Fr Dalton's goalkeeper and selector, Brian McCabe, pictured during an encounter with Turin. McCabe's team are bidding to win the Westmeath IHC final against Crokkedwood this weekend.

Kevin O'Neill

FR DALTON'S have had dreadful luck when it comes to Westmeath IHC finals in recent years, but they hope to address that statistic this weekend, when they take-on Crookedwood in the final at Cusack Park on Saturday (5pm).

The Ballymore-based club have lost the last two county finals, to Delvin in 2010 and then St Brigid's last year, but goalkeeper and selector, Brian McCabe, in determined his side can make it third-time lucky this weekend.

"We probably feel we haven't played to the best of our ability in the last two finals. Nonetheless, they were very narrow defeats. There hasn't been a lot of talk in the camp about the past two years, but I suppose it should act as positive motivation for us. We're hoping the experience of playing regulalarly in finals will eventually pay-off, and that we can push-on and win it this weekend," said McCabe.

Fr Dalton's defeated Crookedwood in the opening game of the qualifying group system, and managed to see-off Clonkill in the semi-finals, while Crookedwood disposed of Ringtown in the other last four encounter.

Fr Dalton's are confident that their only injury concern, Joe Kenny, will shrug-off a shoulder problem to play. The meeting of Fr Dalton's and Crookedwood is second offering of a hurling double-header at Westmeath headquarters on Saturday, with Clonkill and Lough Lene Gaels meeting in the Westmeath JH 'A' Championship final at 3.15pm.