ronan fagan
With the conclusion of the round robin phase of both the Westmeath senior and intermediate football championships this past weekend, the fixtures have now been confirmed for the quarter final stage of the respective competitions, TEG Cusack Park Mullingar the venue this weekend for all four contests.
In an all South Westmeath senior championship quarter final contest, Athlone will play Caulry on Saturday evening (throw in, 5.30pm ). Athlone, who last won the Flanagan Cup in 1998, advanced to this stage of the competition with consecutive victories over Shandonagh, Mullingar Shamrocks and Garrycastle and with momemtum in tow will feel they have every opportunity to claim a semi-final berth. Opponents, Caulry, completed their Section A championship journey with a draw against reigning county champions The Downs, Shane Curran’s charges winning two of their five fixtures to date.
The second senior football championship quarter final takes place on Sunday evening (throw in, 5.30pm ). Tang, who topped Section B will play Tyrrellspass, who, despite an eight point loss to Coralstown/Kinnegad in their final round robin fixture, claimed the final Section A qualification place. Having won four of their five championship fixtures to date, it has been a progressive campaign for Tang and a win on Sunday will certainly give cause for future optimism as the quest for the Flanagan Cup continues apace.
St Lomans and Coralstown/Kinnegad have advanced to the semi-final of this year’s senior championship by virtue of their respective first and second placings in Section A.
Both intermediate championship quarter finals will also grace TEG Cusack Park Mullingar this weekend. Castledaly will hope to maintain a presence in this year’s competition following their fixture with Milltownpass on Saturday afternoon (throw in, 3.30pm ).
Having tasted defeat to Rosemount in the Cill Óige derby, Paul Kelly’s charges will be eager for a swift return to winning ways and will look towards Lorcan Dolan and Alan Stone for inspiration in their quest for victory.
Rosemount play St Malachys in the second quarter final on Sunday afternoon (throw in, 3.30pm ). The black and amber displayed immense character in their two closing round robin games, particularly so against Castledaly in Tubberclair when, trailing by two points midway through the second half, they rallied to achieve a merited victory and secure their place in the knockout stage of the competition.
Des Collins will be hoping that his players sustain such playing levels, but face a St Malachys team who, with David Lynch as an inevitable threat, won all five of their Section B fixtures.
Tubberclair and Milltown have advanced to the semi-final stage of the intermediate football championship courtesy of their respective first and second placings in Section A.
