O'Mahonys likely to find Hill too high to climb

Meath Hill fancied to repeat final win from two years ago

Two years ago Meath Hill and Navan O'Mahonys met in a thrilling IFC final that went to extra-time before going the north Meath men's way. Many leaving Pairc Tailteann that day claimed they had witnessed the greatest IFC final ever, a game that ebbed and flowed and was thrill-a-minute, few could argue with the assessment - that was until last year's decider between Kilbride and Castletown.

It is a feature of the IFC in Meath to throw up tantilising, exciting games and theis renewal of the 2024 final is another potential blockbuster that is sure to attract a huge crowd to Castletown on Friday night.

While Meath Hill emerged victorious in their last meeting and went on to ply their trade in senior for another year, O'Mahonys struggled in 2025 and found themselves just a kick of the ball away from dropping to the junior ranks.

It is such a thin line between success and failure in intermediate football that this game is almost impossible to call because on their day either one of O'Mahonys or Meath Hill might find themselves as potential champions.

The formbook gives little away. Meath Hill and Moynalvey were clearcut favourites to emerge from their group and Meath Hill topped it with an impressive round one win over Moynalvey.

In the end O'Mahonys comfortably advanced from their group, but at one stage in the final round of games they could have found themselves in relegation trouible again as Bective had them on the racks and Longwood looked set for a surprise win over St Patrick's.

However when the dust settled O'Mahonys edged out their parish neighbours and St Pat's held on for the draw they needed against Longwood to both go through.

Nerves came close to being the undoing of O'Mahonys and if they show that weakness against Meath Hill they might suffer a disappointing fate.

Meath Hill appear hungry for a quick return to the top flicght. They have been steady and reliable and went about their business with an ease that suggested they were preparing for bigger days and that journey is likely to continue. Verdict - Meath Hill.

RESULTS SO FAR

Round one - Meath Hill 2-11, Moynalvey 1-10; St Patrick's 1-14, Navan O'Mahonys 0-13.

Round two - Meath Hill 2-17, Dunsany 1-13; Navan O'Mahonys 4-23, Longwood 1-8.

Round three - Meath Hill 1-16, Blackhall Gaels 1-7; Navan O'Mahonys 2-19, Bective 2-16.