Early test for defending champions on opening weekend
St Loman’s, Mullingar footballer Seán Flanagan believes the strength in depth in the squad will make up for the absence of former Westmeath football star, Ronan O’Toole, as his side begin the defence of the senior football title on Saturday against Athlone at TEG Cusack Park (5pm).
“We have some talented footballers coming through, the likes of Mark Tunney, Cillian Plunkett, Conan O’Hara. And we have Fionn O’Hara back in with us this year, which is a great boost. Players are itching to get that jersey,” he remarked.
The Mullingar club are aiming to win the famous Paddy Flanagan Cup for the third year in succession.
“It’s very hard to do three in-a-row and we know there is a target on our back, and we will be ready for it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Athlone’s Shane Allen, who has inter county experience, believes the Shannonsiders can build on last year’s run to the quarter-final, where they lost to The Downs after extra-time. “We’re hoping to be there or thereabouts, that’s the aim,” he said.
The new playing rules could suit a player of Ray Connellan's undoubted ability, the talented midfielder possessing great aerial strength and impressive kicking skills.
“We are all getting used to the three up and that sort of stuff, but it is a better game. Ray is a great fielder of the ball and that is a plus, but we realise everyone will need to perform and we can’t just rely on him,” remarked Allen.
Saturday’s first round clash is the curtain-raiser to The Downs versus Coralstown/Kinnegad, another eagerly awaited first round encounter. The Downs are aiming to go one better than last year, while Division 1 league winners Coralstown/Kinnegad have been developing nicely under Jack Cooney’s watch for some years.
It promises to be a great double header on the first weekend of club championship football action in Westmeath.
* (Shane and Seán spoke to Ray Gavin of Iarmhí TV at this year's championship launch).
Westmeath GAA fixtures
Friday, 25th July
Shay Murtagh Precast Senior Football Championship Section B Round 1
Tubberclair, 7.15pm, Garrycastle v Moate All Whites, Barry Pierce
Ballynacargy, 7.15, Caulry v Killucan, Brendan Keena.
Shay Murtagh Precast Intermediate Football Championship Section B Round 1
Páirc Chiaráin, 7.15, Castledaly v Ballymore, Cathal Boland
Springfield, 7.15, Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall v Kilbeggan Shamrocks, Kenneth Gunning.
Section A Round 1
Shandonagh, 7.15, Multyfarnham v St Mary's Rochfortbridge, Declan Nugent.
Saturday, 26th July
Shay Murtagh Precast Senior Football Championship Section A Round 1
TEG Cusack Park, 5pm, St Loman's Mullingar v Athlone, Alan Coyne
TEG Cusack Park, 7pm, The Downs v Coralstown-Kinnegad, Enda Kelly
Rochfortbridge, 7pm, Mullingar Shamrocks v Tyrrellspass, Niall Ward.
Section B Round 1
Ballymore, 7pm, Tang v St Malachy's, Barry Nea.
Shay Murtagh Intermediate Football Championship
Section A Round 1
Ballymore, 5pm, Shandonagh v Milltown, Enda Kenny
Hogan Park, Moate, 7pm, Tubberclair v Rosemount, Mick Murtagh
Clarke's Bar Junior 1 Football Championship Section A Round 1
Moate, 5pm, St Joseph's v Ballynacargy, Pat Fox
Rochfortbridge, 5pm, Bunbrosna v Ballycomoyle, Rob Cornally.
Sunday, 27th July
Clarke's Bar Junior 1 Football Championship Section A Round 1
St. James' Park, Kilbeggan, 11am, Moate All Whites v Ballinagore, John Gallagher.
Section B Round 1
Killucan, 11am, Killucan v Athlone, Paul McCaughey
The Downs, 11am, The Downs v Mullingar Shamrocks, Jim Rock
Kinnegad, 11am, Coralstown-Kinnegad v St Loman's Mullingar, Eoin Gorman.
Clarke's Bar Junior 2 Football Championship Section A Round 1
Multyfarnham Community Park, 11am, Tubberclair v St Paul's, Michael Galvin.
Springfield, 11am, Loughnavalley v Delvin, Vinny Cox
Section B Round 1
Tyrrellspass, 11am, Tyrrellspass v Garrycastle, Sean Carroll
Monday, 28th July
Shay Murtagh Precast Intermediate FC Section B Round 1
Milltown, 7.15, Milltownpass v Maryland, Barry Kelly
Clarke's Bar Junior 2 FC Section B Round 1
Caulry GAA, 7.15, Caulry v Mullingar Shamrocks, Ken Daly.