In Sunday’s Westmeath Intermediate Football Championship Athlone remained cool to claim a narrow 0-11 to 0-9 victory over Tubberclair. Relegated last year, Athlone will return to the senior ranks in 2016 following an encouraging campaign.
It was a tight and tense match as Athlone went in at the break armed with a 0-5 to 0-1 advantage, before Tubberclair improved in the second half. In the closing stages Tubberclair drew level at 0-8 each, but Athlone finished strongly to take the silverware.
Meanwhile Raharney will face Clonkill in the Westmeath SHC final on October 18 at Cusack Park, Mullingar.
So impressive when winning the title last year, Raharney defeated Lough Lene Gaels by 1-14 to 2-8 in a well-contested semi-final. Niall Flanagan’s opening period goal ensured Raharney departed at the turnaround armed with a 1-8 to 0-6 advantage. After the restart Raharney edged eight points clear before Lough Lene Gaels rallied as goals from Derek McNicholas and Dan Carty brought them back into contention.
Clonkill were too crafty for Castelpollard, winning by 3-14 to 2-9 to set up a meeting with rivals Raharney. Milltown defeated Multyfarnham by 1-13 to 2-9 in an interesting Junior Football Championship final.
An opportunistic Jarlath Boyle goal ensured Milltown held a commanding 1-9 to 0-6 lead at half-time. Multyfarnham came thundering back, but Milltown fended off their spirited challenge to register a satisfying success.
