Westmeath G A A Notes by Pat Reilly Westmeath P R O.

LEINSTER HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Westmeath hurlers open their Leinster championship campaign next Saturday eve in Cusack park when they take on Antrim in the prelim round. This will be a tough encounter for Westmeath as there is never much between the sides at any stage. Antrim got the better of Westmeath in the qualifiers last year after a poor first half Westmeath performance, and Westmeath will need to up for this match as the Antrim side will be boosted by the return of the Loughgiel lads. New Antrim Manager Jerry Wallace (Cork) has changed the style of Antrim's play and they now seem to be picking out the players in space rather than just hitting in high hopeful ball and seeing what happens. The likes of Shane McNaughton and Michael Herron will be no pushover for any player and with the potency of Liam Watson and Neil McManus up front Antrim will be pushing for a win. Westmeath on the other hand will know that after last year they have the beating of Antrim if they play for the full hour, but will need big performances from Philip Gilsenan, Brendan Murtagh and John Shaw, while the younger lads on the team like Niall O' Brien and Robbie Greville could be the surprise package that will swing this in Westmath's favour.

LEINSTER FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Next weekend see the start of the 2012 Leinster football championship when Westmeath take on Louth in Navan. This is the third clash between the sides in two years with Louth having the upper hand in all three it is hard to say exactly how it will go as both sides didn't perform all that well during the league, although surprisingly both did survive in division 2, it is very important for Westmeath football that a win is secured. Westmeath will need to approach this match the same way they approached our home league matches, and if they do I see no reason why a victory cannot be achieved. The experience of Gary Connaughton, Doran Harte, and the Glennon brothers, along with a blend of youthful upcoming talent like John Heslin and Paul Sharry, make this a formidable Westmeath side, but undoubtedly the absence of Dessie Dolan from the panel will be a talking point. Louth on the other hand will look to Paddy keenan at midfield and up front this year's top scorer Darren Clarke will definitely take watching but I still feel Westmeath will progress.

TICKET SALES ARRANGEMENTS LEINSTER CHAMPIONSHIP
Leinster SHC
Saturday 19th May 2012 - Cusack Park. Westmeath v Antrim 7pm
General Stand €15, Terrace €10
Family Tickets:
Stand : Adults €15 Juveniles - U16 Free of Charge
Terrace : Adults €10 Juveniles -U16 Free of Charge
Students (Terrace only) - Purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate of €5 when they produce appropriate I.D. Prior to entry to the Stadium
Senior Citizens (Stand and Terrace) - Purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate of €5 when they produce appropriate I.D. prior to entry to the Stadium.

Leinster SFC
Sunday 20th May 2012 - Pairc Tailteann Navan. Westmeath v Louth 3.30pm
General Stand €20, Terrace €10
Family Tickets:
1 adult and 2 Juveniles etc. Family Tickets are available for Stand : Adults €20, Juveniles €5 each
1 Adult and 2 Juveniles etc. Family Tickets are available for Terrace - Adults €10, Juveniles €3 each
Senior Citizens & Students (Stand & Terrace)
Purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate when they produce appropriate I.D. at Stiles 31 & 23 (Stand) and Stiles 17 & 18 (Terrace) prior to entry to the Stadium.
Adult Group Tickets:
Adult Club Tickets available for €5 each to the Terrace or €15 each to the stand (Min group 15 & Max Group 50)
Group Passes (Under 16's - Terrace Only
Group passes are provided for groups of Juveniles U16 (one adult to accompany 10 juveniles. Any additional Adults pay full price

Tickets available in Cusack Park daily from 9am to 2.30pm

LEINSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Westmeath 0-19 Carlow 1-13
Westmeath minor footballers progressed to the Qtr final of Electric Ireland Leinster minor football championship after extra time in an excellent gigantic struggle with Carlow at Dr. Cullen Park last week. Carlow got into this game right from the word go and had a goal and a point on the scoreboard after eight minutes, the goal coming from corner back kelvin Chatten. Westmeath settled into the game and the accuracy and influence of center forward Ger Leech crucial, but in truth Carlow dominated the half and were playing nice football and deserved their two point half time lead 1-05 to 0-06.
Carlow were still in ascendancy for most of the second period and opened up a five point lead 1-9 to 0-7 mid-way through the haf. Westmeath rallied and reduced the lead and with the last kick of the game Dillian McDermott levelled the sides Westmeath 0-13 Carlow 1-10 and took the game to extra time. Westmeath had the best of the exchanges as they took the lead for the first time three minutes into the first period, and kicked two more points in succession with Niall Quinlan scoring one for Carlow as half time was called Westmeath 0-16 Carlow 1-11. Six minutes in to the second period Carlow were back on level terms with points from Chris Blake and Mark Fury, however Westmeath finished the stronger with three further points the aforementioned Leech kicking two, and Sam Moran pointed to ensure the victory on a final scoreline of Westmeath 0-19 Carlow 1-13

LEINSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Westmeath will play Wicklow on next Saturday 19th May 2012 in Leinster Minor Football Championship in Aughrim @ 3pm, and after a tough hard fought battle with Carlow where they eventually dug deep and came away with a victory I expect the lads to progress.

STEWARDS
All stewards are requested to be in Cusack Park @ 1.00pm on Saturday next for the Leinster hurling championship match between Westmeath and Antrim.

CONDOLONCES
Westmeath Co. Board would like to extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of the Late Sean Eggerton, Gaybrook Mullingar, who sadly passed away within the last week. Sean was a distinguished player/member of the Clonkill Hurling Club for many years and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Ar dheis de go raibh a hanam.

ALLIANZ CUMANN NA mBUN SCOIL FINALS
The Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Finals will take place over five evenings in Cusack Park starting on Monday 21st May. Cumann an mBunscol would like to thank the Westmeath County Board for making Cusack Park available for the 15 finals. With a number of schools reaching a final for the first time, and other schools not having been in a final for many years, it promises to be an exciting and memorable week for the children, their families and supporters. The schedule is as follows:

Monday 21st May: Camogie Finals
3.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Camogie C Final
Rathwire v Scoil na gCeithre Máistri, Áth Luain
Rathwire will be hoping to do the double this year as they also feature in the Girls' Football Final. Their opponents are Scoil na gCeithre Máistri who are appearing in their first final.
4.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Camogie B Final
St. Colman's v Whitehall
The holders, St. Colman's, will be favourites to retain their title but they will face a strong test from Whitehall.
5.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Camogie A Final
Raharney v Collinstown or Loughegar
Raharney topped the group and qualified for the final. They have already won the Mini-Sevens this year and will be favourites to claim the Camogie A title. The semi-final between Loughegar and Collinstown is due to be played this week.

Tuesday 22nd May: Hurling Finals
3.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Hurling C Final
Play-offs took place earlier this week with 6 teams involved.
Section A: Gael Scoil an Mhuilinn, Edmonton, Rathwire
Section B: Tubberclare, Kilbeggan, Ballymore
4.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Hurling B Final
St. Colman's v Clonmellon
Clonmellon will face the holders, St. Colman's in the final after a one point win over Scoil Mhuire CBS in the semi-final. St. Colman's defeated Dysart in the other semi-final and will be favourites to retain their title.
4.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Hurling A Final
Raharney v Ballinagore
While Raharney will be favourites, Ballinagore have shown very good form in recent weeks. They defeated Collinstown in a play-off and then Castlepollard in the semi-final so their chances cannot be underestimated.

Wednesday 23rd May: Girls' Football
3.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Small Schools Final
Tang v Ardnagrath
A large crowd is guaranteed for this opening match with neighbours Tang and Ardnagrath contesting the Small Schools final. Ardnagrath make a welcome return to Final Day after a long absence. Tang have appeared in two finals in recent years which both ended in defeat so they will be hoping that it's a case of third time lucky!
4.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Medium Schools Final
Rathwire v Kilpatrick
Defeated finalists last year, Rathwire will be hoping to make up for last year's disappointment. They will be up against Kilpatrick who have a strong tradition in girls' football. This is a hard one to call so don't rule out extra time!
5.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Large Schools Final
Gainstown v St. Colman's
This final sees last year's winners of the medium schools, Gainstown, against the winners of the large schools, St. Colman's. Gainstown have already defeated St. Colman's in the group stages but the final should be a tight affair.

Thursday 24th May: Boys' Football
3.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Division 5 Final
Milltownpass v Dysart
Milltownpass make a welcome return to a final after a long absence. They will be up against Dysart who have featured regularly on final day in recent years. This should be an exciting game to get the boys' football finals underway.
4.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Division 3 Final
Mount Temple v Tang
Mount Temple are in their first final since the late eighties and will be up against near neighbours Tang. A large crowd is expected for this game with the outcome hard to call.
5.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Division 1 Final
St. Colman's v Gael Scoil an Mhuilinn
A repeat of last year's final which saw St. Colman's run out comfortable winners. It will be a lot closer this year. These two teams met in the group stages with St. Colman's emerging narrow winners.

Friday 25th May: Boys' Football
3.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Division 6 Final
Rahugh v Edmonton
This division was keenly contested throughout with both teams having played seven games each to reach the final. The seven aside final is always packed with end to end action and an exciting final is in store here.
4.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Division 4 Final
Clonbonny v Mullingar Educate Together
These two teams will be making their first appearance in a final. Regardless of the outcome it should be a memorable experience for all involved.
5.30: Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Division 2 Final
Gainstown v Kilbeggan
Division 2 was probably the best competition this year with five evenly balanced teams. It's Kilbeggan's first appearance since 1969 while Gainstown won their first title three years ago. This should be a thrilling match to end the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Finals for another year.


LEINSTER GAA TV
Last week Leinster GAA launched Leinster GAA Tv to view this first offering please log on to www.leinstergaa.tv

WESTMEATH GAA DEVELOPMENT LOTTO (Results 8th May 2012)
NO JACKPOT WINENER: €11.740: WINNING NO'S: 11, 12, 26, 28.
NEXT WEEKS JACKPOT €12,060
5 MATCH 3 WINNER @ €64 EACH
Kate Dillon C/O Westmeath Ladies GAA
Marcel Joyce C/O Mullingar Shamrocks GAA
Caroline Bray C/O Delvin GAA
Thomas Carroll C/O Delvin GAA
Lucy Rowan C/O Ballinagore GAA

NEXT DRAWDATE: TUESDAY 15th May 2012.

WESTMEATH GAA RESULTS WEEKENDING 13-05-2012
ACFL Div 3 Garrycastle 1-11, Mullingar Shamrocks 1-06;
ACFL Div 4 Castledaly 4-20, Loughnavalley 1-05; St Joseph's 0-12, Ballinacargy 0-12;
ACFL Div 5 Ballymore 1-09, St Malachy's 0-12; Caulry 2-08, Maryland 1-07; Ballycomoyle 2-12, Bunbrosna 1-07;
ACFL Div 6 Milltownpass 2-14, Kilbeggan Shamrocks 2-04; St Mary's Rochfortbridge 2-13, Rosemount 1-07; Coralstown-Kinnegad 2-11, Shandonagh 2-07;
ACFL Div 7a Garrycastle W/O Ballinagore Scratch ; Tang 2-19, Milltown 0-04; St Joseph's 0-13, St Mary's Rochfortbridge 1-10;
ACHL Div 5 Clonkill W/O, Castlepollard Scratch;
Slevins Coaches IHC Fr Daltons 1-12, Cullion 0-3; Turin 3-08, Ringtown 1-13; Raharney 1-12. Brownstown 0-03; Clonkill 1-13, Crookedwood 0-08;

I can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on [email protected] Tweet

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