2020 LMFM Meath MFC Previews – Division 4
Division 4 – Ballinlough, Bective/Dunsany, Kilmainhamwood, Moynalvey/Boardsmill, Na
Fianna, Rathkenny/Slane, Ratoath (B), St. Peter’s Dunboyne (B)
The top two sides in Division 4A and Division 4B progress to the semi-finals with top in 4A
playing second in 4B and top in 4B playing second in 4A. The third-placed team in 5A plays
the fourth-placed team in 4B in the Shield semi-final with the third-placed team in 4B playing
the fourth in 4A.
Division 4A – Ballinlough, Na Fianna, Rathkenny/Slane, Ratoath
Ballinlough – The Summer and Autumn of 2019 was a great period for the juvenile section in Ballinlough as they picked up trophy after trophy and they will be looking to get their hands on the Division 4 MFC title for the second year in succession after last years thrilling victory over St. Colmcilles in Kilmainham. Daire Shine is an exciting young talent and if he can hit top form then the ‘Lough youngsters could get their hands on the cup again.
Manager – Ronan McGuinness. Selectors – Niall Farrelly & Joe Farrelly. Joint Captains –
Brían Casserly & Ben Jordan.
Na Fianna – A win and a draw was their lot from two games in the Spring League and Na Fianna will enter the competition with genuine ambitions of lifting the Dara Maxwell Cup at the end of September. Brian Queeney was a Meath Minor coach in 2019 and his expertise on the sideline will see the team well prepared. Val Griffin at full-forward will be a player to watch out for as will the talented Oisín Bright who is likely to be one of their key operators out the field.
Manager – Brian Queeney. Selectors – Kevin Halton, Hugh Dorgan & Pat Flynn. Joint
Captains – Sean McDonnell & Sean Maguire.
Rathkenny/Slane – Keegan Cup winner Andrew McCann leads the Rathkenny/Slane side into the MFC and he will be looking to mould them into a cohesive outfit after their sole competitive outfit this year to date saw them fall to a six-point defeat to St. Michael’s/Nobber back in the middle of February. In David Curtis they have a forward who will keep the
scoreboard ticking over and they are capable of putting a good run together if the team can get off to a positive start in Enfield on Wednesday.
Manager – Andrew McCann. Selectors – Martin Byrne, Frank Smith & Joe McKeever.
Captain – TBC.
Ratoath (B) – Many of this team will have contested the 2019 U-15 Division 1 League Final and will have another year playing in the Minor grade to look forward to. Could they enter the 2021 season with a Minor Championship medal in their back pocket and the prospect of another to come? Given the depth of talent in the Ratoath club, this is quite possible but they will face formidable opposition in Group A with all of their opponents all coming into the competition with each of them believing they will be celebrating on the day of the final.
Manager – Not Provided. Selectors – Not Provided. Captain – Not Provided.
Division 4B – Bective/Dunsany, Kilmainhamwood, Moynalvey/Boardsmill, St. Peter’s Dunboyne (B)
Bective/Dunsany – Their form was mixed back in the Spring with a win and a loss to their name, but Bective/Dunsany have the look of a team who can leave their mark on this competition. They are a well-balanced outfit who are guaranteed to graft for each other and will not be outworked in any match. Having two away games is a drawback but if they can get off to a winning start against Kilmainhamwood in Bective then anything is possible.
Manager – Ciaran Reilly. Selector – Rory Farrell. Joint Captains – Daragh Honan & Scott
O’Sullivan.
Kilmainhamwood – Around North Meath word has been positive about this group of players since they first saw competitive action at U-12 level. Regarded as the most talented group to come through the club in a long while by some shrewd observers, they will be a team to watch out for as this competition progresses. Kian Gillespie is a towering presence for the side and the Meath Minor panellist can help to drive the team on to new heights.
Manager – Richie Gillespie. Selectors – Sid Smith & Ray Madden. Captain – Kian
Gillespie.
Moynalvey/Boardsmill – The other side in the group with only one home game and there’s no doubt about it but the lack of home comforts can be a drawback for a team. That said, it’s only a short hop to Dunboyne for many of the players for the Round 1 fixture and the group has the talent to make the most of any opportunity that arises for them. Vinny Walsh is likely
to be a key player for the combination outfit.
Joint Managers – David Durkan & Padraig Donoghue. Selectors – Francis Cotter & Anthony
Quinn. Joint Captains – Michael Brady & Ciaran McLoughlin.
St. Peter’s Dunboyne (B) – A couple of years ago St. Peter’s Dunboyne had two teams in action at the same time in U-15 Finals in Dunganny. Whatever happens this year, the Division 1 and 4 Finals are scheduled for different dates so that clash is unlikely to arise again for this group of players but it’s far from beyond the bounds of possibility that they could have the two teams in Minor Finals two years on. If this side is in contention for a semi-final spot entering the final round on August 26 when Bective/Dunsany arrive on the Rooske Road, then home advantage in that crucial game could prove to be pivotal.
Manager – Kieran Carolan. Selectors – Damien Cunningham, Seamus McGovern & Dean
McLoughlin. Captain – Aidan Flynn.
2019 Winner – Ballinlough
Playing For – Dara Maxwell Cup
Predicted semi-finalists – Ballinlough, Kilmainhamwood, Rathkenny/Slane, St. Peter’s
Dunboyne (B).
Predicted winners – Ballinlough
Predicted Shield Contestants – Bective/Dunsany, Moynalvey/Boardsmill, Na Fianna,
Ratoath (B).
By Brian Kelly Tue 4th Aug
