Westmeath club championships reach business end

Following Maryland's elimination from the Westmeath SFC last weekend, Garrycastle are now the only team who can ensure the Flanagan Cup remains in the south of the county. Maryland have exceeded most people's expectations by reaching the knockout stages but their championship ambitions were ended at the quarter-final stage by Tyrrellspass last Saturday evening (see report on page 31). Tyrrellspass will now meet Garrycastle in the semi-finals, in what should prove an intriguing battle between two of the main powers in Westmeath club football this decade. That game will take place in Cusack Park on Sunday week, September 13 (throw-in 3pm). Coralstown/Kinnegad are still waiting to find out their opponents in the other semi-final, after Mullingar Shamrocks and neighbours St Loman's finished all square in their quarter-final clash last Sunday. The replay will be played as part of a double header with the Garrycastle v Tyrrellspass clash. Strangely enough, the semi-final will act as the curtain-raiser, with the quarter-final replay down to commence at 4.30pm. Meanwhile, Caulry face Coralstown/Kinnegad's second team in the semi-finals of the Jasca Sports Westmeath JFC this weekend. The game has been pencilled in for Cusack Park on Sunday at 5pm, and it will be followed by the other semi-final between St Paul's and Mullingar Shamrocks at 6.15. Caulry have a youthful and exciting team and they will be fancied by many observers to booking their place in the junior football decider. The Westmeath IFC semi-final between Tang and Tubberclair has been fixed for Saturday, September 12 in Páirc Chiaráin, Athlone, at 5pm. Tang booked their place in the semi-finals with a four-point victory over Ballinagore (see page 30 for report). Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall defeated St Mary's, Rochfortbridge in the other quarter-final and they will now face Ballynacargy in the semi-finals, also on September 12 (Lakepoint Park, 7pm). Elsewhere, the Greville Arms Westmeath SHC semi-finals are down for decision in Cusack Park this Saturday. The meeting of Castletown-Geoghegan and Lough Lene Gaels is the curtain-raiser at 4.30pm, with defending champions Raharney and Clonkill doing battle at 6pm. Westmeath SFC Semi-Finals Garrycastle v Tyrrellspass Coralstown/Kinnegad v Mullingar Shamrocks/St Loman's Westmeath IFC Semi-Finals Tubberclair v Tang Ballynacargy v Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall Westmeath JFC Semi-Finals Caulry v Coralstown/Kinnegad St Paul's v Mullingar Shamrocks Westmeath SHC Semi-Finals Castletown-Geoghegan v Lough Lene Gaels Raharney v Clonkill