The second round of Westmeath ACFL fixtures throw in this weekend, following an opening tranche of fixtures many of which succumbed to the weather elements.
Local GAA clubs will be hoping for calmer playing conditions on Saturday afternoon when the competitive season continues. For the majority of teams it will be their first taste of league action, but Garrycastle will be hoping to swiftly respond to an opening Division 1 fixture loss to reigning senior football county champions St Lomans when they entertain Milltown on Saturday afternoon (throw in, 3pm ).
Denis Connerton’s charges were defeated by the minimum in Lakepoint Park on Friday night, the low scoring affair reflective of the extremely poor weather conditions which were prevalent through the contest.
Rosemount host Coralstown-Kinnegad in Fr O’Growney Park on Saturday afternoon (throw-in, 3pm ). Under the managerial guidance of Joe Quinn the ‘black and amber’ will be eager to achieve a positive start to their Division 1 league camapign but face a stern challenge from a rapidly improving Coralstown-Kinnegad team who were unlucky not to qualify for the senior football county final in 2021.
Two further South Westmeath clubs will also face off in a Division 1 clash, when Tang host Castledaly on Saturday at 3pm.
Meanwhile, in Division 2, Athlone journey to Tyrrellspass for their opening league encounter on Saturday afternoon (throw in, 3pm ). Athlone’s opening fixture at home to Moate All Whites was one of many to fall prey to the weather on Friday night last and Liam McHale’s charges will be hoping to replicate their defeat of Tyrrellspass during the senior football championship last year.
Despite that championship victory, both Athlone and Tyrrellspass suffered relegation to Group 2 of the senior football championship. Their obvious aspirations will be a swift return to the higher echelons of round robin championship football with Athlone striving to unearth a winning formula commencing this Saturday.
An ever improving Moate All Whites team will host Milltownpass in Hogan Park, a fixture which also take place on Saturday at 3pm. Fresh from their thrilling displays during senior football championship 2021, Moate will be hoping to advance their Flanagan Cup cause with the building of momentum and confidence levels during their league campaign.
Finally, Caulry host Tubberclair in Mount Temple on Saturday afternoon (throw in, 3pm ). Akin to Moate All Whites, Caulry made vast progression during the senior football championship earning promotion to Group 1 of the competition and under the guidance of former Roscommon custodian and All Ireland club winner, Shane Curran, the club will be hoping to advance past the Flanagan Cup quarter final stage in 2022.
Their league campaign will enable Curran and his management team to build upon the success of last year, their game with Tubberclair on Saturday a test of their credentials following the visitor’s two point victory over Maryland in their opening league
