New Meath GAA Cup competition

Meath GAA Co Board unveiled a new competition last night at the first monthly meeting of 2014 when plans for an intermediate football knock-out cup were sanctioned.

The new competition - still to be named - will cater for teams that compete in the IFC only and will be of similar status to the Feis Cup and the Tailteann Cup.

The Feis Cup for 2014 will now be restricted to senior clubs only as efforts continue to reduce the number of games that are required to get that knock-out competition down to the final two.

Three years ago the Co Board successfully introduced the Tailteann Cup for clubs with first teams in the JFC or Junior B FC.

2013 JFC finalists Kilmainham and Drumbaragh will now compete in the IFC Knock-out Cup in 2014 while last year's IFC winners, Gaeil Colmcille, will be one of 18 teams bidding to win the Feis Cup.

With only 18 teams, current holders Navan O'Mahonys will have to play less games in 2014 if they are to retain the famous trophy.

Conall Collier