Group 2 of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship commences this weekend with last year’s beaten finalists Meath taking on neighbours Kildare, while Kilkenny meet Carlow. Kerry and Antrim will kick off the action at 12pm.
Kerry v Antrim, Saturday May 25th, Lixnaw GAA, 12pm
Having suffered defeat in the Munster Intermediate Final and relegation from Division 1B, Kerry will look to begin their All Ireland series on a positive note as they welcome Antrim to Lixnaw.
The Kingdom, who began 2023 winning the Division 2A crown, finished third in the Group stage of the All Ireland last term and will look to be a lot more competitive this year. With ace player Patrice Diggin out Kerry are missing a big fulcrum in their side. Jackie Horgan scored 0-8 of their 0-9 tally in last weekend’s 2-9 to 0-9 defeat to Tipperary and has been a fruitful scorer since the league. A short turnaround for Brian D’Arcy’s side, one they will aim to win.
Antrim’s second selection make the long trip down south after a heavy 5-21 to 0-1 defeat to Armagh in the Ulster Intermediate Final. The Saffrons suffered three defeats in Division 3B of the league, with plenty of one sided results. Despite that this Antrim side will want to be more competitive than their third place finish in the Group last year, having last claimed Championship silverware in the Premier Junior grade in 2022.
Kildare v Meath, Saturday May 25th, Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence, Hawkfield, 2pm
An all Leinster affair in Hawkfield will see Kildare take on Meath, as the visitors who ended 2023 runners up in this competition seek a positive start to go one step further this year.
Kildare began 2024 with three defeats in succession and suffered a 5-6 to 0-5 defeat to Laois in the semi-final stage. Since then they fell just short of defeating Wexford in the Leinster Intermediate quarter-final, despite a late fightback Wexford won 2-9 to 1-9, can the Lilywhites start this series on a positive note with Kilkenny, Carlow, Kerry, Dublin and Antrim on the horizon.
Neighbours Meath had a heartbreaking replay defeat in last year’s competition and after a solid league campaign will aim to better their defeat to Derry. Meath last played a fixture in the Leinster Senior Championship, suffering a 4-16 to 0-6 defeat at the hands of Dublin in the quarter-final. Group 2 is tough this year and Meath will want to start off with a win to build momentum ahead of this busy schedule.
Kilkenny v Carlow, Saturday May 25th, John Locke’s GAA, Kilkenny, 2pm
Another meeting of neighbours will see last year’s beaten semi-finals Kilkenny take on a Carlow side who almost suffered the drop.
Last making a final in 2021, Kilkenny will aim to be competitive after losing the semi-final to eventual winners Derry 0-21 to 0-14 last year. The Cats only managed to take just a single win from the league campaign and suffered a 2-10 to 1-10 defeat to Wexford in the Leinster Intermediate semi-final.
It has been a turbulent time for Carlow this year, starting off the year with defeats in 2A of the Very Camogie League, James Murphy stepped down as manager of the team in late February. Carlow did manage to retain their 2A status in the end and narrowly lost 1-14 to 0-14 when they met Dublin in the Leinster Intermediate Quarter Final at the start of this month. The new management team of Michael Managan, Liam Doyle, Tracy McNally, Margaret Condell and Byron Byrne will look to guide The Dolmen County to success.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.