Cusack Park to host double header
WHILE most eyes will be focussed on Omagh this weekend for Westmeath"s big All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Tyrone, some of the county"s intermediate footballers will also be preparing for a potentially major round of fixtures in the 2008 Westmeath IFC. Cusack Park in Mullingar hosts a double header on Sunday, with Caulry kicking off proceedings against Ballymore at 6.30pm, followed by Maryland"s clash with Kilbeggan Shamrocks (throw-in: 7.45pm). Both Caulry and Ballymore are winless from their opening two matches in Group 1 - and another defeat for either side on Sunday would confirm their position as serious relegation candidates. But it"s the meeting of Maryland and Kilbeggan Shamrocks which catches the eye this weekend, with Maryland looking to secure a third straight win and put themselves in a terrific position to qualify for the knockout stages as group winners. Maryland will be without the injured Tom Browne, Ronan Moran, Declan Nugent and Philip Rainey, but welcome back from injury Christy Grimes and Stephen Martin. Manager Finbar Egan classes this weekend"s match against Kilbeggan as Maryland"s toughest test to date this season. 'Kilbeggan Shamrocks are our toughest opponents to date and that"s not trying to talk up the opposition,' said Egan, who has watched his side defeat both Caulry and Ballymore in the opening couple of championship fixtures. 'Kilbeggan Shamcorks have a very good full forward and a couple of excellent inside forwards, so we know it"s going to be very difficult. They have good players throughout the field and are a strong outfit. I"d imagine Sunday"s game will be our closest match to date. It could be a close run thing.We drew with Kilbeggan Shamrocks in the league earlier this year but to be honest they kicked seven or eight wides that day, so we were lucky. However, we"ll be in a superb position to qualify as group winners if we manage to sneak a win on Sunday,' he added. Kilbeggan Shamrocks have one win and a defeat under their belts at this stage. Caulry will be hoping for an upturn in fortune after losing their opening two games to Maryland and Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall, but Ballymore have fared little better to date after defeats to Maryland and Moate All Whites.