An enticing opening round robin fixture featuring local rivals Athlone and Garrycastle is the standout tie following the revised Westmeath senior football championship draw which took place on Sunday evening.
The two clubs, who have endured contrasting championship fortunes in recent years, Athlone seeking to regain the Flanagan Cup for the first time in 22 years, while current holders, Garrycastle, have attained eight titles since 2001, will meet in the opening Group 1 fixture on the weekend of July 31, with fellow South Westmeath club, Caulry, promoted from the Intermediate ranks for 2020, completing the three team division.
The remaining two South Westmeath clubs contesting for the county’s blue riband competition, Rosemount and Castledaly, have been placed in Group 2, and this promises to be an eagerly anticipated clash with players from both teams having competed together for honours at underage level under the amalgamated club name, Cill Oige. Semi-finalists from 2019, The Downs, under the managerial guidance of former Mayo and Galway supremo, John O’Mahony, complete Group 2.
Last year’s defeated finalists, St Lomans, have been placed in Group 3, alongside Tyrrellspass and Shandonagh, while senior football champions in 2018, Mullingar Shamrocks, will be hoping to advance to a quarter final berth following games against Coralstown/Kinnegad and KIllucan in Group 4 of this year’s competition.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter finals with last eight winners to be placed in Group 1 in 2021 with the losing quarter finalists to play for the remaining two Group 1 positions next year.
The senior football championship final will take place on Sunday, September 27.
Revised Format Structure
Quarter finals
A.Team 1 Group 1 v Team 2 Group 2
B.Team 1 Group 2 v Team 2 Group 1
C.Team 1 Group 3 v Team 2 Group 4
D.Team 1 Group 4 v Team 2 Group 3
Semi-finals
E. AvC
F. BvD
Play-off (Winners in Group 1 2021 )
Loser A v Loser C
Loser B v Loser D
Final
E v F
Relegation
The bottom team in each Group shall be involved in Relegation Play-Off as follows:
Relegation Semi-finals
A.Team 3 Group 1 v Team 3 Group 2
B.Team 3 Group 3 v Team 3 Group 4
Relegation Final
Loser A v Loser B
Loser of this game relegated to Intermediate Championship for 2021.
