At times, it has been as predictable as Elon Musk’s tweeting (or X-ing, as it is now). Any given hour could bring a mix of emotions – from professing victory to condemning others to defeat in some way.
In the Westmeath club championships this year, it has been a case of experiencing all the ambiguity right from the first round. As we head towards the business end, there are those who have had their fate decided already, while others will be relying on not just their own outcome but that of others too.
While the hurling has been a tour-de-force for the likes of Lough Lene Gaels (this reporter wrote them off, apologies!), the football has thrown up some games and moments which have raised eyebrows. It gives me little pleasure to have predicted the downfall of the mighty Garrycastle.
I received much ridicule for suggesting the side who had won the title eight times this millennium could drop to Intermediate. And while they go into the final round already preparing for life in the second tier, it is a great shame to see it happen. But the fall of one giant can often lead to the foundation (or remaking) of another.
It will be peculiar (perhaps for those who don’t remember back to when they won Intermediate in 1997) to see stalwarts like James Dolan play Intermediate sides when he, and others, have never faced them before.
Down But Not Out
Seeing 2022 Leinster finalists, Na Dúnta, at the basement of Senior A is a little perplexing. Things seemed to be going well leading up to the end of last June but since then a solitary draw against neighbouring Killucan has been all they have to show.
Missing players and all that aside, it just has not been the vintage many have come to expect. At the other end, the evergreen St Loman’s continue to set the pace, racking up some decent scores in the process.
While they will be odds-on for the Paddy Flanagan Cup, their nearest challengers Coralstown-Kinnegad will want a say, especially being the only ones to hold the Blue Brigade to date. Their slip-up, however, against Killucan in Round 4 did not help matters but they will look to book a semi-final spot when they meet Tyrrellspass.
A reverse result combined with The Downs beating Caulry would propel the light-blues into second berth. The permutations in the senior section require an article of their own!
Top Tang
In Section B, the warriors from An Teanga continue to speak the language of victory with four out of four – three of them by the minimum! But in a group, a win is a win no matter what. With the likes of Adam Neary firing scores, they are not to be taken lightly. Below them is where the drama lies.
Four sides locked on four points going into the decisive set of fixtures. Rule 6.21 and all that may be required, but with so much to play for, this is surely where we will see the most action. Athlone will be looking to win the West Derby against Garrycastle having been gifted an 11th-hour lifeline with Seán Dowd’s goal to beat Mullingar Shamrocks the last day.
Scoring has been their issue – only Killucan have underscored them in the senior or intermediate games.
2022 Intermediate Champions, Shandonagh, could shake things up by beating Tang. It depends on the strength of Kevin Hickey’s charges (they had one appalling day against Shamrocks) and, perhaps, the level at which Tang are looking to the knockouts. And what of Moate? So much at stake for so many.
I was sure Rochfortbridge would be there or thereabouts. I just hadn’t anticipated it would be there, at the bottom. It wasn’t expected but, again, losing players to the lure of the States and further afield means change is constant. Meanwhile, Tubberclair and Castledaly hold their own destiny but with a west-side wave in Ballymore, Castleday, and Milltown on their tails, nothing is set in stone.
Down in B, there is a sense of deja-vu to Senior B as four teams find themselves on two wins chasing runners-up behind a Malachy’s side anchored by David Lynch.
Every game is now a cup final, as they say. This is where we need the GAA Red Zone style TV show like they have in the NFL – jumping from ground to ground to update it all.
While Mr Musk may have provided us with his newly-designed platform, X, it remains to be seen for many clubs which ones will be celebrating come next weekend.
