Westmeath to begin league campaign against old rivals

Westmeath will begin their 2021 Allianz Football League campaign against old rivals Meath on Sunday, May 16.

The GAA confirmed the league fixtures this afternoon (Tuesday) and Meath will have home advantage at Páirc Tailteann, Navan for the Division 2 North clash against Westmeath.

Meath reached last year's Leinster final in which they suffered a heavy defeat to eventual All-Ireland champions Dublin, who knocked Westmeath out at the quarter-final stage.

The Royals were competitive in Division 1 of last year, but were still relegated at the end of the league campaign, while Westmeath retained their place in Division 2.

Following the meeting with Meath, Jack Cooney's men will then face 2020 All-Ireland finalists Mayo and Down.

The top two teams in Division 2 North and Division 2 South will progress to Division 2 semi-finals.

Division 2 South is made up of Cork, Clare, Kildare and Laois (who Westmeath have been drawn against in this year's Leinster SFC quarter-finals).

The bottom two in each divisional group will play relegation semi-finals, with the two losers of those matches relegated to Division 3 for 2022.

League finals will only be played on June 19/20 if the counties involved are not playing in the championship the following weekend. If either county is in championship action the following weekend, joint league winners will be declared.

Meanwhile, the Westmeath hurlers will begin a truly daunting series of league games by hosting Galway at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday, May 8. Shane O'Brien's charges are competing in Division 1 Group A of the Allianz Hurling League.

The clash with Galway will be followed by games against four Munster hurling heavyweights - Waterford (2020 All-Ireland finalists), Cork, Tipperary and All-Ireland champions Limerick.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A

Westmeath fixtures

Round 1 (May 8): TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar (2pm) Westmeath v Galway

Round 2 (May 16): Walsh Park, Waterford (1.30) Waterford v Westmeath

Round 3 (May 23): Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork (3pm) Cork v Westmeath

Round 4 (June 6): TEG Cusack Park (2pm) Westmeath v Tipperary

Round 5 (June 13): TEG Cusack Park (1:45) Westmeath v Limerick.

Allianz Football League Division 2 North

Westmeath fixtures

Round 1 (May 16): Páirc Tailteann, Navan (3.45) Meath v Westmeath

Round 2 (May 22): TEG Cusack Park (3pm) Westmeath v Mayo

Round 3 (May 30): TEG Cusack Park (1:45) Westmeath v Down.