Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship

Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship
IrishCraobh Iomána Idirmheánach na Mí
CodeHurling
Founded1940; 86 years ago (1940)
Region Meath (GAA)
No. of teams12
Title holders Rathmolyon (1st title)
SponsorsJM Food Services
Official websiteMeath GAA

The Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the JM Food Services Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship and abbreviated to the Meath IHC) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association from 1940 for the top tier intermediate hurling teams in the county of Meath in Ireland. It is the third tier overall in the entire Meath hurling championship system.

In its current format, the Meath Intermediate Championship begins with a group stage. The 12 participating club teams are divided into two groups of six teams and play each other in a round-robin system. The top three teams in both groups proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match at Páirc Tailteann. The winner of the Kildare Intermediate Championship qualifies for the subsequent Leinster Club JHC.

Rathmolyon are the 2026 title holders, having defeated Clann na nGael by 2–17 to 1–09 in the final.

History

The Meath Intermediate Championship was established in 1940 in an effort to bridge the standard of play between the Meath Senior Championship and the Meath Junior Championship. The championship was abandoned a year later but was revived in 1960. For almost 65 years, the Meath Intermediate Championship was effectively the second tier championship in the Meath hurling championship system.

A review of Meath's hurling structures resulted in county committee delegates approving major changes to the championship format in February 2024. Five different format proposals were put before delegates with one winning unanimous favour and no support for the remaining four. The new format saw the introduction of the Meath IBHC for teams who fail to qualify for the knockout stage of the Meath IHC.

In 2026 the format was changed again to place the 6 best teams in the main IHC and the 6 subsequent teams in the IHCB with promotion and relegation between the two leagues. Source: "Meath GAA Regulations 2026-V1" (PDF). Meath GAA.

Teams

2026 teams

The 6 teams competing in the 2026 Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship were:

Club Location Position in 2026

Clann na nGael

 Ráth Chairn and Athboy Runners-up
Donaghmore Ashbourne Ashbourne 5th
Drumree Drumree Semi-Final
Gaeil Colmcille Kells Relegated to IHC B
Rathmolyon Rathmolyon Champion
St Peters Dunboyne Dunboyne 4th

The 6 teams competing in the 2026 Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship B were:

Club Location
Boardsmill Boardsmill Champion
Kildalkey Kildalkey Relegation Play-off
Kilmessan Kilmessan Relegated
Kiltale Kiltale 4th
Trim Trim Semi-Final
Wolfe Tones Kilberry Runners-up

List of IHC A finals

Year Club Score Club Score Venue #
2026 Rathmolyon 2-17 Clann na nGael 1-09 Kiltale
2025 Kilskyre/Moylagh 2-14 Rathmolyon 0-12 Páirc Tailteann
2024 Navan O'Mahonys 1–15 Drumree 1–10 Páirc Tailteann
2023 Kildalkey 1–18 Navan O'Mahonys 1–10 Páirc Tailteann

List of IHC B finals

Year Club Score Club Score Venue #
2026 Boardsmill 2-15 Wolfe Tones 1-15 Athboy

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Rathmolyon put Clann na nGael to the sword in IHC decider". Meath Chronicle. 10 October 2026. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  2. ↑ "Club Titles - Meath". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  3. ↑ "Delegates approve major changes to Meath GAA club championship structures at county committee meeting". Irish Independent. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  4. ↑ "Major alterations adopted for Meath Senior and Intermediate Hurling Championships in 2024". LMfm. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  5. ↑ "GALLERY: Look back on Navan O'Mahonys IHC Final victory over Drumree". The Meath Chronicle. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  6. ↑ "IHC final replay: Kildalkey treble triumph". Hogan Stand. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  7. ↑ "IHC B final: Maiden title for Boardsmill - HoganStand". hoganstand.com. Retrieved 21 October 2026.