Westmeath GAA notes
May 17, 2010POOR WEEKEND FOR WESTMEATH HURLING:
CHRISTY RING CUP:
Westmeath Hurlers travelled to Tralee last weekend to take on Kerry in the Christy Ring Cup and came out the wrong side losing by six points, in a game which saw some good patches of hurling from Westmeath, but the team lacked the drive and spirit shown in the last of their league matches and in the previous weeks Ring Cup match with Derry. Westmeath were dealt a cruel blow when captain Andrew Mitchell had to leave the field of play injured. Kerry led by 2-8 to 0-10 points at half-time after a goal each from wing-forward Darragh O'Connell and corner forward Shane Nolan, and had the advantage of a stron breeze in the second half.
The game looked to be beyond doubt when John-Michael Dooley slammed home an early goal, making it 3-10 to 10 points but Westmeath responded in gritty fashion.
Brendan Murtagh chipped into the Kerry lead with a series of converted frees and a goal each from wing-forward Joe Clarke and another from last year's minor star Stephen Bardon.
That big push brought Westmeath back to within three points but Kerry kicked ahead again with two points from JM Dooley before Westmeath were then presented with a golden opportunity when they were awarded a penalty, however, when that was saved at the expense of a fruitless 65', it was all over for Westmeath loosing on a final score line of 3-14 to 2-11
LEINSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP:
Westmeath minor hurlers lost out narrowly to neighbours Ofally in the Qtr-final of this years championship last Saturday in Cusack Park.This was a closely fought game and right from the off it was plain to be seen that there would be little between the sides at the finish. Westmeath started brighter and really took the game to Ofally and playing with a good breeze should have been further ahead at the break. Both sides traded points in the early stages and just on the stroke of half time there was a calamity of errors in both defences, Westmeath hit the post and the ball somehow stayed out, while at the other Ofally scored a point with an empty Westmeath net just waiting to be shook.
Ofally came more into the game in the second period and everything seemed to go their way, the switch of Adrian Hynes from midfield to center forward on the ofally side was the turning point of the game. It is fair to say that the level of free taking on display was magnificent with not one score able free being missed. Westmeath's Aonghus Clarke notched up six frees and one 65 while Stephen Quirke from Ofally scored seven frees and one 65. Ofally won out on a final scoreline of 0-16 to 0-14 and now face Kilkenny in the Semi-final.
CHRISTY RING CUP:
Westmeath Hurlers will have to travel for their Christy Ring Cup Qtr Final Match next weekend against Down. This will be a hard battle for Westmeath, having suffered defeat by Kerry last weekend and only managing to overcome Down in the final minutes of their recent division 2 clash
A major improvement will be needed in Westmeath's performance from last weekend if they are to have any chance of success. The time has come when we need to take this competition seriously and nothing short of a full committed panel of all available players will succeed, This will require some leadership from some of the more experiences lads in the Team. Down on the other hand will be tough opponents and will be smarting from their last defeat in the league so expect a lively one here.
LEINSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Westmeath will play Longford on next Saturday 22nd May 2010 in Leinster Minor Football Championship Quarter Final at Cusack Park Mullingar.
Support for the team would be most appreciated.
WESTMEATH REFEREES ASSOCIATION:
The Westmeath referees association will held their presentation night in the Hilamar Hotel on Friday 14th May at 8.30pm where the referees of last years finals received their presentations and also all the 25 new referees who have completed stage one of their training recently were presented with their certificates.
On Wednesday night of last week the Westmeath referees association met in Cusack park where they were addressed by Patrick Doherty (National Match Official Manager) in relation to the new rule changes passed at congress.
GAMES DEVELOPMENT:
Westmeath U-16 and U-15 hurling squads took part in a one day hurling blitz last Saturday, the following are the results from these matches.
U-16:
Westmeath 3-06, Wicklow 2-05, Carlow 7-04, Westmeath 2-07;
U-15
Westmeath 1-10, Wicklow 1-09, Westmeath 2-07, Carlow 0-01;
CADBURY HERO OF THE FUTURE:
A 'Hero of the Match' Award was presented to 14 players, selected based on their performance, from the provincial semi-finals stage through to the All-Ireland final.The winners of the 'Cadbury Hero of the Match' awarded during the Championship are shortlisted for the overall 'Hero of the Future' award. Ian Coffey of Westmeath is on the list and people can vote for their Hero of the Future on the Cadbury GAA website. Kildare senior footballer, Dermot Earley, TG4's Michael O Domhnaill and former Dublin Manager Paul Caffery adjudicate the competition and determine who the overall winner will be, but they take the public vote into consideration.
CARLOW TOWN ALL-IRELAND ELEVENS JUNIOR HURLING BLITZ
August Bank Holiday Weekend: SATURDAY 31st JULY, 2010.
Please note the following details:-
1. This is a 1 day event commencing at 10.30a.m.
2. The Blitz will be organised with eight Groups - with five teams in each
Groups.
3. "Senior" status Clubs from the weaker Counties of Kildare, Carlow, Wicklow,
Westmeath, Roscommon, Mayo, Meath, Kerry, Antrim, Down, Armagh are
permitted to participate.
4. Official Party is 19 (16 players + 3 adults).Main meal included for Official Party.
5. Blitz is limited to 32 teams on a "first come, first served basis".
6. Entry fee is EURO 300.00
7. Closing date for completed Application Forms will be Friday 16th July, 2010.
8. Before entering, Clubs should ensure proper clearance from their Divisional
or County Secretary
Please note:- Entry fee in NON-REFUNDABLE.
All queries to Dan Harnedy, Club Secretary - (087-9164098).
POC FADA AND KICK FADA COMPETITIONS:
As part of Westmeath County Council 'Destination Sports Mullingar' week running from June 12th - 20th, Westmeath Coaching and Games Development Committee are planning to run Poc Fada and Kick Fada competitions in the Belvedere Estate on Monday evening, June 14th. There will be four separate competitions:-
- Minor Hurling - Adult Hurling
- Minor Football - Adult Football
with the hurling running from 6.30pm - 8.00pm and the football running from 8.00pm - 9.30pm. The competition will be run over a distance of approximately 2km with the winner being the person who completes the course in least number of shots/kicks in each section.
The competition is open to all clubs in Westmeath and with Lá na gClub this Sunday, Clubs may wish to incorporate this type of activity into their day as a means of selecting players to take part in the Belvedere competition.
Entries giving name, club and a contact number to James Heffernan by Friday, June 4th (one minor entrant per club per competition)
If you have any query, feel free to contact: Noel Delaney (087 - 2456147) or James Heffernan (087 - 6460030)
WESTMEATH GAA DEVELOPMENT LOTTO: (Results 11th May)
NO JACKPOT WINENER: WINNING NO'S: 12, 19, 22, 29
NEXT WEEKS JACKPOT €7,260
6 MATCH 3 WINNERS @ €54:
Patrick Heslin C/O St. Lomans Mullingar GAA
Sharon Mc Manus C/O St. Lomans Mullingar GAA
Marie Nolan C/O St. Lomans Mullingar GAA
Andy Gaffney C/O Delvin GAA
Pat Smith C/O Delvin GAA
Conleth Mc Cormack C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA
NEXT DRAW DATE: TUESDAY 18th May 2010
Westmeath GAA Results weekending 16-05-10:
Shay Murtagh Precast SFC Div 1: Athlone 1-9, Tubberclair 0-8; Maryland 3-9, St Lomans Mullingar 0-16; Killucan 2-8, Coralstown-Kinnegad 0-7;
Shay Murtagh Precast SFC Div 2: Garrycastle 2-12, The Downs 1-7; Mullingar Shamrocks 2-11, Tyrrellspass 3-05;
Jasca Sports IFC Div1: Caulry 0-9, Shandonagh 1-5;Bunbrosna 1-11, Kilbeggan Shamrocks 1-5;
Jasca Sports IFC Div 2: Tang 1-15, Rosemount 0-9; Castletown F/C/W 2-9, Ballinagore 0-6;
I can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on [email protected] Tweet
