Could now be the time for Moynalty?

Despite Cortown and Eastern Gaels having the honour of opening proceedings last weekend, the Junior B Championship kicks off in earnest on Thursday night. Eight teams in two groups with the top two advancing straight to the semi-final, writes Davy Rispin.

It must feel like Groundhog Day for Moynalty, beaten in last year’s decider by near-neighbours Carnaross, an all too familiar tale of late season woe for the north Meath side yet they will start the 2025 renewal as pre-tournament favourites. Could this finally be the year?

They will be an ultra-competitive Group A alongside Drumconrath, Boardsmill and St Mary’s – all of whom have recently competed in League finals. the tough group could be a help to Derek O’Brien’s charges should they negotiate their way through the group. The feeling from last year was that they were untested and went into that final cold and were beaten.

St Mary’s are well placed for a decent tilt. They were edged out at the last four stage by the beaten finalists in 2024 but have bolstered their squad significantly. Caimin Hughes, Maithíu and Andy Brien have certainly added some flair to them alongside the likes of the Victory brothers, Dylan Bagnall and Ben Loughran.

Boardsmill have lifted three cups so far in 2025 with the popular double-act of James McNally and John Rafferty getting their usual tune out of the dual club. Two of those cups were in Div 7 and 11 admittedly but getting ‘The Mill’ back winning is the key.

The return of Evan and Kyle Dixon from Navan RFC could be massive alongside their cousin and former county-man Danny. Add in Stevie Gibbons, Niall Bagnall, Liam O’Brien and veterans Keith Hamilton and Johnny Mitchell and you have a nice cocktail.

Drumconrath, under the stewardship of Nobber's Gordon Weldon, achieved promotion to Div 5 but were soundly beaten by Nicky Gogan’s St Mary’s in the decider. The rebuild has been solid and they will look to Stephen Crosby, Oran Brady, Daniel Byrne, and recent recruit from Ballinabrackey Michael Kearney for inspiration.

Group B should be a straightforward equation with Kilmainhamwood and Cortown advancing at Clonard and Eastern Gaels' expense. It has been far from plain sailing for the newly formed Seasiders. They have improved and picked up a couple of noteworthy wins against second team opposition, but they are still someway off troubling the other first teams in the grade. Clonard have endured a wretched year, relegation to Div 7 for 2026 and no win under new rules. The imminent arrival of Kian Campbell and Kayden Plunkett amongst other young starlights simply cannot come quick enough.

Nobber's Sean Carolan takes charge of Kilmainhamwood for the second year, and they appear to be the biggest challengers to Moynalty.

A solid fifth place finish in Div 5 minus under-20-star Rian Stafford for much of the campaign must be respected. They were within a whisper of beating eventual winners Carnaross at the penultimate stage of the championship last year. Stafford will undoubtedly be central to their hopes, but they are by no means a one-man band. Daragh Smith, Shane Townley, Niall Conlon, Eoin Finnegan, and Aidan Roche are all potential match-winners on their day.

The Wood's prime challengers in Group B will be familiar foes Cortown, managed for a third year by Martin McGovern. An injury-list as long as Peter Crouch’s left arm made for a frustrating league campaign in Div 5 but three-straight-wins at the end gives them cause for optimism.

Cortown's challenge will be built on a solid defence with an average of just 12 points conceded in their last three outings. Colm McGearty is one of the best goalkeepers around and with Glenswilly native Barry Canning in front of himand the outstanding Ciaran Keating give Cortown the perfect platform. The reliance on Hugh Staunton in central positions will be vital too.

Kilmainhamwood and Cortown should emerge from Group B, but who joins them in the semi-finals? Only a brave man can call it, but Moynalty and St Mary’s might just come through the stacked Group A to set up two mouthwatering pairings and then it is anyone’s guess or championship!