Westmeath GAA notes
May 07, 2012LEINSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Westmeath minor hurlers bowed out of this years competition last weekend after losing out to Carlow in Cusack Park. This result does little for Westmeath who have now slipped to Tier 3 ranking for next years minor championship. The game which was played in front of a small but appreciative crowd was closely contested with Carlow looking the hungrier through out. Westmeath were first off the mark with a point from Niall O' Brien, Carlow settled into the game and slotted over three unanswered points two from Marty Kavanagh from dead balls (who was deadly accurate for the whole match), and one from Pete Shaw. The Westmeath defence were guilty of needless fouling which Carlow punished and with sixteen minutes gone held a 0-06 to 0-02 lead. Liam Varley slotted over a third point for Westmeath in the twenty-first minute after a good pass from O Brien, and three minutes later O' Brien closed the gap to three after being put through by Luke Loughlin. The sides traded points from the afore mentioned Shaw and O'Brien and a further two from Carlow just before the break left them with a five point lead at the interval 0-10 to 0-05.
Westmeath opened the scoring in the second half with a free from Niall O'Brien and when O'Brien hit the post from a free moments later Westmeath's Darragh Clinton (introduced at half time) was quickest to react and slotted a second for Westmeath, Luke Loughlin and Ciaran Doyle added two further points for Westmeath without reply and it was game on as Carlow seemed to have no answer for a rejuvenated Westmeath side. In the fortieth minute Carlow pounced for the games first goal after an error in the Westmeath defence and midfielder Dion Wall poked the ball to the net, Westmeath responded well and within a minute had scored a goal of their own after a long relieving drive out of defence was collected by O'Brien who split the Carlow defence with a brilliant pass for Cillian Doyle to collect and slot home the ball to the Carlow net, O Brien tagged on a further point from a free and the sides were level at 1-10 apiece, with just under twenty minutes left. In fairness to Carlow they never panicked and out scored Westmeath for the remainder of the match with four unanswered points in the space of as many minutes and won out on the day on a final score line of 1-14 to 1-12
MEET & GREET OPEN EVENING
Westmeath GAA are holding a Meet the Teams evening, on Friday evening next 11th May, in Cusack Park as part of our local launch for the county's Leinster Senior Championship Campaign. The evening will run from 7pm to 9pm and is open to the public, feel free to come along and chat with the players and the managers all are welcome.
PLAYING RULES CHANGE
At this year's Annual Congress a change was made to the Square ball rule in Football only. This change will become operative in all club and inter-county games from May 14 next. We ask that all club players and coaches take note of the change below and the relevant implementation date.
Football Only - "Square Ball"
This has been amended to allow a player enter the small rectangle once the final deliberate play of the ball has been made, i.e. as soon as the player kicks, hand-passes, fist passes or deliberately flicks the ball into the small rectangle then the attacking player may enter. The rule is unchanged with regard to "Set Play" i.e. Free Kicks, Line Balls and 45s - in these instances players are not permitted to enter the small rectangle before the ball.
CO COMMITTEE MEETING
Vice Chairman Sean Sheridan presided at a meeting of the County Committee on Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in Cusack Park.
Ard Comhairle delegte Seamus Whelan told delegates that a meeting between the Uachtarain & Minister for Social Protection in relation to Community Employment Schemes had taken place, but there was no feedback as of yet. He also updated the meeting on matters that had been discussed at their two short meetings, he was delighted to announce that a number of Westmeath Gaels have been appointed to various committees in Croke Park and he gave a special mention to Matt Shaw who has been re-appointed as secretary of the DRA for another three years.
In relation to Scór Des Maguire extended Congratulations to Peter Dolan on winning the All-Ireland title he also paid tribute to all the clubs in Westmeath for the wonderful work they have done and are continuing to do in promoting Scór. Sean Sheridan thanked Des Maguire for his hard work over the last six years as national chairman of Scór.
Michael McHugh gave an update on the current position of Cumann na mBun & the Post Primary competitions stating that the finals of the competitions will all be in Cusack Park starting the 21st May game times are confirmed as 3.30, 4.30 & 5.30 He outlined the work been done in Coach Education, He expressed the concern of the Coaching & Games Committee at the number of walkovers been given in Underage Competitions - particularly in Hurling.
Hurling Board delegate Tony Robinson told the meeting that the hurling board were not happy with the attendance at their last meeting and they were working to correct this, he announced the U-21 management team Manager Brian Hanley, Selectors Fergal Fagan & Darren McCormack, he also extended good wishes to hurling board chairman Willie Murphy who was in Hospital,
Sean Sheridan congratulated St. Mary's CBS on their success in the North Leinster Collages final and wished them well as they progress. Good luck and congratulations was extended to Referee James McGrath and his team of officials on being chosen to referee the Div 1 national hurling league final.
Get well wishes and a speedy recovery were extended to both Artie Pyke and Des Briody both of whom are recovering at the minute.
MINUTES SILENCE
All clubs have been asked to observe a minutes silence at all sporting fixtures in their Clubs on Sunday next May 13th in memory of all those families who suffered loss during the great famine.
SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES
As you may be aware many of our clubs are now actively using and engaging with our members and supporters through social media and in particular, Facebook and Twitter. For this reason, GAA Social Media Policies and Guidelines and a step by step social media setup guide have been devised to assist and guide our units in best practice around this area. These documents were formally presented and launched at the recent Social Media Workshop at GAA Annual Congress in Killenard, Laois and is available to download from www.gaa.ie Clubs will also receive a communication shortly from their county PRO asking them to register their digital channels with the GAA. It is important that Clubs fill out this form. In that way, anyone who speaks on behalf of the GAA is authorised to do so, ensuring we work together to give the GAA a positive online presence.
CROKE PARK SKYLINE TOURS
Etihad Airways have announced their title sponsorship of the roof top tours at Croke Park and construction of the 0.6km walkway on the roof of Croke Park is now well underway.
Further details are available on www.skylinecrokepark.ie and bookings can be made online for the tours which open to the public on June 1 this year. Enjoy the best views of Dublin from five viewing platforms and a spectacular view of Croke Park from a suspended platform over the stadium. A spectacular experience awaits!
WESTMEATH GAA DEVELOPMENT LOTTO (Results 1st May 2012)
NO JACKPOT WINENER: €11.100: WINNING NO'S: 20, 24, 28, 30.
NEXT WEEKS JACKPOT €11,740
1 MATCH 3 WINNER @ €320
Sheila Lyster C/O Westmeath Ladies GAA
NEXT DRAWDATE: TUESDAY 8th May 2012.
WESTMEATH GAA RESULTS WEEKENDING 06-05-2012
ACFL Div 1 Garrycastle 2-14, The Downs 1-12;
KC Marketing JFC Div a Milltown 1-21, Loughnavalley 0-06; Moate All Whites 2-20, Delvin 0-01; Multyfarnham 0-18, Ballycomoyle 1-04; St Paul's 3-08, St Joseph's 3-06;
ACHL Div 4 Lough Lene Gaels 2-09, Cullion 0-10; Raharney 3-06, Crookedwood 0-03;
ACHL Div 5 St Oliver Plunkett's 5-19, St Bridgid's 0-6;
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