Westmeath IFC Final
Caulry v CFCW (Sunday, 3.30pm, Cusack Park )
The Westmeath intermediate football title is up for grabs this Sunday and Caulry will be hoping that that they can lift the title for the first time since 1985. Standing in their way is a well balanced Castletown/Finea/Coole/Whitehall outfit who have the added benefit of having contested last year’s decider.
Caulry were blessed to get the better of neighbours Tubberclair in their semi-final, a fisted goal from Garry Flanagan five minutes into injury time giving them a one point win. Yet luck is a common ingredient in most championship successes and Brendan Clarke’s men won’t be too worried at this stage about how they reached the final. The important thing for this relatively young side is that they are within touching distance of promotion to the senior ranks.
CFCW had been shortlisted from the outset as serious title contenders and their group form backed this up. An upwardly mobile Rosemount side pushed them all the way in the semi-final but the north Westmeath side held on to book their place for the second consecutive year. Last year’s experience will stand them in good stead but they will need to bring their A game if they are to make amends for last year’s disappointment. Daniel McDermott, Kevin Brazil, and Niall and Darren Kilcoyne will be expected to provide the necessary leadership come game time.
Caulry have invested strongly in their underage set-up in recent years and that is now beginning to pay off. Six or seven of the side are holders of Leinster colleges A medals from 2008 with Athlone Community College.
Brendan Clarke is a safe pair of hands at the helm having guided Athlone to senior success in 1988 and 2008 as well as bringing Castledaly to the senior decider in 2002. The return of Peter Smyth from injury and Robbie Kenny from an appendix operation means the south Westmeath men should be at full strength.
With players of the quality of Kevin McGuire, Ben Moran, Declan Donoghue, Alan Fitzpatrick, David Brookes, Eoghan Grennan, Peter Smyth, and young Andrew O’Sullivan in their ranks I will be surprised if the men from Mount Temple don’t create their own bit of history on Sunday.
Meanwhile Kilbeggan Shamrocks will be hoping they can return to intermediate ranks when they take on Mullingar Shamrocks in the county junior decider this weekend.
