It may make me a bit of an oddball, but I tend to be a champion of matters which others belittle or ridicule. See the Railway Cup, the International Rules Series or the scandalously shafted Tommy Murphy Cup.
The Brady’s Skoda-sponsored Meath Regional Football Championship is another such gem. The brainchild of Colm O’Rourke and the county’s Football Development Committee under the direction of Dunboyne’s Conor O’Donoghue, amidst all the anger and upset felt at the way Colm’s departure from the role as Meath senior manager was handled, the perhaps hidden angst related to whether the Regionals would be retained.
Thankfully, when the query was put to Robbie Brennan recently, that the answer was very much in the affirmative was a source of relief and no little excitement. Thus, the race for the Richie Barry Cup is under starter’s orders once again.
Relief because, from a personal perspective, it’s another four weeks of action for the mind and the typing finger to zone in on. Thereby taking practically a month off the winter.
Leaving my own story aside, though, the excitement stems from the earnestly held belief the Regionals have definitely been beneficial to the quality of football in the county. How, you may ask.
Well, if for no other reason that the way the competition is formatted – teams made up of players from Intermediate and Junior clubs only – gives them the opportunity to pit themselves against contemporaries of their own ilk. Giving players the best chance of being seen in a favourable light. Ensuring that they will not be overrun or overlooked.
Furthermore, if doubters still needed convincing ss to its value, consider that Sean Brennan, Brian O’Halloran, Brendan McKeon, Michael Flood, Harry O’Higgins, Danny Dixon and Keith Curtis – there are probably more – all came through the wintry football feast to contribute to varying degrees at the highest level.
And, in an intriguing late development, it emerged tonight (Monday) that the experimental rules produced by Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee and currently the cause of much conjecture will be in operation throughout the divisional event. Presumably with a view to having potential county recruits somewhat au fait with the new dictums in readiness for the forthcoming inter county season.
The following are the eight regional teams:
Blackwater: Carnaross, Drumbaragh, Kilmainham, Moynalty, St Michael’s
The North: Drumconrath, Castletown, Kilmainhamwood, Meath Hill, Nobber
Ardbraccan: Dunderry, Cortown, O’Mahony’s, St Ultan’s, Dunsany
Brú na Bóinne: Duleek/Bellewstown, Eastern Gaels, St Mary’s, St Patrick’s, St Vincent’s
Boyne Valley: Syddan, Walterstown. Bective, Slane
Loughcrew: Ballinlough, Moylagh, Oldcastle, St Brigid’s
Moyfenragh: Ballivor, Boardsmill, Clann na Gael, Clonard, Longwood
Tara: Blackhall Gaels, Kilbride, St Paul’s, Moynalvey
Regional Football Championship
Group A
Saturday October 26th
Round 1
Clonard 14:00 Moyfenragh V Blackwater
Cortown 18:00 Ardbraccan V Brú na Bóinne
Friday November 1st
Round 2
Donore 20:00 Brú na Bóinne V Moyfenragh
Saturday November 2nd
Round 2
Drumbaragh 14:00 Blackwater V Ardbraccan
Saturday November 9th
Round 3
Dunganny 2 18:00 Brú na Bóinne V Blackwater
Dunganny 1 18:00 Moyfenragh V Ardbraccan
GROUP B
Friday October 25th
Round 1
Ballinlough 20:00 Lough Crew V Boyne Valley
Saturday October 26th
Kilbride 14:00 Tara V An Tuascairt
Saturday November 2nd
Round 2
Bective 14:00 Boyne Valley V Tara
Meath Hill 18:00 An Tuascairt V Lough Crew
Saturday November 9th
Round 3
Dunganny 2 19:30 An Tuascairt V Boyne Valley
Dunganny 1 19:30 Tara V Lough Crew.
Saturday 16th November
KNOCKOUT STAGES
Winner Group A v 2nd in Group B, 6pm,
Winner Group B v 2nd n Group A, 7.15.
FINAL
Saturday 23rd November
Ashbourne, 6pm.
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