Key weekend ahead in club hurling championships
There are key games down for decision in round four of the Westmeath Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship this weekend, the highlight of which is the clash of defending champions Castletown Geoghegan and Raharney on Sunday evening (5.15pm, TEG Cusack Park).
Castletown Geoghegan are chasing a third victory to keep pace with the leaders, while Raharney, who top the group alongside last year’s finalists Lough Lene Gaels, will aim to press on in pursuit of the semi-final spot. The Gaels take on Clonkill in another big round four clash on Saturday (6.45pm, TEG Cusack Park) and on current form, they are fancied to secure a fourth victory.
Delvin and Fr Dalton’s meet on Sunday (3.30pm, TEG Cusack Park) in a bottom of the table clash.
Meanwhile, Castlepollard are powering towards a place in the Senior ‘B’ semi-final and will aim for a fourth successive win on Friday (7pm, Ringtown) when they take on Crookedwood, who are bidding for a third victory to keep pace with the leaders. St Oliver Plunketts and Brownstown (who meet on Saturday at 5pm in TEG Cusack Park) are arguably the pick of the ties.
Ringtown and St Brigid's meet on Sunday in Kinnegad (2pm) and they are both chasing a first championship victory.
Elsewhere, there will be keen interest in the Intermediate Hurling Championship with Southern Gaels facing Raharney (Saturday, 5.30pm in Ballymore); Turin taking on Castletown Geoghegan (Saturday, 5.30pm in Killucan); and Cullion taking on Clonkill (Sunday, 2pm in Robinstown).
Southern Gaels must win to keep their championship hopes alive, Turin are looking for their third win, while Cullion are chasing a second victory. The second string sides of Raharney and Castletown Geoghegan have two wins on the board also and are firmly in contention for a place in the semi-finals.
Westmeath GAA fixtures
Friday, August 21
Slevins Coaches Senior ‘B’ Hurling Championship
Ringtown: Castlepollard v Crookedwood, 7pm, J McGrath
Saturday, August 22
Senior ‘B’ Hurling Championship
TEG Cusack Park: St Oliver Plunkett’s v Brownstown, 5pm, B Nea
Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship
TEG Cusack Park: Lough Lene Gaels v Clonkill, 6.45pm, C Flynn
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Ballymore: Southern Gaels v Raharney, 5.30pm, R Cornally
Killucan: Castletown Geoghegan v Turin, 5.30pm, J Baker
Sunday, August 23
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Robinstown: Clonkill v Cullion, 2pm, K Gunning
Senior ‘B’ Hurling Championship
Kinnegad: Ringtown v St Brigid’s, 2pm, S Carroll
Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship
TEG Cusack Park: Delvin v Fr Dalton;’s, 3.30pm, M Murtagh
TEG Cusack Park: Raharney v Castletown Geoghegan, 5.15pm, B Kelly