2026 Meath Intermediate Football Championship
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| County | Meath |
| Province | Leinster |
| Year | 2026 |
| Trophy | Mattie McDonnell Cup |
| Sponsor | Meade Potato |
| Date | 9 August 2026 - 17 October 2026 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Defending champions |  Kilbride |
| Other | |
| Matches played | 34 |
| Website | Meath GAA |
The 2026 Meath Intermediate Football Championship is the 100th edition of the Meath GAA's premier club Gaelic football tournament for Intermediate graded teams in County Meath, Ireland. The tournament consists of 16 teams and started with a knock-out stage. The winner will represent Meath in the Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship.
Kilbride were the 2025 Meath Intermediate Football Champions after they defeated Castletown by 0–20 to 1–16 in the final.[1] Kilbride will play at the senior level for the first time since 1978.
Despite winning the 2024 Intermediate Championship,[2] Meath Hill were relegated back down after losing to St Colmcille's in the relegation play-off final.[3] Clann na nGael were promoted to the I.F.C after beating St Vincent's in the 2024 Meath Junior Football Championship.[4] Curraha faced back-to-back relegations after losing to Navan O'Mahonys.[5]
The draw for the group stage was conducted on 19 January 2026,[6] and the fixtures for those group stage games were finalised on 18 June 2026.[7]
Championship Structure
[edit]The 2026 Meath I.F.C consists of 16 teams drawn into four groups each containing four teams. The top two teams progress to the quarter-finals, while the bottom team in each group contests the relegation semi-finals. The losers of the relegation semi-finals would play-off for the right to retain their intermediate status into 2027.
Team Changes
[edit]The following teams have changed division since the 2025 championship season:
From I.F.C.[edit]Promoted to 2026 S.F.C.
Relegated to 2026 Meath Junior Football Championship
|
To I.F.C.[edit]Relegated from 2025 S.F.C. Promoted from 2025 J.F.C.
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Participating teams
[edit]The teams that are competing in the 2026 Meath I.F.C are:
| Club | Location | Manager(s) | 2025 Championship Position | In Intermdiate championship since | Intermediate Championship Titles | Last Intermediate Championship Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ballivor |
Ballivor | James McCaffrey | Relegation Semi-Finalist | 2021 | 4 | 2002 |
 Bective |
Navan | Donal Curtis | Relegation Semi-Finalist | 2017 | 0 | — |
 Blackhall Gaels |
Batterstown & Kilcloon | Gordon Ward | Non-Qualifier | 2019 | 2 | 2001 |
 Castletown |
Castletown-Kilpatrick | Seán Barry | Runners-Up | 2023 | 3 | 1976 |
| Clann na nGael |
Athboy & Rathcairn | Niall McLoughlin | J.F.C Champions | 2026 | 0 | — |
| Drumbaragh Emmets |
Drumbaragh, Kells | Rob Wall | Quarter-Finalist | 2014 | 0 | — |
 Dunsany |
Dunsany | Tom Shine | Quarter-Finalist | 2025 | 0 | — |
| Duleek/Bellewstown |
Duleek & Bellewstown | Anthony Malone | Non-Qualifier | 2018 | 5 | 2005 |
 Longwood |
Longwood | Eoghan Kevlihan & Joe Corroon | Non-Qualifier | 2020 | 2 | 2018 |
 Meath Hill |
Meath Hill | Paudie Finnegan | Relegated from S.F.C | 2026 | 1 | 2024 |
| Moynalvey |
Moynalvey & Kiltale | Barry O'Keefe | Semi-Finalist | 2024 | 2 | 2011 |
| Navan O'Mahonys |
Navan | Darren Clarke | Relegation Finalist | 2023 | 2 | 2003 |
| Oldcastle |
Oldcastle | Joe Sheridan | Quarter-Finalist | 2015 | 2 | 2009 |
 St Michael's |
Carlanstown & Kilbeg | Paul Grier | Semi-Finalist | 2006 | 1 | 1989 |
| St Patrick's |
Stamullen | Colm Nally | Quarter-Finalist | 2020 | 3 | 2000 |
| Walterstown |
Navan | Andy McGuinness | Non-Qualifier | 2016 | 1 | 1964 |
Group Stage
[edit]There are four groups of four teams called Group A, B, C and D. The 1st and 2nd placed teams in each group qualified for the quarter-finals. The 4th placed teams in each group proceed to the relegation play-off to determine which team will be relegated.
The draw for the group stage was made on 19 January 2026, and the fixtures for those group stage games were finalised on 18 June 2026.
Group A
[edit]Advance to knockout stage Advance to relegation play-off
| Team | Matches | Score | Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | For | Against | Diff | ||
| Longwood |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 16 | +5 | 2 |
| St Patrick's |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 13 | +4 | 2 |
| Navan O'Mahonys |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 17 | -4 | 0 |
| Bective |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 0 |
Round 1
[edit]| 9 August 2026 Round 1 | St Patrick's  |
1-14 (17) – (13) 0-13 | Navan O'Mahonys |
Walterstown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Round 2
[edit]| 23 August 2026 Round 2 | Navan O'Mahonys |
v | Longwood |
Athboy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
|
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| 23 August 2026 Round 2 | Bective |
v | St Patrick's |
Curraha | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Round 3
[edit]| 5 September 2026 Round 3 | Longwood |
v | St Patrick's |
Ratoath | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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| 5 September 2026 Round 3 | Navan O'Mahonys |
v | Bective |
Simonstown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
|
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Group B
[edit]Advance to knockout stage Advance to relegation play-off
| Team | Matches | Score | Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | For | Against | Diff | ||
| Clann na nGael |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 15 | +22 | 2 |
| Walterstown |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 20 | +2 | 2 |
| St Michael's |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 22 | -2 | 0 |
| Drumbaragh Emmets |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 37 | -22 | 0 |
Round 1
[edit]| 9 August 2026 Round 1 | St Michael's |
0-20 (20) – (22) 3-13 | Walterstown |
Kilmainham | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
|
|
| 9 August 2026 Round 1 | Drumbaragh Emmets |
2-09 (15) – (37) 4-25 | Clann na nGael |
Martry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Round 2
[edit]| 23 August 2026 Round 2 | Walterstown |
v | Drumbaragh Emmets |
Gibbstown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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| 23 August 2026 Round 2 | Clann na nGael |
v | St Michael's |
Cortown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Round 3
[edit]| 5 September 2026 Round 3 | Clann na nGael |
v | Walterstown |
Trim | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Group C
[edit]Advance to knockout stage Advance to relegation play-off
| Team | Matches | Score | Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | For | Against | Diff | ||
| Meath Hill |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 13 | +4 | 2 |
| Blackhall Gaels |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| Dunsany |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| Moynalvey |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 17 | -4 | 0 |
Round 1
[edit]| 9 August 2026 Round 1 | Blackhall Gaels |
1-14 (17) – (17) 0-17 | Dunsany |
Summerhill | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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| 9 August 2026 Round 1 | Meath Hill |
2-11 (17) – (13) 1-10 | Moynalvey |
Simonstown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Round 2
[edit]| 22 August 2026 Round 2 | Dunsany |
v | Meath Hill |
Castletown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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| 22 August 2026 Round 2 | Moynalvey |
v | Blackhall Gaels |
Dunboyne | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Round 3
[edit]| 4 September 2026 Round 3 | Moynalvey |
v | Dunsany |
Batterstown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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| 4 September 2026 Round 3 | Blackhall Gaels |
v | Meath Hill |
Navan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Group D
[edit]Advance to knockout stage Advance to relegation play-off
| Team | Matches | Score | Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | For | Against | Diff | ||
| Duleek/ Bellewstown |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 15 | +8 | 2 |
| Oldcastle |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 22 | +2 | 2 |
| Castletown |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 24 | -2 | 0 |
| Ballivor |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 0 |
Round 1
[edit]| 9 August 2026 Round 1 | Duleek/Bellewstown |
2-17 (23) – (15) 0-15 | Ballivor |
Bective | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Round 2
[edit]| 22 August 2026 Round 2 | Castletown |
v | Duleek/Bellewstown |
Navan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Round 3
[edit]| 3 September 2026 Round 3 | Oldcastle |
v | Duleek/Bellewstown |
Carlanstown | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:30 IST (UTC+1) | |||||
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Relegation Play-off
[edit]The relegation play-off consists of the 4th placed finishers in each group. The winners of each playoff round will retain their intermediate status while the outright loser will be relegated to the Junior Championship for 2027.
Relegation Semi-Finals
[edit]| 19/20 September 2026 Relegation Semi-Final | 4th Placed Team | v | 4th Placed Team | ||
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| 19/20 September 2026 Relegation Semi-Final | 4th Placed Team | v | 4th Placed Team | ||
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Relegation Final
[edit]| 3/4 October 2026 Relegation Final | Relegation Semi-Final Loser | v | Relegation Semi-Final Loser | ||
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Knock-out Stage
[edit]The 1st and 2nd placed teams in each group qualify for the quarter-finals. Quarter-Final pairings will be drawn with one group winner playing a 2nd placed team in each pair with no repeat pairings from the group stages.
Quarter-Finals
[edit]| 19/20 September 2026 Quarter-Final | Group Winner | v | 2nd Placed Team | ||
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| 19/20 September 2026 Quarter-Final | Group Winner | v | 2nd Placed Team | ||
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| 19/20 September 2026 Quarter-Final | Group Winner | v | 2nd Placed Team | ||
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| 19/20 September 2026 Quarter-Final | Group Winner | v | 2nd Placed Team | ||
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Semi-Finals
[edit]| 3/4 October 2026 Semi-Final | Quarter-Final Winner | v | Quarter-Final Winner | ||
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| 3/4 October 2026 Semi-Final | Quarter-Final Winner | v | Quarter-Final Winner | ||
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Final
[edit]| 17 October 2026 Final | Semi-Final Winner | v | Semi-Final Winner | ||
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References
[edit]- ↑ "Surge of emotion greets Kilbride's return to the big time". Meath Chronicle. 2025-10-11. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
- ↑ "History is made as the Hill reach the summit". Meath Chronicle. 2024-10-19. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
- ↑ "SFC relegation final: 'Cilles' send 'Hill' down - HoganStand". hoganstand.com. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
- ↑ Monerawela, Garath (2025-10-12). "Clann's claim Junior A Title Out Scoring Vincent's". Meath Live. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
- ↑ "IFC relegation final: Relief for Navan O'Mahonys - HoganStand". hoganstand.com. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
- ↑ "Football Championship draws - HoganStand". hoganstand.com. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
- ↑ GAA, Meath (2026-06-18). "Meath GAA Adult Championship Fixtures 2026 (Version 2 Released)". Meath G.A.A. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
