Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship
| Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship | |
|---|---|
| Irish | Craobh Iomána Idirmheánach na Mí |
| Code | Hurling |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Region |  Meath (GAA) |
| No. of teams | 12 |
| Title holders |  Kilskyre/Moylagh (1st title) |
| Sponsors | JM Food Services |
| Official website | Meath GAA |
The Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the JM Food Services Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship and abbreviated to the Meath IHC) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association from 1940 for the top tier intermediate hurling teams in the county of Meath in Ireland. It is the third tier overall in the entire Meath hurling championship system.
In its current format, the Meath Intermediate Championship begins with a group stage. The 12 participating club teams are divided into two groups of six teams and play each other in a round-robin system. The top three teams in both groups proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match at Páirc Tailteann. The winner of the Kildare Intermediate Championship qualifies for the subsequent Leinster Club JHC.
Navan O'Mahonys are the 2024 title holders, having defeated Drumree by 1–15 to 1–10 in the final.[1]
History
[edit]The Meath Intermediate Championship was established in 1940 in an effort to bridge the standard of play between the Meath Senior Championship and the Meath Junior Championship. The championship was abandoned a year later but was revived in 1960. For almost 65 years, the Meath Intermediate Championship was effectively the second tier championship in the Meath hurling championship system.[2]
A review of Meath's hurling structures resulted in county committee delegates approving major changes to the championship format in February 2024. Five different format proposals were put before delegates with one winning unanimous favour and no support for the remaining four. The new format saw the introduction of the Meath IBHC for teams who fail to qualify for the knockout stage of the Meath IHC.[3][4]
In 2026 the format was changed again to place the 6 best teams in the main IHC and the 6 subsequent teams in the IHCB with promotion and relegation between the two leagues. Source: "Meath GAA Regulations 2026-V1" (PDF). Meath GAA.
Teams
[edit]2026 teams
[edit]The 6 teams competing in the 2026 Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship are:
| Club | Location | Position in 2025 | Last championship title |
 Clann na nGael |
Ráth Chairn and Athboy | Relegated from SHC | |
 Donaghmore Ashbourne |
Ashbourne | Semi-Final | |
 Drumree |
Drumree | ||
| Gaeil Colmcille |
Kells | ||
| Rathmolyon |
Rathmolyon | Runners-up | |
 St Peters Dunboyne |
Dunboyne | Semi-Final |
The 6 teams competing in the 2026 Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship B are:
| Club | Location | Last championship title |
 Boardsmill |
Boardsmill | |
| Kildalkey |
Kildalkey | 2023 |
| Kilmessan |
Kilmessan | |
 Kiltale |
Kiltale | |
| Trim |
Trim | |
 Wolfe Tones |
Kilberry |
List of finals
[edit]| Year | Club | Score | Club | Score | Venue | # |
| 2025 | Kilskyre/Moylagh | 2-14 | Rathmolyon | 0-12 | Páirc Tailteann | |
| 2024 | Navan O'Mahonys | 1–15 | Drumree | 1–10 | Páirc Tailteann | [5] |
| 2023 | Kildalkey | 1–18 | Navan O'Mahonys | 1–10 | Páirc Tailteann | [6] |
See also
[edit]- Meath Senior Hurling Championship (Tier 1)
- Meath Senior B Hurling Championship (Tier 2)
References
[edit]- ↑ "IHC final: O'Mahony's return to the top table". Hogan Stand. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ↑ "Club Titles - Meath". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ↑ "Delegates approve major changes to Meath GAA club championship structures at county committee meeting". Irish Independent. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ "Major alterations adopted for Meath Senior and Intermediate Hurling Championships in 2024". LMfm. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ↑ "GALLERY: Look back on Navan O'Mahonys IHC Final victory over Drumree". The Meath Chronicle. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ↑ "IHC final replay: Kildalkey treble triumph". Hogan Stand. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
