Westmeath IFC Sec B:

Our Intermediate team completed the group stages of the Championship with a 100% record after a  comprehensive 3-18 to 0-3 win over Castletown-Finea\Coole\Whitehall in Milltown on Sunday evening.  This result guarantees top spot in the group and means that we go straight into the semi-final where we will face the winner of the clash between Rosemount and Shandonagh.

Westmeath JFC Sec B:

Our Junior side also completed their Championship group matches this weekend when they drew with neighbours Garrycastle under the Páirc Chiaráin lights on Friday night.  The result, while satisfying after a storming fourth quarter comeback, leaves our hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages hanging by a thread, and, to have any further involvement, we need St Lomans to defeat or draw with Mullingar Shamrocks in the final group game which is scheduled for later this week.

It was the visitors who started the brighter and they had two points on the board before Athlone opened their account after five minutes.  A Joe Fallon free levelled things up and the same player then pointed from play after good work by Gary Murphy to put home side into the lead for the first time.  Murphy doubled the lead with a point from a  free after Deccie Byrne had been tripped on his way to goal.  However the momentum swung back to the men in green and red and three points in a row had them back in the lead by the 20th minute.  A great point from Joe Fallon evened things up again as the game approached half-time, before a series of incidents put Garrycastle in the driving seat at the break.  First, a point after a good move restored their lead, before Athlone centre-back Rory Donnellan was shown a red card for retaliation after being fouled.  Athlone's two minutes of misery was complete with the last action of the half, when a high ball into the square was dropped to the feet of the waiting Garrycastle forward who finished from close range to leave homesters trailing on a half time scoreline of 1-6 to 0-5.

Athlone were understandably still deflated as the second half began and conceded another point straight from the throw-in to trail by double scores.  The ever reliable Joe Fallon kept Sky Blues in touch after some good approach work by Sam Omokoru, but Garrycastle then took advantage of their extra man to score four unanswered points to open up a commanding eight point lead, 1-11 to 0-6 as the game entered its final quarter.  The game appeared to be drifting towards its inevitable conclusion at this stage, but some of the changes made by the Athlone mentors began to pay dividends and a goal from sub Tadhg Prendergast, after his snapshot found its way through a crowded area, gave them hope.  This hope increased almost immediately when the visiting keeper was penalised for delaying his kick out and Gary Murphy pointed after Athlone had snaffled  the subsequent 'hop-ball'.  Both sides then missed chances before Murphy scored another great point to leave just a goal between them.  Athlone were on top at this stage and the switch of Sam Omokoru to the full-forward line was paying dividends as the big man's ability to retain possession against the odds put the opposition defence under severe pressure.  With five minutes remaining, he released the lively Murphy who finished brilliantly into the far corner to bring the sides level.  Any hope that Garrycastle heads would drop after this were dispelled when they regained their lead with a fine point from play, but Athlone to their credit also kept battling and as the game entered injury time, they won a free which Fallon coolly struck over.  Unfortunately the referee blew for time before the kick out could be taken, so the final score was Athlone 2-9 Garrycastle 1-12, which means that we need a favour from St Loman's against their neighbours to have any further involvement in the competition.  That said, the team showed great character to recover from eight points down with only 14 men and with less than 15 to play so they can go out with their heads held high, if this does prove to be the case

Fixtures

Monday 24th August
Athlone U16 boys are away to Millmore Gaels at 7 o'clock in Milltown Athlone U14 girls are away to Caulry at 7

Wednesday 26th August
Athlone minors are away to Killucan at 7 o'clock

Sunday 30th August
Athlone U14 boys are at home to Caulry at 11:30

We are also hosting some games in the Westmeath Ladies Senior and Intermediate Championships on Sunday 30th

Westmeath Ladies Senior Championship semi finals Kilbeggan Shamrocks play Milltown at 1 o'clock on the front pitch Garrycastle play St. Loman's at 2 o'clock on the back pitch

Westmeath Ladies Intermediate Championship Final Killucan play Kinnegad at 3 o'clock on the front pitch

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