Football Championship Knockout Fixtures Released

Following Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Meath Competitions Control Committee (CCC), the fixtures for the upcoming games in the knockout stages of the Meath Football Championships have been released and there is no shortage of big games on the agenda with places in the semi-finals/finals at stake while others could find themselves plunged deeper into the relegation mire.

Saturday September 23 will have an appetising double header in Pairc Tailteann with the Fairyhouse Steel SFC semi-final between Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Summerhill being preceded by the local derby in the Meade Farm IFC between St. Patrick’s and Duleek-Bellewstown. Donaghmore/Ashbourne edged a tight last eight encounter with St. Colmcille’s to get this far while Summerhill have been carving out an impressive path to the final four.

Twelve months ago St. Patrick’s and Duleek-Bellewstown served up a gripping quarter final which went all the way to penalties under the floodlights in Ashbourne and both were impressive in differing manners in this years quarter finals. Ronan Kearns and Daithi Whyte saw their side come from six behind after an underwhelming opening quarter to eventually defeat Castletown by five points. The Joe Sheridan managed Duleek-Bellewstown edged a thrill a minute encounter with Meath Hill in Navan, showing great composure in defence late on to not allow Meath Hill snatch a last gasp equaliser.

There is a triple header on the Sunday with the Meath Cleaning Supplies sponsored Premier Football Championship Division 1 decider between Dunshaughlin and Ratoath sandwiched between the Meade Farm IFC semi-final with Navan O’Mahonys and Rathkenny as well as the Fairyhouse Steel SFC semi-final with Wolfe Tones and Ratoath.

Dunshaughlin and Ratoath both eked out one point victories in last weeks semi-finals and another tight encounter is expected in this final. Whether or not they can serve up the drama witnessed in Sunday’s SFC quarter final has to be considered unlikely but a high quality game is anticipated.

O’Mahonys and Rathkenny meet once more in the semi-final of the IFC, having met earlier in the group stage. On that occasion it was O’Mahonys who came out on top but with both sides having improved since that meeting, it is hard to know how much to read into that result. O’Mahonys went on to top Group A and then accounted for the stiff test provided by Ballivor in the semi-final while Rathkenny salvaged their season in Round 3 of the Group when staging a late, late rally to defeat Oldcastle in the final round and thus book their quarter final berth. That fightback seemed to have lit a spark in their side and against Walterstown on Saturday they produced some scintillating football to secure a last four spot.

Cathal Smyth (Navan O’Mahonys) and Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), during the Meade Farm Group – Intermediate Football Championship game Navan O’Mahonys v Rathkenny at Páirc Tailteann, Navan, County Meath. Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net

It is a repeat of their 2021 Fairyhouse Steel SFC semi-final meeting when Wolfe Tones and Ratoath meet at 16:30 on the Sunday in Pairc Tailteann. On that occasion it was Wolfe Tones who came out on top and they once more look like a side timing their run very well. On the other hand, since they dismantled Skryne in Round 2, Ratoath appear to be struggling to find their mojo and come into the semi-final off the back of two performances which they know were far from awe inducing. St. Colmcillle’s overcame them in Round 3, albeit Ratoath were short some key players while they were within seconds of elimination on Sunday evening last against Dunshaughlin. But they displayed that classic trait of top teams as they found a way to eke out a win when playing below their best. an improvement on that showing will be required if Wolfe Tones are to be accounted for.

24-10-21. Ratoath v Wolfe Tones – Meath SFC Semi-Final at Pairc Tailteann.
Daithi? McGowan, Ratoath in action against Wolfe Tones in the Meath SFC Semi-Final.
Photo: John Quirke / www.quirke.ie
©John Quirke Photography, 16 Proudstown Road, Navan. Co. Meath. (info@quirke.ie / 046-9028461 / 087-2579454).

The Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accomodation JFC quarter finals take place on Tuesday next, September 19 with Cortown hosting the meeting of Kilbride and Moylagh while Moynalty hosts the game between Ballinlough and Syddan. Both of these fixtures throw in at 20:00. The victors will be busy with the last four games then taking place five days later as Clann na nGael and St. Brigid’s wait patiently in the wings. At this time of the year the big games come thick and fast.

There are two quarter finals on the cards this weekend in the Coolrite sponsored Junior B Football Championship, one on Saturday and the second on Sunday. Masterson Park in Arcath is the venue on Saturday evening for the meeting of two clubs sited on opposite banks of the River Boyne. Slane are looking to go one better than twelve months ago when they lost out in the decider to St. Brigid’s and they are meeting a St. Mary’s side who booked their place in the quarter finals in impressive fashion when whitewashing Eastern Gaels at the weekend. Their attack was also motoring well as they notched 6-17.

The second quarter final sees Cortown and Boardsmill meet on Sunday in Athboy. Both sides have mixed the good with the not so good to date but come into this game knowing a win could set them up for a tilt at Championship glory. An interesting game is in store.

There are also Relegations semi-finals on the cards in the SFC, IFC and JFC as clubs scramble to preserve their status. Skryne pulled a rabbit out of the hat last weekend when springing Felim O’Rourke to play in goals and at this stage of the relegation battle there are often players summonsed from either retirement at first team level or abroad to try to keep the shop afloat. Who will make it to dry land by the time these games have reached their conclusion and who will be desperately clinging onto their lifejacket?

Tickets for all games will be available in the coming days via the Meath GAA App.