Big stakes as spectre of relegation looms large
THE club season in Meath kicks off in earnest this weekend with a full round of All-County ‘A’ and ‘B’ League matches scheduled, beginning on Friday evening, but it is likely that there will be a number of inspections in the coming days after all the recent rainfall left pitches in a poor condition.
This year’s A League, particularly Divisions 1 and 2, will be more competitive than recent seasons because of the number of teams that are to be relegated come the end of the competition.
At the end of the 2020 campaign the CCC are due to rebalance the A Leagues into divisions of 12 teams maximum, using the 2020 league final standings to determine the new divisions.
At present there are 14 teams in the top two divisions and this will lead to four teams suffering relegation (if two are promoted from Division 2).
This will have a massive knock-on effect, with up to eight teams likely to be relegated from Division 2 and more from the lower divisions.
Two second teams, Donaghmore-Ashbourne and Dunboyne, will compete in Division 3 for the first time, while Division 4 has been split into two groups to cater for the number of other second teams joining the A League.
St Colmcille’s, Seneschalstown, Skryne, Ratoath, Simonstown, Wolfe Tones and Summerhill are other clubs who will field second teams in the top grade.
There are five Division 1 ties currently scheduled for Friday evening, including a repeat of the 2019 decider between Gaeil Colmcille and Navan O’Maho
Football A League at 8.0 ny’s.
The Kells men won that tussle 3-13 to 2-10 and were also winners when the sides clashed recently in the semi-final of the Feis Cup.
Last year’s Division 2 winners Seneschalstown host Donaghmore-Ashbourne, while Skryne have a home tie against St Peter’s Dunboyne and the county champions Ratoath, who will have new manager Brian Farrell at the helm, host Na Fianna.
In Division 2 on Friday evening St Patrick’s host Dunderry, while two neighbouring clubs - Duleek-Bellewstown and Rathkenny - who were plying their trade in the senior grade not so long ago will clash at Duleek.
Two further matches in Division 2 are listed for Saturday, with Ballinlough at home to Syddan and Moynalvey hosting Castletown.
The remaining games in Division 1 take place on Sunday, with newly promoted Ballinabrackey travelling to take on Wolfe Tones and Summerhill playing host to Simonstown Gaels.
St Colmcille’s get their campaign up and running with a trip to Walterstown on Sunday morning and Curraha are also on the road to play Trim.
Cille’s second team make their debut in Division 4A when they entertain Moylagh on Friday evening.
St Vincent’s start their Division 3 campaign at home to St Peter’s Dunboyne, the team who defeated them in the 2018 Junior Championship Final following extra time.
Two other east Meath teams, St Mary’s and Slane, have away trips on Saturday to Cortown and Clonard respectively.