Losing start to IFC campaign

Our first IFC game in five years brought no joy as we succumbed to a more seasoned and physically-stronger St Malachy’s team by 0-5 to 1-9 at TEG Cusack Park last Friday evening.

The step-up from junior is huge and we now know the level we need to get to if we’re to consolidate our intermediate status. You get far less time on the ball and the hits are much harder at this level. And any mistakes are invariably punished.

A good-sized crowd was present at Westmeath GAA headquarters for this local derby clash which pitted us against one of the favourites for the Peter Geraghty Cup. Minus injured county hurlers Aonghus Clarke and Shane Clavin, St Malachy’s had wind advantage in the first half, but they were extremely wasteful, as were we at the other end. Two Nigel Scally points had us level on 0-2 apiece after 20 minutes, but Malachy’s scored the next two to take a 0-4 to 0-2 lead into the break.

The key moment came early in the second half when, with Malachy’s still holding a two-point advantage, 0-5 to 0-3, James Hanlon was denied a goal by goalkeeper David Sheahan. Following that let-off, the Castletown-Geoghegan outfit rattled off 1-3 without reply, with county player David Lynch scoring the only goal from close range after the ball had rebounded from the post with three minutes remaining.

Next up is Ballymore – who beat Bunbrosna in their opening game –on Wednesday / Thursday week where a win would give us a massive boost ahead of our other Group 2 games against Bunbrosna, Tubberclair and Multyfarnham.

Team: Shane Keenan; James Hanlon, James Fox, Aidan Stone; Darragh Coffey, Conor Delaney, Shaun Pidgeon; Dean Fitzgerald, Nigel Scally; Brendan McMahon, Niall Carey, Colin Draper; Kevin Smith, Jamie Stone, James Finnegan. Subs used: Mel Kiernan, Alan Fennell, Cathal Finn, Keith Corcoran and Dylan Maloney.

JFC ‘B’ v Ballynacargy

Our second team will open their JFC ‘B’ campaign with a home game against Ballynacargy this Tuesday, July 16 at 7.30pm.

U8 girls’ blitz

We are hosting an U8 girls football blitz next Saturday, July 20. The other clubs taking part are The Downs, St Loman's, Garrycastle, Milltownpass and Shandonagh.

We extend our thanks to Westmeath manager Jack Cooney for imparting some words of advice to our U12 boys team while in Kilbeggan with the county U15 development squad last Saturday morning.

A lovely gesture

Kudos to Brendan Nannery who arranged for an ice-cream van to call out to our weekly underage training session last Thursday night as a treat for the effort all the children have put in so far this year.

A very generous gesture which has rightly earned Brendan lots of praise!

Summer Camp

Our annual Summer Camp takes place on Friday and Saturday, August 16 and 17 from 10am to 2pm. It will be followed by a family fun day and BBQ on the Saturday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Cost per child is €20.

Lotto

Last week's lucky numbers were 1, 5, 10 and 26. Sean Og Hynes, Aoife Cusack and Joe / Noleen / Eileen were the Match 3 winners. This week's draw takes place in The Saddler’s Inn with the jackpot standing at €15,000. Tickets costing €2 can be purchased locally. Thank you for your continued support.

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