Knock-out stage throws up mouth-watering ties

A potentially cracking quarter-final clash between close rivals Athlone and Garrycastle has been set up after both side's suffered disappointing defeats during the last round of Westmeath SFC group matches last weekend. In Division 2 last weekend, Garrycastle went into their game against Mullingar Shamrocks needing just a point to secure a crucial semi-final spot as table-toppers. However, Anthony Cunningham's men - minus star man Dessie Dolan - slumped to an underwhelming seven-point loss to Shamrocks at Cusack Park, meaning Shamrocks take top-spot and the coveted semi-final place, while the Castle' finish second in the group and must compete in the quarter-finals. Athlone's defeat to Killucan in the battle for supremacy in Division 1 - their second straight loss since winning the opening three group matches - left them trailing Killucan and Tubberclair (who defeated Maryland last weekend) in third place in the division, thus setting up a last-eight encounter against fierce local rivals Garrycastle on next Saturday week (August 28, Moate, 6.30pm). Elsewhere last weekend, an Ian Coffey inspired Tubberclair won the battle with neighbours Maryland to clinch their place in the quarter-finals as runners-up to Killucan in Division 1. Maryland went toe-to-toe with Tubberclair for the entire game and even had their noses in front going into the final ten minutes, before finally losing by two points at Páirc Chiaráin, and Finbar Egan's men - who needed to beat Tubberclair to qualify for the quarter-finals - finish the division in fourth place. Castledaly also missed out on the quarter-finals, with Enon Gavin's troops losing by seven points to Tyrellspass in the final round of fixtures in Division 2. Castledaly went into last weekend's game knowing a win would see them through to the quarters, but Tyrellspass could also still qualify if they beat Castledaly and The Downs lost to basement side St Malachy's. As it transpired though, The Downs comfortably saw off St Malachy's, so neither Castledaly or Tyrellspass went through, but comfortably remain at senior level for another year (see inside for match reports). WESTMEATH SFC QUARTER-FINAL LINE-UP Saturday (August 28) Moate: Athlone v Garrycastle (6.30pm, winner plays Killucan in SFC semi-finals). *This game is preceeded by the Westmeath IFC quarter-final between Tang and Caulry (5pm, winner plays Bunbrosna in IFC semi-finals). Sunday (August 29) Cusack Park, Mullingar: Tubberclair v The Downs (6.30pm, winner plays Mullingar Shamrocks in SFC semi-finals). *This game is preceeded by the Westmeath SFC relegation play-off between Coralstown-Kinngead and St Malachy's (5pm).