Senior hurling all in Pairc Tailteann Saturday and Sunday

Meath GAA Co Board has made a number of venue changes for the crucial senior hurling championship games that are scheduled for this weekend.

The four SHC games will now be played at Pairc Tailteann after the Dunboyne v Navan O'Mahonys; Kilmessan v Blackhall Gaels and Longwood v Rathmolyon were moved from Trim and Rathmolyon venues on Saturday and Sunday.

The new schedule is listed

SATURDAY 22nd AUGUST

IN PAIRC TAILTEANN

SHC - Dunboyne v Navan O'Mahonys, 4.15pm

SHC - Ratoath v Kiltale, 6pm.

SUNDAY 23rd AUGUST

in pairc tailteann

SHC - Kilmessan v Blackhall Gaels, 1.45pm

SHC - Longwood v Killyon 3.30pm

All games are on Meath GAA TV.

SEE FERGAL LYNCH'S PREVIEWS

The doors of the last chance saloon are swinging and this weekend they will either slam shut on the hopes and aspirations for championship glory for many sides or push wide open to allow them back into contention.

Such is the nature of the new structures for the hurling championship some teams are due for their first taste of the serious stuff next weekend, while for the losers of the first round games they have one last opportunity to get back in the frame and avoid a relegation scenario.

The biggest gun of them all, Kiltale, find themselves in that exact scenario when defeat against Ratoath in Pairc Tailteann next Saturday will leave them out of the hunt for the Jubilee Cup.

Such a situation is almost unthinkable for the former five-in-a-row champions who were denied their sixth successive title last year by Kildalkey, but that is exactly where they stand following their opening round loss to the defending champions. Because of the restructuring of the championships due to the Coronavirus epidemic teams get just one shot at redemption, particularly the group A teams.

The new look championship has divided the six group a teams into two groups of three with two emerging from each group, winners to the semi-finals and the second placed team to the quarter-finals.

Kildalkey's win over Kiltale in round one puts them in pole position for a place in the last four, but for Kiltale they have to defeat Ratoath to stay in the hunt.

Remarkably there is also a scenario when Kildalkey might not make it through at all. If Kiltale beat Ratoath, then Ratoath beat Kildalkey the decision making process will come down to scoring difference as all three teams will be on two points, so it's still all to play for in Group A2.

The exact same scenario also applies for Group A1. Trim's win over Killyon in round one puts them top of the table, but they too can be caught and overtaken, but that is less likely to happen as Trim's margin of victory over Killyon (14 points) gives them a significant scoring difference boost.

Neil Cole's side would have to suffer a whopping loss against Longwood in three weeks time, while Killyon will also need to beat Longwood next weekend - both outcomes look unlikely.

Instead it looks as if Killyon's championship season will end next Sunday, leaving the final game of the group between Trim and Longwood to determine who will advance to the semi-finals and who must contest a quarter-final.

The quarter-finals will be made up by two teams from group B, the winners of B1 and the top team in B2.

Na Fianna put themselves in a decent position with a big win over O'Mahonys in Trim, but Dunboyne can also expect to chalk up a victory over the Navan side next Saturday so that will set up a winner-takes-all meeting of Na Fianna and Dunboyne in round three to see who will advance to the quarter-final.

Kilmessan's draw with Clann na nGael in round one leaves Group B1 wide open. After a meeting of the CCC last week Kilmessan were drawn to play Blackhall Gaels next and the outcome of that encounter will go a long way towards deciding who advances.

If Kilmessan win it will mean Clann na nGael will have to beat Blackhall Gaels in round three by more than Kilmessan's margin of victory over the Batterstown/Kilcloon side. Whereas if Blackhall Gaels beat Kilmessan then it will be a straight shootout between Clann na nGael and Blackhall Gaels to see who progresses to the last six.

The IHC is following the same format as the SHC and with Rathymolyon defeating Gaeil Colmcille in round one Group A1, and Boardsmill likely to repeat the dose on the Kells men in round two, it all looks set to come down to a third round shootout between Boardsmill and Rathmolyon to see who advances to a semi-final and who must contest a quarter-final.

Wolfe Tones' surprise win over Dunderry in round one has thrown Group A2 wide open. Dunderry must now defeat Drumree, the side they edged out in last year's semi-final, to stay in the hunt. A Drumree win will dump out one of the pre-campaign favourites, but this group looks like going down to the wire.

Kilskrye/Moylagh's draw with Donaghmore/Ashbourne in round one sets up a tight Group B1. JHC champions Killyon know that a victory over Kilskyre/Moylagh next weekend will put them in a strong position of claiming the single qualification spot - but it's a tough ask.

In Group B2 Trim impressed in their victory over Kildalkey and must be favourites to advance. Kildalkey were the most fancied second team in the IHC, but now they must beat Kiltale to have any outside hope of staying in the hunt.

SHC

Ratoath v Kiltale: Undoubtedly the game of the weekend. Ratoath have many exceptionally talented individuals, but Kiltale have proven before that when everything is at stake they are capable of finding a way to win and that should be the case here. Verdict - Kiltale.

Longwood v Killyon: Killyon will be disappointed with their second-half showing against Trim. Longwood are chomping at the bit to get going and should win pulling up. Verdict - Longwood.

Blackhall Gaels v Kilmessan: There is a major rebuilding project underway in Kilmessan and this game might be too tough of a test for their young guns. Blackhall Gaels have a steady reliable set-up and should be too strong. Verdict - Blackhall Gaels.

Dunboyne v Navan O'Mahonys: You would have to fear for O'Mahonys in this one. All they can do is keep it respectable. Plenty of good players, but Dunboyne are way too strong. Verdict - Dunboyne.

IHC

Boardsmill v Gaeil Colmcille: Gaeil Colmcille were disappointing last week against Rathmolyon. Boardsmill are another step up in quality. Verdict - Boardsmill.

Drumree v Dunderry: Dunderry's loss to Wolfe Tones was a bit of a surprise. They can expect it tougher against Drumree and could face a similar outcome. Verdict - Drumree.

Killyon v Kilskyre/Moylagh: The JHC winners will find Kilskyre/Moylagh too big of a step up in class to handle. Verdict - Kilskyre/Moylagh.

Kiltale v Kildalkey: Kildalkey's second string is fairly strong, but they lost to Trim last time out and will be eager to make amends. Verdict - Kildalkey.