Many in contention for Intermediate football title
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Intermediate footballers during the Westmeath GAA Senior & Intermediate Club Football Championships Launch 2023 at Shay Murtagh Precast in Raharney, Westmeath. Photos: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile. Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILEImage 2 of 3
Back row, from left: Andy Murtagh and Shay Murtagh, Sean Doyle of Caulry, David Bryan of Killucan, Brian Slevin of Tyrrellspass, Conor Coughlan of The Downs, Fergal McKiernan of Garrycastle, Gareth Carr of Shandonagh with Kieran Murtagh and Frank Mescall. Front row, from left: Andrew Gorman of Moate All-Whites, Paddy Fagan of Mullingar Shamrocks, Adam Neary of Tang, David Whelan of St Loman’s Mullingar, Shane Allen of Athlone and Darren Giles of Coralstown Kinnegad, at the Westmeath GAA Senior Club Football Championship Launch, in Shay Murtagh Precast in Raharney, Westmeath. Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILEImage 3 of 3
Senior footballers, from left: Andrew Gorman of Moate All-Whites, Paddy Fagan of Mullingar Shamrocks, Sean Doyle of Caulry, Conor Coughlan of The Downs, David Bryan of Killucan, Adam Neary of Tang, Brian Slevin of Tyrrellspass, David Whelan of St Loman’s Mullingar, Fergal McKiernan of Garrycastle, Shane Allen of Athlone, Darren Giles of Coralstown Kinnegad and Gareth Carr of Shandonagh, during the Westmeath GAA Senior & Intermediate Club Football Championships launch 2023 at Shay Murtagh Precast in Raharney, Westmeath. Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILEThe outcome of the Intermediate Football Championship is never straightforward and this year's race is no exception, with a case to be made for several clubs.
Those with Division 2 experience include St Mary's, Rochfortbridge and Milltown, both of whom are likely to feature in the reckoning. Peter Tormey remains in charge of the Rochfortbridge men, along with former player Alan Gavin and they are expected to feature in the knock-out stages. Michael McNamee's Milltown are on the short list, too.
Tubberclair, defeated in last year's final by Shandonagh - and only after a replay - are expected to make a strong bid also, with a talented squad that includes Robbie Curley, Paul Garvey and Matthew Whittaker in attack. Whittaker picked up an injury in this year's Leinster U20 campaign and hasn't been seen since, but he is expected to feature prominently for the south Westmeath outfit.
Castledaly are on another team that could enjoy a lengthy run with former footballer, Paul Kelly now at the helm. They have spent a couple of years trying to climb back out of this hugely competitive division and with Lorcan Dolan one of their key men in attack, they will certainly be a tough nut to crack.
Of the teams in the lower section, Milltownpass appear to carry the greatest threat, while St Malachy's are another club who could trouble the leading sides. However, it difficult to look past the teams in the top group.
S hay Murtagh Precast Intermediate Football Championship - Section A
Round 1
Castledaly vs Tubberclair
Milltown vs Ballymore
St Mary's Rochfortbridge vs Rosemount
Round 2
Tubberclair vs St Mary's Rochfortbridge
Rosemount vs Milltown
Ballymore vs Castledaly
Round 3
Milltown vs Castledaly
Rosemount vs Tubberclair
St Mary's Rochfortbridge vs Ballymore
Round 4
Castledaly vs St Mary's Rochfortbridge
Ballymore vs Rosemount
Tubberclair vs Milltown
Round 5
Tubberclair vs Ballymore
Rosemount vs Castledaly
St Mary's Rochfortbridge vs Milltown
Section B
Round 1
Castletown-Finea-Coole-Whitehall vs St Malachy's
Maryland vs Multyfarnham
Milltownpass vs Ballynacargy
Round 2
Multyfarnham vs Castletown-F/C/W
Ballynacargy vs Maryland
St Malachy's vs Milltownpass
Round 3
Maryland vs Castletown-Finea-Coole-Whitehall
Ballynacargy vs St Malachy's
Milltownpass vs Multyfarnham
Round 4
Castletown-Finea-Coole-Whitehall vs Milltownpass
Multyfarnham vs Ballynacargy
St Malachy's vs Maryland
Round 5
St Malachy's vs Multyfarnham
Ballynacargy vs Castletown-Finea-Coole-Whitehall
Milltownpass vs Maryland