The following is a very brief 2023 annual report, on behalf of the Westmeath Hurling Committee, on Westmeath Hurling related matters for 2023. 

 

The 2023 annual report of the Westmeath GAA Board Secretary, will also reflect on Westmeath Hurling related matters for 2023.

 

INTER COUNTY HURLING COMPETITIONS

 

Walsh Cup Hurling Competition - Group A

 

Round 1

Ballinasloe

Sunday 08.01.2023

Westmeath....0.20 Galway...3.27

 

Round 2

Abbotstown, Dublin 

Saturday 14.01.2023

Westmeath....0.15 Antrim.....0.13

 

Round 3

Sunday 22.01.2023

Kinnegad 

Westmeath....0.15 Dublin...1.20

 

 

Allianz National Hurling League 

Division 1 Group A

 

Round 1

Ennis - Cusack Park 

Sunday 05.02.2023

Westmeath....0.14 Clare.....4.27

 

Round 2

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Sunday 12.02.2023

Westmeath....1.15 Wexford...2.23

 

Round 3

Cork - Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Sunday 26.02.2023

Westmeath....0.21 Cork....2.21

 

Round 4

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Sunday 12.03.2026

Westmeath....1.15 Limerick...1.30

 

Round 5

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Sunday 19.03.2023

Westmeath.....1.12 Galway....4.27

 

Allianz National Hurling League 

Division 1 Relegation play off 

 

Thurles - FBD Semple Stadium 

Saturday 25.03.2023

Westmeath...3.24 Laois...1.26

 

Westmeath retained Division 1 status for 2024

 

 

 

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship 

 

Round 1

Kilkenny - UPMC Nowlan Park

Saturday 22.04.2029

Westmeath...0.07 Kilkenny....0.29

 

Round 2

Dublin - Parnell Park

Saturday 29.04.2023

Westmeath......1.14 Dublin........2.23

 

Round 3

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Saturday 06.05.2023

Westmeath.......0.17 Galway.......6.33

 

Round 4

Wexford - Chadwicks Wexford Park

Sunday 21.05.2023

Westmeath .......4.18 Wexford........2.22

 

Round 5

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Sunday 28.05.2023

Westmeath....1.19 Antrim....4.24

 

Westmeath were relegated to the All Ireland Tier 2 Senior Hurling Championship competition - McDonagh Cup - for 2024.

 

 

 

Leinster U20 Hurling Championship 

Tier 2 section 

 

Round 1

Tullamore - Glenisk O'Connor Park

Saturday 01.04.2023

Westmeath....1.17 Offaly....2.22

 

Round 2

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Saturday 08.04.2023

Westmeath....2.14 Antrim....3.08

 

Round 3

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Saturday 15.04.2023

Westmeath....5.17 Meath....0.10

 

Westmeath advanced to a preliminary quarter final 

 

Leinster U20 Hurling Championship 

Preliminary Quarter final

 

Portlaoise - Laois Hire O'Moore Park

Friday 21.04.2023

Westmeath.....0.17 Laois....1.14

 

Extra time then followed.

Westmeath....0.22 Laois....1.19 - AET

 

Westmeath won 3.2 on penalties.

 

Leinster U20 Hurling Championship 

Quarter Final 

 

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Saturday 29.04.2023

Westmeath.... 3.12 Wexford....3.17

 

WESTMEATH CLUB HURLING COMPETITIONS

 

Senior A Hurling Championship 

 

Participating Teams

Castlepollard, Castletown Geoghegan, Clonkill, Fr Daltons, Lough Lene Gaels, Raharney.

 

Following the completion of all Divisional fixtures of this competition, Raharney qualified for the final. Castletown Geoghegan and Lough Lene Gaels contested a semi final fixture.

 

Semi final 

 

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Sunday 24.09.2023

Lough Lene Gaels............1.16

Castletown Geoghegan...1.15 

A late goal, scored in stoppage time, enabled Lough Lene Gaels to win this semi final fixture by a margin of one point. Minutes previously, CTG had scored a goal and a point in quick succession, and looked set for victory themselves, until that late dramatic finale.

  

Final 

 

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park

Sunday 08.10.2023

Raharney....................2.19

Lough Lene Gaels.....2.17

 

Raharney scored a stoppage time goal, in a dramatic and exciting final, played in summer like weather conditions, to win a 15th Westmeath SHAC title, adding to titles won in, 1913, 1914, 1919, 1967, 1973, 1984, 1992, 1994, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2021. 

 

At times in the second half, Lough Lene Gaels looked as if they were going to end a wait of 21 years for a SHAC title in this match. Then though came that late Raharney goal, followed in turn by the ball from a LLG free, in an attacking situation, striking the Raharney left upright, and staying in play, instead of ending in the Raharney net, Raharney winning by a margin of two points.

 

Senior B Hurling Championship 

 

Participating Teams: Brownstown, Crookedwood, Cullion, Delvin, Ringtown, St Oliver Plunketts.

 

Following the completion of all Divisional fixtures, St Oliver Plunketts qualified for the final of this competition. Ringtown and Crookedwood qualified for a semi final fixture, while Delvin and Brownstown had to play a relegation play off fixture.

 

Semi final 

 

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Sunday 24.09.2023

Ringtown...........3.20

Crookedwood....0.08

It was Crookedwood that won the  scheduled Divisional fixture between these teams, which makes the one sided look of this semi final, all the more remarkable. Crookedwood in fact lead 0.06 to 0.02 after 20 minutes of the first half, before this match was completely turned around, Ringtown winning by a margin of 21 points.

 

Final 

 

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Saturday 07.10.2023

St Oliver Plunketts........2.21

Ringtown.......................0.10

Having played out a draw in their scheduled Divisional fixture earlier in this competition, more of same was also prehaps expected this time round. St Oliver Plunketts though took early command of general play. Ringtown, try as they did, could not play their way back into this match, St Oliver Plunketts winning by a margin of 18 points, therefore bringing a Senior grade club Hurling Championship title, to the town of Mullingar, for the first time since Pearses won what is now the SHAC competition, 61 years ago in 1962!

 

Relegation play off fixture 

 

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Saturday 23.09.2023

Delvin..............1.23 (26)

Brownstown...2.19 (25)

This Relegation play off fixture was played in a manner more akin to the actual final of this competition. 

The very close geographic neighbouring locations of the participating clubs, and local "bragging rights" were maybe both factors prehaps?

Certainly there was never any dullness in any aspect of the play of this play off fixture. When these clubs previously contested a scheduled Round 1 Divisional fixture of this same competition, Brownstown 1.13 Delvin 0.12, was the match result.

Delvin, 12 minutes into the second half of the Relegation play off fixture, were 1.19 to 1.11. Brownstown responded to draw level within five minutes. The sides were also on level terms with two minutes of normal playing time remaining, Delvin obtaining all important late scores, winning this fixture by a one point margin.

 

Intermediate Hurling Championship 

Participating Teams: 

Castletown Geoghegan, Clonkill, Raharney, Turin, St Brigid's, Southern Gaels.

 

With all Divisional fixtures played and completed, it was St Brigid's, Southern Gaels, Clonkill and Castletown Geoghegan that qualified for the semi finals phase of this competition. The semi finals line up was Southern Gaels v Clonkill and St Brigid's v Castletown Geoghegan.

 

Semi final 

 

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Saturday 23.09.2023

Clonkill...................2.12

Southern Gaels......0.14

Clonkill scored two second half goals, both scored in the third quarter of play, to qualify for the IHC final. Southern Gaels 0.11 Clonkill 0.06, was the match scoreline at half time.

 

Semi final 

 

Raharney 

Saturday 23.09.2023

Castletown Geoghegan.........1.17

St Brigid's................................2.12

Coming from arrears of two points at half time, CTG won this semi final fixture, also by a margin of two points. St Brigid's 1.09 Castletown Geoghegan 1.07, at half time, was the match situation.

 

Final 

 

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Saturday 14.10.2023

Castletown Geoghegan..........3.14

Clonkill.....................................2.15

This fixture was listed to be played on Saturday 07.10.2023, but understandably postponed,  following the tragic death in a work related accident, of Pauric Kirby, a Castletown Geoghegan resident.

Castletown Geoghegan made much of the first half match running in thus rescheduled match, holding a 2.07 to 0.08 half time lead. Clonkill turned the match around in the second half, going on to be 2.13 to 2.12 ahead, with less than five minutes of normal playing time remaining. Castletown Geoghegan then scored a late goal, to win this IHC final by a margin of two points.

 

 

IHC Play off 

 

Rochfortbridge

Saturday 14.10.2023

St Brigid's.........................0.15

Southern Gaels................0.09

As Castletown Geoghegan and Clonkill, both Senior graded clubs, contested the IHC final on the same day, the defeated semi finalists, and both Intermediate graded clubs, contested a IHC play off fixture, to determine which of them would represent Westmeath in the Leinster Club Junior Hurling Championship. That honour went to St Brigid's, winning this play off fixture by a margin of six points.

 

 

Under 19 Division 1 Hurling Championship 

 

The semi finals of the U19 Division 1 Hurling Championship were,

Na Piarsaigh v Clann na nGael and Castletown Geoghegan v Clonkill

 

Semi final 

 

Collinstown - Sunday 22.10.2023

Na Piarsaigh................1.24

Clann na nGael............2.13

Extra time was required to separate these teams. Na Piarsaigh subsequently obtained the necessary scores in extra time to overcome a very competitive Clann na nGael team. 

This semi final fixture was played with a large number of spectators in attendance, who helped to create a great atmosphere.

 

Semi final 

 

Castletown Geoghegan - Saturday 28.10.2023

Castletown Geoghegan......3.14

Clonkill.................................2.13

Castletown Geoghegan, when leading 3.11 to 0.05, seven minutes into the second half of this semi final fixture, it seemed left only their eventual winning margin to be decided.

From that moment onwards though, It was Clonkill that started to play superbly, taking the match to their Black and Amber opponents. 

Just three points, 3.13 to 2.13, separated the teams at the end of normal playing time, before CTG scored a stoppage time point, winning this semi final by a margin of four points.

 

Final

 

Loughegar (Clonkill) - Sunday 12.11.2023

Na Piarsaigh......................1.14

Castletown Geoghegan.....2.08

Played in front of a large attendance of spectators, this Under 19 Division 1 final had all the necessary ingredients to make it both exciting and interesting. CTG scored two second quarter goals, and were leading by a margin of six points as the end of normal first half playing time neared. 

Na Piarsaigh (Lough Lene Gaels/Turin) finished first half scoring with two pointed frees, and then a goal. CTG led 2.04 to 1.06 at half time.

 

The teams swapped scores on a regular basis in the second half, leaving CTG 2.07 to 1.09 ahead midway through the second half. It was Na Piarsaigh that obtained the All important match winning points in the closing quarter of play, winning this U19 HC Division 1 final by a margin of three points.

 

 

U19 Division 2 Hurling Championship 

 

Final

 

Moate - Hogan Park 

Sunday 12.11 2023

St Oliver Plunketts..............2.16

Southern Gaels...................1.10

In this clash of clubs, one based each in Mullingar and Athlone respectively, victory went to Mullingar based St Oliver Plunketts. Westmeath's capital town club was able to call on a number of players who were involved with that club's recent SBHC win.

 

Junior A Hurling Championship 

 

Semi final 

 

Archerstown 

Sunday 05.11.2023

Lough Lene Gaels...........2.18

Raharney..........................1.17

Extra time was required to separate these teams. The  result of this semi final fixture,  is all the more remarkable, when it is  considered that a Round 5 Divisional fixture of the same competition, played at Raharney,  only 15 days previously, on Saturday October 21st, resulted in a merited win for Raharney by a margin of 18 points on a 3.23 to 2.08 scoreline.

 

Final

 

Castlepollard 

Saturday 18.11.2023

Clonkill v Lough Lene Gaels 

 

Junior B Hurling Championship 

 

Final

 

Rochfortbridge 

Sunday 05.11.2023

Fr Daltons..............0.15

Delvin.....................1.11

Fr Daltons withstood a good second half performance from Delvin to win the 2023 Westmeath Junior B Hurling Championship competition by the minimum margin. Fr Daltons 0.11 Delvin 0.06, was the match scoreline at half time.

 

All County Hurling League 

 

Division 1 final - TEG Cusack Park 

Sunday 18.06.2023

Castlepollard.......................3.16

Castletown Geoghegan..... 0.16

 

Division 2 final - TEG Cusack Park 

Friday 16.06.2023

Fr Daltons..............................1.19

Castletown Geoghegan........1.12

 

Division 3 final - TEG Cusack Park 

Saturday 17.06.2023

St Brigid's........................0.20

Lough Lene Gaels.......... 0.12

After Extra time 

 

 

LEINSTER CLUB AIB HURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

Senior

 

Mullingar - TEG Cusack Park 

Sunday 12.11.2023

Raharney.....................0.19

Na Fianna (Dublin)......1.24

 

Intermediate 

 

Raharney 

Saturday 11.11.2023

St Oliver Plunketts.....................0.07

Naomh Mearnog (Dublin)..........2.20

 

Junior 

Saturday 28.10.2023

Birr - Grant Heating St Brendan's Park

St Brigid's......................................0.08

Carrick & Riverstown (Offaly)...... 2.20

 

 

MEDIA COVERAGE 

 

The Westmeath Hurling Committee, warmly and sincerely thanks the following for Coverage of all happenings concerning Westmeath Hurling in 2023 - 

Marie Lynagh - PRO of the Westmeath GAA Board.

Westmeath Topic - Newspaper.

Westmeath Examiner - Newspaper 

Westmeath Independent - Newspaper.

Midlands 103 - Radio Station. 

Shannonside/Northern Sound - Radio Station.

Iarmhi TV - live matchday television coverage

To those not already and previously named and identified, re media coverage - the WHC also expresses its warm and sincere gratitude. 

 

CAMOGIE

 

The WHC congratulations Raharney Camogie Club and Lough Lene Gaels Camogie Club, on winning All Ireland Feile na nGael Camogie Cup, and Regional Feile na nGael Camogie Cup competitions respectively in June 2023.

 

SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHY 

 

The WHC, extends its sincere condolences and sympathy, to those persons involved in various facets of Westmeath Hurling, who lost family members to death in 2023.

 

SINCERE THANKS AND GRATITUDE 

 

This Runai of the WHC expresses his sincere regards to all persons, as named and identified, who have assisted me in discharging all duties associated with that office.

The officer board of the Westmeath GAA Board, Chairman Frank Mescall, and Runai Brendan Shaw especially. 

Chairman of the WHC, William (Willie) Murphy.

My own family, wife Pauline, daughter Clodagh and son Shane, especially as regards their their patience and tolerance, which if i am truthful and honest, i prehaps tested to breaking point at times in 2023!!!

To all other persons not named - and who assisted me in the discharging of my assigned duties in 2023, thank you all, each and every one of you.

 

Ciaran MacUilliamh

Runai

Coiste Iomana Iarmhi

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