Tubberclair and Maryland set to meet in crunch knockout battle

AFTER another intriguing weekend of action, the Shay Murtagh Precast 2010 Westmeath SFC group stages are poised for a most dramatic finale in two week's time. Although South Westmeath clubs Garrycastle and Athlone are already guaranteed knockout places, the fate and continued participation of Castledaly, Maryland and Tubberclair in this year's championship remains very much up-in-the-air. When the action resumes on the week ending Sunday, August 15, most local observers will be relishing the local derby clash between old foes Maryland and Tubberclair in Division 1. With joint table-toppers Killucan and Athlone mathematically assured of at least quarter-final places (the top team from both groups advance to the semi-finals, while the 2nd and 3rd placed teams enter the quarter-finals), Maryland and Tubberclair are more or less faced with a straight shoot-out for that precious third qualification place. Tubberclair, on five points from four outings, are currently just one point behind both Killucan and Athlone (who play each other in the final game), and could technically still top the group - if they defeat Maryland and Athlone v Killucan is a draw. But given their inferior scoring difference (18 points down on Killucan and seven behind Athlone), that scenario seems extremely unlikely, and the best Tom Lennon's side can probably hope for is a victory over Maryland and to secure either second or third place. However, Maryland will no doubt have something to say about that, and they can claim a knockout place for the second year running with a win over their near neighbours at Páirc Chiaráin on August 14. Maryland's suffered their second straight loss last weekend, coming out on the wrong end of a 2-13 to 0-9 scoreline against Killucan, while Tubberclair were held to a 2-6 to 1-9 draw against last year's beaten finalists St Loman's, Mullingar, who had been pointless prior to last weekend. Athlone, who suffered their first setback of this year's championship last weekend, losing to a previously pointless Coralstown-Kinnegad, have their destiny in their own hands going into the group decider with Killucan at Moate on August 15. Before last weekend's surprising loss, Athlone's group form had been very assured, with Malachy Gately's side winning all three prior outings. Although Athlone are still relatively well positioned to top the group, a defeat against Killucan could see them slip to third place, if Tubberclair were to beat Maryland. At the wrong end of Division 1, Coralstown-Kinnegad and St Loman's face a do-or-die tie at Cusack Park next Sunday week, to determine who finishes in last spot in the group. Anything less than a win for St Loman's would see last year's finalists finish bottom of the group - and enter a relegation play-off against the bottom-placed team from Division 2 (most likely to be St Malachy's). Coralstown-Kinnegad's win over Athlone last weekend gives them a marginal edge over St Loman's, but an out-of-form Loman's battled hard to draw with Tubberclair last weekend and keep alive their hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon in Division 1. Division 2, meanwhile, also has plenty of 'what-ifs' and 'maybes' going into the final weekend. The top-two (Garrycastle and Mullingar Shamrocks) are guaranteed at least quarter-final places, and will go head-to-head in Cusack Park on August 14 to decide who tops the group. Garrycastle's drubbing of an albeit vastly understrength Castledaly two weeks ago was the latest in a quite convincing run of four straight group wins for Anthony Cunningham's reigning champions, and with a one-point advantage over Shamrocks, Garrycastle know they that they will top the group if they avoid defeat. Shamrocks kept their ambitions of topping the table alive last weekend with a seven-point win over The Downs at Cusack Park, but they face an uphill task to beat the Flanagan Cup holders on Saturday week. Despite currently occupying the third qualifying spot in the group, with four points to their credit, Castledaly remain in a precarious position to qualify. The Downs, who play pointless St Malachy's in the final round of fixtures, are right on their coat-tails, with three points, while Castledaly's final game opponents, Tyrrellspass, can also finish level on points with them. Tyrrellspass kept alive their slim hopes of finishing in third position with a 1-15 to 0-9 win over St Malachy's last weekend, and despite losing their opening three fixtures, can still technically qualify in third-place. However, Laz Molloy's side would need to beat Castledaly and hope St Malachy's beat The Downs. If Castledaly and The Downs finish on the same points, the third qualifying place would be decided on scoring difference, as the two sides drew when they met in the opening group fixture in May. In the event that Castledaly, The Downs and Tyrrellspass all finish level of points, which can only happen if Tyrrellspass beat Castledaly and The Downs draw with St Malachy's, the issue will be settled on scoring difference, as well, with Tyrrellspass currently boasting the best scoring difference of those three sides (see below for current tables and remaining fixtures). Remaining Div 1 Fixtures Tubberclair v Maryland - Páirc Chiaráin, Saturday, August 14, 6.45pm. Killucan v Athlone - Moate, Sunday, August 15, 6.45pm. Coralstown-Kinnegad v St Loman's Mullingar - Cusack Park, Sunday, August 15, 6.45pm. Remaining Div 2 Fixtures Garrycastle v Mullingar Shamrocks - Cusack Park, Saturday, August 14, 6.45pm. Tyrrellspass v Castledaly - Moate, Sunday, August 15, 5.30pm. The Downs v St Malachy's - Cusack Park, Sunday, August 15, 5.30pm.