IFC Preview: An Analysis

GROUP 1

Glen Emmets

Glen Emmets come into the Championship off the back of an impressive Division 2 League campaign, finishing seventh and picking up some notable results along the way. They will be keen to improve on last year, when they won their group before suffering a disappointing Quarter-Final defeat to Clan na Gael.

Keith Boylan captains the Tullyallen side in 2026

There is plenty of experience running through the side. Keith Boylan provides leadership at the back, Andrew Mooney and Conor Grimes bring plenty of strength to the middle third, while James Butler and Keelan O’Neill offer a serious scoring threat up front. They are an athletic, physical team who can put huge pressure on opponents when they get going.

With last year’s group success also providing evidence that they can handle the Championship environment, Glen Emmets look well placed to make another strong run.

Verdict: Expect them to top the group.

O’Raghallaighs

O’Raghallaighs will need some of their more experienced players to step up if they are to navigate this group. Ruairi and Eoin Moore continue to carry plenty of responsibility and will be central to their hopes, while Kyle McElroy needs to produce a big Championship.

They have also been boosted by the addition of Conor McGinty in midfield following his involvement with the Louth U20s. There is certainly ability within the squad, but their league form and overall consistency make them difficult to read.

They may find it difficult to put together the results required in what looks a competitive group.

Verdict: Relegation playoff looms.

Stabannon Parnells

Stabannon Parnells arrive as last year’s beaten finalists, although their league campaign has been considerably less convincing. They will hope their Championship experience can once again bring out the best in them.

Harry Butterly remains a major scoring threat, while Sean Reynolds provides plenty of strength and quality around midfield. They may find Glen Emmets difficult to handle, but there is enough in this Parnells side to suggest they can compete for top spot.

Their Championship pedigree should see them safely through the group.

Verdict: Should advance in second.

GROUP 2

Wolfe Tones

Wolfe Tones deserve credit for surviving their first season at Intermediate level last year, but they now face another difficult group. The Drogheda derby with Oliver Plunketts could prove absolutely crucial and represents their clearest opportunity to put themselves in contention for the knockout stages.

They found things difficult in last year’s group, which also contained Hunterstown Rovers and Sean O’Mahonys, and they will need to show significant improvement to progress this time around.

The Tones are certainly capable of making this competitive, but they look up against it.

Verdict: Relegation playoff.

Oliver Plunketts

Oliver Plunketts suffered relegation from Division 2 this year after a disappointing league campaign, but Championship football offers them an opportunity to put that form behind them.

JFC Champions 2025 Oliver Plunketts will be hoping to ensure they keep their IFC Status

They arrive as reigning Junior champions and will have ambitions of making an immediate impact at Intermediate level. Adam Smith, Adam Lambe, Kristian Nolan and Shaun Smith give them plenty of potential, while their meeting with Wolfe Tones is likely to be circled as the game that could define their group campaign.

With their recent Championship success behind them, Plunketts should have enough to win that battle and secure a knockout place.

Verdict: Advance in second.

Kilkerley Emmets

Kilkerley Emmets are the standout team in this group. They finished inside the top six of the Division 2 League and possess a squad that is more than capable of making a serious tilt at the Seamus Flood Cup.

There is genuine quality throughout their ranks, with Tadhg McEneaney, Conor Quigley, the Brady brothers and Cormac Mallon all capable of making a significant impact. They look a step above the opposition in this group on paper and will be expected to demonstrate that on the pitch.

Anything other than a strong group-stage campaign would be a surprise.

Verdict: Comfortable group winners.

GROUP 3

St Brides

St Brides will be determined to put last year’s disappointing Championship campaign behind them. The decision to retain the management team of Eamonn O’Neill and Paul Gibney could prove beneficial, with another year working with the group giving them greater familiarity and cohesion.

There is serious quality in attack, with Kieran McArdle, Sean Marry and Donal McArdle capable of causing problems for any defence. Marry, Paddy Reilly and Cillian Kirk also provide valuable experience throughout the side.

This is a team with the ingredients to challenge for the Seamus Flood Cup. The group may be difficult to predict, but St Brides should certainly be involved when the knockout stages arrive.

Verdict: Will advance, but where they finish is difficult to call.

Geraldines

Geraldines make the return to Intermediate football after relegation from Senior in 2025, and they will have ambitions of bouncing straight back up.

Jim McEneaney will be fundamental to Geraldines’ Seamus Flood Cup bid

Their Division 1 League campaign was encouraging and they possess an abundance of experience. Jim McEneaney, Michael Rogers and Gareth Neacy have been around the block and know exactly what is required at this level, while Cian Spaight possesses the ability to win a game almost single-handedly on his day.

They are justifiable favourites in this group, although their opening assignment against their neighbours will provide an immediate test. If they can navigate that, momentum could quickly build.

Verdict: Will advance, but where they finish is difficult to call.

Clan na Gael

Clan na Gael produced one of the Championship stories of 2025 when they reached the Semi-Final, and they will be hoping to build on that impressive run.

They are now under the guidance of Louth great Stefan White, but their 2026 campaign has been less convincing. They competed in Division 3 and failed to secure promotion, leaving a significant question mark over whether they can reproduce last year’s Championship form.

The return of Conall McKeever will provide a welcome boost, but they have a difficult group to navigate and need a significant improvement from their league form.

Verdict: Hard to see where they get the results required to advance.

GROUP 4

St Kevins

St Kevins have endured a mixed league campaign and have experienced a couple of difficult years since reaching the Intermediate decider in 2022. However, there is reason for optimism heading into this year’s Championship.

Three important players from that 2022 side return, with Evan Maher, TJ Doheny and Shane Meade bringing valuable experience and quality back into the team. They join the likes of Seanie Crosbie, Cian Callan and Lee Crosbie to give St Kevins a strong squad.

This is an extremely difficult group, but they are more than capable of competing with both Mattock Rangers and Sean O’Mahonys. Their meeting with O’Mahonys could ultimately decide who progresses alongside Mattock.

Verdict: More than capable of progressing; it looks like a battle between themselves and Sean O’Mahonys for second.

Mattock Rangers

Gus Flynn’s side will have lofty Championship ambitions

Mattock Rangers enter with serious expectations. This is Gus Flynn’s third year in charge and, having had time to build and develop the group, the expectation will be that they can now make a serious Championship push.

It is not the easiest group to navigate, but Mattock have the quality required. Liam and Sean Flynn provide a major threat in attack, while Ben McKenna is arguably as good a midfielder as there is in the grade.

They should have enough to come through the group at the top and then turn their attention towards a much bigger objective.

Verdict: Expect them to top the group before launching a serious tilt at the Seamus Flood Cup.

Sean O’Mahonys

Sean O’Mahonys will quietly believe they can make a serious Championship charge. This is a team with plenty of strength throughout the pitch and, like St Kevins, their campaign could come down to their head-to-head battle with the other side for second place.

Stephen Kilcoyne will be expected to carry much of the scoring responsibility, while the potential return of Terry Kelly after missing the league would be a significant boost. They are strong defensively and have an excellent weapon in goalkeeper Eddie Maguire, whose ability to score two-pointers can completely change a game.

There is enough quality here to make the knockout stages, but they will need to win the key battle with St Kevins.

Verdict: More than capable of progressing; it looks like a battle between themselves and St Kevins for second.

The Dressing Room – Episode 4

This week Colm Corrigan is joined by;

Colin Kelly – Former Louth GAA Player and Manager & Current Kingscourt Stars manager, winning the 2025 Cavan SFC.

Paul Crewe – Former Clan na Gael player and Current Louth Minor Football Coach.

Alan Landy – An Intermediate winner with Hunterstown Rovers and now in as a coach for their Senior Championship 2026 campaign.

With a large focus on this year’s Intermediate Football Championship, if you have a vested interest in this grade – tune in to Episode 4.