Gaels aiming to build on fine start

The meeting of reigning champions Castletown Geoghegan and Lough Lene in the Westmeath Senior ‘A’ hurling championship is the highlight of the round three action next weekend.

The sides meet on Sunday at TEG Cusack Park (7.15pm) in what is a repeat of last year’s senior hurling decider. Castletown Geoghegan have enjoyed two crucial wins against Fr Dalton’s and Clonkill, while the Gaels coasted to facile round one victory over Delvin before defeating Fr Dalton’s by nine points in the second round.

Lough Lene Gaels are chasing a first senior hurling title in 24 years and will be spurred on by the hurt of three successive defeats in finals against Raharney (2023) and Castletown Geoghegan (‘24 and ‘25). Niall O’Brien, Liam Varley and Dylan Corrigan stood out for Castletown in the crucial round two victory over Clonkill and they will be pleased to have two wins on the board at this stage.

They reeled off 1-6 late in the game and showed their experience in doing so. Jack Gallagher looked lively and elusive in attack.

Castletown Geoghegan faced into the match without some key players, including Aonghus and Peter Clarke. Alan Mangan’s charges have been impacted by injuries and lost two further players before the second round game against Clonkill.

It hands the initiative to Lough Lene Gaels, for whom David Williams has been outstanding thus far with 3-24 from two games. He will take some watching in this round three encounter, while the experienced Tommy Doyle can be a key player, but Dan Higgins and Shane Williams were notable absentees in their previous outing. Joey Williams will hope to have a full strength side for Sunday’s clash.

Meanwhile, Raharney are taking on Fr Dalton’s in round three on Friday evening and they too are aiming to build on a positive start. The Deelsiders controlled their second round win over Delvin and are aiming to build on a positive start. Eamonn Cunneen, Devin Hill and Eoin Keyes were among those to impress for Johnny Greville’s men.

Fr Dalton’s produced a gritty display against Lough Lene Gaels and players such as Owen McCabe, Colm O’Roarke and John Gilligan stood out. They will need a big performance to stop Raharney claiming a third victory.

Elsewhere, Clonkill will aim for a much-needed victory when they meet Delvin on Saturday in TEG Cusack Park (7.15pm). Despite a fine display against Castletown Geoghegan, Clonkill suffered their second defeat of the campaign, but with Kian Loughlin in fine scoring form, and Niall Mitchell an obvious threat, they are a big challenge for a Delvin side that has found it tough in their first year in Senior ‘A’. They would certainly have hoped to have a full strength side in order to build on last year’s Senior ‘B’ success, but it hasn’t worked out that way.

Meanwhile, at Senior ‘B’ level, Crookedwood are facing Ringtown in a crunch game on Saturday (TEG Cusack Park, 5.30pm), with both sides looking for their first win. Castlepollard, the clear favourites at this stage, will play unbeaten Brownstown on Sunday (Lakepoint Park, 3.45pm). Relegated from Senior ‘A’ last year, ‘Pollard are clearly determined to make a quick return to the top flight.

St Oliver Plunketts and St Brigid’s face off in the other Senior ‘B’ encounter at Lakepoint Park on Sunday (5.30pm) and the Mullingar side will be aiming to build on their victory over Crookedwood (0-18 to 0-16) last time out.