Followers of the Meath GAA club football scene face a bumper four days of action featuring twelve finals and six semi-finals across senior, intermediate, and junior grades. The weekend schedule includes crucial clashes in the Senior, Intermediate, and Junior A championships.
Ratoath and Donaghmore Ashbourne Clash in Meath SFC Semi-Final
Neighbours Ratoath and Donaghmore Ashbourne meet in the Meath Senior Football Championship semi-final at Devenish Park on Saturday at 4:00 pm, with Cormac Reilly refereeing. The fixture is a local derby dubbed ‘El Crispico’ by locals due to the nearby former Tayto-sponsored theme park. Just two or three large fields separate the two towns, though Ratoath has claimed three senior titles since 2019, while Donaghmore Ashbourne’s last senior title came in 1942 during WWII.
The match features a battle between Meath midfield pairing of Ratoath’s Jack Flynn and Donaghmore/Ashbourne’s Bryan Menton. Donaghmore Ashbourne chairman Michael Doherty noted the club is honoured to host games during Pairc Tailteann’s development. Timmy O’Regan manages Donaghmore Ashbourne alongside Mick Beggy.
Navan O’Mahony’s and St Patrick’s Open Saturday Semi-Finals
Navan O’Mahony’s and St Patrick’s get Saturday’s action underway at 1:30 pm in Dunsany for the first senior, intermediate, and junior A semi-final, with David Gough officiating. Later that evening in Cortown, St Ballinlough and St Vincent’s meet in a repeat of last year’s Junior Football Championship semi-final at 7:30 pm under referee Ciarán Flynn.
Saturday’s schedule also features three All County deciders. Wolfe Tones face Trim in the JACFC Division 1 final at Walterstown at 2:30 pm under referee Robert Lynch, while Trim plays Dunsany in the Division 6 final at 4:30 pm. Duleek-Bellewstown meets Oldcastle in the Division 2 final at Paddy O’Brien Park at 7:00 pm with referee Shane Watters.
Summerhill Defends Title Against Wolfe Tones on Sunday
Earlier in the day at 11:30 am, Grangegodden hosts the Junior B Football Championship final between Kilmainhamwood and Kilmainham, with Thomas Macleod refereeing.
Walterstown meets Duleek-Bellewstown in the Intermediate Football Championship semi-final at Simonstown at 4:30 pm under Keith Sheerin. Curraha plays Slane in the Junior Football Championship semi-final at Skryne at 7:00 pm, and St Mary’s faces St Brigid’s in the Junior Football Championship relegation play-off final at Martry at 6:00 pm.
Na Fianna Relegates Simonstown After Late Goal Drama
In Friday’s results, a goal from Luke Kelly deep into injury time secured Na Fianna’s senior football championship status for 2027 and relegated Simonstown to the Intermediate grade for the first time in 31 years. Kelly also fired over Na Fianna’s final point to make it 1-10 to 0-13 as the game entered added time, after Na Fianna led 1-6 to 0-5 at half-time.
Additional Friday results include Donaghmore Ashbourne seconds defeating Dunshaughlin 2-14 to 0-8 in the Intermediate A Football Championship final. Blackhall Gaels beat Ballinabrackey 0-12 to 0-7 in the JACFC Division 3 final, Clann na nGael and St Michaels finished level at 2-9 to 0-15 in Division 4, Carnaross defeated St Pats 1-12 to 0-11 in Division 5, and Nobber overcame Cortown 0-13 to 0-11 in Division 7.
On Thursday, Bective secured their Intermediate Football Championship status with a 2-13 to 1-6 win over Drumbaragh in the relegation final at Devenish Park, driven by a late scoring burst of 1-4 managed by Donal Curtis’ team.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Meath GAA Finals Weekend
Who are the referees for the Meath SFC semi-finals?
Cormac Reilly referees the fixture between Ratoath and Donaghmore Ashbourne at Devenish Park, while Kieran Olwell takes charge of the match between Summerhill and Wolfe Tones at Dunganny.
Which club was relegated from the Meath Senior Football Championship?
Simonstown was relegated to the Intermediate grade for the first time in 31 years following a 2-10 to 0-13 defeat against Na Fianna, where Luke Kelly scored a decisive goal in injury time.
Where is the Junior B Football Championship final taking place?
Kilmainhamwood and Kilmainham meet in the Junior B FC final at Gaeil Colmcille GFC in Grangegodden on Sunday at 11:30 am.