Westmeath Senior Football Championship Permutations

The group stage reaches its conclusion this weekend.

The group stages of the Westmeath Senior Football championship reach a conclusion this weekend with a number of places in the knockout stages still up for grabs. 

GROUP A

Four teams qualify from this section.

The Downs and Coralstown-Kinnegad are already assured of their spot in the next round but whether the latter opts to rotate could have an impact on who joins them. 

That's because Coralstown-Kinnegad face fourth placed Garrycastle in the final round of fixtures. 

The 2019 champions need a win to be assured of progression, otherwise they're relying on the outcome of the shootout between St. Lomans and Athlone. 

Should Garrycastle go down against the already qualified C-K side, then a win for Athlone against the Mullingar outfit would be enough to send Garrycastle packing. 

In the final fixture, St. Lomans know a draw or win will see them progress. It is that simple. Lose however and as mentioned previously the trapdoor is firmly open. 

Liam McHale knows only a win will do for his Athlone side if they're to continue playing meaningful football in October. 

Fixtures: 

Friday: 

  • The Downs v Tyrellspass - 8pm - Kinnegad

Saturday:

  • Athlone v St.Lomans Mullingar - 4pm - Moate
  • Coralstown-Kinnegad v Garrycastle - 4pm - TEG Cusack Park 

GROUP B: 

Things are a little less open ended in the second section, where just two teams will qualify. 

Mathematically all six teams could still clinch a spot in the next round however Rosemount and Shandonagh in fifth and sixth respectively would need a monumental set of results to leap into second spot. 

All three fixtures will take place simultaneously on Sunday afternoon so expect teams to be keeping abreast of events elsewhere as the parameters of what's needed will be changing all the time. 

The top two, Caulry and Moate All-Whites meet knowing the winner will top the group. A draw could also be enough for both to progress but only if Mullingar Shamrocks fail to beat Shandonagh. 

Mullingar Shamrocks will know they're best placed to capitalise on the loser of the battle of the leading pair. Their superior scoring difference leaves them knowing a victory over the bottom side will be enough to advance. 

By comparison, Killucan's score difference of +2 doesn't give them much wiggle room. They will have to beat Rosemount and hope Mullingar Shamrocks drop points along with a favourable result between Caulry and Moate. 

It has the potential to have more twists and turns than the final day of the Premier League season in the UK. 

The threat of a relegation is also hanging over a number of teams for the weeks ahead, depending on the outcome of these games. 

Fixtures:

Sunday: 

  • Shandonagh v Mullingar Shamrocks - Lakepoint Park
  • Rosemount v Killucan - The Downs 
  • Caulry v Moate All-Whites - TEG Cusack Park 

All 4pm throw-in. 

 

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