I ranked teams above by the positions they finished in the group stages last year. Group A : Summerhill the champions have got the easiest draw with not even one of their three opponents a senior quarter finalist last year. Summerhill and Dunboyne to advance, Kilbride into Relegation semi. Group B : At least of one of last years group winners (of Trim, Ratoath and Skryne) will not not make the Quarter finals. Tough draw for Na Fianna. Ratoath & Skryne to advance, Na Fianna into Relegation semi. Group C: Interesting battle for 2nd place in this group, all three in with a shout, hard to predict who finishes 2nd to the Tones. Wolfe Tones and Ballinabrackey to advance with the St. Colmcilles into relegation. Group D: Two teams who were in relegation play-offs against two quarter-finalists. South Meath teams Dunshaughlin and Don/Ash to advance and Gael Colmcille will probably win the North Meath battle leaving Simonstown heading into the Relegation semi final.
Replying To madmeath: "Senior Football Championship Groups
Group A
Summerhill (2) v Kilbride (4)
Rathkenny (3) v Dunboyne (3)
Group B
Ratoath (1) v Skryne (1)
Na Fianna (3) v Trim (1)
Group C
Seneschalstown (3) v St. Colmcilles (4)
Wolfe Tones (1) v Ballinabrackey (2)
Group D
Donaghmore Ashbourne (2) v Gaeil Colmcille (4)
Simonstown (4) v Dunshaughlin (2)
I ranked teams above by the positions they finished in the group stages last year. Group A : Summerhill the champions have got the easiest draw with not even one of their three opponents a senior quarter finalist last year. Summerhill and Dunboyne to advance, Kilbride into Relegation semi. Group B : At least of one of last years group winners (of Trim, Ratoath and Skryne) will not not make the Quarter finals. Tough draw for Na Fianna. Ratoath & Skryne to advance, Na Fianna into Relegation semi. Group C: Interesting battle for 2nd place in this group, all three in with a shout, hard to predict who finishes 2nd to the Tones. Wolfe Tones and Ballinabrackey to advance with the St. Colmcilles into relegation. Group D: Two teams who were in relegation play-offs against two quarter-finalists. South Meath teams Dunshaughlin and Don/Ash to advance and Gael Colmcille will probably win the North Meath battle leaving Simonstown heading into the Relegation semi final."
I would say this is a fair assessment of the draw. Group A Summerhill will breeze through. 2nd place is a shootout between Rathkenny and Dunboyne in my opinion. Rathkenny were a bit of a surprise package but rely too much on Curtis. Group B Agree NaFianna to relegation, should have been there last year too other than a bad referee mistake V Simonstown if I am correct. Group C Tones and the Bracks probably come out, I think Cilles are better than Sench who I think will be relegated. Group D Dunsh to breeze through but I also said that last year...Ashbourne the bridesmaids of Meath Club football might face a shoutout of who is in a QF V who is going to relegation, I nominate Simonstown to take 4th.
Replying To madmeath: "Senior Football Championship Groups
Group A
Summerhill (2) v Kilbride (4)
Rathkenny (3) v Dunboyne (3)
Group B
Ratoath (1) v Skryne (1)
Na Fianna (3) v Trim (1)
Group C
Seneschalstown (3) v St. Colmcilles (4)
Wolfe Tones (1) v Ballinabrackey (2)
Group D
Donaghmore Ashbourne (2) v Gaeil Colmcille (4)
Simonstown (4) v Dunshaughlin (2)
I ranked teams above by the positions they finished in the group stages last year. Group A : Summerhill the champions have got the easiest draw with not even one of their three opponents a senior quarter finalist last year. Summerhill and Dunboyne to advance, Kilbride into Relegation semi. Group B : At least of one of last years group winners (of Trim, Ratoath and Skryne) will not not make the Quarter finals. Tough draw for Na Fianna. Ratoath & Skryne to advance, Na Fianna into Relegation semi. Group C: Interesting battle for 2nd place in this group, all three in with a shout, hard to predict who finishes 2nd to the Tones. Wolfe Tones and Ballinabrackey to advance with the St. Colmcilles into relegation. Group D: Two teams who were in relegation play-offs against two quarter-finalists. South Meath teams Dunshaughlin and Don/Ash to advance and Gael Colmcille will probably win the North Meath battle leaving Simonstown heading into the Relegation semi final."
I think your assessment here is fair! The only caution would be around what players have come back and what players will be away from the various clubs! I also think, the more players a club has in with the county team, the harder it will be for them in the championship! I think this was the case for Dunshaughlin last year! It will be interesting to see how teams go in the league! But I think I agree with you on most of your calls - although I do think Kilbride could cause a surprise or two!
Replying To Royalblufill: "I think your assessment here is fair! The only caution would be around what players have come back and what players will be away from the various clubs! I also think, the more players a club has in with the county team, the harder it will be for them in the championship! I think this was the case for Dunshaughlin last year! It will be interesting to see how teams go in the league! But I think I agree with you on most of your calls - although I do think Kilbride could cause a surprise or two!"
Agree. Can't see Na Fianna doing much they are arguably the worst team in senior and drawn in a group like that, if I was a betting man I would have my money on them going down.
Replying To COUNTYTOCOUNTY: "I would say this is a fair assessment of the draw. Group A Summerhill will breeze through. 2nd place is a shootout between Rathkenny and Dunboyne in my opinion. Rathkenny were a bit of a surprise package but rely too much on Curtis. Group B Agree NaFianna to relegation, should have been there last year too other than a bad referee mistake V Simonstown if I am correct. Group C Tones and the Bracks probably come out, I think Cilles are better than Sench who I think will be relegated. Group D Dunsh to breeze through but I also said that last year...Ashbourne the bridesmaids of Meath Club football might face a shoutout of who is in a QF V who is going to relegation, I nominate Simonstown to take 4th."
I think at this point Donaghmore Ashbourne have been relegated to Guest instead of Bridesmaid. It's 10 years since they last reached a final.
Tones and Summerhill will be happy with their groups. Ratoath likewise but Skryne and Trim can cause them problems. Group B is probably the group of death. Any of the 4 teams in group D could beat each other but Dunshaughlin are probably marginally ahead of the rest.
Summerhill and Rathkenny Ratoath and Skryne Tones and Bracks Dunshaughlin and Ashbourne
Thats the way I would see it going at the minute, without ball being kicked or knowing what clubs have lads available
Think its very early to start making calls on what might happen in August until we see how new management groups and players get on and what injuries and J1s teams have to endure.. However the best 4 teams over the past number of years have avoided each other in the pool stages so they will be pleased enough. Who is the early call for the dark horse?