The Westmeath senior football championship resumes this weekend, this, the third round of fixtures, local clubs aspiring towards progression to the knockout phase of the competition and an opportunity to achieve Flanagan Cup success in October.
Athlone and Garrycastle have yet to achieve a victory in this year's championship, both teams facing crucial contests on Sunday evening, the results of which will determine if they have an opportunity to progress in the competition or stave off the threat of possible relegation to the intermediate grade.
Throwing in at 5.15pm in TEG Cusack Park Mullingar, Athlone, who last claimed the Flanagan Cup in 1998, play 2022 intermediate champions, Shandonagh. Eoin Jordan's charges will be hoping to respond positively to their opening brace of losses, but will face a Shandonagh team who have one win to date on their championship journey, having defeated Garrycastle in their opening fixture.
Moate All Whites proved too strong for Athlone in their opening Section B fixture, while Tang ensured a similar result was endured as they inflicted a two point defeat on the county's most successful senior championship club.
With three round robin games to play and a modicum of hope for championship progression, it is essential that Athlone achieve a win on Sunday evening, a further loss and then the remaining contests may result in a quest to avoid relegation back to intermediate championship status.
Garrycastle are in a similar position to their town rivals. Loss to Shandonagh was replicated by a heavy defeat to Moate All Whites in the second round of fixtures and they journey to TEG Cusack Park to play a Mullingar Shamrocks team (throw in, 7pm ) who will have gained confidence from their nine point win over Shandonagh.
Garrycastle still boast a number of players who contested the 2012 All-Ireland club football final and management will be hoping that their experience and endless dedication to the cause will realise a much needed victory and a boost to their aspirations on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, in Section A, South Westmeath's sole club representation, Caulry travel to Shandonagh on Saturday evening where they play Killucan (throw in, 7pm ). The Mount Temple/Baylin club earned a much needed three point win over Tyrrellspass in their second round robin fixture and with Kevin Maguire, Conor McCormack and Senan Baker returning from their intercounty exertions, Shane Curran's charges will be hopeful of maintaining a strong presence in the group and a potential place in the knockout phase of the competition.
Returning to Section B, Pairc Chiarain will host what promises to be an enticing contest on Sunday afternoon when two undefeated clubs, Moate All Whites and Tang, compete for a vital brace of points which would truly boost their Flanagan Cup aspirations (throw in, 1pm ).
Both clubs will be brimming with confidence prior to throw in, Moate All Whites previously accounting for Athlone and Garrycastle, while Tang defeating Mullingar Shamrocks and Athlone. With the winning club to cement their position at the top of Section B and a potential quarter final berth secured, there will be much to play for, a large crowd expected to descend upon th
