After many months of hoping, guessing and anticipating, the Westmeath football championships are finally set to begin next weekend and there are some major games down for decision in the new-look Westmeath Senior Football Championship.
The big game locally is on Sunday evening next when last year’s defeated finalists, St Loman’s Mullingar take on Tyrrellspass in an eagerly awaited clash.
The two sides have met frequently in recent years, with St Loman’s holding the edge, but Tyrrellspass will be very keen to gain revenge and with very little margin for error, both sides will be targeting a first round win.
Declan Kelly (Offaly) has moved into the St Loman’s hot seat after Luke Dempsey led the club to three senior titles and of course to the Leinster club final in 2017, while Emmett McDonnell is the new manager in Tyrrellspass. Sunday evening’s games, (TEG Cusack Park, 7.30pm) should be a very good indicator as to the form of both sides, who will be fancied to emerge from a group that also includes Shandonagh.
Elsewhere, the big south Westmeath derby sees defending champions Garrycastle take on Athlone at Tubberclair on Sunday (5pm) and this is an intriguing rematch. Garrycastle have held the edge in recent years, winning very comfortably when the sides met in 2018, but Athlone will be a tougher proposition this time around with Liam McHale now at the helm.
Garrycastle showed last year just how well balanced they are and would have to be considered favourites for Sunday’s encounter, but there is nothing like a local derby to set the pulses racing.
Elsewhere, there are other fascinating contests ahead, including the meeting of Mullingar Shamrocks and Coralstown/ Kinnegad to get the championship underway on Friday evening. Mullingar Shamrocks will carry the favourites tag, but this is a game that may well be a lot closer than recent years if Coralstown/Kinnegad find their best form.
The remaining Westmeath Senior Football Championship tie sees Rosemount – one of the potential dark horses – meet Castledaly on Saturday in Hogan Park Moate (7pm).
Rosemount missed out at the quarter-final stage for the past two years but that experience should give them an edge over neighbours Castledaly, who will be quite stubborn opposition, one suspects.
Aside from the Senior Football Championship, the Westmeath Intermediate Football Championship looks as compelling as ever and while St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge will be installed as favourites to make an immediate return to the premier grade, major tests lie ahead.
Firstly, they must get past Milltown next Saturday (TEG Cusack Park, 7pm) and that looks a potentially close affair.
Elsewhere, Tang are expected to deny Kilbeggan Shamrocks, while Milltownpass get the nod against Multyfarnham and Moate All Whites should take the spoils when they meet Ballymore.
Overall, a fascinating weekend is in store and with Covid-19 restrictions still limiting attendances to just 200, only around 100 supporters will get to see each game.
Westmeath GAA are offering a streaming service on some matches, including the two big SFC games on Sunday in Tubberlcair and TEG Cusack Park.
