouldn't have a problem with parking, with school campuses next door, Donaghmore Ashbourne supporters will come in huge numbers and more than likely walk to their club anyway because of the traffic issues

royler (Meath) - Posts: 309 - 07/10/2026 23:32:10    2696565

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Replying To royler:  "Both venues will be tight for space around the pitches so get there early to secure your spot, Ashbourne shouldn't have a problem with parking, with school campuses next door, Donaghmore Ashbourne supporters will come in huge numbers and more than likely walk to their club anyway because of the traffic issues"
I believe Donaghmore Ashbourne venue is sold out, no more tickets available.

Blueyellowandwhite (Meath) - Posts: 30 - 08/10/2026 11:21:23    2696581

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Replying To Blueyellowandwhite:  "I believe Donaghmore Ashbourne venue is sold out, no more tickets available."
Got 2 this morning on the Meath gaa website

royler (Meath) - Posts: 309 - 08/10/2026 12:50:40    2696599

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Replying To Blueyellowandwhite:  "I believe Donaghmore Ashbourne venue is sold out, no more tickets available."
An absolute joke having these two as venues. Simonstown could host a final, probably the best place ive seen for a crowd this year.

COUNTYTOCOUNTY (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 08/10/2026 13:04:15    2696601

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Replying To Analyst:  "Tones are in intermediate final this weekend and have a number of dual players also"
How many Tones hurlers are playing senior football for the Tones? earlier on in the championship I heard someone say the Tones hurlers had more lads playing senior football outside Wolfe Tones than inside the club (Rathkenny4/5 & Simonstown 1)
In any case playing 4th tier hurling is surely not comparable to playing in senior semi-finals

Meathmaverick (Meath) - Posts: 110 - 08/10/2026 14:16:04    2696609

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Replying To Meathmaverick:  "How many Tones hurlers are playing senior football for the Tones? earlier on in the championship I heard someone say the Tones hurlers had more lads playing senior football outside Wolfe Tones than inside the club (Rathkenny4/5 & Simonstown 1)
In any case playing 4th tier hurling is surely not comparable to playing in senior semi-finals"
Not sure but 3 of starting team i think. From a fatigue point of view i think it is comparable except that the other clubs you mentioned are out of the football championship....

Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1524 - 08/10/2026 23:06:36    2696661

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Replying To Analyst:  "Not sure but 3 of starting team i think. From a fatigue point of view i think it is comparable except that the other clubs you mentioned are out of the football championship...."
I mean I wasnt comparing Wolfe tones to rathkenny/simonstown.
I was referring to your initial reply comparing Tones dual stars to Summerhill/Ratoath dual players, and that you can hardly compare 2/3 lads playing 4th tier hurling to lads playing senior hurling and football and consistently getting to semi finals and finals in both codes for the last 5 years.

Meathmaverick (Meath) - Posts: 110 - 09/10/2026 11:53:17    2696678

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Any word on the Mangerial Merry go round? I see Rathkenny and St. Ultans are but 2 that have announced they will be looking for new management. Around here Mr. McLoughlin is staying on for another year is the word and hopefully with some success at the weekeds the hurling mgmt will stay in situe. Kildalkey obviosuly looking for new management with Micky gone to Meath, haven't heard from Ballivor but with mid season turmoil who knows. Dunderry sticking I have heard

LoyaleRoyale (Meath) - Posts: 19 - 09/10/2026 13:36:51    2696688

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