Promotions and relegations to be confirmed this week
A FL PREVIEWS
Promotions and relegations from the A FLs will be confirmed this week as the semi-finals and play-offs will see 28 games played over five days, including four finals, 12 semi-finals and 12 relegation play-offs. The two winners of the semi-finals will secure promotion and advance to the final to compete for the league title, while the two losers of the relegation play-offs will be relegated, writes Tom Gannon.
A FL DIV 1 SEMI-FINALS
Summerhill v Donaghmore/Ashbourne: Despite being without some key players throughout their league campaign, the Keegan Cup champions have performed quite well to finish second in Div 1. Donaghmore/Ashbourne's qualification for the semi-final was helped by Navan O’Mahonys securing a draw against Ratoath in the final round. With a group-stage championship clash between these two on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how both sides approach this game. Will either side want to show too much of their hand in this clash? Donaghmore/Ashbourne will probably get more confidence from a league final appearance than the current county champions and hence they might be hungrier on the day. Verdict – Donaghmore/Ashbourne.
Skryne v Ballinabrackey: There was nothing to separate these two in the last round of the league as they played out a 2-10 to 2-10 draw. Skryne have looked like a completely different team this year under the guidance of former Meath manager Mick O’Dowd. They finished top of the A FL Div 1 and have strengthened their squad with a few players returning to the panel having been away for a couple of years. The Bracks have also been solid defensively topping the table for the least amount conceded. Both sides will be very keen on a chance at an A FL Div 1 title so it may be a cagey close affair. Skryne might just have enough to edge it. Verdict – Skryne
A FL DIV 1 RELEGATION
PLAY-OFFS
Wolfe Tones v Simonstown: The race for survival in the A FL Div 1 has been a tight one. Only one point separated Tones who finished 10th and St Peter’s in sixth. Simonstown have been a little bit further off the pace having only accumulated seven points from their 11 clashes, three less than their opponents in this. Wolfe Tones come into the game on the back of a solid seven-point win over Gaeil Colmcille. Simonstown suffered a six-point loss to fellow relegation contenders Na Fianna. When push comes to shove, Wolf Tones do tend to perform well under pressure while Simonstown have in the past, at times, struggled in meaningful encounters. Verdict – Wolfe Tones.
Na Fianna v Navan O'Mahonys: It's hard to know what to make of Navan O’Mahonys A FL Div 1 campaign. They struggled for quite some time in the division. They managed to grind out two great results by beating semi-finalists Donaghmore/Ashbourne and picking up a draw against Ratoath. They are up against a Na Fianna side though who are a little bit unlucky to be in a relegation playoff. They finished ahead of Gaeil Colmcille on score difference however the head-to-head decider meant they needed to battle to survive. Despite that, a strong performance from Na Fianna should see them come away with the victory. Verdict – Na Fianna.
A FL DIV 2 SEMI-FINALS
Dunshaughlin v Trim: The 2021 and 2022 Intermediate champions clash in this year's AFL Div 2 semi-final. With two of the best players in the county in Mathew Costello and Conor Gray among a clatter of young energetic talent, it is now widely accepted that Dunshaughlin are a team to be feared in Meath football. Trim have fantastic attacking talent having scored nine goals in their last two games including four against fellow semi-finalists Curraha. However, Dunshaughlin may prove to be too strong. Verdict – Dunshaughlin.
Seneschalstown v Curraha: Seneschalstown are probably a little bit behind the aforementioned Dunshaughlin in terms of development but they do bear some resemblance to Richie Kealy’s side in the sense that they do have some promising young talent within the squad. Curraha are probably the weakest of the four semi-finalists and they only had intermediate sides behind them in the standings. Verdict – Seneschalstown.
A FL DIV 2 RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS
Duleek-Bellewstown v Walterstown: Duleek-Bellewstown are a proven hardy side that have contested the last two intermediate finals. They find themselves in a relegation battle after some poor results but when push comes to shove, they should have enough to beat Walterstown and secure their Div 2 status. Verdict – Duleek-Bellewstown.
Moynalvey v Syddan: These two sides met in the final round of the league less than two weeks ago. On that occasion, Moynalvey won comfortably by nine points. It is very hard to see Syddan improving enough to reverse that form. Verdict – Moynalvey.
A FL DIV 3 SEMI-FINALS
St Vincent's v Donaghmore/Ashbourne: St Vincent's are an interesting side and have performed exceptionally well in Div 3. They are aided by the very talented Micheal McIvor in midfield and are a team to keep an eye. A Div 3 final appearance would do them the world of good in terms of confidence. Verdict – St Vincent's.
Rathkenny v Clann na nGael: Fairly easy prediction this. Unbeaten in the division, Rathkenny are a senior side now and are by some way the best side in Div 3. They will have too much for Clann na nGael. Verdict – Rathkenny.
A FL DIV 3 RELEGATION
PLAY-OFFS
Kilmainham v Nobber: These two were tightly matched in the standing with only a point separating the pair. Kilmainham is off the back of a good performance in defeat to the aforementioned St Vincents and might just nick this one. Verdict – Kilmainham.
Bective v Blackhall Gaels: Winless Blackhall Gaels will likely struggle against a Bective side who look that bit stronger than the other contenders battling relegation. Verdict – Bective.
A FL DIV 4 SEMI-FINALS
Castletown v Ratoath: With only one defeat in the campaign, Castletown were deserving table toppers in Div 4 and should have enough for Ratoath in this one. Verdict – Castletown.
Drumbaragh v Ballinlough: Drumbaragh have not played in nearly a month after they received a walkover in their final fixture. Ballinlough might be a little bit sharper following their final-round win over St Ultan’s. Verdict - Ballinlough.
A FL DIV 4 RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS
St Ultan's v Dunshaughlin: St Ultan’s performed well recently in a one-point defeat against semi-finalists Drumbaragh and will have enough to see off Dunshaughlin who finished with zero points. Verdict – St Ultan's.
St Peter's v Gaeil Colmcille: These two met at the start of the month and there was nothing to split the sides. It will probably be another tight clash but St Peter’s might edge it. Verdict – St Peter’s.
A FL DIV 5 SEMI-FINALS
Moynalty v Kilmainhamwood: Moynalty only suffered a single loss in the division and that came against the table toppers Slane. They should get the job done against Kilmainhamwood. Verdict – Moynalty.
Slane v Cortown: Eleven wins from 11 games and a vastly superior score difference. Safe to say Slane are by far the best team in Div 5 and will have too much in hand here. Verdict – Slane.
A FL DIV 5 RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS
Skryne v Summerhill: Skryne are off the back of a draw with semi-finalists kilmainhamwood and they will most likely come out on top. Verdict – Skryne.
Trim v Simonstown: Back in April, Trim rattled in eight goals to convincingly see off Simonstown. Hard to see Simonstown closing that gap. Verdict – Trim.
OTHER GAMES
Clonard v Duleek-Bellewstown: A FL Div 6 semi-final. Verdict – Clonard.
St Colmcille's v St Mary's in A FL Div 6 semi-final. Verdict – St Colmcille’s.
St Patrick's v Boardsmill in A FL Div 6 relegation play-off. Verdict – St Patrick’s.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne v St Peter's in A FL Div 6 relegation play-off. Verdict – Donaghmore/Ashbourne.
Ballinlough v Oldcastle in A FL Div 7 final. Verdict – Oldcastle.
St Colmcille's v Dunderry, in A FL Div 8 final. Verdict – St Colmcille’s.
Slane v Moynalvey in A FL Div 9 final. Verdict – Slane.
Syddan v St Brigid's in A FL Div 10 final. Verdict – St Brigid’s.