It’s semi-final time in the Westmeath senior and intermediate football championship with double headers scheduled for Cusack Park on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
On Sunday at 2.30pm reigning champions Garrycastle will put their title on the line against Tyrrellspass. The Athlone-based side are bidding for a three-in-a-row and from what I have seen so far the title is theirs to lose.
Tyrrellspass no doubt will have other ideas but as a neutral observer I can’t see them causing an upset this weekend. As always Denis Glennon and Martin Flanagan pose a significant threat but the loss of David Glennon as well as a host of other experienced defenders weakens their hand considerably.
Garrycastle reportedly have a full hand to pick from and with greater strength in depth than their opponents they are unlikely to slip up at this crucial stage.
In the second game in the Park on Sunday St Loman’s will be hoping to repeat their 2009 quarter-final success over near neighbours Mullingar Shamrocks. I expect the tables to turn this time however in what should be a more entertaining encounter than the opener. Shamrocks will have to curb the scoring threat posed by Conor Lynam who had a field day in the final group game against Tubberclair if they are to set up a repeat of last year’s decider. A more balanced team and an in-form Lorcan Smyth should be enough to see the green and whites secure their final spot.
Meanwhile the intermediate semi-finals are down for decision on Saturday. Coralstown/ Kinnegad are many people’s favourites to bounce back up having made the drop from senior last year but they are going to be given a stern test by Tang when they meet in Cusack Park at 4.30pm. Jack Cooney’s men will be taking nothing for granted against a Tang side which disposed of Caulry in their last outing and should have enough guile to book their place in the decider.
St Mary’s Rochfordbridge have been in impressive form this season and they will be hoping to avenge their defeat in the group stages at the hands of C/F/C/W. This promises to be a very tight affair but The Bridge should do enough to set up a final meeting with Kinnegad.
