Meath opt to keep minor at under-17

Changes to relegation play-offs and other motions passed

Proposals to return the minor grades to under-18 were unanimously rejected at Wednesday night's special Co Board meeting at Dunganny.

The meeting was called to vote on proposed regulation changes with the restructuring of the senior hurling championships, the return to under-18 for minor and the relegation issues in the football championships the hot topics.

The Walterstown proposed motion that Regulation 20 be changed to allow underage competitions primarily be run at u-13, u-14, u-16 and u-18 grades was debated strongly.

It was proposed that minor competitions be organised at under-18 age grade and that minor competitions should decouple at u-18, therefore only players older than the u-18 age grade shall be eligible to play in adult competition.

Despite strong support from most of the senior clubs, many of the smaller clubs spoke against the motion and the proposal was defeated 34-17.

The joint motion put forward by Rathkenny and Seneschalstown that adult championship relegation play-offs be contested by teams finishing bottom of the group only was only.

At last week's proposal meeting there were concerns raised by the treasurer Gene Smith around a loss of gate revenue if the bottom two teams weren't involved in the relegation play-offs, but the clubs voted strongly with 38 of the 58 votes going in favour of Rathkenny and Seneschalstown's motion.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne's proposal that adult football championships are seeded based on previous year's group performance, with each group comprising of a top seed, a bottom seed and two teams drawn from the remaining unseeded teams was defeated.

The proposal to change the structures of the hurling championship were passed unanimously, but the 2025 championship will remain the same as this year's championship with the new format coming in for 2026.

It was agreed to retain the seeded draw for the 2025 championship with the 2024 finalists on opposite sides of the draw. The two losing semi-finals will also be on the opposite sides of the draws in 2025.

In 2026 the hurling championship will change to groups of six, with Senior A and Senior B as separate competitions.

The 2026 Senior A championship will comprise of the six teams who advance to the quarter-finals of the 2025 championship, while the 2026 Senior B will comprise of the four teams who play the 2025 Senior B semi-finals, the winners of a play-off between the losing Senior B quarter-finals in 2025, and the 2025 IHC champions.

The same format will apply to the IHC and all other teams will play in JHC or Junior B HC in 2026.

That proposal was passed unanimously.

OTHER PROPOSALS

The rule regarding substitute appearances in the football championships that was first used this year should also be in place for the hurling championships (that a player who only makes one substitute appearance for their first team remains eligible for the second team) - Passed.

The proposal around video permits that any club seeking to video a game must have permission from Meath GAA. If any member or club breaches any regulation relating to video permits will be dealt with - Passed.

There was a proposal regarding the naming of some competitions as championships for the purpose of rule. Those rules would regard the number of substitutions allowed, the minimum number of players required - Passed.

All clubs must have at least one active certified referee. Failure to have one such referee would see forfeiture of home advantage for all games at all levels, including underage and Go Games - Passed.

Regarding a clash of colours. Clubs should ensure their colours do not clash with their opposition. Games on a home/away basis, the away team should wear their 'distinctive club colours' - Passed.