Athlone must face castledaly in battle to avoid the drop

 

Bunbrosna 3-9 Athlone 3-8

Athlone are consigned to a Westmeath SFC relegation play-off against Castledaly - after a dramatic one-point defeat to Bunbrosna in Mullingar yesterday evening (Friday).

In a thrilling clash at a resplendent Cusack Park, Athlone fought back from eight points down to draw level with Bunbrosna close to the end. A draw would have been enough to see Athlone avoid the dreaded relegation play-off as their scoring difference was superior to that of Bunbrosna, who had also lost all four of their previous games in Section B.

However, Bunbrosna attacker Fintan Finnan kicked a terrific point in additional time and, in a frantic finish, Athlone were unable to secure an equaliser.

The sides were level, 1-5 each, at half-time. Athlone’s goal was scored by Michael Greene, with Brian Maguire raising the green flag for Bun’.

Goals from Barry O’Mara and Maguire (his second) gave Bunbrosna 3-7 to 1-5 lead early in the second half. Athlone’s cause looked almost hopeless at that stage.

However, a superb goal by John Egan and an even better one from impressive midfielder John Stapleton – a genuine goal of the season contender – brought Athlone right back into it. And when Ray Connellan fisted over an equalising point, the Shannonsiders looked like they would at least secure the draw they needed.

Ultimately, Athlone paid the price for kicking some gilt-edged chances into the hands of Bun’ goalie John Casey.  The returning John Connellan (introduced as a second-half substitute) had three such efforts, and a similar miss by his brother Ray allowed Bun’ to launch the attack which led to Fintan’s winner.

And so, it was a case of joy and relief for Bunbrosna, who have preserved Senior status for next year.

In contrast, a shell-shocked Athlone camp must now prepare for a local derby showdown with Castledaly.

Irrespective of the result of this evening’s Section A game against The Downs in Tubberclair (Saturday, 7pm), Castledaly cannot avoid the relegation play-off.

The Athlone v Castledaly clash looks set to be a fascinating do-or-die battle between the two neighbouring clubs.

 

*See next week’s Westmeath Independent for a full report from the Athlone v Bunbrosna game and other games in the Westmeath SFC and IFC.