Castledaly face tough test against reigning champions

IT'S been a long time coming, perhaps too long for some, but the 2012 Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC finally resumes this weekend, with perhaps the pick of the games seeing a repeat of the 2008 county final, when Castledaly earned their first and to date only ever Westmeath SFC crown by beating Garrycastle in the decider. The County Board decision to run one round of championship fixtures back in April, followed by a lengthy break until this point, was greeted with plenty of dismay among local Gaels, but any disappointment about a dearth of championship club action over recent months should be washed away this weekend, with an attractive set of fixtures in store. The meeting of Castledaly and Garrycastle is an interesting affair, with Derek Heavin sure to experience his toughest test yet as Castledaly manager. Heavin led Castledaly to a 2-12 to 0-11 win over Killucan in the opening round of championship games, while in the opposite dug-out on Sunday (Cusack Park, Mullingar, 7.30pm) will be recently appointed Garrycastle manager and former Galway star Paul Clancy. Moycullen native Clancy, who kicked two points in Galway's 2001 All-Ireland final victory over Meath, took over from another Galway man, Anthony Cunningham, who left to manage the Tribesmen hurlers. Cunningham enjoyed three hugely successful years at Garrycastle, leading the Athlone club to a hat-trick of Westmeath SFC titles, last year's Leinster club title, and an All-Ireland final appearance. Garrycastle began their quest for a fourth successive Flanagan Cup by drawing with Tyrrellspass (1-11 to 3-5), when selector Aidan Dunning, who continues, along with Sean Connell, to assist Clancy, filled in as manager. Clancy surely has a hard act to follow in the departed Cunningham, but victory over Castledaly would go some way to easing him more comfortably into his new role. A former Laois selector (under Justin McNulty last year), having previously been involved with DIT in the Sigerson Cup, Clancy faces a potentially tough opening fixture, with Castledaly also showing up well in the All-County FL Division 1 this year (a division they topped at time of print). Speaking ahead of the game on Sunday, Derek Heavin said: "Garrycastle have been the best team in Westmeath over the last ten years. They've had a good break, like all of us, since the opening championship game, and will be ready to go. They've a new manager and will be keen to impress, but they've a hugely experienced panel in any case, and know what to do in most situations. It was great to get off to a winning start (against Killucan), and it was actually the first time Castledaly won their opening championship fixture since 2006, so that's a plus. We're going along fine at the moment, but facing Garrycastle is another test altogether." Castledaly have an injury concern over Michael Gavin, who recently injured his ankle, but should be at full-strength. Tyrellspass will attempt to follow up their draw with Garrycastle when they meet Bunbrosna on Sunday (Cusack Park, 6.15pm), while in the weekend's other Division A affair, Coralstown-Kinnegad (who beat Bunbrosna in the first round of fixtures) play Killucan (Saturday, Cusack Park, 6pm). Athlone bid for another positive result Both Athlone and Maryland also bid to build on solid starts to their Division B campaigns this weekend. Athlone made a notable managerial appointment before the start of the year when they attracted former Rhode boss Tom Coffey into the fold at Pairc Chiarain. Many eyebrows were raised when Coffey, who guided Rhode to two Leinster club finals, committed to the Athlone cause. His recent appointment as interim manager of the Offaly senior team (a role which hasn't impacted upon his commitment to Athlone), further illustrated the high-esteem in which Coffey is held, and he got Athlone off to a winning start in this year's championship by beating The Downs in convincing fashion (1-8 to 0-5). Athlone have, over recent years, largely failed to live up to past glories, and only preserved senior championship status after a relegation play-off against Tubberclair last year. Though the club boasts the record for the highest number of Flanagan Cup wins, they've failed to capture it since 1991. Towering midfielder John Stapleton admitted that recent years have been "difficult at times" for Athlone's players, but that with Tom Coffey on board, and an opening day win over The Downs, things are looking far more positive ahead of next Monday's meeting with St Loman's (Ballymore, 7.30pm). "It has been difficult at times over recent years. We've probably not lived up to expectations, and such is the level of success the club had in the past that it's tough to be failing to get out of the group stage, or to be involved in relegation battles. Our pre-championship aim was to qualify from the group and with the new management team in place, and thanks to the win over Thw Downs, there's a feel-good factor about the place. We won fairly comfortably against The Downs, but also should've taken more chances. "Tom Coffey has been brilliant since coming in, and his record speaks for itself. It was no surprise to see him get the Offaly job recently. In fairness, we've a good balance between young and experienced players, and we're lucky to have the manager here. St Loman's are very tough opposition for us, and are probably favourites to top the group," said Stapleton, who formed Athlone's midfield axis with county player Paul Bannon against The Downs. While more seasoned campaigners such as Paul Bannon, Joe Fallon, Damien Kelly and Fergal Murray remain integral to Tom Coffey's plans, a more youthful element that includes Brian Gill (also a key performer with Athlone Town FC), John Egan and Ray Connellan offers much hope for the future. St Loman's though, had a rousing win over neighbours Mullingar Shamrocks (last year's championship runners-up) in the opening round (winning 2-13 to 0-10), and with the inspirational John Heslin pulling the strings, they will be very difficult to topple. Maryland had a good 0-19 to 1-10 victory over St Malachy's in their Division B opener, with John Reilly (scorer of five points), Callum McCormack, David Martin and David Reynolds playing key roles. Finbar Egan's men will be confident ahead of Saturday's tussle with The Downs (Moate, 7.30pm), but the black and ambers will be desperate to bounce back following a poor showing against Athlone. The other game in Division B this weekend pits Mullingar Shamrocks against St Malachy's at Cusack Park on Saturday (7.30pm). WESTMEATH SFC FIXTURES Saturday, June 16 Division A - Coralstown-Kinnegad v Killucan (Cusack Park, 6pm) Division B - Maryland v The Downs (Moate, 7.30pm); St Malachy's v Mullingar Shamrocks (Cusack Park, 7.30pm). Sunday, June 17 Division A - Tyrrellspass v Bunbrosna (Cusack Park, 6.15pm) Division A - Castledaly v Garrycastle (Cusack Park, 7.30pm). Monday, June 19 Division B - Athlone v St Loman's (Ballymore, 7.30pm).