Hurling overhaul may be required

Meath hurling chiefs may need to look at the format for the SHC for future championships. Gaeil Colmcille have surrendered their senior status after conceding walkovers to Drumree in a rescheduled encounter and then to Na Fianna in a relegation play-off. The game against Na Fianna was originally scheduled for next weekend at Boardsmill. Perhaps a two-tier senior hurling championship would be a better option for the health of the club game in Meath with the six best teams in a premier group and the the six weaker teams in a subsidiary group from which one could qualify for the knock-out stages and replace the bottom team in the premier grade? The Senior clubs rejected a format like that four years ago although it was tried at Intermediate level and then abandoned after one year. FORTHCOMING FIXTURES SUNDAY SFC SEMI-FINALS Navan O'Mahony's v Donaghmore /Ashbourne, 2.0 at Páirc Tailteann, Colm Mc Manus Seneschalstown v Wolfe Tones, 3. 45 at Páirc Tailteann, Brendan Darby A HL DIV 2 Kilskyre v Kilmessan, 12.0, Trim, Marcus Quinn Longwood v Ratoath 13:30 OFF THURSDAY 18th OCTOBER (8.0) BFL Div 1 - Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Summerhill, Patrick Coyle SATURDAY 20th OCTOBER (7.30) TAILTEANN CUP Ratoath v Cortown at Navan. BFL (5.0) Div 1 - Dunshaughlin v Skryne, Richard Morris Div 2 - Blackhall Gaels v St Colmcille's, Frank Gallogly Div 5 - Meath Hill v Longwood, Seamus O'Connor SUNDAY 21st OCTOBER SHC FINAL Kiltale v Killyon at Pairc Tailteann, 3.45, provisional. IHC FINAL Rathmolyon v Wolfe Tones at Pairc Tailteann, 2.0, provisional. AHL DIVISION 2 Semi-Final Longwood v Ratoath, semi-final, 11.30, at Trim, Gerry Keoghan BFL DIVISION 5 (12.0) Kilmainham v Skryne at Kilmainham, Michael Mc Donagh. Drumbaragh v Drumconrath at Drumbaragh, Patrick Neilis