I wanted to start a thread on the Regional Championship 2026 and the role it can play in developing talent for the 2027 county campaign.
The original idea behind the competition was an excellent one - giving players from smaller and often overlooked clubs an opportunity to showcase their ability on a bigger stage and potentially force their way into county contention. While An Tuaisceart's success in recent years, including their dominance of the Brady's Regional Championship, has been impressive, what stands out to me is the relatively small number of players who have made the transition from that setup onto the county panel.
Whether it's RB or whoever is in charge next year, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on identifying and rewarding standout performers from this competition. If the Regional Championship is to achieve its purpose, county management must be prepared to take a chance on players who prove themselves in it.
I also feel the competition hasn't received the level of promotion it deserves. Other counties seem to generate more interest around similar competitions. What could Meath do differently? Should we be looking at how other counties promote these tournaments? How can we generate more interest and make it a genuine pathway to the county setup?
Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Brady's for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition.
Replying To RegionalsGuru: "I wanted to start a thread on the Regional Championship 2026 and the role it can play in developing talent for the 2027 county campaign.
The original idea behind the competition was an excellent one - giving players from smaller and often overlooked clubs an opportunity to showcase their ability on a bigger stage and potentially force their way into county contention. While An Tuaisceart's success in recent years, including their dominance of the Brady's Regional Championship, has been impressive, what stands out to me is the relatively small number of players who have made the transition from that setup onto the county panel.
Whether it's RB or whoever is in charge next year, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on identifying and rewarding standout performers from this competition. If the Regional Championship is to achieve its purpose, county management must be prepared to take a chance on players who prove themselves in it.
I also feel the competition hasn't received the level of promotion it deserves. Other counties seem to generate more interest around similar competitions. What could Meath do differently? Should we be looking at how other counties promote these tournaments? How can we generate more interest and make it a genuine pathway to the county setup?
Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Brady's for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition.
Interested to hear everyone's thoughts."
This conversation is happened around many tables and sidelines I've been at. If you look at Loughcrew in recent years the likes of Michael Flood was drafted in, played a few games, was a part of the Tailteann Cup winning panel and then never featured again. This year Shane Gibney was drafted in, played O'Byrne cup but never featured on any match day panel for league or championship. Dylan Garrigan and Oran Mulvanny have been on u20 squads and development panels but have never gotten a rattle so far with the senior team. While I appreciate most of theses lads come from junior clubs, the likes of Shane Gibney and Dylan Garrigan despite height being against them have the physicality and strength needed for inter county level. Crowds have dwindled at this competition and players possibly are fatigued of more football in winter months with the reality of making a breakthrough for the county being very slim. It's more commitment for little reward. Interested in hearing others thoughts.
Replying To RegionalsGuru: "I wanted to start a thread on the Regional Championship 2026 and the role it can play in developing talent for the 2027 county campaign.
The original idea behind the competition was an excellent one - giving players from smaller and often overlooked clubs an opportunity to showcase their ability on a bigger stage and potentially force their way into county contention. While An Tuaisceart's success in recent years, including their dominance of the Brady's Regional Championship, has been impressive, what stands out to me is the relatively small number of players who have made the transition from that setup onto the county panel.
Whether it's RB or whoever is in charge next year, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on identifying and rewarding standout performers from this competition. If the Regional Championship is to achieve its purpose, county management must be prepared to take a chance on players who prove themselves in it.
I also feel the competition hasn't received the level of promotion it deserves. Other counties seem to generate more interest around similar competitions. What could Meath do differently? Should we be looking at how other counties promote these tournaments? How can we generate more interest and make it a genuine pathway to the county setup?
Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Brady's for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition.
Interested to hear everyone's thoughts."
Its still inter and jnr players playing against each other. Stand out players in their club championsiph are the standout players in this aswell. I"d let senior teams 2nd & 3rd team players play in it to vary it up a bit. Another option is put the 4 teams in Feis cup and see how they compete against senior players. This would prob mean they cannot play for their clubs in tailtean or corn na boine though
Replying To RegionalsGuru: "I wanted to start a thread on the Regional Championship 2026 and the role it can play in developing talent for the 2027 county campaign.
The original idea behind the competition was an excellent one - giving players from smaller and often overlooked clubs an opportunity to showcase their ability on a bigger stage and potentially force their way into county contention. While An Tuaisceart's success in recent years, including their dominance of the Brady's Regional Championship, has been impressive, what stands out to me is the relatively small number of players who have made the transition from that setup onto the county panel.
Whether it's RB or whoever is in charge next year, I think there needs to be a greater emphasis on identifying and rewarding standout performers from this competition. If the Regional Championship is to achieve its purpose, county management must be prepared to take a chance on players who prove themselves in it.
I also feel the competition hasn't received the level of promotion it deserves. Other counties seem to generate more interest around similar competitions. What could Meath do differently? Should we be looking at how other counties promote these tournaments? How can we generate more interest and make it a genuine pathway to the county setup?
Finally, I'd like to acknowledge Brady's for their continued sponsorship and support of the competition.
Interested to hear everyone's thoughts."
Its still inter and jnr players playing against each other. Stand out players in their club championsiph are the standout players in this aswell. I"d let senior teams 2nd & 3rd team players play in it to vary it up a bit. Another option is put the 4 teams in Feis cup and see how they compete against senior players. This would prob mean they cannot play for their clubs in tailtean or corn na boine though