It was a case of "so near and yet so far" for the Westmeath under 16 footballers in 2004 as they lost the finals of the Gerry Reilly and Fr Manning Cups as well as the Leinster tournament decider. However, the consistency shown by the team provides plenty of hope for the future. Heartbreaking! That's what 2004 was for the Westmeath under 16 footballers who, despite reaching three finals, finished the year empty-handed. Under the guidance of Des Doolin, Westmeath contested the finals of the Gerry Reilly and Fr Manning Cups as well as the Leinster 'A' tournament. But there was to be no joy in any of the finals as Cavan and Meath combined to make it a hugely frustrating year for the Lake County outfit. Cavan were a real thorn in Westmeath's side, defeating them in both the Gerry Reilly and Fr Manning Cup deciders. Then, in late October, Meath recorded a typical one-point win to deny Westmeath in the Leinster tournament final. While the defeats were a bitter pill to swallow, Westmeath can feel proud of their achievement in reaching three finals. They may not have acheived the success of previous teams, but their consistency provides plenty of optimism for the future. When Westmeath last contested three finals at under 16 level in 1999, more than half of that team went on to win Leinster minor medals the following year. Des Doolin was also at the helm back then and who's to say that history won't repeat itself in the coming season. Last year's Gerry Reilly Cup began on a disappointing note for Westmeath who lost their opening game to Cavan. But they atoned for that defeat with a 1-11 to 0-11 win over Dublin in their second outing. The Lake County laid the foundations for their success in the first half when, favoured by the wind, they built up a 1-7 to 0-4 interval lead. Producing another tenacious display, Westmeath held Meath scoreless from play in the second half to record a 1-12 to 1-8 victory and set up a rematch with Cavan in the final. The Royals got off to a dream start when Sean Keating found the net after only five minutes and with Shane O'Rourke (son of former Meath star Colm) prominent at midfield, they went on to lead by four points at the break. But boosted by a James Durkan goal, Westmeath dominated the second half and they sealed a deserved win with scores from Conrad Reilly, Alan Giles and Eanna Doolin. Having beaten Cavan in the Fr Manning Cup two weeks previously, Westmeath entered the final at Oldcastle in a confident frame of mind but they were always playing catch-up against a fired-up Breffni side who took a commanding 1-7 to 0-3 lead into the interval. Cavan remained well in control until Niall Kilcoyne scored a goal to leave Westmeath five points adrift midway through the second half. But the Ulster side underlined their supremacy by replying with two quick goals and they eventually overcame the record Gerry Reilly holders by eight points, 4-13 to 2-11. As in the Gerry Reilly Cup, Westmeath made a poor start to the Fr Manning Cup when they succumbed to Longford in their opening game at St. Loman's by 1-10 to 2-11. Much of the damage was inflicted in the first half when the visitors built up a 2-6 to 0-3 lead and withstood a determined Westmeath fightback after the restart. Des Doolin's charges bounced back to record victories over Roscommon, Leitrim and Cavan and, having also received a walkover from Sligo, earned a play-off with their first round conquerors Longford at Pearse Park. The home side looked to have secured their place in the final when leading by six points in stoppage-time. But after John Connellan landed a point to reduce the deficit, Kilcoyne broke Longford hearts when he swooped for goals in the fourth and fifth minutes of injury-time to give Westmeath a dramatic 2-10 to 1-12 win. Revenge for their Gerry Reilly Cup final defeat was utmost on Westmeath minds when they renewed acquaintances with Cavan in the Fr Manning Cup decider at Pearse Park. But a failure to take their chances while in the ascendancy cost Westmeath dearly with the Breffnimen producing a late surge to win by 0-15 to 0-12. Having produced 11 goals between them in their three previous clashes, it was something of a surprise that no goals were scored on this occasion. John Connellan came closest in the first half when his shot hit the upright while in injury-time, the same player almost forced a replay when his low drive was just inches away from the target. Westmeath regrouped in October to compete in the Leinster tournament, a competition they haven't won since 1999. Wins over Laois, Offaly and Limerick put them through to the semi-final where they defeated a gallant Louth team. That set the scene for another joust with Meath in the final at Drumbaragh (near Kells) on October 30. Earlier in the year, Des Doolin's charges defeated the same opposition in the Gerry Reilly Cup, but the Royals exacted sweet revenge with a thrilling 1-13 to 2-9 victory. Meath led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the interval with Robert Doherty accounting for their goal in the 20th minute. On the restart, the home side opened up a five-point lead, leaving Westmeath with it all to do in the final quarter. However, a goal from substitute Max Brady revived Westmeath's hopes and with seven minutes remaining, the margin was down to two points. Meath responded with a brace of points from Doherty and Colm Carry before Niall Kilcoyne left the minimum in it when he finished a great move to the net in injury-time. But much to the dismay of the travelling support, Dublin referee Gary McCormack blew his full-time whistle seconds later, leaving Westmeath with no time to salvage an equalizer and empty-handed after a season which should have yielded at least one trophy. The Westmeath team which lost the Fr Manning Cup final was: Ger Kelly; Shane Gunning, Ciaran Gavin, Shane Egan; Thomas Warburton, Stephen Cole, Darren Price; Eanna Doolin, David Deegan; John Connellan, Conrad Reilly, Conor Hynes; Alan Giles, Darren Geerah, Niall Kilcoyne. Subs used: Jamie Shaw and Shane Kelly. Tweet

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