Meath GAA fans face a busy four-day weekend featuring twelve finals and six semi-finals across senior, intermediate, and junior grades. The action kicks off on Saturday, October 3, highlighted by the Meath Senior Football Championship semi-final derby between Ratoath and Donaghmore Ashbourne at Dunganny.
Ratoath Face Donaghmore Ashbourne in El Crispico
Neighbouring towns Ratoath and Donaghmore Ashbourne meet in a high-stakes Meath Senior Football Championship semi-final at 4:00 PM on Saturday, October 3, at Pitch 6 in Dunganny, with Cormac Reilly officiating. The match has been dubbed ‘El Crispico’ by locals due to its proximity to the former Tayto-sponsored theme park. The two clubs sit just two or three large fields apart, but their recent senior trophy counts tell very different stories. Ratoath has claimed three senior titles since 2019 alongside a 2015 Leinster Intermediate club crown, while Donaghmore Ashbourne’s last senior championship victory dates back to 1942. Saturday’s fixture features a direct midfield battle between Ratoath’s Jack Flynn and Donaghmore Ashbourne’s Bryan Menton. Donaghmore Ashbourne chairman Michael Doherty noted the significance of the fixture, highlighting the management team led by local manager Timmy O’Regan alongside Mick Beggy. Meanwhile, the other senior semi-final pits Keegan Cup holders Summerhill against Wolfe Tones on Sunday, October 4, at 2:00 PM on Pitch 6 in Dunganny, with Kieran Olwell as referee.
Na Fianna Relegate Simonstown to Intermediate Grade
Friday night action brought high tension as Na Fianna secured their senior football championship status for 2027 while condemning Simonstown to the Intermediate grade for the first time in 31 years. A crucial goal deep into injury time from Luke Kelly, followed immediately by his insurance point, sealed a 2-10 to 0-13 victory after Na Fianna led 1-6 to 0-5 at halftime. Further down the grades, Donaghmore Ashbourne’s second team powered past Dunshaughlin with a 2-14 to 0-8 win in the IACFC Final. In the Intermediate Football Championship relegation final on Thursday, Bective defeated Drumbaragh 2-13 to 1-6 at Devenish Park. Donal Curtis’ side used a late scoring burst of 1-4 in the final six minutes to pull away after holding a slim 0-6 to 1-2 halftime advantage.
Meath GAA Schedule Lists Weekend Fixtures
The packed Meath GAA schedule spans multiple venues across the county throughout Saturday and Sunday. * Saturday, October 3: * IFC Semi-Final: St Patrick’s vs Navan O’Mahonys, 1:30 PM at Dunsany (Referee: David Gough) * JACFC Division 1 Final: Wolfe Tones vs Trim, 2:30 PM at Walterstown (Referee: Robert Lynch) * SFC Semi-Final: Ratoath vs Donaghmore Ashbourne, 4:00 PM at Dunganny Pitch 6 (Referee: Cormac Reilly) * JACFC Division 6 Final: Trim vs Dunsany, 4:30 PM at Walterstown (Referee: Simon Heneghan) * JACFC Division 2 Final: Duleek-Bellewstown vs Oldcastle, 7:00 PM at Paddy O’Brien Park (Referee: Shane Watters) * JFC Semi-Final: Ballinlough vs St Vincent’s, 7:30 PM at Cortown (Referee: Ciarán Flynn) * Sunday, October 4: * Junior B FC Final: Kilmainhamwood vs Kilmainham, 11:30 AM at Grangegodden (Referee: Thomas Macleod) * SFC Semi-Final: Summerhill vs Wolfe Tones, 2:00 PM at Dunganny Pitch 6 (Referee: Kieran Olwell) * IFC Semi-Final: Walterstown vs Duleek-Bellewstown, 4:30 PM at Simonstown (Referee: Keith Sheerin) * JFC Relegation Play-off Final: St Mary’s vs St Brigid’s, 6:00 PM at Martry (Referee: Paddy Clarke) * JFC Semi-Final: Curraha vs Slane, 7:00 PM at Skryne (Referee: Ian Dowdall)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Ratoath versus Donaghmore Ashbourne senior semi-final taking place? The match takes place on Pitch 6 at Dunganny on Saturday, October 3, at 4:00 PM, with Cormac Reilly serving as referee. What was the result of the senior relegation final? Na Fianna defeated Simonstown 2-10 to 0-13 on Friday night, relying on a late goal and point from Luke Kelly to preserve their senior status and relegate Simonstown. Who are the referees for the Sunday senior semi-final? Kieran Olwell will referee the clash between Summerhill and Wolfe Tones, scheduled for 2:00 PM on Pitch 6 at Dunganny.
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