In what will be a repeat of the 2019 Westmeath senior football championship final, Garrycastle will play St Lomans in this year’s showpiece fixture, set to grace the vast green swathe of TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, on Sunday, November 14.
Goals from Eoin Mulvihill, Tom O’Halloran and James Dolan, proved pivotal as Gary Dolan’s charges advanced to the final fixture with a thoroughly merited five point victory over The Downs on Sunday afternoon.
Garrycastle were in the ascendancy from the throw in and a strong opening quarter saw the 2019 victors net twice to stun their opposition - a five point interval lead deserved reward for their first half dominance.
The victor’s lead was increased to eight points at the second water break, a late rally by The Downs in the closing quarter reducing the winning margin, as Garrycastle secured a place in the final for the second occasion in three years.
Final opponents, St Lomans, defeated Coralstown-Kinnegad in the second semi-final fixture played at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday.
A six point lead at the first water break was reduced to the minimum at half time and when Coralstown-Kinnegad started to dominate proceeding during the third quarter of this pulsating contest, it appeared that the North Westmeath club were destined to contest their first senior football championship final since 1998.
However, experience proved vital in the closing period of this end to end fixture, St Lomans regaining in play ascendancy to seal a four point victory and a place in their seventh consecutive showpiece occasion.
If the 2021 final is a repeat of the 2019 fixture, supporters are in for a true treat - trailing by eight points at half time, Garrycastle managed to retrieve the scoring deficit through sheer team character and claim the prized Flanagan Cup, the eighth occasion on which the club has done so.
