Talking points aplenty as football finalists are decided

Last weekend's Westmeath club football semi-finals contained plenty of excitement but also controversial incidents, with unruly scenes marring the end of both intermediate championship semi-finals.

A brace of goals from Matthew Whittaker proved pivotal as Tubberclair advanced to the intermediate grade's showpiece fixture with a 3-12 to 1-10 win over Milltownpass on Saturday last.

Towards the end of the game, a Milltownpass player became involved in exchanges with spectators in the stand after being sent off. In a game which was somewhat tarnished by the incidents at the end, Tubberclair always appeared the more likely winners from the second quarter onwards. Milltownpass finished the game with 13 men after picking up two late red cards (see more in this week's print editon).

Tubberclair will be hoping for a different intermediate final outcome to that of 2022 when Shandonagh, who they will face once again in this year's showdown, defeated the Glasson outfit after a replay.

Shandonagh earned their final berth with a 2-16 to 1-16 defeat of Milltown on Sunday last. Although Shandonagh deserved their victory, for the second time in the space of 24 hours much of the post-match talk centred on unruly scenes that followed the late dismissal of a player from the losing team.

Tubberclair enjoyed a facile win over Shandonagh during the group stages of this year's championship, but Ray Sheridan’s side was already assured of a place in the knockout stages beforehand and made several changes for that game. No doubt, they will be a far different proposition in the final.

Two clubs from the south of the county advanced to county finals last weekend. In addition to Tubberclair at intermediate level, St Joseph's secured their place in the junior 1 decider, defeating the Mullingar Shamrocks second team in their semi-final.

Goals from Alan Conlon and Jordan McDonnell were key as the Streamstown club sealed their place with a 2-18 to 1-10 victory. Ahead by eight points at half-time, St Joseph's extended that lead to 12 points before a resurgence from Shamrocks reduced the deficit to the minimum when the final whistle sounded.

Under the guidance of Paddy Malynn, St Joseph's will hope for a different county final outcome than 2024 when they suffered defeat to Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall.

The two junior 1 championship semi-finals were both won by tight margins. Ballinagore will provide the final opposition for St Joseph's, a 'tour de force' performance from Tommy McDaniel ensuring his team remain in contention for the Hugh Daniels Cup. The former Castleknock player scored 15 points, including three two-pointers, in a game which was evenly contested throughout. Ballinagore eventually prevailed by two points after extra-time on a scoreline of 0-24 to 4-10.

The 2025 senior championship final will be contested by The Downs and Coralstown/Kinnegad. In a surprise result, Coralstown/Kinnegad, finalists in 2023, stunned the reigning champions St Loman's, Mullingar with a four-point win (1-20 to 1-16) on Saturday evening. The teams were level at half-time, but Jack Cooney's charges took control in the second moiety to secure their second final appearance in three years.

Almost a beaten docket until a late surge against Athlone in the round-robin phase just a few weeks ago, Coralstown/Kinnegad are now 60-odd minutes away from a first Flanagan Cup triumph in 29 years.

In the final they shall face neighbours The Downs, who have continuously excelled during this year’s championship. Dermot Power's charges were put under intense pressure by Mullingar Shamrocks in the opening half of last Sunday’s semi-final and trailed by one point at the interval. However, a second-half goal from Luke Loughlin was the catalyst for The Downs to take control and they ultimately secured victory on a 1-20 to 1-9 scoreline.

Meanwhile, two former Westmeath greats saw action for Garrycastle in the junior 2 championship semi-final. Aiming to relive former glories, Garrycastle stalwarts Dessie Dolan and Doron Harte saw action for their club during their narrow loss to St Paul's.

Former Roscommon footballer Ger Heneghan scored a brace of goals for Garrycastle, but his efforts proved futile in the end as St Paul's claimed victory by 3-10 to 2-10.

The details of this year's Westmeath club football finals have been confirmed since, with Tubberclair's eagerly-awaited meeting with Shandonagh the first on the menu on Saturday week, October 25.

Traditionally the junior and intermediate finals have formed a double header but that won't be the case this year as the St Joseph's v Ballinagore clash will take place the following weekend (see fixture details below).

Westmeath GAA football championship finals

Saturday, October 25

Shay Murtagh Precast Intermediate Championship final

Tubberclair v Shandonagh, 3.30pm, TEG Cusack Park, Barry Pierce. Standby referee: Enda Kelly. Linesman: Ken Gunning. Fourth official: Shane Carroll.

Sunday, October 26

MJS Builds Minor Football Championship final

Mullingar Shamrocks v The Downs, 1.15pm, TEG Cusack Park, Eoin Gorman. Standby referee: Vinny Cox. Linesman: Ray Farrelly. Fourth official: Declan Leech.

Shay Murtagh Precast Senior Football Championship final

Coralstown/Kinnegad v The Downs, 3.15pm, TEG Cusack Park, Enda Kenny. Standby referee: Alan Coyne. Linesman: Niall Ward. Fourth official: Des McEnery.

Saturday, November 1

Clarke's Bar Junior 2 Football Championship final

St Paul’s v Tyrrellspass, 2pm, TEG Cusack Park, Rob Cornally. Standby referee: Brendan Keena. Linesman: Barry Kelly. Fourth official: James Allard.

Sunday, November 2

Clarke's Bar Junior 1 Football Championship final

Ballinagore v St Joseph’s, 2pm, TEG Cusack Park, Mick Murtagh. Standby referee: Gary Hurley. Linesman: Declan Forde. Fourth official: Ken Gunning.