All to play for in final round of Senior Football Championship
The picture is becoming clearer at the business end of the Shay Murtagh Westmeath Senior Football Championship following the penultimate round of group games at the weekend.
Rosemount have been relegated to intermediate football next season after losing out to Moate All Whites by 1-7 to 0-7 at in what was essentially a play-off to remain at senior level.
In Section A, The Downs, Coralstown-Kinnegad and St Loman's are guaranteed progression to the knockout stages after victories over Caulry, Garrycastle and Mullingar Shamrocks respectively.
The Downs' victory over Caulry maintained their 100% record and secures them a semi-final spot.
The other semi-final spot will be fought out in a winner-takes-all clash between Coralstown-Kinnegad and St Loman's, with both sides ensured of a quarter-final place in any event.
The fourth place in the knock outs from Section A remains up for grabs between Garrycastle and Caulry with one of two also certain to play in Section B next season, although Mullingar Shamrocks retain a very slim chance of qualifying for the quarter finals and remaining in Section A.
Garrycastle will be hoping The Downs have their eye off the ball having already reached the semi final when the sides meet in the final group round, whilst Caulry and Mullingar Shamrocks will play each other, with one eye on the Garrycastle/The Downs clash.
The situation here is complicated by the fact that if three teams are equal on points, they are separated by scoring difference. However, if two teams are tied, the head-to-head result will dictate who progresses.
The bottom line though is that Caulry have their fate in their own hands due to their earlier group win over Garrycastle. A win for the Mount Temple side over Mullingar Shamrocks will see them through to the quarter final and send both Garrycastle and Mullingar Shamrocks into Section B next season.
If Caulry do not take all the points against Mullingar Shamrocks, Garrycastle will qualify for the quarter finals with a victory over The Downs.
Mullingar Shamrocks would need a huge turnaround in scoring difference with Garrycastle to progress with a victory over Caulry and a defeat for the Athlone-based side.
In Section B, Tyrrellspass have secured their spot in the quarter finals as group winners, with a narrow win over Athlone.
Rosemount are down to intermediate next season, whilst all other four remaining sides have something to play for in the final group games.
Killucan are in the driving seat for the second quarter final spot, and a win in their own final game against the already-qualified Tyrrellspass would see them through.
Athlone and Tang will be waiting in the wings when they play Rosemount and Moate All Whites respectively in the final group games.
A defeat for Killucan and wins by Athlone and Tang would see Athlone through by virtue of their earlier victory over Tang.
Again, matters are complicated by the possibility of more than two teams being tied on points. A draw for Killucan and wins for Athlone and Tang would result in scoring difference rather than the head-to-head result coming into play.
A draw for Killucan and a win for Athlone and not Tang would see the North Westmeath side through. However, a draw for Killucan and a win for Tang and not Athlone would be enough for Tang to progress.
There is also a slim mathematical chance that Moate All Whites could also reach the quarter finals, with a big victory over Tang if Killucan lose and Athlone fail to win.
The only thing that is certain is that the calculators will be out during the final round of games!
See our print edition for full match reports.