Regional FC to be reduced to four teams

Senior players now have opportunity to impress

This year the Meath Regional FC will be changed from eight to four teams and will include senior teams, along with intermediate and junior clubs.

Recent feedback is that the competition would benefit from a refresh in format. The competition format was novel and warmly received by players and supporters at the outset.

Boyne Valley were double winners under Cathal O Bric and John McCarthy. McCarthy followed up with a win in a new region, Brú na Boinne, while An Tuascairt, under Tadgh Boyle, are the holders.

Nonetheless in recent years some regions were persistently weak and increasingly difficult to organise. Interest had begun to wane and quality was not good enough in some games.

The new tighter format will strengthen all regions considerably and extend opportunity to more players, at all grades.

The trade-off is that some elements of regional identity will be diluted. However, overall, the change will provide the regional competition with fresh energy and dramatically improve standards.

A regional team will be difficult to get into and should be an aspiration for ambitious Meath players looking to test their ability.

The main purpose of the competition will remain for those players selected to win the competition.

From a Meath senior football perspective, a four team Regional championship with all grades will be much higher quality and thus more predictive of talent being able to transition to the Meath Senior set up.

Robbie Brennan has confirmed, Meath senior management will use the competition as the first gauge of potential before asking players, they deem to most promising, into the new senior squad or the senior development squad.

Performance at club level, to performance at regional to performance at adult intercounty level, will be the football adult pathway.

Meath GAA have received support from Brady’s garage and they will remain as the competition sponsor. The distinctive regional Brady’s jerseys will be launched along with the competition in October.

THE MAIN HEADLINES

On Sunday 1st November, the regional championship, comprised of four teams (of 20/25 players per squad) and drawing from all clubs at all grades, using existing names, will begin.

The games will be on 1st, 8th and 15th November with the and finals on Sunday 22nd November in Devenish Park.

This year the teams are An Tuascairt, Boyne Valley, Tara and Moyfenragh, split based on population centres set out below.

The regional teams will be independently managed and compete to win the regional championship. Players of any age can be considered.

There will be one group of four, with three group games and the top two teams contesting a final.

The best performers will be added to the Meath Senior set up after the regional championship.

The regions are:

Moyfenragh - St Peter's, Na Fianna, Trim, Summerhill, Ballivor, Kilbride, Moynalvey, Blackhall Gaels, Ballinabrackey, Longwood, St Paul's, Boardsmill, Clonard.

An Tuascairt - Gaeil Colmcille, Simonstown, Wolfe Tones, Oldcastle, Castletown, Drumbaragh, Kilmainham, Meath Hill, Nobber, St Michael's, Ballinlough, Carnaross, Drumconrath, Kilmainhamwood, Moylagh, Moynalty, St Brigid's.

Boyne Valley - Donaghmore/Ashbourne, St Colmcille's, Duleek-Bellewstown, Seneschalstown, St Patrick's, Rathkenny, Curraha, Slane, St Vincent's, St Mary's Eastern Gaels.

Tara - Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Walterstown, Navan O'Mahonys, Skryne, Clann na nGael, Dunsany, Bective, Dunderry, St Ultan's, Syddan, Cortown.