The vast green swathe of TEG Cusack Park was the epicentre for dramatic Westmeath SFC scenes on Sunday afternoon last when a late Emmet Nally penalty ensured Caulry advanced to the quarter final of this year’s championship at the expense of opponents, Moate All Whites.
The Mount Temple/Baylin team were trailing by three points as the game entered additional time, but Nally’s late leveller proved pivotal with a knockout phase encounter with reigning champions St Lomans now awaiting.
With Mullingar Shamrocks defeating Shandonagh, three teams ended their Group 2 campaign on six points and despite Moate All Whites defeating Shamrocks in the round robin phase they were ousted from knockout phase progression on scoring difference.
However, it has been a positive season for Moate All Whites, the reigning Intermediate champions losing just one of their five senior football championship fixtures in a highly competitive group.
Elsewhere in Group 2, Rosemount secured their senior championship status for 2022 with a desire laden display against Killucan. Knowing a win was vital to avoid the prospect of a potential relegation scenario, the black and amber achieved a three point victory in The Downs and can now regroup and look forward to the challenge which awaits next year.
Meanwhile, in Group 1, Garrycastle achieved the necessary result to ensure their progress to the quarter final of this year’s competition.
Playing semi-finalists Coralstown-Kinnegad, Gary Dolan’s charges trailed by the minimum at half time, but a two point second water break lead was retrieved with parity on the scoreboard come the shrill of the final whistle.
Garrycastle now play Mullingar Shamrocks in the quarter final stage, and if they can achieve consistency in their sixty minute performance, the champions of 2019 have every chance of progressing to the final four of the senior championship.
Prior to throw in on Saturday evening in Hogan Park, Moate, Athlone had a slender hope of progression to the knockout phase of the championship and starting positively enjoyed a four point advantage at the first water break. However, an experienced St Lomans team soon were at the pace of the game - their five point half time lead was extended by ten points come the game’s conclusion. Athlone now drop to Group 2 of the senior football championship in 2022.
The quarter final fixtures are due to throw in the weekend commencing Friday, October 15.
