2019 Meath Senior Football Championship
The 2019 Meath Senior Football Championship is the 127th edition of the Meath GAA's premier club Gaelic football tournament for senior clubs in County Meath, Ireland. 18 teams compete, with the winner representing Meath in the Leinster Senior Club Football Championship. The championship starts with a group stage and then progresses to a knock out stage. St. Peter's Dunboyne were the defending champions after they defeated Summerhill in the 2018 final to claim their third S.F.C. crown. However, the defence of their title was disappointing, failing to proceed past the group stages. This  was Longwood's return to the top flight for the first time in 76 years after claiming the 2018 Meath Intermediate Football Championship. Longwood last won the I.F.C. in 1942 and after spending one season in the senior grade in 1943, they were regraded to the J.F.C. for 1944. Longwood, Rathkenny and St. Patrick's were relegated back to the I.F.C. for 2020 after spending just one, 13 and 19 seasons respectively in the top-flight of Meath club football when losing a relegation play-off. On 27 October 2019, Ratoath claimed their first ever S.F.C. title after just four  years as a senior club when defeating Summerhill 3-15 to 2-13 in the final at Pairc Tailteann. Ciarán Ó Fearraigh became the first Ratoath captain to lift the Keegan Cup while Joey Wallace claimed the "Man-of-the-Match" award for his performance. The match was refereed by David Gough. The draw for the group stages of the championship were made on 4 March 2019 with the games commencing on 4 April 2019. Championship Structure Change Proposals. In 2019: In 2020: Team Changes. The following teams have changed division since the 2018 championship season. To S.F.C.. Promoted from  I.F.C. From S.F.C.. Relegated to I.F.C. Participating Teams. The teams taking part in the 2019 Meath Senior Football Championship are: Group Stage. There are three groups of six teams called Group A, B and C. The 1st and 2nd placed teams in Groups A, B and C along with the 3rd placed team in Group A automatically qualify for the Quarter-Finals. The third placed teams in Groups B and C engage in the Preliminary Quarter-Final to determine the team that completes the Quarter-Finals lineup. The 5th and 6th placed teams will proceed to the Relegation Play-Off  to determine which three teams will suffer relegation. The draw for the group stages of the championship were made on 4 March 2019 with the games commencing on 4 April 2019. Tiebreakers: If two or more teams were equal on points on completion of the group matches, the following tie-breaking criteria would be applied: All Football Championships and Leagues shall be run on a combination of a league and knockout basis under Rule 6.21 T.O. Where teams finish equal with points for qualification or relegation process for concluding stages, the positioning shall be decided as follows; Group A. Skryne  ranked ahead of Dunshaughlin and Navan O'Mahony's due to head-to-head results against the three sides. Dunshaughlin are ranked ahead of Navan O'Mahony's as they won the head-to-head game between the two teams. Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Group B. Head-to-head results could not separate Summerhill, Ratoath and Donaghmore/Ashbourne, so each team's score difference came into effect. Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Group C. Na Fianna are ranked above Curraha due to the head-to-head result between the two teams . Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Knock-Out Stage. The 1st and 2nd placed teams in Groups A, B and C along with the 3rd placed team in Group A automatically qualify for the Quarter-Finals. The third placed teams in Groups B and C engage in the Preliminary Quarter-Final to determine the team that completes the Quarter-Finals lineup. Relegation Play-Off. Due to the 2019 modifications of the club football structure in Meath ratified by the Co. Board in early January 2019, this season 3 clubs shall be relegated to the 2020 Meath  I.F.C. in order to leave 16 clubs competing for the 2020 Meath S.F.C. The Relegation Play-Off will consist of the 5th and 6th placed finishers in Groups A, B and C. The three winners shall retain their senior status while the three losers shall be relegated to the Intermediate championship. Leinster Senior Club Football Championship. Quarter Final: Garrycastle 3-11 Ratoath 2-12, Cusack Park, 10/11/2019