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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'It doesn't make any sense' - Moran calls for the return of pre-season competitions
New Mayo manager Andy Moran has called for pre-season competitions to return ahead of the 2026 season. The McKenna Cup, McGrath Cup, FBD League and O'Byrne Cup did not take place last January after a vote at Central Congress. Speaking at his first press conference this week, Moran stressed he was desperate to see them return this winter. 'Absolutely. From a County Board expense point of view, from everything, in January when you have no games, travel all over the country to get a pitch, all of a sudden you can't get into a pitch because the weather is bad. 'But if there is a FBD game, the game has to go ahead. You are running around chasing challenges anyway. It doesn't make any sense. One of my biggest regrets going up north was that there was no McKenna Cup. I would have loved to experienced it. 'It was just the way it was. We were running around playing Fermanagh, opening pitches, doing everything just to try get games. For me, it is a no brainer. I can't see the logic behind pulling the FBD because boys are playing Sigerson anyway. Maybe you put in a rule that they can't play both or something like that. That's fine.' The Connacht Council of the GAA reduced ground rent payable to counties for the 2025 senior football championship in the aftermath of the removal of the FBD league. 'But there has to be games because you want to bring new talent through,' said Moran. 'Again I will use Monaghan as an example. We played Cavan in the first round of the league last year. That was a must win for both teams. 'No one could really trial too many players. You could put in one or two, because that is their first exposure to National League. To get young players through, not use the same players all the time, those divisional tournaments are absolutely key.'
Irish Examiner
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Royals can kick on after bringing 'buzz back' to Meath, says Rafferty
Sean Rafferty reckons he and Meath are at the start of a journey which can take them to silverware success in the coming seasons. The Na Fianna clubman was arguably the breakthrough player of the year, powering Meath to the All-Ireland semi-final in his debut campaign. Rafferty was overlooked for Meath minor and U-20 teams and had only previously made two senior appearances in the 2023 O'Byrne Cup. But new Meath manager Robbie Brennan started him in all but one of Meath's 16 League and Championship games this year, pitting him against some of the game's very best. Meath picked off Championship wins over Dublin, Cork, Kerry and Galway before the party ended with a heavy All-Ireland semi-final loss to Donegal. Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Beko Club Champion, an initiative open to all clubs in Leinster, Rafferty said he wouldn't trade Meath's All-Ireland semi-final appearance for the Leinster title that Louth won by beating the Royals. "Would I trade our season? No, probably not," said Rafferty. "No disrespect to Louth, they're a great team. On the day, they beat us fair and square. They'd probably been building to that, that was their third Leinster final in a row. "That Louth team has been on a journey whereas I feel that's the first year of our journey with Meath. There's probably, or hopefully anyway, a lot more to come from us. "Louth are midway through their journey and getting there. They definitely taught us lessons on the day that we had to learn, just like Donegal did. "But no, I wouldn't trade seasons with them. I think the season we had brought a buzz back to Meath football and that's the main thing for us." Meath played nine Championship games in the end, winning six and drawing with Roscommon. The next step for a young crew with an ambitious management is to cap the progress with silverware, and promotion from Division 2. "I think all of the Kerry lads said that the Meath game, when they lost to us, turned the page for them, that it was a turning point," said Rafferty. "We're probably hoping now for next year that the Donegal game turned the page for us, that maybe there was a few lessons we had to learn there. "We were probably, not coasting, but we were on such a high and Donegal, like Louth, had been through their journey with Jim McGuinness for two or three years, further down the path, and they taught us a lot of lessons." Rafferty acknowledged it was a remarkable season for him personally, marking David Clifford in the Kerry game. "Then you're facing up to Shane Walsh of Galway," he said. "It was a mad year for me, going from not playing to marking Con O'Callaghan, Clifford and Shane Walsh in the one year." For more information on the Beko Club Champion, visit
The Irish Sun
08-08-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Meath GAA star insists Robbie Brennan's ‘commitment won't change' but admits he'd be contender for managerless Dublin
Brennan led the Royals to historic runs in Leinster and the All-Ireland SEÁN RAFFERTY reckons Robbie Brennan would be a contender for the vacant Dublin job — if he was not in charge of Meath. The Sky Blues have been on the hunt for a new senior boss since Dessie Farrell departed after the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final loss to Tyrone on June 28. 2 Sean Rafferty believes Robbie Brennan would have had what it took to be Dublin manager Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile 2 Brennan led Meath to the All-Ireland semi-finals and Leinster final Credit: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile Former coach Declan Darcy is believed to be the front-runner for the position, with outgoing Louth chief Ger Brennan in the frame. Brennan led Dublin club giants Kilmacud Crokes to a hat-trick of county and Leinster SFC titles before going on to win the All-Ireland club title in January 2023. He succeeded Colm O'Rourke in the Meath hotseat and oversaw a stunning first season at the helm as the Royals made their first All-Ireland SFC semi-final appearance since 2009. Brennan's men also beat Dublin for the first time in the Championship since 2010 and took the scalps of Cork, Kerry and Galway before Donegal ended their campaign in the last four. Rafferty starred at full-back this summer and the Na Fianna clubman is just grateful that Meath got their man when they did. The 25-year-old said: 'He is a top manager, his CV with Crokes speaks for itself. It probably was the right time for him and ourselves. 'Robbie came in to bring a different mindset and view on everything. There's a lot of vacancies out there at the moment. 'He's a top-class manager, so of course they'd be looking at him but we are lucky to have him. 'I don't think his commitment to Meath will change. 'We had a lot of young lads which Colm O'Rourke brought through. They were probably just getting to that point where they were ready to kick on. 'Aged like milk on a windowsill in July' - Watch BBC's GAA pundits ALL predict Donegal to beat Kerry 'Robbie is very positive to work with and I think everybody gets that from him. He's got a very positive energy. 'He likes to instil that positivity in you and let you know that it's OK to make mistakes.' Meath was always Brennan's dream job but, like his boss, Rafferty had to bide his time before getting his chance to shine. The defender never played underage football for the Royals and was drafted in by O'Rourke ahead of the O'Byrne Cup in 2022. He was then cut loose before the Championship as Meath won the Tailteann Cup that summer. But after years of waiting, he finally got his chance to shine. Rafferty featured in all seven of the Royals' Division 2 outings this season before making his SFC debut in the Leinster opener against Carlow. And he never looked back on his way to becoming one of the best full-backs in the country. Rafferty's superb display in the 0-23 to 1-16 win over Dublin even drew comparisons with legendary Meath defender Darren Fay. HIGH STANDARDS He also held his own against star forwards David Clifford and Shane Walsh in victories over Kerry and Galway. But he admitted that patience was his best friend before he made the breakthrough. Rafferty explained: 'As a young lad in school and college, lads are asking you if you play football and they say, 'Do you play county?' 'That's kind of the standard you're held to at that age. 'I thought I was good at football but when you're kind of saying no to all these questions when everyone is asking, you're kind of going, am I actually that good? 'I probably didn't lose faith, I loved football so I just stuck with it. 'And no, I probably didn't lose faith and it's probably the bit of resilience that's got me to this far. 'I was just never picked. I didn't even have chances or wasn't called in. I enjoyed club football so I wasn't too bothered about that. 'It would have been brilliant to be called in but I wasn't. 'There's more guys out there in all of Ireland like me. It's very easy to get put off, especially when you're probably 17 or 18 years old. You could just get off and step away from football. 'But if it's something that you want to do, I'll always tell you to stick with it. I stuck with it and it's got me here. 'If you love it, stick with it and you never know what will happen.' l MEATH and Na Fianna star Seán Rafferty was speaking at the launch of the 2025 Beko Club Champion, an initiative to reward and celebrate local Leinster GAA club heroes who go above and beyond to help their community and club. For more information visit
Irish Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Páirc Tailteann upgrade could see Meath play home games behind enemy lines
Croke Park have given the green light for Meath GAA to finally redevelop their aging Páirc Tailteann stadium in Navan. The project is now out to tender and work is expected to start with the demolition of the main stand - built over 70 years ago - after the Meath senior football and hurling championships finish this autumn. The ambitious project includes plans for a new 5,000 seater stand, improved accessibility, upgraded dressing room facilities, floodlighting, and media infrastructure. It's understood that the cost of the project could be in excess of €20 million. The fast tracking of the plans, first muted in 2016, will mean that Meath will be on the lookout for a new home venue for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Donaghmore/Ashbourne's impressive facility has hosted O'Byrne Cup and under 20 matches but it's unlikely to be big enough for the Meath senior footballers home matches in the Allianz League Division 2 and next year's Leinster Championship. TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar is another alternative venue on the table but a more likely solution could be found across the border in Dublin with Parnell Park and indeed Croke Park already mentioned as a temporary home for Meath. The 83,000 capacity of Croke Park would be far too big but the GAA could be tempted to look at a Spring series of double headers involving Dublin home Division 1 games and Meath's home Division 2 games to generate extra revenue. Division 2 next year will be made up of Meath, Tyrone, Derry, Louth, Cork, Cavan, Offaly and Kildare and with Meath having brought huge crowds to Croke Park this summer for their Championship games, a Spring series could be considered. Meath's Ruairí Kinsella celebrates after the final whistle (Image: ©INPHO/Ben Brady) Kildare played their Allianz League home games in Carlow last year while St Conleth's Park was being upgraded while Louth have been playing at Iniskeen in Monaghan while they await their new stadium to be built. The Páirc Tailteann upgrade has been hit with a series of speed bumps but sufficient funding now means the project can start, although on a smaller scale than first proposed. A statement from Meath GAA said: 'Meath GAA is pleased to announce that the redevelopment of Páirc Tailteann has officially moved to the tender phase, marking a major milestone for the project. 'The stadium, which has served as a proud home to Gaelic games in Meath for decades, is set to undergo significant upgrades aimed at enhancing the match-day experience for players, supporters, and visitors alike. 'The project includes plans for a new 5,000 seater stand, improved accessibility, upgraded dressing room facilities, floodlighting, and media infrastructure. Speaking about the development, Jason Plunkett, Meath GAA County Committee Chairperson, said: 'The decision to go to tender for a new 5,000-seater stand marks a major milestone in the redevelopment of Páirc Tailteann. This project represents a bold investment in the future of Meath GAA — providing a modern, inclusive, and first-class facility for players, supporters, and the wider community. We are proud to take this next step in delivering a stadium that reflects the pride and passion of the Royal County.' Páirc Tailteann CLG Chairperson, Noel Dempsey, said: 'Moving to the tender phase of the Páirc Tailteann development marks a major step forward for this project to provide state-of-the-art facilities for our supporters and players. 'It is the culmination of a long and detailed process of planning and design, which was badly disrupted by events outside the control of Meath GAA. But today brings our goal of providing top-class facilities for our national games within our grasp in the immediate future. 'I look forward to working with our clubs and County Committee to finally realise the dream of so many of our loyal supporters to have a county venue that reflects the important place that the GAA has in our county.' 'Five contractors have been shortlisted for the project following a shortlisting process which took place earlier this year. The tender phase will last approximately two months, and the successful tenderer will be appointed in Q4 2025, with construction expected to begin in this period also. 'The project is being supported through a combination of GAA central funding, large-scale infrastructure funding from the Department of Sport, and funding secured through the IIP scheme operated by the Department of Justice, and own funds generated by Meath GAA.'
Irish Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Meath increasingly desperate to shake off the yoke of Dublin dominance
In his first interview as Meath manager in the summer of 2022, Colm O'Rourke plainly set out some bold terms of reference. 'Ultimately, we have to beat Dublin. That was the measurement of Meath when I was playing and that hasn't changed,' O'Rourke told The Meath Chronicle. He stepped down two years later – walking away as the fourth successive Meath manager who had failed to register a victory, moral or otherwise, over Dublin. One of the direct casualties arising from Dublin's ownership of Leinster football has been a thorough deconstruction of the Dublin-Meath rivalry. It is now 15 years since Meath last defeated Dublin. The rivalry has become a relic of the past, a story kids in Meath have heard but never seen. READ MORE If it's not yet a dead rivalry, then it's certainly a dormant one. The Royals have not beaten Dublin in a competitive game of senior football since June 2010. There have been longer periods of hegemony in the rivalry but never has one side suffered as many successive defeats. Meath are on a nine-game championship losing run to their neighbours – the sorriest streak in the history of the derby. During that time there have been six double-digit defeats, including a record 21-point victory for Dublin. The Dubs have won those nine games by an accumulative total of 108 points, an average of 12 points per game. As one county enhanced its identity, another lost theirs. Dublin have also defeated Meath in two league games and two O'Byrne Cup matches (one after a penalty shoot-out) during that period, so in total they have won the last 13 senior intercounty fixtures between the counties. Since 2002, Meath's only championship win over the Dubs remains 2010. Stephen Cluxton is the sole playing link from that day 15 years ago. Bryan Menton was an unused sub. Dublin's Michael Darragh MaCauley and Bryan Menton of Meath in action in 2012. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho In his programme notes for the league match between the sides in 2023, O'Rourke lamented the fading rivalry. 'If Dublin are trying to rediscover past glories we in Meath have disappeared in the rear-view mirror and recent clashes with Dublin has meant an endless series of humiliations,' he wrote. 'Yet the greatest empires eventually fall and nothing lasts forever. To compete against Dublin, without even thinking of beating them, requires a sea change in our competitive instinct, a return to old values of heart, courage and honesty.' Sentiments many in the county might share, but nostalgia and reality haven't proved compatible bedfellows for Meath football in recent years. The counties meet in a Leinster semi-final at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Sunday in what will be the first Dublin-Meath championship fixture outside of Croke Park since 1980. Stand tickets are already sold out. Dublin are 1-10 favourites to make it 10 championship wins on the bounce over the Royals and add Robbie Brennan to their list of vanquished Meath managers. Across the border, their neighbours continue to wonder when it will ever end. A DORMANT RIVALRY – DUBLIN'S NINE-GAME CHAMPIONSHIP DOMINANCE 2012: Dublin 2-13 Meath 1-13 (Leinster final) Two goals in the closing stages of the first half – by Bernard Brogan and Denis Bastick – swung the momentum firmly in Dublin's favour. Pat Gilroy's side led 2-7 to 0-5 at the interval. Jamie Queeney netted a goal late in the second half for Seamus McEnaney's Meath but the Dubs held on for victory. 2013: Dublin 2-15 Meath 0-14 (Leinster final) Meath led 0-9 to 1-4 at half-time but Dublin turned the screw after the break with Paul Mannion's goal proving to be a decisive score in the contest. The Royals managed only five points throughout the second half while the Dubs amassed 1-11. 2014: Dublin 3-20 Meath 1-10 (Leinster final) Bernard Brogan's first-half goal helped the Dubs to a nine-point interval advantage. Kevin McManamon added a second Dublin goal shortly after the restart and Eoghan O'Gara added a third late on. Mickey Newman netted for Meath. The game ended in controversy after Meath manager Mick O'Dowd claimed Mickey Burke had been the victim of a biting incident but following a subsequent investigation no disciplinary action was taken. Dublin's Bernard Brogan scores the opening goal against Meath in the 2014 Leinster final at Croke Park. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho 2016: Dublin 0-21 Meath 0-11 (Leinster semi-final) Dean Rock scored 0-10 for Dublin as they marched towards the provincial decider. It had been competitive up to half-time when the Dubs led 0-11 to 0-8 but Jim Gavin's men ramped up through the gears after the resumption of play and eased to another victory over their neighbours. 2019: Dublin 1-17 Meath 0-4 (Leinster final) The opening salvo in the match report by Gavin Cummiskey in The Irish Times summed it up: 'Here lies a Leinster final and provincial football championship in all but name.' It was a grim day at Croke Park for Meath. Dublin led 0-5 to 0-1 at half-time. Con O'Callaghan bagged a second-half goal and Meath finished the game with just four points and two scorers, Mickey Newman and Bryan Menton. 2020: Dublin 3-21 Meath 0-9 (Leinster final) A record 21-point victory for Dublin over Meath on a night when the 100th anniversary of Bloody Sunday was marked at Croke Park. The Dublin goals were scored by Dean Rock, Seán Bugler and Niall Scully. The Dubs led 2-13 to 0-2 at the break. On what was a poignant night for the GAA, it also proved to be a sobering one for Meath football. Dublin's Dean Rock scores a goal against Meath in the 2020 Leinster final. It proved a dark night for Meath football as the Dubs registered a record 21-pt win over their proud rivals. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho 2021: Dublin 2-16 Meath 1-13 (Leinster semi-final) Meath staged a late rally to unsettle the defending champions. Dublin led 2-11 to 0-6 at half-time with the goals coming from Cormac Costello and Con O'Callaghan but a green-flag score by Mathew Costello shortly after the restart sparked a Royal revival and coming down the straight the gap had been reduced to just three. However, late points by Costello, Brian Fenton and Ciarán Kilkenny halted Meath's comeback. 2022: Dublin 1-27 Meath 1-14 (Leinster semi-final) Dean Rock tucked away a first-half penalty to help Dublin lead 1-17 to 0-5 at the interval. Game over. Meath had two players red-carded late on with Jack Flynn and Jordan Morris both sent off. It was another routine win for the Dubs. 2024: Dublin 3-19 Meath 0-12 (Leinster quarter-final) Seán Bugler's first-half goal set the Dubs on their way to a 1-8 to 0-6 lead at the turnaround. Con O'Callaghan and Paul Mannion added goals in the second half as Dublin breezed to a ninth consecutive championship win over Meath.
