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.
Navan O'Mahonys are the 2024 title holders, having defeated Drumree by 1–15 to 1–10 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:
Teams
2026 teams The 6 teams competing in the 2026 Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship are: ClubLocationPosition in 2025Last championship title Clann na nGaelRáth Chairn and AthboyRelegated from SHC Donaghmore AshbourneAshbourneSemi-Final DrumreeDrumree Gaeil ColmcilleKells RathmolyonRathmolyonRunners-up St Peters DunboyneDunboyneSemi-Final The 6 teams competing in the 2026 Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship B are: ClubLocationLast championship title BoardsmillBoardsmill KildalkeyKildalkey2023 KilmessanKilmessan KiltaleKiltale TrimTrim Wolfe TonesKilberry
List of finals Year Club Score Club Score Venue # 2025Kilskyre/Moylagh2-14 Rathmolyon0-12Páirc Tailteann 2024 Navan O'Mahonys 1–15 Drumree 1–10 Páirc Tailteann 2023 Kildalkey 1–18 Navan O'Mahonys 1–10 Páirc Tailteann
See also
Meath Senior Hurling Championship (Tier 1) Meath Senior B Hurling Championship (Tier 2)
References
External links Official website