Tang and Caulry set to chase intermediate semi-final berth

THERE might be two relatively new managers in the dug-outs at Moate on Saturday evening, but there will be no shortage of competitive edge and old rivalries when Caulry and Tang renew acquaintances in the quarter-finals of the Jasca Sports Westmeath IFC (5pm). As the curtain-raiser to the attractive senior football championship quarter-final between Athlone and Garrycastle (6.30pm), the meeting of Caulry and Tang will take second-billing for many observers in what is a very attractive double-header in Moate. However, for those attached to either Caulry or Tang, this game will be all that matters come 5pm on Saturday, with both sides eagerly vying for a semi-final clash against Bunbrosna. Caulry have reached the quarter-finals thanks to three wins over Moate All-Whites, Shandonagh and Kilbeggan Shamrocks, and a draw against Ballynacargy, while their only loss in the five-game group was against eventual table-toppers Bunbrosna. Manager Brendan Clarke - who trained Athlone last year - is proud of his team's progress to this stage, but feels Tang will be strong favourites on Saturday. "It's going to be an interesting game and I think it will be tight, but I'd say Tang feel they're a better team than Caulry. Maybe they are, I don't know, but we'll give it our best shot on Saturday," said Clarke, who is without the services of long-term injury victims Declan Donohoe and Eoin Grennan. "We have a young team and they're very enthusiastic, and maybe this will stand to us on Saturday. I'm delighted with the team's progress but not at all surprised. "There's a very good underage structure in place at Caulry over recent years, and the club is reaping the rewards of it now. "I suppose the local rivalry makes Saturday's game a little bit more interesting but I'm not sure how much impact that has on the actual contest," added Clarke, who will again look to the likes of Damien Dolan, Ben Moran, Kevin Maguire, Gary Flanagan and Peter Smith to inspire the Mount Temple men. Like his opposite number, Padraig Farrell is also relatively new to Tang, having previously managed Castledaly for two years. But he's managed to guide his troops into the quarter-finals with a minimum of fuss, hammering Ballymore in the final group game to ensure qualification. There were also wins for Tang in the group phase against Ballinagore and Rosemount, while they drew with St Mary's, Rochfortbridge, and lost to Castletown F/C/W - the latter two results ultimately costing them top-spot in the group and automatic qualification to the semi-finals. Tang were hugely prolific in their recent destruction of Ballymore and will rely on the likes of Paul Conway, Aidan Burke, Trevor English, Niall Bannon and Eamon Carey against their local rivals. Elsewhere this weekend, St Dominic's will be hoping to reach the semi-finals of the George Bannon Roscommon IFC when they face Boyle in the semi-finals at Tulsk on Saturday (6pm), and St Brigid's also compete at the same round against Fuerty in Ballyforan. In the Roscommon SFC, Padraig Pearses play Western Gaels in an important relegation semi-final play-off at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday (1.30pm), while reigning champions Castlerea St Kevin's and Kilmore contest their quarter-final replay at Elphin on Sunday (6pm).