South Westmeath clubs failed to register a victory in the third round of Westmeath senior football championship games played this past weekend.
While the five competing teams remain in contention to advance to the knockout phase of this year’s Flanagan Cup quest, respective managements will take time to analyse and review the playing fare prior to the penultimate round of fixtures which are due to throw in the weekend commencing Friday, September 17.
Garrycastle journeyed to play The Downs in under floodlights in Kinnegad on Friday night and despite trailing by five points at half time will be disappointed not to emerge victorious following a dominant second half display.
A missed Alex Gardiner penalty was to prove crucial as Garrycastle levelled the game in injury time before The Downs achieved victory with the last play of the game, custodian, Trevor Martin, kicking a placed ball to ensure the North Westmeath team maintained their unbeaten start to this year’s senior championship campaign.
Despite this loss, Garrycastle remain in strong contention to advance to the knockout phase of this year’s championship, a crucial contest against reigning champions St Lomans awaits, as the 2019 champions strive for championship progression.
Athlone were below par in their defeat to Coralstown-Kinnegad on Saturday evening in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar.
Trailing by three points at the interval, Liam McHale’s charges failed to register a score in the third quarter of the game as Coralstown-Kinnegad extended their lead to 12 points, the margin of victory reduced to nine points come the shrill of the final whistle.
Athlone are now out of the automatic knockout phase positions in Group 1 and will have to win their remaining two games to ensure their senior championship experience advances to the quarter final stage.
Athlone play Tyrrellspass in the next round of fixtures, both clubs striving to attain their first championship victory of this Flanagan Cup campaign.
Meanwhile, Group 2 of the Westmeath senior football championship remains closely contested.
Rosemount and Caulry played a thrilling draw in Hogan Park Moate on Saturday evening, a late placed ball score earning a deserved draw for the Mount Temple/Baylin club.
On Sunday evening in Tubberclair, Moate All Whites, trailing by seven points to Shandonagh as the game entered the final quarter, secured a vital draw, as thoughts now turn to a local derby contest with Rosemount.
With both clubs level on points on the Group 2 table, achieving a win will boost aspirations of securing a quarter final place prior to the concluding round of fixtures in early October.
