Ted Murtagh Meath Senior Hurling Championship 2026 - Group Stage Opens

The Ted Murtagh Clothing and Footwear Senior Hurling Championship is the top flight of club hurling in County Meath, and the group stage kicking off on Friday 7 July 2026 is where the county’s contenders begin to separate themselves. Sponsored by Trim-based Ted Murtagh Clothing and Footwear, the competition carries real local pride - this is genuinely competitive hurling from clubs that know each other well and have been meeting in championship fare for generations. Anyone with an interest in club GAA, or who wants to see hurling at a standard a step above underage but grounded in community, will find this well worth the trip.

What to expect

The championship runs across two groups, with matches spread across club grounds throughout the county on the opening weekend. Group A includes clubs such as Trim, Ratoath, Kildalkey, Na Fianna CLG, Kiltale, and Killyon; Group B features St Peter’s Dunboyne, Kilmessan, Blackhall Gaels, Clann na nGael, Longwood, and Dunderry. The standard is strong - Ratoath and Trim have contested recent county finals, and the field is competitive enough that group results matter from the first whistle.

Meath hurling has a longer tradition than many people realise. Trim itself has won the county senior hurling title more than a dozen times, with a dominant run in the 1940s and 1950s followed by further titles in the 1980s and 1990s. St Loman’s Park in Trim is widely regarded as the home of Meath hurling. Attending a group-stage match at a club ground gives you the full GAA experience - close to the play, no stands between you and the sliotar, and the buzz of a local crowd who know every player by name.

Getting there

Trim is roughly 45 km north-west of Dublin city, easy on the M3 motorway via Dunboyne and Navan. From Navan, the R161 runs directly south to Trim - around 15 minutes. Bus Eireann operates services between Dublin and Trim (route 109), with a journey time of around 1 hour 20 minutes from Busaras. For matches played at club grounds across the county, a car is the practical option - check individual fixture venues on meath.gaa.ie before setting out, as games are spread across several locations. Parking at GAA club grounds is generally in adjacent fields or roadside, and stewards are usually on hand.

While you’re in Trim

Trim is home to the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, and the town itself sits along the River Boyne with a compact and walkable centre. A match in the afternoon pairs well with an evening stroll along the riverside or a meal in the town. There is more to see in Trim and across Co. Meath.

Good to know

• Date: Friday 7 July 2026
• Time: Various - check meath.gaa.ie for specific kick-off times per fixture
• Price: Admission charged at the gate (standard club championship entry; typically a few euro)
• Fixtures and venues: Full schedule at meath.gaa.ie
• Also on: The JM Food Services Intermediate Hurling Championship begins on the same date