Caulry advance with dramatic draw as Garrycastle and Athlone bow out
Caulry advanced to the Westmeath SFC quarter-finals as Alan Malynn's late free secured a draw with Mullingar Shamrocks in Rochfortbridge yesterday (Sunday).
The 1-14 each draw earned Caulry fourth place in Section A, and The Mount Temple side will now face a quarter-final clash against Tyrrellspass. Senan Baker scored 1-5 for Caulry while the Shamrocks' goal came from Jordan Warde.
Caulry's draw with Shamrocks eliminated 2021 finalists Garrycastle, who lost out to The Downs, 1-12 to 1-9, in Milltown. Had Shamrocks held on for victory against Caulry, Garrycastle would have advanced on scoring difference despite winning only one of their group games.
Shamrocks went into yesterday's game requiring a miracle to progress as their scoring difference was much worse than that of Garrycastle and Caulry. If the three teams had finished on two points, the team with the best scoring difference would have moved into the knockout stages.
The Downs went into their clash against Garrycastle with a place in the semi-finals already secured and they maintained their 100 per cent record. The men in black and amber started the game strongly, with Kevin O'Sullivan's goal giving them a 1-7 to 0-4 lead.
And although a goal from James Sheerin raised Garrycastle hopes before half-time, John Donnellan's men were unable to record a win that would have put them through.
This means that, in addition to bowing out of this year's championship, Garrycastle and Mullingar Shamrocks will compete in Section B next year.
Reigning champions St Loman's, Mullingar secured the other semi-final slot courtesy of a 2-12 to 0-8 win over Coralstown-Kinnegad.
Meanwhile, in Section B, Athlone's 2-14 to 1-12 win over already relegated Rosemount was in vain as Killucan took the second qualifying spot thanks to their narrow victory over Tyrrellspass.
Athlone fought back from seven points down against Rosemount to eventually record a five-point victory. Substitute Benny Martin scored one of the Athlone goals, with the other green flag coming via an own goal. Sean Pettit scored 1-6 for a Rosemount side who stated the game impressively.
But Athlone's win wasn't enough as Killucan produced a comeback of their own to edge out table toppers Tyrrellspass, 1-7 to 0-8. Sean Leech’s 54th-minute goal proved crucial for the men in saffron and white, who will now meet neighbours Coralstown/Kinnegad in the quarter-finals.
Also in Section B, Moate All Whites edged out Tang by 1-15 to 0-17, with the only goal of the game coming from Daragh Lowry.
Westmeath SFC quarter-finals
Caulry v Tyrrellspass
Coralstown/Kinnegad v Killucan
Semi-finals
The Downs v Caulry or Tyrrellspass
St Loman's, Mullingar v Coralstown/Kinnegad or Killucan