More confusion in club championships as Croke Park views are sought
By Kieran Galvin
Fresh doubt has been cast on the deeply confusing situation in the Westmeath senior football championship after yet another twist in the saga.
It has emerged that some clubs have queried the qualifying criteria that the Westmeath County Board have used in deciding which teams qualify for the knockout stages and which teams must face play-offs.
It's believed that using the head-to-head rule when more than two teams finish level on points could be in contravention of Croke Park guidelines.
At the time of writing, Westmeath officials are awaiting confirmation from Croke Park - which they are expected to receive tonight (Monday).
It was believed by many people that scoring difference would be used to separate teams when more than one team finishes with the same number of points.
On that basis, Tyrrellspass would take second place in Section B of the Westmeath SFC ahead of Garrycastle and Castledaly, who also finished with six points.
However, it was then claimed that the head to end record in the games between the three teams who finished level would be used. On that basis Garrycastle would finish second, having defeated the other two teams.
The article submitted on this website earlier under the headline 'Garrycastle advance despite defeat as Castledaly face play-off with sky blues' is now subject to clarification.
That article was based on information from County Board officials this morning which we hoped would clarify the deep uncertainty which had arisen.
However, the fact that some clubs have questioned the system used and decided to involve Croke Park has thrown the entire situation into a cloud of confusion.
If scoring difference must be used in the event of three teams being tied, Tyrrellspass would advance while Castledaly and Garrycastle would have to play off for the remaining quarter-final place.
Earlier this morning, some people claimed that three-way play-offs would be required when three teams finish level - this is almost certainly not the case, but the fact that this view was circulating is a sign of the confusion that exists.
Overall, the entire episode has been a huge PR disaster for Westmeath GAA.
Fixtures for next weekend relating to the Westmeath senior and intermediate football championships - which were circulated to clubs and media outlets by the County Board - are now subject to confirmation.
Readers are advised to check this website for updates and this week's Westmeath Independent for further clarification.
It's deadline day in the transfer window in across channel soccer - but maybe Jim White and co. could be needed at Cusack Park and Croke Park to provide updates on this confusing mess!