The 2026 Meath Intermediate Football Championship is the 100th edition of the Meath GAA's premier club Gaelic football tournament for Intermediate graded teams in County Meath, Ireland. The tournament consists of 16 teams and started with a knock-out stage. The winner will represent Meath in the Leinster Intermediate Club Football Championship.
Kilbride were the 2025 Meath Intermediate Football Champions after they defeated Castletown by 0–20 to 1–16 in the final. Kilbride will play at the senior level for the first time since 1978.
Despite winning the 2024 Intermediate Championship, Meath Hill were relegated back down after losing to St Colmcille's in the relegation play-off final. Clann na nGael were promoted to the I.F.C after beating St Vincent's in the 2024 Meath Junior Football Championship. Curraha faced back-to-back relegations after losing to Navan O'Mahonys.
The draw for the group stage was conducted on 19 January 2026, and the fixtures for those group stage games were finalised on 18 June 2026.
Championship Structure The 2026 Meath I.F.C consists of 16 teams drawn into four groups each containing four teams. The top two teams progress to the quarter-finals, while the bottom team in each group contests the relegation semi-finals. The losers of the relegation semi-finals would play-off for the right to retain their intermediate status into 2027.
Team Changes The following teams have changed division since the 2025 championship season:
From I.F.C. Promoted to 2026 S.F.C. Kilbride - (Intermediate Champions)
Relegated to 2026 Meath Junior Football Championship Curraha
To I.F.C. Relegated from 2025 S.F.C. Meath Hill
Promoted from 2025 J.F.C. Clann na nGael - (Junior 'A' Champions)
Participating teams The teams that are competing in the 2026 Meath I.F.C are: ClubLocationManager(s)2025 Championship Position2026 Championship PositionIn Intermdiate championship sinceIntermediate Championship TitlesLast Intermediate Championship Title BallivorBallivorJames McCaffreyRelegation Semi-FinalistRelegation Semi-Finalist202142002 BectiveNavanDonal CurtisRelegation Semi-FinalistRelegation Finalist20170— Blackhall GaelsBatterstown & KilcloonGordon WardNon-QualifierRelegation Semi-Finalist201922001 CastletownCastletown-KilpatrickSeán BarryRunners-UpQuarter-Finalist202331976 Clann na nGaelAthboy & RathcairnNiall McLoughlinJ.F.C ChampionsQuarter-Finalist20260— Drumbaragh EmmetsDrumbaragh, KellsRob WallQuarter-FinalistRelegated to Junior20140— DunsanyDunsanyTom ShineQuarter-FinalistNon-Qualifier20250— Duleek/BellewstownDuleek & BellewstownAnthony MaloneNon-Qualifier201852005 LongwoodLongwoodEoghan Kevlihan & Joe CorroonNon-QualifierNon-Qualifier202022018 Meath HillMeath HillPaudie FinneganRelegated from S.F.CQuarter-Finalist202612024 MoynalveyMoynalvey & KiltaleBarry O'KeefeSemi-FinalistQuarter-Finalist202422011 Navan O'MahonysNavanDarren ClarkeRelegation Finalist202322003 OldcastleOldcastleJoe SheridanQuarter-FinalistNon-Qualifier201522009 St Michael'sCarlanstown & KilbegPaul GrierSemi-FinalistNon-Qualifier200611989 St Patrick'sStamullenColm NallyQuarter-FinalistSemi-Finalist202032000 WalterstownNavanAndy McGuinnessNon-Qualifier201611964
Group Stage There are four groups of four teams called Group A, B, C and D. The 1st and 2nd placed teams in each group qualified for the quarter-finals. The 4th placed teams in each group proceed to the relegation play-off to determine which team will be relegated.
The draw for the group stage was made on 19 January 2026, and the fixtures for those group stage games were finalised on 18 June 2026.
Group A
TeamMatchesScorePtsPldWDLForAgainstDiff St Patrick's32106452 +125 Navan O'Mahonys32017350 +234 Longwood31115069 -193 Bective30035975 -160
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Group B
TeamMatchesScorePtsPldWDLForAgainstDiff Clann na nGael33007942 +376 Walterstown32015652 +44 St Michael's31025863 -52 Drumbaragh Emmets30034682 -360
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Group C
TeamMatchesScorePtsPldWDLForAgainstDiff Meath Hill33005939 +206 Moynalvey32015644 +124 Dunsany30124661 -151 Blackhall Gaels30124158 -171
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Group D
TeamMatchesScorePtsPldWDLForAgainstDiff Castletown32015849 +94 Duleek/ Bellewstown32014637 +94 Oldcastle32015641 +154 Ballivor30033669 -330
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Relegation Play-off The relegation play-off consists of the 4th placed finishers in each group. The winners of each playoff round will retain their intermediate status while the outright loser will be relegated to the Junior Championship for 2027.
Relegation Semi-Finals
Relegation Final
Knock-out Stage The 1st and 2nd placed teams in each group qualify for the quarter-finals. Quarter-Final pairings will be drawn with one group winner playing a 2nd placed team in each pair with no repeat pairings from the group stages.
Bracket
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
References