Race hots up in senior hurling championship

The race for the Westmeath hurling championship has hotted up with four key games up for decision last weekend. Mullingar-based St. Oliver Plunkett"s renewed their bid for championship honours when they comfortably disposed of Ringtown in Cusack Park on Saturday evening last in a crucial losers group clash on a scoreline of St. Oliver Plunketts 2-15 Ringtown 1-7. Although Ringtown more then held their own at times it was their lack of scores and scoring chances that was their ultimate undoing and they wasted quite a lot of ball. When Plunketts upped the ante in the second half, Ringtown were found badly wanting. Plunketts pulled away at their ease and when they hit the front they never looked like they would lose this game. They were always the better team against a Ringtown side that sputtered its way through the match. Eleven points probably flatters the winners but when they needed scores they got them whereas Ringtown struggled badly and they now must now defeat Castlepollard in their final game of the group, if they are to have any say in this year"s Championship. Plunketts, on the other hand, are now looking at a semi-final spot and possible redemption after their poor early performance against Clonkill in the opening round. Meanwhile, defending champions, Clonkill showed they are keen to hold on to their crown with another impressive performance in their third game of this year"s Westmeath senior hurling championship, when an unanswered scoring haul of 1-5 in the last quarter of an hour"s action turned a one-point deficit into a seven-point winning margin over a spirited Raharney side (2-14 to 1-10) in Cusack Park, last Sunday evening. The victory has kept Clonkill on course to retain their championship. Meanwhile, Lough Lene Gaels and Castletown Geoghegan were deadlocked, Lough Lene Gaels 0-11, Castletown-Geoghegan 1-8, which means both still have a chance of making the last four. Both teams remain in line for a place in the knockout stages of the championship but, on Sunday"s evidence, they will need to improve dramatically if they are to be in serious contention for ultimate honours. Lough Lene Gaels were well served by Martin Williams and Derek McNicholas in defence, both midfielders Stephen Bardon and David Cunningham, while Mark McNicholas was their liveliest attacker. For Castletown-Geoghegan, Patrick Clarke, Derek Gallagher, Blaine Lehart and Robbie Jackson fared best over the hour. Castlepollard, on their return to senior status, are still well placed to claim a place in the knock out stages following a comprehensive dismissal of Crookedwood by 3-15 to 2-7. The scoreline doesn"t lie at times and unfortunately for Crookedwood this is one of those times for despite a dogged determination and willingness to battle, they were simply outplayed by a far more clinical and skilful Castlepollard side that looked like a team on a mission. Crookedwood are now in serious threat of relegation and are staring the abyss right smack in the eye while "Pollard have surely now put their Championship challenge back on track after poor early displays against Lough Lene Gaels and St. Oliver Plunketts.