First Meath Combined Schools team set for Leinster action

SCHOOLS GAA

This Saturday at 5pm in Geashill Meath’s newly formed combined schools team will step into a Leinster Colleges SFC action as they take on Offaly Combined schools in the quarter-finals.

The game will be a landmark moment for the players, their schools, and the county as, for the first time, Meath has united players from schools competing in lower divisions, creating an opportunity for students, all from lower-division schools, to compete at the highest level of schools football.

Historically, this opportunity has only been afforded to a select few, and this year is no different with only St Patrick's CS Navan and Ashbourne CS competing in the A division, which means that there 17 Meath schools competing in the B, C or D competitions.

The ethos driving this initiative is straightforward yet far-reaching - to give more Meath players the chance to experience top-tier competition, fostering their development and, ultimately, enhancing the quality of football across the county.

By bringing together players who wouldn’t normally compete at this level, the combined team offers a new platform for them to display their skills and gain exposure, which could lead to future minor and u-20 call-ups.

Guided by manager Kevin Reilly and selectors Conor Brennan, James Rafferty and Dean Halpin, the team has been rigorously training in a high-performance environment.

Their commitment is backed by Meath Coaching and Games, with Christine O’Brien, Head of Games, and Conor Dillon, GDC for post-primary schools, ensuring that the combined team receive the same supports as the county’s development squads.

This alignment with the Meath academy setup provides players with professional-level coaching, facilities, and a structured pathway to progress within the GAA.

This project could be a game-changer for Meath football.

“By offering these young players a high-performance setup, we’re not just preparing them for success at this level but also helping to strengthen the future of Meath football,” Reilly told the Meath Chronicle.

“We’ve seen incredible support from schools, clubs, parents, and the wider GAA community, all backing this project. We have also found a number of players that have been missed by the academy set up who are shining brightly with this group."

The formation of the combined team has already proven popular across Meath. The high turnout at trials underscored the excitement and enthusiasm surrounding this new venture, with players from all over the county eager to represent Meath at the highest level.

Meath Combined Schools panel: Boyne CS Trim - Conal Diggins (Ballivor), Ciaran Sheridan (Dunderry), Aaron McGee (Ballivor), Cathal Barron (Dunderry), David Regan (Moynalvey), Edward Dunne (Ballivor); Colaiste Clavin Longwood - Kayden Plunkett (Clonard); Colaiste De Lacy - Evan Kelly (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Tom Lenihan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne); Colaiste na hInse - Kyle O'Brien (St Colmcille's); Colaiste na Mi - Cormac Maguire (Walterstown), Jamie O'Reilly (Navan O'Mahonys); Dunshaughlin CC - Rian Collins (Trim), Evan O'Connor (Dunshaughlin), Ciaran Sheridan (Dunshaughlin), Harry Lynch (Dunshaughlin), Ryan Brady (Walterstown); Enfield CC - Lewis Cassidy (Na Fianna); O'Carolan College Nobber - Aidan Roche (Kilmainhamwood), Sean Gillespie (Rathkenny), Ciaran O'Hare (Rathkenny), Gearoid O'Malley (St Michael's), Joey Curtis (Rathkenny); Ratoath College - Adam Ducie (Ratoath), Eoin Feldman (Ratoath); St Ciaran's Kells - Michael Hoey (Kilmainham), Dylan farrelly (Moynalty), Charlie Murphy (Carnaross), Cillian Gaynor (Moynalty), Jake Madden (Drumbaragh), Shea McManus (Drumbaragh); St Peter's Dunboyne - Charlie Gallagher (St Peter's), Eoin McCrudden (St Peter's), Cian Duggan (St Peter's).