Athlone, Downs and Kinnegad men advance to knockout stages

Athlone, Coralstown/Kinnegad and The Downs claimed the remaining three knockout places in what was a dramatic weekend of action in the Westmeath SFC.

Three of the six knockout places had been decided before the final round of group games last weekend, with St Loman's Mullingar, Tyrrellspass and Mullingar Shamrocks already through.

In Section A, Athlone just about scraped into the quarter-finals with a late point from Shane Allen securing a draw against Tang (1-10 each) at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday. Had Tang held on for a win, they would have progressed ahead of Athlone on the head-to-head rule.

Boosted by a superb goal from Shane Hanley, Tang led by four points at half-time (1-8 to 1-4). Athlone's goal, scored by Allen, came in fortuitous circumstances and the Shannonsiders looked in real peril for long spells. However, Eoin Jordan's charges did enough in the end and they will meet The Downs in their quarter-final.

While Athlone and Tang were battling it out in Mullingar, Caulry's championship hopes were ended by another defeat to Coralstown/Kinnegad at the same time in Moate.

The Kinnegad men beat Caulry twice in last year's championship, the second victory coming at the semi-final stage, and it was the same story on Saturday last.

Despite a first-half goal from Tadhg Baker, Caulry still trailed by 0-8 to 1-3 at half-time. The impressive Brían Cooney netted for Coralstown/Kinnegad in the second half and despite late pressure from the Mount Temple outfit, Paschal Kellaghan's charges advanced with a 1-13 to 1-9 victory.

St Loman's were already assured of a semi-final place and the reigning champions finished the group stages with a 100 per cent record by defeating Tyrrellspass. In an exciting and high scoring game, St Loman's won on a scoreline of 2-19 to 1-18.

The St Loman's goals were scored by the impressive Fola Ayorinde and Seán Flanagan, while Shane Dempsey (0-9, 7 frees) and Danny McCartan (0-4) were also to the fore in the scoring stakes. And the fact that the Mullingar side were able to register a tally of 2-19 without the injured John Heslin underlines why they are such strong favourites to retain the Flanagan Cup.

Yet Tyrrellspass can certainly take encouragement from competing so strongly and scoring 1-18, despite the absence of former Westmeath star Ger Egan. Kieran Geraghty scored 1-8 for Eddie Kinsella's charges, with Nigel Harte contributing four points.

These results meant Coralstown/Kinnegad, Athlone and Tyrrellspass all finished on five points. In the 'mini league' of games involving those teams, Coralstown/Kinnegad accumulated three points (a draw with Athlone and a win over Tyrrellspass), while Athlone had two points (two draws) and Tyrrellspass one.

Therefore, the Kinnegad side claim second place and an automatic semi-final place, while Athlone (third) and Tyrrellspass (fourth) go into the quarter-finals.

In those quarter-finals, Athlone will meet The Downs (second placed in Section B) at TEG Cusack Park next Saturday (5.45pm) and Tyrrellspass will take on Mullingar Shamrocks on Sunday (TEG Cusack Park, 5.15).

Meanwhile, in Section B, The Downs edged out neighbours Killucan by 0-10 to 0-8 in the battle for the second qualifying spot. Andrew Kilmartin, Jonathan Lynam, Ian Martin and Luke Loughlin (two frees) scored two points each for the winners.

In the battle to avoid relegation, Shandonagh defeated Moate All Whites (1-10 to 1-7) which means that the same two teams must meet again in a play-off. Both teams finished on two points and the rules ordain that a team cannot be relegated on the same number of points as another team in a group.

Shandonagh led by three points at half-time and Cormac Coyne's goal early in the second period improved their position further. Despite Sam Fannin finding the net for Moate, the All Whites were unable to secure the win or draw they needed.

There was nothing tangible at stake in the Mullingar Shamrocks vs St Malachy's match, with Section B table toppers Shamrocks claiming an emphatic victory (2-19 to 0-7).

The main talking point was that Malachy's failed to register a score in the first half, with the Mullingar men leading 2-10 to 0-0 at half-time. Dean Moore (who finished with 1-7) and Jordan Warde scored the Shamrocks' goals.

Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC quarter-finals

Athlone v The Downs; Tyrrellspass v Mullingar Shamrocks.

Westmeath SFC semi-finals

St Loman's Mullingar v Tyrrellspass or Mullingar Shamrocks

Coralstown/Kinnegad v Athlone or The Downs