Division 2

2A - Dunderry, Dunshaughlin, North Meath Gaels, Wolfe Tones

A section involving a side (Dunshaughlin)which got relegated from Division 1 after the League, a team (Dunderry) which was unlucky to lose their semi-final, another (Wolfe Tones) which had a League campaign they won't want to repeat and then a side (North Meath Gaels) which got promoted from Division 3 on the back of an impressive Spring League.

County Minors Sean Brennan and Adam Kelly will be key operators for Dunderry in this years Championship and the side have a shrewd operator on the sideline in club stalwart Stephen O'Rourke. Having lost out to Clann na nGael in the League semi-final, they will be looking to continue their improvement after winning the Division 3 Spring League and Group C Summer League at U-16 level in 2017.

Dunshaughlin will be the clear favourites in many people's eyes to claim the Liam Tolan Cup and with Mathew Costello and Luke Mitchell amongst their ranks they will not be lacking in firepower. However, they weren't able to win a game in Division 1 of the League back in the Spring and nothing in sport is guaranteed. They should have enough to get to the semi-final and once you get there, anything is possible.

North Meath Gaels were very impressive in the Spring League and with players from the Drumconrath and Meath Hill clubs as well as Kilmainhamwood they have a fine mix. After beating St. Peter's Dunboyne by 3 points in the League decider, they will come into the Championship in fine fettle and while they will be underdogs in their games this is something which will suit the youngsters from the north of the county.

Wolfe Tones endured something of a disappointing League. Amongst the favourites to qualify for the semi-finals at the outset, they only picked up 2 points. However, Spring form can often be discounted when it comes to the white heat of Championship and with Evan Corrigan, hero of last year's Division 2 Minor Championship Final amongst their forwards, then the prospect of the cup going back to Kilberry for the second year in succession can't be ruled out.

2B - Clann na nGael, Duleek-Bellewstown, Skryne, Walterstown

This could be a brilliant group with any of the 4 teams capable of overturning each other. Clann na nGael had an excellent campaign in the League and were unfortunate to lose the Final, Duleek-Bellewstown, after winning the U-16 Div. 2 Spring League last year got relegated back to the second tier, Skryne had a disappointing League but have a very talented U-16 side who have found form, winning the Group A Summer League and Walterstown took Trim to a replay in the Div. 2 League semi-final, eventually losing out in a brilliant game in Summerhill.

Clann na nGael are a side which were they in Division 1 would fancy themselves as being capable of pulling off a surprise or 2 but will instead find themselves as being among the favourites for Division 2 With the talented and elusive Tommy Hanley leading the line at full forward, Meath Minor goalie Eoin Griffin between the posts and the clever Darragh Swaine pulling the strings at midfield they've excellent players in key positions. Having taken part in the Patrick Ward Tournament recently, they'll be match fit and will relish the challenge posed by Duleek-Bellewstown in the opening round.

Duleek-Bellewstown had something of a disappointing League campaign in Division 1, losing 2 games with the 3rd not taking place. However, since then the green shoots in their juvenile ranks have sprouted with their U-16 side reaching the Division 1 League Final, losing narrowly to Summerhill. Much will depend on their start, if they pick up a positive win away to Clann na nGael then the campaign could be fruitful, lose in Rathcairn and the challenge to gain momentum will become even greater.

Rumour abounded that Skryne were looking to join forces with Kilbride for the LMFM MFC but these appear to have been unfounded as the Tara outfit are fielding independently. A club with a proud tradition, they would love few things more this year than to lift the cup named after one of their own, Liam Tolan, who passed away tragically in 2010. Meath Minor panellist Jack Dardis will bring plenty of power to the side while players such as Alex Grendon, Shane Smith and Niall Finnerty will be others to keep an eye on.

Any club with 3 players who were on the Meath Minor panel will have to be regarded as a likely winner of the Division 2 title and this is certainly the case for Walterstown. A club who look from the outside like they are in need of a talented juvenile side to come through to the adult ranks might just have found it. The likes of the versatile Adam Barrett and the stylish Adam Treanor will take plenty of watching while in Conor Farrelly they possess a player in the Paddy Reynolds mould. Ross Reynolds who is likely to line out at corner forward is another player who opposition defences will need to keep close tabs on.

Predictions.

Group A Cup Semi-Finalists

Dunderry and Dunshaughlin

Group B Cup Semi-Finalists

Clann na nGael and Walterstown

Finalists

Dunshaughlin and Clann na nGael

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