missingjerseys ... so by 'most teams' you are including ultans, ballinabrackey, syddan, clan na gael, carnaross and ballivor ??

all teams that ratoath finished above in div 3 league last year... granted your response will probably be that it is only the league, but on the day, ratoath bet each of these teams (no team goes out to lose a game).... so i find it amusing that you think any of these teams will see them as an easy draw

dubsout (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 22/01/2013 16:06:22    1321860

Ratoath would likely beat 1 maybe 2 of those teams in the championship ! But league form counts for NOTHING come championship

missingjerseys (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 22/01/2013 17:42:24    1321920

Oh please god lets not turn this forum into one all about Ratoath like last years junior one was. Id imagine Trim will be favourites and will be looking to banish memories of last years final, not much word for Ballivor, wouldnt be surprised to see them at the business end. What about the sleeping giants Kells, had a poor outing last year

Crawley_JuniorD (Meath) - Posts: 211 - 22/01/2013 17:54:53    1321925

We've too many retired and one emigrated. The oldest players on Ratoath team will be 23/24 with at least 10 of them u21. With the type of training they're doing (cruel stuff) and talent I'd expect them to be competetive but don't expect us to win IFC. Fixtures on any tight pitches wouldn't give me confidence. I will be disappointed if we aren't promoted in the league as we've finished 3rd in the last 2 years. Reaching championship knockouts would be a good year.

I'll go for the 'Bracks, Trim are too old!

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 22/01/2013 18:51:57    1321963

Group A
Clan na nGael
Carnaross
Syddan
Dunderry
St.Ultan's
St.Michael's

Group B
St.Colmcilles
Gaeil Colmcille
Trim
Longwood
Ashbourne

Group C
Castletown
Ratoath
Ballivor
Ballinlough
Ballinabrackey

Group B this year is very similar to Group A last year.

seamusmac (Meath) - Posts: 379 - 12/02/2013 09:21:39    1332459

Gaeil colmcile

pudsey (Meath) - Posts: 10 - 12/02/2013 10:30:15    1332494

Anyone any clue of what the format will be to qualify?

StoneWall (Meath) - Posts: 34 - 12/02/2013 11:50:39    1332545

same as last year i imagine

anmhi99 (Meath) - Posts: 151 - 12/02/2013 12:45:16    1332603

Ratoath to win Intermediate this year, and win senior next year.

Junior_Baesht (Meath) - Posts: 69 - 12/02/2013 15:47:26    1332814

In fairness not much between any of the teams in it, if they have full squads out. Ballivor be ok if they have full squad of players including Killyon and Kildalkey players, but would be surprised at that happening after the manner in which they finished the championship last year, I believe they gave a few walkovers in the end.

hound (Meath) - Posts: 234 - 12/02/2013 16:54:07    1332916

And pigs to fly the year after ....

missingjerseys (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 12/02/2013 16:56:23    1332919

You'd have to have Trim down as favourites but the bracks or Kells could take it either! Group B doesn't look nice...

shldrs2thewheel (Meath) - Posts: 200 - 12/02/2013 20:41:02    1333085

Winner will come from a choice of Ballinlough or Kells.
Group A seems to be wide open, with all the teams on the same level I reckon.
Castletown, Ballinabrackey and Ratoath will take beating, after that I reckon all the teams are the same, capable of winning or losing any game.

tackleberry (Meath) - Posts: 324 - 14/02/2013 10:11:11    1333778

You have to Fancy Trim, Kells seem to to be there thereabouts every year but never seem to make it,
Ballinabracky are a well organised team who are hard to break down and then Castletown and Ballinlough can beta any of these teams on there
Day , all the others are fodder really

lagoreX (Meath) - Posts: 223 - 14/02/2013 15:01:44    1333987

Trim there or there abouts every year? Sure they only came down from Senior in 2011. Suppose you could say they made IFC final every year since they came down though. Think they're a good team but too many lads in their mid to late 30s. Could win it but don't think it'd be good for football in Meath as I can't see them replacing murphy, gilsenans, lowther, fitzimons, power etc with players to keep them in top flight. I can see the bracks making an assault this year.

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 14/02/2013 15:27:06    1334008

Sorry Lagore read that post wrongly

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 14/02/2013 15:31:53    1334012

I think either Michaels or Ratoath, can't see Trim doing it.

ClassApart (Meath) - Posts: 1200 - 14/02/2013 17:33:27    1334087

Kells had a poor campaign last year after starting off with a draw against eventual finalists Trim, id say Jody will call it a day if they don't do the business this year

Crawley_JuniorD (Meath) - Posts: 211 - 15/02/2013 16:38:05    1334606

Group A
Clann na nGael: Hard to know what to expect from the Athboy/Rathcairn outfit this year, very inconsistent in recent years. Alot will be found out on the first game vs Carnaross and will depend on the fitness of main man Shane Mc Anarney
Carnaross: Disappointing year last year and will be looking to improve. With former Oldcastle manager Seamus Kiernan at the helm, they have a man who knows how to deliver an Intermediate title but getting out of the group will be their realistic goal.
Syddan: Have potential to qualify but need to step up and be counted. Tough opening encounter against a Dunderry team that in the past have the beating of them. Will look to the likes of Rowe and Young for leadership.
Dunderry: Traditionally struggle in knockout stages in this competition due to more open pitches. While I predict the same for this year their young forwards in Coogan and Kennelly will most definitely cause a threat.
St.Ultan's: A club really struggling to come to terms with emmigration. A far cry from the team that beat Cortown in the IFC decider in 2008.
St.Michael's: Surprised alot of people last year. Will be out to build on last years improvement. With the combination of the O Reillys and the Lynchs, they will trouble any outfit in this years competition.

Fancy Michaels to top the group, Dunderry 2nd and a shootout for the final spot.

Group B
St.Colmcilles: Have disappointed in recent years and cant see them qualifying this year in a very competitive group with over-dependence on Biggy.
Gaeil Colmcille: In a group very similar group to last years, they will be striving to put last years results behind them. Have talented forwards who can punish teams and expect them to be title contenders.
Trim: This years favourites lost narrowly(in the end) to deserving winners Na Fianna last year. Have the experience to win tight games in this ultra-competitive group.
Longwood: Will be out to repeat last years heroics against Colmcilles and Gaeil Colmcilles but wont find it as easy this year.
Ashbourne: Interesting to see how the newly promoted teams get on. Expect them to kick on from Junior as there is very little difference in standard with the top of Junior and Intermediate sides. However, it may take a year or two to get to grips with life in the Intermediate ranks.

Can see Trim topping the group with Gaeil Colmcille shhnaking through ahead of Longwood and Don/Ash

Group C
Castletown: Life in Division 1 football against Senior teams is a definite advantage to Castletown. Will fancy themselves to progress but will struggle against quick nippy teams like Ratoath and Ballinabrackey.
Ratoath: Another team that see themselves as contenders and rightly so as history goes to show that Junior teams like Ultans, Wolfe Tones and Moynalvey have all made the jump from junior to senior in a number of years. Their ability to get goals(similar to Na Fianna) will be a huge asset in this group.
Ballivor: May struggle to get the best out of their team due to hurling commitments.
Ballinlough: Perennial dark horses that are consistently getting into the knock out stages. Slowly becoming the case of always the bridesmaid, never the bride for The Lough. However with Tommy Shine in charge, they will aim to kick on this year.
Ballinabrackey: Impressed me last year with pure work ethic and hassling and harrying. Very well trained team and with the likes of Juicy, Carroll and Quinn they are more than capable.

In a very even group I fancy 2 from The Bracks, The Lough and the new kids on the block Ratoath to qualify....

And a course it goes without saying, The Intermediate grade is so evenly matched that any team have the ability to win on any given day......
THAT'S FOOTBALL GUYS, THAT'S ALL IT IS!!

johnnytitelips (Meath) - Posts: 62 - 15/02/2013 17:51:10    1334645

Good post johnnythelips

aghref (Meath) - Posts: 153 - 15/02/2013 18:34:50    1334668