The meeting of Athlone and Mullingar Shamrocks in Ballymore this Sunday evening (6.30pm ) might be the only action this weekend in the SFC but with so much at stake it is worthy of being a stand-alone fixture. Whatever the outcome there are important implications not just for the two clubs but for other clubs seeking to secure a place in the last eight and indeed hoping to avoid a relegation play-off.
From an Athlone perspective we simply must win to have any hope of avoiding a relegation play-off against Tubberclair. Having lost our opening three games against Bunbrosna, Garrycastle, and Maryland we find ourselves in a position we never expected at the outset. We need to win our remaining two games against Shamrocks and The Downs to avoid a relegation play-off. Thankfully due to The Downs doing us a favour against Maryland we will take the field knowing that we still have an outside chance of making the quarter-finals.
Should we win our remaining two games and Garrycastle and Shamrocks collect both points on offer against Maryland and Bunbrosna respectively then we are in with a great chance of progressing on score difference at the expense of the latter two teams who will also be on four points.
Shamrocks will be out to make amends for their poor showing against Garrycastle and copper-fasten their place in the last eight. Ray Smiths men had three points to spare when we met in the league a few weeks ago but with both sides under-strength on that occasion that will have little bearing on Sunday’s game.
Mullingar are seen by many as serious challengers to Garrycastle’s crown and there is no doubt that when they hit form they are a formidable side. They will be hot favourites to take both points on offer here.
In many ways this game reminds me of the Cork/Mayo clash last weekend. Athlone are a bit like Mayo bringing poor form into the game and written off by most pundits. Whether or not we can turn things around like James Horan’s men remains to be seen but we are determined to give it one hell of a lash.
In the other round four games which took place last weekend Castledaly bagged a valuable win over Tubberclair (1-13 to 0-10 ) to keep them in contention for a place in the knockout stages while condemning Tubberclair to relegation play-off. Tyrrellspass were too strong for St Malachy’s while St Loman’s continued their winning form against Killucan. A rejuvenated Downs side were too strong for Maryland.
