Championship countdown gathers momentum for club players
The long wait for the majority of club footballers will end this weekend with the first round of the 2018 championships scheduled across the SFC, IFC, JFC and Junior B grades.
The customary, almost traditional at this stage, discussions at Co Board level took place during January and February about proposals for changes to the format.
Smaller groups and more teams relegated were on the agenda, but this time around the proposals fell at the first fence and were voted down unlike the previous year when they were agreed and then were the subject of a late U-turn.
Defending two-in-a-row Keegan Cup champions Simonstown Gaels were handed a tough opening SFC tie when the draws were made.
The Gaels will open their bid for three at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday against Dunshaughlin, but the honour of playing the first game of 2018 will fall to St Patrick's and Ratoath at Ashbourne on Friday night, 8pm.
For the defending champions Simonstown, the opener against Dunshaughlin will be a major test without the guidance of Colm O'Rourke on the sideline.
O'Rourke stepped down and has been replaced by Ciaran Kenny who served his apprenticeship as a selector.
In going for three Keegan Cups Simonstown will be bidding to emulate a feat last achieved by Dunshaughlin when they completed three in-a-row (2000-2002) under the guidance of manager Eamonn Barry who this year will bid to lead Moylagh to the JFC title.
Dunshaughlin have Anthony Moyles at the helm and after that opening joust the Navan men will face Dunboyne in the second round later this month.
One game that will generate a lot of interest this weekend is the opening round is the Group B encounter between Skryne and senior new boys Curraha.
That game will be played at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday at 6.30pm.
The Meath Chronicle will provide extensive coverage of all the grades and this year a team of the round at the three main grades, SFC, IFC and JFC will be selected.
We will be depending on the club PROs to provide reports for the games. PROs should identify a player in their match report for inclusion in the team of the round. Reports to sports@meathchronicle.ie as soon as possible after the game. The report should include the full-time and half-time, scorers, teams details, substitutions and any other relevant information.
Include a nomination for the Chronicle Team of the Round selection.
CHECK YOUR FIXTURE
FRIDAY 6th APRIL (8PM)
Ashbourne - St Patrick's v Ratoath, SFC, Patrick Nelis.
SATURDAY 7th APRIL
Navan - Bective v Oldcastle, IFC, 5pm; Skryne v Curraha, SFC, 6.30pm.
Duleek - Donaghmore / Ashbourne v Seneschalstown, SFC, 6.30pm.
Donore - St Colmcille's v Rathkenny, SFC, 6.30pm, Patrick Coyle.
Simonstown - Drumbaragh v Syddan, IFC, 4pm, Martin Griffin; St Ultan's v Walterstown, IFC, 5.30pm, Paul Mooney.
Carlanstown - Meath Hill v Kilmainham, IFC, 4.30pm; Ballivor v Kilmainhamwood, JFC 6pm.
Kildalkey - Clonard v Carnaross, JFC, 4.30pm; Clann na nGael v Moylagh, JFC, 6pm.
SUNDAY 8th APRIL
Navan - Longwood v Dunderry, IFC, 2pm; Dunshaughlin v Simonstown Gaels, SFC, 3.30pm.
Dunshaughlin - Dunboyne v Blackhall Gaels, SFC, 6.30pm.
Trim - Navan O'Mahonys v Na Fianna, SFC, 2pm.
Athboy - Gaeil Colmcille v Summerhill, SFC, 3pm; Gaeil Colmcille v Summerhill, JFC, 4.30pm.
Skryne - Dunsany v Cortown, JFC, 1pm; Moynalvey v Wolfe Tones, SFC, 2.30pm, Colm McManus.
Clonard - Trim v Ballinabrackey, IFC, 6pm, Bernard Heaney.
Drumconrath - St Michael's v Nobber, IFC, 6pm.
Walterstown - Donaghmore / Ashbourne v Ballinlough, IFC, 2pm; Donaghmore / Ashbourne v St Colmcille's, Junior B, 3.30pm.
Rathkenny - Duleek / Bellewstown v Castletown, IFC, 1pm.
Dunsany - Slane v Boardsmill, Junior B, 4.30pm; Skryne v Seneschalstown, JFC, 6pm.
Curraha - St Mary's v Kilbride, Junior B, 1pm.
SATURDAY 14th APRIL (4.30PM)
Ratoath - Dunshaughlin v Dunboyne, JFC.
Bective - Navan O'Mahonys v Wolfe Tones, JFC, 6pm.
Athboy - Simonstown Gaels v Na Fianna, Junior B; Simonstown Gaels v Oldcastle, Junior C, 6pm.
Ratoath - Trim v Dunboyne, Junior B, 6pm.
Bective - Nobber v Moynalvey, Junior B.
Boardsmill - Summerhill v Clann na nGael, Junior C, 6pm.
Slane - Walterstown v Rathkenny, Junior C, 6pm.
Moynalty - Syddan v Carnaross, Junior C, 6pm.
Navan O'Mahonys - St Paul's v St Ultan's, Junior C; Dunsany v Castletown, Junior C, 6pm.
Kilbride - Curraha v St Colmcille's, Junior D, 6pm.
SUNDAY 15th APRIL (3.30PM)
Carnaross - Drumconrath v St Brigid's, JFC.
Walterstown - Ratoath v Kilmainham, Junior D, 2pm; Ratoath v St Michael's, Junior C.
Skryne - Ballinlough v St Vincent's, Junior D, 2pm.Drumbaragh v Donaghmore / Ashbourne, Junior D.
Kilberry - Meath Hill v Dunboyne, Junior D, 12pm.
Kildalkey - Clonard v Wolfe Tones, Junior D, 2pm; Bective v Ballivor, Junior D.
Boardsmill - Trim v Longwood, Junior D, 11am.
Martry - Dunderry v Cortown, Junior C.