Tough campaign revealed for Meath

Fergal Lynch

Published: Thu 21 Nov 2024, 11:45 AM

Shane McCormack's second year in charge of the Meath Ladies will see him bring his team to Tyrone for the opening round of NFL Div 1 on Sunday 26th January.

Last year's McCormack and Meath opened their campaign with a magnificent away win over Mayo and while fortunes faded after that bright start, Meath comfortably retained their status and that is something McCormack will hope to build on.

Mayo will provide the opposition for Meath's first home game of the campaign which will be played at 2pm on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd February Live on TG4, most likely in Pairc Tailteann.

Meath will have two more home games in succession as Waterford and McCormack's native Kildare visit for rounds three and four respectively before the campaign finishes in the most difficult run-in possible.

Meath manager Shane McCormack, issues instructions from the sideline during the Lidl LGFA National Football League Rd 1 fixture at the COE Airdome, Bekan, last Sunday. Picture: David Farrell Photography Photo by Co. Mayo, David Farrell Photography, Ireland. Phone: 085-8474987

Meath's campaign will conclude with away games against Dublin (live on TG4 on Saturday 1st March) before facing All-Ireland SFC champions Kerry away on Saturday 22nd March and defending NFL Div 1 champions Armagh on Saturday 29th March.

Holders Armagh will begin the defence of their crown with a glamour clash against All-Ireland champions Kerry which will be a repeat of last year's league final.

Armagh won on that occasion at Croke Park but when the sides met again later in the season, at the semi-final stage of the All-Ireland Senior Championship, it was Kerry who prevailed in Tullamore before they annexed a first All-Ireland Senior title since 1993.

All four divisions will each contain eight teams in 2025, with the top two teams in Divisions 1, 2 and 3 progressing straight to their respective finals, while there are semi-finals scheduled for Division 4 on Sunday 30th March.

The Divisions 1 and 2 finals will be played at Croke Park on Saturday 12th April, with the Divisions 3 and 4 finals scheduled for Sunday 13th April.

Meath's fixtures

Sunday 26th January - Tyrone v Meath.

Monday 3rd February - Meath v Mayo.

Sunday 9th February - Meath v Waterford.

Sunday 23rd February - Meath v Kildare.

Saturday 1st March - Dublin v Meath.

Saturday 22nd March - Kerry v Meath.

Saturday 29th March - Armagh v Meath.