And so it begins. The rapidly approaching new season has`probably been on plenty of minds already between the annual roll out of the managerial merry-go-round and some fairly high profile incoming ‘signings’ for clubs. But, it is, at last in my view, starting to feel a lot more real now with the release of the first round of fixtures for the year by the Meath Co Board earlier this week.
Now, I know it all probability, Cathal O’Bric has well settled on his panel as the U-20 footballers set out of their defence of the Seamus Flood Cup, but, credit where it’s due, it makes practical sense to (i) leave the last underage grade at U-19 and (ii) run the competitions at the beginning of the season as it gives the chance to outliers – players who may not necessarily have been on managements radar – the opportunity to stake their claim.
Conversely though, the jury is still out for me in terms of what the re-arranged fixture scheduling does for the status of both the Feis Cup and the All County Leagues. Particularly as it renders it virtually impossible for county players to play any part in either competitions with clubs as they now run shotgun to the inter county seasons. In the good old days, and they were better, believe me, the county players could play at the very least the first two rounds of the club leagues while the Feis was generally held over to give those who had been knocked out of championship action something to aim at for what’s left of the season.
Mind you, at this stage the withdrawals are real and two dogs competing for a ball would be considered entertainment and flocked to. But be still my beating heart, hope springs eternal at this time of year, a new page is about to turn for everybody.
And, just to whet the appetite a few calories more, the fixture Gods have thrown up a meeting of the last two winners of the Feis Cup – Gaeil Colmcille and Donaghmore/Ashbourne – while there will also be a repeat of last season’s SFC semi final between St Peter’s Dunboyne and Ratoath in the former’s Kepak Park on February 8th (6.00pm).
Feis Cup: Saturday 8th February – Gaeil Colmcille v Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Group B, 12pm; Skryne v Na Fianna, Group B, 12pm; Meath Hill v Wolfe Tones, Group A, 2pm; Trim v Ballinabrackey, Group A, 2pm; Seneschalstown v St Colmcille’s, Group D, 6pm; St Peter’s v Ratoath, Group D, 6pm; Sunday 9th February – Summerhill v Simonstown, Group C, 11am; Rathkenny v Dunshaughlin, Group C, 11am.
Corn na Boinne: Thursday 6th February – St Patrick’s v Bective, Group A, 8pm; Saturday 8th February – Duleek-Bellewstown v Curraha, Group C, 12pm; Oldcastle v Drumbaragh, Group C, 12pm; Walterstown v Kilbride, Group A, 2pm; O’Mahonys v Castletown, Group B, 6pm; Blackhall Gaels v St Michael’s, Group B, 6pm; Sunday 9th February – Moynalvey v Longwood, Group D, 11am; Ballivor bye (Dunsany have not entered).
Tailteann Cup: Thursday 6th February – Nobber v St Brigid’s, Group A, 8pm; Carnaross v Kilmainham, Group A, 8pm; St Vincent’s v St Ultan’s, Group B, 8pm; Slane v Syddan, Group B, 8pm; Sunday 9th February – Dunderry v Moylagh, Group C, 11am; Clann na nGael bye, Group C.
Tailteann Shield: Thursday 6th February – Cortown v Moynalty, Group A, 8pm; St Mary’s v Drumconrath, Group A, 8pm; Saturday 8th February – Kilmainhamwood v Clonard, Group B, 2pm; Boardsmill v Eastern Gaels, Group B, 2pm.
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