Division 4A - Ballivor, Boardsmill, Kilbride, Na Fianna, St. Michael's/Nobber
Having found the going tough in the League, Ballivor will be hoping to gain a bit of momentum in the Championship. A club with small numbers, they are doing their best to field on their own which is to be admired at a time when many clubs are looking to join forces at juvenile level. Home advantage in Round 1 against Na Fianna will be crucial and while they might find qualification for the Cup semi-finals a bridge too far, they will be a tough team to beat in the Shield should that be where they end up.
Like their neighbours, Boardsmill are another team making the best of small numbers and doing all they can to field on their own. Being a dual club can pose its own challenges but the efforts being made with the big ball in Boardsmill are considerable. Having operated in Division 5 of the League where they played both St. Michael's and Nobber, they now face the tough task of playing them as a combined outfit in Round 1. It's a stiff task but they will pull off a few surprises in this group.
A team whose efforts to join forces with another club for the Minor Championship proved unsuccessful, Kilbride will nonetheless be among the teams to beat in this competition. Semi-finalists in the Division 4 League where Ballinabrackey overcame them, they won the U-16 Spring League which suggests that there is plenty of young talent within their ranks. Great work is being done in recent years in the Kilbride club and they would love to have a Minor Championship trophy back in the clubhouse for the winter.
Any side in Division 4 with a couple of members of the Meath Minor side which won the Leinster Championship will have to be hotly fancied to go well. Luke Kelly and Oisín McCloskey will have vital leadership roles in this team and although the team struggled in Division 3 of the League, they will look towards the Championship with renewed optimism. Striking the right balance as a dual club is a challenge they will need to get right but if they do then Na Fianna will be hotly fancied to get to the final.
After fielding independently in Division 5 of the League, and with Nobber reaching the final, the 2 clubs have once more joined forces for the Minor Championship. It's a combination which has enjoyed success in the past and after winning their U-16 Summer League already this summer, they will be in buoyant form. Should the team gel then they will be a force to be reckoned with.
4B - Jenkinstown Gaels, Longwood/Clonard, St. Mary's/Slane, St. Patrick's
A combination of Blackhall Gaels and Moynalvey, Jenkinstown Gaels will be looking to get their campaign off to a winning start at home to Longwood/Clonard in Round 1. If they manage this then they will be in with a great chance of qualifying for the Cup semi-finals. Having operated in Division 3 for the League, they will see that experience gained at a higher level as crucial and are a team definitely capable of coming in the top 2 of the group.
Longwood/Clonard will be looking towards the free scoring Niall Smullen to do most of the scoring damage for them. If Smullen catches fire then he's one of the best young forwards in the county and if the team can feed him early and often and supply plenty of support then they will be capable of racking up enough scores to win most games.
St. Mary's/Slane struggled in the League and it will take a massive improvement if they are to qualify for the Cup semi-finals. There's great work being done in the juvenile ranks of both clubs though and after a break to refresh everything it would be no surprise to see the team spark to life in the Championship. County panellist Sean Martyn is somebody who will take a lot of watching in each game.
Having been relegated from Division 3, St. Patrick's will fancy their chances of doing well in the Championship. Their opening round game away to St. Mary's/Slane in Donore could set the tone for their challenge and if they can come away from the venue beside Brú na Boinne with the points then it would be a foolish person who would discount the Stamullen outfit from winning the Division.
Predictions.
Group A Cup Semi-Finalists
Na Fianna and St. Michael's/Nobber
Group B Cup Semi-Finalists
Jenkinstown Gaels and St. Patrick's
Finalists
Na Fianna and St. Michael's/Nobber
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