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I wanted to start a thread on the Regional Championship 2026 and the role it can play in developing talent for the 2027 county campaign.
The original idea behind the competition was an excellent one - giving players from smaller and often overlooked clubs an opportunity to showcase their ability on a bigger stage and potentially force their way into county contention. While An Tuaisceart's success in recent years, including their dominance of the Brady's Regional Championship, has been impressive, what stands out to me is the relatively small number of players who have made the transition from that setup onto the county panel.
Whether it's RB or whoever is in charge next year, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on identifying and rewarding standout performers from this competition. If the Regional Championship is to achieve its purpose, county management must be prepared to take a chance on players who prove themselves in it.
I also feel the competition hasn't received the level of promotion it deserves. Other counties seem to generate more interest around similar competitions. What could Meath do differently? Should we be looking at how other counties promote these tournaments? How can we generate more interest and make it a genuine pathway to the county setup?
Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Brady's for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition.
Interested to hear everyone's thoughts.
RegionalsGuru (Meath) - Posts: 67 - 24/06/2026 12:41:54
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Replying To RegionalsGuru: "I wanted to start a thread on the Regional Championship 2026 and the role it can play in developing talent for the 2027 county campaign.
The original idea behind the competition was an excellent one - giving players from smaller and often overlooked clubs an opportunity to showcase their ability on a bigger stage and potentially force their way into county contention. While An Tuaisceart's success in recent years, including their dominance of the Brady's Regional Championship, has been impressive, what stands out to me is the relatively small number of players who have made the transition from that setup onto the county panel.
Whether it's RB or whoever is in charge next year, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on identifying and rewarding standout performers from this competition. If the Regional Championship is to achieve its purpose, county management must be prepared to take a chance on players who prove themselves in it.
I also feel the competition hasn't received the level of promotion it deserves. Other counties seem to generate more interest around similar competitions. What could Meath do differently? Should we be looking at how other counties promote these tournaments? How can we generate more interest and make it a genuine pathway to the county setup?
Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Brady's for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition.
Interested to hear everyone's thoughts." This conversation is happened around many tables and sidelines I've been at.
If you look at Loughcrew in recent years the likes of Michael Flood was drafted in, played a few games, was a part of the Tailteann Cup winning panel and then never featured again. This year Shane Gibney was drafted in, played O'Byrne cup but never featured on any match day panel for league or championship. Dylan Garrigan and Oran Mulvanny have been on u20 squads and development panels but have never gotten a rattle so far with the senior team.
While I appreciate most of theses lads come from junior clubs, the likes of Shane Gibney and Dylan Garrigan despite height being against them have the physicality and strength needed for inter county level.
Crowds have dwindled at this competition and players possibly are fatigued of more football in winter months with the reality of making a breakthrough for the county being very slim. It's more commitment for little reward.
Interested in hearing others thoughts.
Meathman11 (Meath) - Posts: 3 - 24/06/2026 15:57:56
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Replying To RegionalsGuru: "I wanted to start a thread on the Regional Championship 2026 and the role it can play in developing talent for the 2027 county campaign.
The original idea behind the competition was an excellent one - giving players from smaller and often overlooked clubs an opportunity to showcase their ability on a bigger stage and potentially force their way into county contention. While An Tuaisceart's success in recent years, including their dominance of the Brady's Regional Championship, has been impressive, what stands out to me is the relatively small number of players who have made the transition from that setup onto the county panel.
Whether it's RB or whoever is in charge next year, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on identifying and rewarding standout performers from this competition. If the Regional Championship is to achieve its purpose, county management must be prepared to take a chance on players who prove themselves in it.
I also feel the competition hasn't received the level of promotion it deserves. Other counties seem to generate more interest around similar competitions. What could Meath do differently? Should we be looking at how other counties promote these tournaments? How can we generate more interest and make it a genuine pathway to the county setup?
Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Brady's for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition.
Interested to hear everyone's thoughts." Its still inter and jnr players playing against each other. Stand out players in their club championsiph are the standout players in this aswell.
I"d let senior teams 2nd & 3rd team players play in it to vary it up a bit.
Another option is put the 4 teams in Feis cup and see how they compete against senior players.
This would prob mean they cannot play for their clubs in tailtean or corn na boine though
Islander21 (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 24/06/2026 16:52:43
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Replying To RegionalsGuru: "I wanted to start a thread on the Regional Championship 2026 and the role it can play in developing talent for the 2027 county campaign.
The original idea behind the competition was an excellent one - giving players from smaller and often overlooked clubs an opportunity to showcase their ability on a bigger stage and potentially force their way into county contention. While An Tuaisceart's success in recent years, including their dominance of the Brady's Regional Championship, has been impressive, what stands out to me is the relatively small number of players who have made the transition from that setup onto the county panel.
Whether it's RB or whoever is in charge next year, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on identifying and rewarding standout performers from this competition. If the Regional Championship is to achieve its purpose, county management must be prepared to take a chance on players who prove themselves in it.
I also feel the competition hasn't received the level of promotion it deserves. Other counties seem to generate more interest around similar competitions. What could Meath do differently? Should we be looking at how other counties promote these tournaments? How can we generate more interest and make it a genuine pathway to the county setup?
Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Brady's for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition.
Interested to hear everyone's thoughts." Its still inter and jnr players playing against each other. Stand out players in their club championsiph are the standout players in this aswell.
I"d let senior teams 2nd & 3rd team players play in it to vary it up a bit.
Another option is put the 4 teams in Feis cup and see how they compete against senior players.
This would prob mean they cannot play for their clubs in tailtean or corn na boine though
Islander21 (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 24/06/2026 17:12:48
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Replying To RegionalsGuru: "I wanted to start a thread on the Regional Championship 2026 and the role it can play in developing talent for the 2027 county campaign.
The original idea behind the competition was an excellent one - giving players from smaller and often overlooked clubs an opportunity to showcase their ability on a bigger stage and potentially force their way into county contention. While An Tuaisceart's success in recent years, including their dominance of the Brady's Regional Championship, has been impressive, what stands out to me is the relatively small number of players who have made the transition from that setup onto the county panel.
Whether it's RB or whoever is in charge next year, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on identifying and rewarding standout performers from this competition. If the Regional Championship is to achieve its purpose, county management must be prepared to take a chance on players who prove themselves in it.
I also feel the competition hasn't received the level of promotion it deserves. Other counties seem to generate more interest around similar competitions. What could Meath do differently? Should we be looking at how other counties promote these tournaments? How can we generate more interest and make it a genuine pathway to the county setup?
Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Brady's for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition.
Interested to hear everyone's thoughts." I'd rather our senior football management not be giving token slots on the Meath team to players just because they stood out among the regional players. If these players were worthy of a spot on the Meath senior team they'll see it in the regular championships, and in the winter months when there's an extended panel of dozens of players training and playing challenges/ O'Byrne Cup games with Meath.
I haven't looked too hard, but do other counties run regional competitions like ours? I don't mean regional teams competing in their main championships like Kerry, but separate regional contests involving teams that don't compete elshewhere.
CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1759 - 25/06/2026 09:52:41
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Agreed. There are enough opportunities to impress on Meath underage teams, with their clubs in club championships, colleges and extended panels in winter months than to be looking at players playing in a competition in mid November with matches mid week under lights. The pool of players available have been more limited year on year.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 1053 - 15/07/2026 17:10:19
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Am i on my own in thinking that we should consider removing the two pointer for this years regional champ?
RegionalsGuru (Meath) - Posts: 67 - 28/07/2026 11:05:56
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Replying To RegionalsGuru: "Am i on my own in thinking that we should consider removing the two pointer for this years regional champ?" I'm a bit confused as to why you think that. The two pointer is part of the game now. Why alter the game unnecessarily?
RoyalStalwart24 (Meath) - Posts: 116 - 28/07/2026 12:07:32
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Replying To RegionalsGuru: "Am i on my own in thinking that we should consider removing the two pointer for this years regional champ?" No I agree with you. We should remove goals too.
CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1759 - 30/07/2026 19:04:18
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Bit of an overhaul to the Regional Championships this year as per the Meath Chronicle. Number of regions reduced from 8 to 4 and to include senior teams.
There will be one group of four, with three group games and the top two teams contesting a final.
Moyfenragh - St Peter's, Na Fianna, Trim, Summerhill, Ballivor, Kilbride, Moynalvey, Blackhall Gaels, Ballinabrackey, Longwood, St Paul's, Boardsmill, Clonard.
An Tuascairt - Gaeil Colmcille, Simonstown, Wolfe Tones, Oldcastle, Castletown, Drumbaragh, Kilmainham, Meath Hill, Nobber, St Michael's, Ballinlough, Carnaross, Drumconrath, Kilmainhamwood, Moylagh, Moynalty, St Brigid's.
Boyne Valley - Donaghmore/Ashbourne, St Colmcille's, Duleek-Bellewstown, Seneschalstown, St Patrick's, Rathkenny, Curraha, Slane, St Vincent's, St Mary's Eastern Gaels.
Tara - Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Walterstown, Navan O'Mahonys, Skryne, Clann na nGael, Dunsany, Bective, Dunderry, St Ultan's, Syddan, Cortown.
The best performers will be added to the Meath Senior set up after the regional championship.
Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 187 - 18/08/2026 12:06:59
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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667: "Bit of an overhaul to the Regional Championships this year as per the Meath Chronicle. Number of regions reduced from 8 to 4 and to include senior teams.
There will be one group of four, with three group games and the top two teams contesting a final.
Moyfenragh - St Peter's, Na Fianna, Trim, Summerhill, Ballivor, Kilbride, Moynalvey, Blackhall Gaels, Ballinabrackey, Longwood, St Paul's, Boardsmill, Clonard.
An Tuascairt - Gaeil Colmcille, Simonstown, Wolfe Tones, Oldcastle, Castletown, Drumbaragh, Kilmainham, Meath Hill, Nobber, St Michael's, Ballinlough, Carnaross, Drumconrath, Kilmainhamwood, Moylagh, Moynalty, St Brigid's.
Boyne Valley - Donaghmore/Ashbourne, St Colmcille's, Duleek-Bellewstown, Seneschalstown, St Patrick's, Rathkenny, Curraha, Slane, St Vincent's, St Mary's Eastern Gaels.
Tara - Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Walterstown, Navan O'Mahonys, Skryne, Clann na nGael, Dunsany, Bective, Dunderry, St Ultan's, Syddan, Cortown.
The best performers will be added to the Meath Senior set up after the regional championship." Hope they restric it a bit & no player who is already in meath panel should be considered,
Id like to see it used for players u25
Islander21 (Meath) - Posts: 40 - 18/08/2026 12:59:03
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The death of tradition as we know it
Absolutely scandalous stuff. First they come for the eight regions, now they've come for Ardbraccan. What next, banning the half-time orange?
The Regional Championship was one of the few competitions where you could get a lad from Ardbraccan togging out alongside players he'd normally spend the year trying to avoid in the club championship. That's what made it interesting.
But apparently that's not good enough anymore. We need to get the Senior clubs involved because, naturally, senior players desperately need another opportunity to play on the big stage. God forbid they spend a few weeks watching the Junior lads have a bit of craic.
Surely nothing says regional development quite like filling the teams with players who are already playing Senior Championship football.
And poor old Ardbraccan? Gone. Consigned to the history books alongside ash trees, 4 man throw ins and the concept of doing something in the GAA purely because it's a bit different. How are stars from Cortown going to get their chance to shine when the region will be dominated by sellas from Dunsh and Ratoath
I look forward to the 2027 proposal: Regional Championship reduced to two teams, both managed by Robbie Brennan, with the final played at Páirc Tailteann and the winning team automatically awarded a Senior Championship quarter-final place.
Progress.
RegionalsGuru (Meath) - Posts: 67 - 18/08/2026 14:26:38
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Predicted Tara XV for the first round in light of the reshuffle:
1. Niall Devlin (De La Salle)
2. Declan Ball (D'Ultans)
3. Conor Duke (Dunsh)
4. Aodhan Mallon (De La Salle)
5. DarK Soy (Wtown)
6. Rurai Kinsella (Dunsh)
7. Podge Bisto Dillon (Syddan)
8. Declan Coyne (Cortown)
9. Colm Dotherty (Skyrne)
10. Shane McAnarney (Clan Na G)
11. Eoghan Quinn (Skyrne)
12. Red Mcguinness (De La Salle)
13. Adam Murphy (Dunderry)
14. Cian Swaine (Clan Na G)
15. Conor Brady (De La Salle)
RegionalsGuru (Meath) - Posts: 67 - 18/08/2026 14:38:44
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Simonstown in the North Meath selection and Syddan in the central...
UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 474 - 19/08/2026 11:45:21
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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667: "Bit of an overhaul to the Regional Championships this year as per the Meath Chronicle. Number of regions reduced from 8 to 4 and to include senior teams.
There will be one group of four, with three group games and the top two teams contesting a final.
Moyfenragh - St Peter's, Na Fianna, Trim, Summerhill, Ballivor, Kilbride, Moynalvey, Blackhall Gaels, Ballinabrackey, Longwood, St Paul's, Boardsmill, Clonard.
An Tuascairt - Gaeil Colmcille, Simonstown, Wolfe Tones, Oldcastle, Castletown, Drumbaragh, Kilmainham, Meath Hill, Nobber, St Michael's, Ballinlough, Carnaross, Drumconrath, Kilmainhamwood, Moylagh, Moynalty, St Brigid's.
Boyne Valley - Donaghmore/Ashbourne, St Colmcille's, Duleek-Bellewstown, Seneschalstown, St Patrick's, Rathkenny, Curraha, Slane, St Vincent's, St Mary's Eastern Gaels.
Tara - Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Walterstown, Navan O'Mahonys, Skryne, Clann na nGael, Dunsany, Bective, Dunderry, St Ultan's, Syddan, Cortown.
The best performers will be added to the Meath Senior set up after the regional championship." The make up of three of the four regional teams that you list are different than what is the make up of the teams on the Meath G.A.A. website.
See their list of clubs in each regional team below.
O' Mahony's are in Moyfenragh and Syddan are in An Tuaisceart, both were in Boyne Valley on your list of teams.
The 2026 Regions (Meath G.A.A. website)
Moyfenragh (South):St. Peters Dunboyne, Na Fianna, Trim, O'Mahonys, Summerhill, Ballivor, Kilbride, Moynalvey, Blackhall Gaels, Ballinabrackey, Longwood, St. Pauls, Boardsmill, Clonard
An Tuascairt (North):Gaeil Colmcille, Simonstown Gaels, Wolfe Tones, Oldcastle, Castletown, Drumbaragh, Kilmainham, Meath Hill, Nobber, Syddan, St. Michaels, Ballinlough, Carnaross, Drumconrath, Kilmainhamwood, Moylagh, Moynalty, St. Brigids
Boyne Valley (East): Donaghmore/Ashbourne, St. Colmcilles, Duleek/Bellewstown, Seneschalstown, St. Patricks, Rathkenny, Curraha, Slane, St. Vincents, St. Marys, Eastern Gaels
Tara (Central):Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Walterstown, Skryne, Clann na nGael, Dunsany, Bective, Dunderry, St. Ultans, Cortown
madmeath (Meath) - Posts: 117 - 20/08/2026 09:27:34
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