Athlone CC march on in Leinster as Moate prepare for action

THE race for this year's Leinster Colleges SF 'A' Championship is gathering pace this week, with Athlone Community College sealing a place in the quarter-finals by virtue of a narrow win over Patrician Newbridge on Wednesday afternoon. Moate Community College also begin their quest for Leinster glory this week, after receiving a bye in the opening round, with a Round 2 match-up against St Joseph's, Rochfortbridge on Friday. Athlone CC - fresh from a tight opening round win against Salesian College, Celbridge, had a great two-point victory, after extra-time, over Patrician Newbridge on Wednesday in their last 16 outing. Ray Connellan and Rory McManus did much of the damage for Athlone CC, with Connellan's five points, including two frees, proving crucial (see next week's Westmeath Independent for match report). Unfortunately, the Marist College were eliminated in Round 1, losing to St Mary's, Edenderry, but Moate CS also enter the competition this week. Moate are some people's favourites to lift this year's Leinster title, and they face an all-Westmeath clash against St Joseph's, Rochfortbridge on Friday (Hogan Park, Moate, 1pm). Both Moate and Rochfortbridge received a bye in the first round so this is both teams' opening fixture in the competition. However, the smart money would appear to be on Moate CS, guided by Peter Tormey and Dessie Dolan, to have too much in the locker for a plucky Rochfortbridge outfit. Also in second round action this week are Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar, who take on Coláiste Iosagain, Portarlington.