Hurling kingpins vie for Westmeath Examiner Cup

The coming together of reigning champions, Clonkill and their doughty challengers, Raharney is among the most watering finales one could wish for as the battle for the Westmeath Examiner Cup comes down to the wire in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Sunday afternoon. Undoubtedly the form teams of this year’s campaign, both have produced scintillating displays along the way and hurling folk in Westmeath will be expecting a teak tough and enduring battle as the destiny of the Greville Arms Hotel Senior Hurling crown is decided.Two sides packed with skilful and committed players and imbued with true hurling passion, have prepared diligently for this great occasion and at time of writing, both sides are expected to line out at full strength. With more than a dozen players who have graced the Westmeath jersey at senior level lining out on Sunday, patrons flocking to headquarters can expect a mouth watering clash.As both sides charted a course to this showdown, they both faltered just the once, in the case of Raharney in their opening encounter against Castlepollard and Clonkill against their eventual semi-final victims, St. Oliver Plunketts. The Blues unexpected reverse cast them into the losers group but there were to be no further slip-ups in the campaignThat early two point reversal to Castlepollard, gilded the Deelsiders and when they re-emerged in the group stages, Brownstown felt the full force of the renewed challenge, going down by 0-21 to 0-4 in The Downs. Twenty one was a near constant throughout as the Blues chalked up a further 21 points, along with three goals as they overcame Ringtown in mid July. And once again the magical number surfaced as St. Brigids were put to the sword in Cusack Park on a 2-21 to 0-10 scoreline.That victory asssured Raharney of a rematch with their early season conquerors, Castlepollard and there was to be no repeat of the May result as the Blue and Golds slipped to a nine point defeat. Raharney were at their clinical best in a very good game, with their last quarter surge putting clear water between themselves and the vanquished ‘Pollard men. As stats go, they amassed a handsome tally of 7-93 along the way while conceding a miserly 4-44.Clonkill in contrast put together some very big scores along the way as they rattled up 11-107 en route to Sunday’s showdown though a somewhat more generous defence leaked 7-50 over their six games. The Champions began their defence with a comprehensive 3-24 to 0-6 victory over St. Brigids in late May. With passage into the winners group following, Clonkill found themselves in a more formidable battle for survival.A seventeen point hammering inflicted on Castlepollard demonstrated their well being before they suffered their only revers when St. Oliver Plunketts lowered their colours in late July.That defeat served to re-invigorate their challenge and Lough Lene Gaels fell victims to the Loughegar outfit on a 1-21 to 2-14 scoreline. Castletown-Geoghegan were crushed in the ultimate group game, with Clonkill racking up a handsome 4-17 tally.That took the title holders on to a semi-final meeting with St. Oliver Plunketts and in circumstances similar to those of Raharney, they turned the tables on their early season conquerors, overcing the town side by 0-14 to 1-6, in a disappointing game.It may not have been pretty but Clonkill had garnered the laurels and so Sunday beckons. A side which oozes talent will be looking for something special once again from players of the calibre of Andrew Mitchell, ace scoretaker, Brendan Murtagh, the Dowdall brothers, the Prices, with team captain, Stephen Cleary ensuring that the defence shores up and denies a very lively Raharney attack few opportunities.For their part, the Deelsiders will be hungry to return to the top of the Westmeath hurling ladder and they come to the table with plenty of armour in their ranks. Defensively, they are solid and dependable with the likes of Conor Jordan, dual inter county star, Paul Greville and Brian Connaughton at the top of their game.The experienced Stephen Morley will leave nothing behind in Cusack Park on Sunday and his energy in midfield will be a vital cog. Up front,Raharney will be looking to the likes of John Shaw to show leadership, while they have target men in Brendan McKeogh and Christopher Flanagan while Brian Smyth can be a thorn in the side of any defence.Predicting the likely outcome is so difficult. The sides respective performances against Castlepollard might serve as a gauge but County Finals are different prospects. Neither management will read anything into those two results. It is the performance on the day which counts and judging by the form book all year, the odds favour Raharney. But Clonkill are mighty and proud champions.A crown will not be surrendered easily. It has the billing of a five star show. Let’s hope the game of hurling is the real winner.