Construction work begins on the redevelopment of Páirc Tailteann in Navan in the coming weeks meaning Meath are without a venue for their inter-county games in 2026 and potentially 2027
Meath footballers are to step behind enemy lines for their ‘home’ games in next year’s Allianz National Football League Division Two.
Construction work begins on the redevelopment of Páirc Tailteann in Navan in the coming weeks meaning Meath are without a venue for their inter-county games in 2026 and potentially 2027.
A number of venues had been touted as temporary homes, including Mullingar, Newbridge and Parnell Park, but it has been confirmed that Meath will move to Croke Park for their Allianz League fixtures which would have been played in Navan.
The Royal County enjoyed a resurgence in their fortunes this summer under new manager Robbie Brennan, beating Dublin in the Leinster Championship for the first time in 15 years and going on to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals.
That game, which ended in a heavy defeat to Donegal, attracted a sellout attendance of 82,000 and GAA officials will be hoping the spike in Meath supporter’s interest will stretch into the League next spring.
It’s also believed that Meath’s ‘home’ games will form part of an exciting double-header with Dublin’s home matches in the Allianz League Division One.
Fixtures for next season’s Allianz Leagues have yet to be finalised but with Leinster Champions Louth also in Division Two, the possibility of a rematch from last May’s Leinster Final is on the table.
There could also be a trip to HQ for two Ulster sides after Tyrone and Derry were relegated to the second tier for the 2026 season.
The Red Hands hosted Meath in Omagh back in 2020 while the Oak Leafers played the Royals in the League as recently as 2023 with Derry gaining promotion from Division Two as champions.
While fixtures aren’t automatically reversed the next time two counties meet, the fact that Meath are due to have four home games in 2026 raises the prospect of some huge games in Croke Park in the early part of the new season.
Robbie Brennan’s side will also face Cork, Cavan, Kildare and Offaly next spring.
Redevelopment works at Páirc Tailteann are due to begin following this weekend’s replayed Meath Senior Hurling final with the demolition of the old stand.
The ambitious project includes plans for a new 5,000 seater stand, improved accessibility, upgraded dressing room facilities, floodlighting, and media infrastructure.
The stand in Navan first opened in 1953 and is one of the oldest in the country.
It’s understood that the cost of the project could be in excess of €20 million with the Sisk building firm likely to be confirmed as contractors.
The fast tracking of the plans, first muted in 2016, meant that Meath were on the lookout for a new home venue for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The Páirc Tailteann upgrade has been hit with a series of speed bumps but sufficient funding now means the project can start, although on a smaller scale than first proposed.
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