As pens and pencils hit the desks around the County with the end of the State Exams, it can mean only one thing, Championship season is here. And what a competition is in store! Seven teams across each of the Senior, Junior A, B and C grades and nine teams in this year's Intermediate Championship. So who's your money on?

In our opening round of the Senior Championship, defending Champions St. Ultans will be at home for their opening game against Simonstown. When the sides met in the league, it was St. Ultans who came away with a convincing win. They went on to qualify for the League Final in one of the closest leagues in years so this summer is going to be intriguing! While St. Ultans go into the tie as favourites, Simonstown will not worry about being the underdogs and will relish the opportunity at facing last year's winners in the opening round. At Boardsmill, a local derby between the hosts and Na Fianna throws in at 7.45. The sides had contrasting fortunes in this year's League with Boardsmill narrowly missing out on a place in the League Final but this is Championship and both sides will be looking for a good start.

In the final Senior game, Dee Rangers host Seneschalstown in Meath Hill from 8pm. This is Dee Rangers first venture into the Senior Championship and last year's Intermediate Champions will appreciate the opportunity given to them, however they are not there to make up the numbers. When the sides met in the League back in April, it was the Rangers who came out on top in a close encounter, Becks Goodwin getting the all important second goal as it finished 2-11 to 1-11. Coupled with this, and a one point win over Dunboyne in the League earlier this season, the Orlaith Duff captained side will fancy their chances. For Seneschalstown, they will look to getting back to winning ways after a tough League campaign which improved as it went on. Seneschalstown avoided the drop to Division Two with a nail biting 3-16 to 1-14 win over subsequent champions Dunboyne, in Fr. Tully Park. Waiting in the wings and watching the opening round eagerly will be last year's Senior runners-up, Oldcastle, who received a bye.

After their terrific season in 2015 that seen them collect county, provincial and All Ireland Junior Club Championship titles, Dunboyne will start life in the Intermediate Championship as they travel to near neighbours Moynalvey for a 7.30 throw in. Both sides will want to get a win under their belts early so expect this to a be a score fuelled contest. Division Two League Champions, Donaghmore-Ashbourne travel to neighbours Ratoath. In 2015, Ratoath reached the semi-finals and will be hoping to go one step further this year. They will be up against it as they face an Ashbourne side brimming with youth and confidence after their League title in Páirc Tailteann. Led by Captain Eva McNeilis, this Ashbourne side are ones to watch out for.

Last year's Intermediate finalists, St. Michaels face a trip to Batterstown on Tuesday evening to take on Blackhall Gaels. They say you have to lose a title to win one, and St. Michaels will surely be hoping that is the case as they came agonisingly close to victory in last year's Final in Paddy O'Brien Park. With plenty of experience, they should have enough against a somewhat struggling Blackhall Gaels. The Gaels are boosted by Meath Senior Captain Paula Dunne performing well in the Leinster Senior Championship and undoubtedly they will put it up to the Michaels girls. In the late kick off however is perhaps the tie of the round as Royal Gaels host Summerhill in Dunshaughlin. The sides have had contrasting fortunes in the 2016 League. While Royal Gaels were relegated from Division One following a fiercely fought league campaign, Summerhill were promoted from Division Two and will be looking to continue this rich form. With last year's Intermediate Golden Boot winner, Niamh Crowe, in the US for the summer, the Hill could struggle but led by Captain Ciara Daly, they will do what they do best and get stuck in from the outset. The Gaels however will want to put the League behind them and get back to winning ways, and what better way to start than in the opening round of the Championship?

Dunsany and Moylagh have the honour of the first game of this year's Championship as they face each other on Sunday evening at 8pm. Both sides reached the semi finals of last year's competition and while Moylagh secured promotion from Division Four League this year, Dunsany have held their ground in Division Three and will be hoping to use this as a platform for Championship. Count in Dunsany's crucial win in the 2015 Minor Championship replay and the home side may go in as favourites. Last year's Junior B Champions Ballivor face a baptism of fire as they take on last year's Junior A runners-up Clann na nGael in Rath Cairn. However, the US exodus has also hit the Clann na nGael side and this may aid Ballivor as they start life in the Junior A Championship. Also in the Junior A Championship sees St. Colmcilles host Duleek-Bellewstown. The Cilles family have been steadily building and deservedly earned promotion to Division Two ranks when they qualified for the League final against Boardsmill. They were bitterly disappointed not to win, and this hunger is sure to be seen in this year's Championship. Having been beaten by Dunboyne in last year's Championship semi-final, the Cilles will want to go all the way this year.

The opening round of the Junior B Championship has pitted the Division Five League Finalists against each other once more. St. Ultans will host Dunboyne and revenge for the league final will be chiefly on the minds of the Ultans players. Wolfe Tones will open their Junior B Championship with a home tie against Walterstown in Kilberry. They reached last year's semi-finals and must be feeling this year is their year. With the mood high in the camp, they will certainly give Championship everything they have. The Tones, led by Captain, Jenny Goodwin, face a Walterstown side who gained promotion back to Division Three in May. Skryne host Trim in the final fixture and with Catriona Keogan in fine form for the Meath Seniors, they should do well against a youthful Trim side.

For the first time ever, given the number of entered teams, a fifth Championship will be played this season. In the inaugural Junior C Championship, five clubs have entered second teams and they will face Drumbaragh and new entrants Rathkenny/Slane. Indeed Rathkenny/Slane will host Seneschalstown in their opening fixture and it is sure to be a terrific contest. Rathkenny/Slane missed out on a place in the Division Five League Final as they fell to defeat against St. Ultans in the final round. Given that this is their first season, this is a fabulous achievement and one that can only improve. Simonstown also enter a second team for the first time and they face Na Fianna in Simonstown while Royal Gaels and Oldcastle go to battle on Thursday. Any grade where these two clubs meet is a tough encounter, and this game will be no exception.

Best wishes to all thirty-seven teams as they embark on a new season, making new memories and above all enjoying the game!

Coca-Cola Championship Round One Fixtures:

Senior: On Tuesday 28th

St. Ultans v Simonstown in Sean Newman Park on Tues 28th at 7.30pm Ref: C. McManus

Boardsmill v Na Fianna in Boardsmill on Tues 28th at 7.45pm. Ref: S. Stanley

Dee Rangers v Seneschalstown in Meath Hill on Tues 28th at 8pm. Ref: N. Hand

Oldcastle v Bye

Intermediate: On or Before Tuesday 28th

Ratoath v Donaghmore/Ashbourne on Mon 27th at 7.30pm. Ref: P. Coyle

Moynalvey v Dunboyne in Moynalvey on Tues 28th at 7.30pm. Ref: P. Mooney

Blackhall Gaels v St. Michaels in Batterstown on Tues 28th at 7.45pm

Royal Gaels v Summerhill in Dunshaughlin on Tues 28th at 8pm. Ref: A. Gallagher

Navan O'Mahonys v Bye

Junior A: On or Before Thursday 30th

Clann na nGael v Ballivor in Rath Cairn on Tues 28th at 8pm

St. Colmcilles v Duleek-Bellewstown in Pilltown on Mon 27th at 8pm. Ref: B. Byrne

Dunsany v Moylagh in Dunsany on Sunday 26th at 8pm. Ref: F. Shanahan

St. Pats v Bye

Junior B: On or Before Thursday 30th

Wolfe Tones v Walterstown in Kilberry on Thurs 30th at 8pm. Ref: P. Mooney

St. Ultans v Dunboyne - TBC

Skryne v Trim in Skryne on Thurs 30th, Time TBC

Boardsmill v Bye

Junior C: On or Before Thursday 30th

Rathkenny/Slane v Seneschalstown in Rathkenny on Thurs 30th at 7.30pm. Ref: C. McManus

Simonstown v Na Fianna in Simonstown on Thurs 30th at 8pm. Ref TBC

Royal Gaels v Oldcastle in Dunshaughlin on Wed 29th at 8pm. Ref: S. Gahan

Drumbaragh v Bye

 

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