Major changes proposed to Meath SFC from 2028

The Keegan Cup

Meath GAA is proposing a major restructuring of the Senior Football Championship which would see just eight teams competing for the Keegan Cup from 2028, with the remaining eight clubs entering a new Senior Football Championship 2 competition.

A motion has been put to clubs outlining the proposed changes, with the results of the 2027 SFC determining which teams compete in each grade.

Under the current format, 16 teams compete in four groups of four, with eight progressing to the quarter-finals. The proposal would see the eight quarter-finalists from 2027 qualify for the top-tier SFC in 2028, with the other seven clubs plus next year's IFC winners entering SFC 2.

The aim is to improve the quality and competitiveness of senior club football in Meath by ensuring teams of a similar standard face each other more regularly, reducing one-sided contests and creating more meaningful championship games.

Supporters of the motion also believe the change would provide more realistic opportunities for clubs to reach a county final, with four of the 16 teams contesting either the SFC or SFC 2 decider at Páirc Tailteann each year.

The proposal points to the introduction of the Senior B Hurling Championship in Meath this year as evidence that a two-tier structure can deliver more competitive games and greater opportunities for clubs.

It also cites Dublin clubs St Brigid's and St Vincent's, both former All-Ireland club champions, competing in this year's Dublin SFC 2 final as an example of the significance a second-tier senior competition can carry.

The 2027 championship would be crucial in determining the initial make-up of the two grades. To address concerns over uneven groups, the proposal would see Wolfe Tones, Donaghmore Ashbourne, Summerhill and Ratoath kept apart in the group stages.

An alternative 12-team senior championship has been ruled out in the proposal on the grounds that it would require widespread relegation across the senior, intermediate and junior grades.

The motion also provides for a review after two years, with the option of reverting to the existing 16-team format if the changes fail to deliver the anticipated improvements.

The proposed restructuring remains subject to club approval, with 2028 earmarked for its introduction.