Westmeath GAA notes
March 15, 2010BAD WEEKEND FOR WESTMEATH GAA AS BOTH HURLERS AND FOOTBALLERS FACE RELEGATION
NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE:
Westmeath Hurlers played Kildare in their third round fixture of this years national League last Saturday in Cusack Park. This was a game, which lacked any life, and the crowd of approx 100 people did little to help, in all fairness they had nothing to get excited about, yes there were other sports with more attractive viewing on television however support for our county hurlers from all Westmeath GAA followers is not too much to expect. The game from the off was a poor standard with fluent striking and ball control sorely lacking and while Kildare made the most of the chances they got with two goals just before the break, this game was there for Westmeath to win. This defeat by Kildare leave Westmeath hurlers staring down the barrel at relegation to Division 3 and I cannot but wonder what has happened since the Keogh Cup matches in early February when we looked hungry for the game and were playing with some pride and passion as if it really meant something to wear the Westmeath jersey.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE:
Westmeath Footballers took on Laois in the National League last Sunday in Cusack Park, and following on from a good second half performance against Meath the week before one could be forgiven for hoping that we might claim our first points of this years campaign, but not so. The game played in front of an 1100 strong crowd was at times lack lustre with Laois always looking the sharper. Westmeath were behind 0-05 to 0-02 within twelve minutes when Westmeath full forward Paul Greville Volleyed a ball to the Laois net to give some us some hope, but in truth it was only a small glimmer of hope as we were getting cleaned out in the middle of the field and Laois corner forward Michael John Tierney seemed to be able to score from the right or left at ease. It's ironic that probably the biggest cheer from the Westmeath supporters came for the introduction of Tyrrellspass man Martin Flannagan who looked looked to be the only threat to the seldom-troubled Laois defence. In fact it was the Tyrrellspass man that was pulled down for the penalty which Paul Bannon duly slotted home while Flannagan also managed to bag a goal of his own. This defeat leaves Westmeath firmly rooted on the bottom of the table and like the hurlers are also facing relegation with some tough games left and the possibility of picking up points becoming harder as the competition progresses.
NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE:
Westmeath hurlers play the next round of the National League next Sunday away to Laois. Is's difficult to predict how Westmeath will fare out in this one, as having suffered two heavy defeats in their last two outings the players have to be wondering what they can do to turn it around. Laois on the other hand are doing well under Niall Rigney and despite loosing out narrowly to Clare two weeks ago made amends last weekend when they travelled to Antrim and came with a convincing win. On the face of it one would have to say a Laois win but if the Westmeath can produce the form that won them the Keogh Cup anything is possible.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE:
Westmeath senior footballers travel to Kildare next weekend for their next National League fixture. This will be another tough test for Westmeath who have yet to register a league point. Westmeath go into this match on the back of a defeat however if they can replicate the determination, passion and will to win they displayed against Meath two weeks ago, anything can happen. Kildare however with players like Kevin O' Neill, Killian Brennan and the return of Morgan O' Flaherty from suspension will be looking for another win after a comprehensive win over Donegal last weekend. This looks as if it will be one hell of a battle.
LEINSTER U-21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Westmeath U21 footballers take on Laois in the Semi-final of this year's Leinster Championship on Wednesday in Cusack park, having convincingly defeated Meath in the Qtr Final two weeks ago this is a fixture Westmeath will be hoping to win, but will need to produce another fully committed performance to do so. They will be looking to the likes of Kieran Martin, John Heslin and Paul Sharry for leadership. Laois defeated Wicklow in their Qtr final and will be looking to Donal Kingston at midfield for a match winning performance. This one should be a cracker and hopefully the weather will be better than 2007 when the sides met in the semi final in Mullingar.
MINOR BOARD NOTES:
VHI GAA CÚL CAMPS:
Listed below are the Camp dates for 2010
Code Week 1 Venue Dates Camp Types H/F/C Co-ordinator Contact No
WH 01 Collinstown 5th July - 9th July Hurling/Camogie Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 02 Mullingar - St. Lomans Lakepoint Park 5th July - 9th July Football Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 03 Kinnegad 5th July - 9th July Football Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 04 Athlone - Pairc Ciaran 5th July - 9th July Football Michael McHugh 044 9341313
Week 2
WH 05 Rochfortbridge - St. Marys 12th July - 16th July Football Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 06 Delvin 12th July - 16th July Football Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 07 Castletown Geo 12th July - 16th July Hurling/Camogie Michael McHugh 044 9341313
Week 3
WH 08 Mullingar - St Oliver Plunketts 19th July - 23rd July Hurling/Camogie Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 09 Caulry 19th July - 23rd July Football Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 10 Milltown 19th July - 23rd July Football Michael McHugh 044 9341313
Week 4
WH 11 Mullingar - St. Lomans Lakepoint Park 26th July - 30th July Football Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 12 Kilbeggan 26th July - 30th July Football/Handball Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 13 Delvin 26th July - 30th July Hurling/Camogie Michael McHugh 044 9341313
WH 14 Tubberclair 26th July - 30th July Football Michael McHugh 044 9341313
Camp Times: All Camps run daily from 10.00am - 2.30 pm
Camp Fee: €60.00 per child -
€70.00 per child after 1st July 2010- subject to availability
County Co-ordinator: Michael McHugh
Address: Cusack Prk, Mullingar
Telephone: 04493 41313
E-Mail: [email protected]
As there are limited places available on camps you are advised to book by June 1st 2010.
GAA MEMBERSHIP DATABASE:
As it is now time for clubs to start registering their players and members for 2010 please make sure to do so on the new GAA Membership Database as this is now the Official method of registration for the GAA.
A refresher training course will take place on Thursday night next the 18th of March @ 7.30pm in the Gael Scoil in Mullingar. Places are limited so all clubs are requested to reply to emails already received from our IT officer Noel Tierney.
REMINDER FOR ALL CLUBS:
I would ask all clubs to PLEASE deal with the issue of Garda vetting for all coaches and mentors within their clubs as soon as possible as the start of the new season is almost upon us once again. To date there has been a poor response to the return of Garda Vetting Forms so I appeal to all clubs to commence the process as soon as possible.
GAA ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION CONFERENCE:
On Saturday March the 27th Croke Park will host the first GAA Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention Conference
For more information see www.gaa.ie/asap
The Agenda for the day is as follows:
9:30 Registration (Tea/Coffee)
10:00 Opening and Welcome - Joe Connolly (MC)
10:10 Christy Cooney (An t-Uachtarán GAA)
10:25 Brendan Murphy (ASAP Programme Coordinator)
10:40 John Curran TD (Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy)
11:00 Susan Kenny (HSE - Less Pints, More Points Programme)
11:30 - 12:15 Simultaneous workshops
Workshop 1 - Getting it right: Developing a workable Club Drug & Alcohol Policy (Diarmuid Gowen, GAA)
Workshop 2 - Legally high? Headshop drugs, what are they? (Sinead O'Mahony Carey, HSE)
Workshop 3 - Raising the Issue: How to talk to people about alcohol/drugs (Eamon O'Kane NWAF)
Workshop 4 - In the know: Arranging a drug/alcohol education event in your club. (John Leahy, HSE)
Workshop 5 - Off the ball! Addressing Health & lifestyle issues with players (Aileen Tohill, GAA)
12:15 - 12:30 Tea/coffee
12:30 - 1:15 Repeat of Workshops
Workshop 1 - Getting it right: Developing a workable Club Drug & Alcohol Policy (Diarmuid Gowen, GAA)
Workshop 2 - Legally High? Headshop drugs, what are they? (Sinead O'Mahony Carey, HSE)
Workshop 3 - Raising the Issue: How to talk to people about alcohol/drugs (Eamon O'Kane NWAF)
Workshop 4 - In the know! Arranging a drug/alcohol education event in your club. (John Leahy, HSE)
Workshop 5 - Off the ball! Addressing health & lifestyle issues with players (Aileen Tohill, GAA)
1:15 - Summary of workshops (Each workshop gives a report back to large group)
1:45 - Recommendations and closing of conference
2:00 - Lunch
AIB All-Ireland Senior Hurling and Football Club Finals Wednesday March 17th
All four provinces of Ireland represented, surprise packages, seasoned campaigners, Joe Canning and Henry Shefflin all for just EUR 15 for adults & EUR 5 for juveniles.
This offer is only available before match day.
It's city vs. country and Ulster vs. Munster in the football as Antrim & Ulster Champions St. Gall's of the Falls Road, Belfast take on Clare & Munster Champions Kilmurry-Ibrickane.
In hurling, it's a clash of the titans as Kilkenny & Leinster kingpins Ballyhale-Shamrocks challenge the reigning Galway & All-Ireland Champions, Portumna.
Group Pass
As ever, the Group Pass is available to GAA Clubs with Juveniles at EUR 3 and one adult free for every 10 juveniles. Additional adults are EUR 15 each.
Download the form from gaa.ie and return it to [email protected] by 5 pm on Monday.
The adult match day price is EUR 25 so whatever you do, buy in advance.
RESULTS FOR WEEK ENDING 14-03-10:
National Hurling League: Kildare 4-10, Westmeath 0-11
National Football League: Laois 0-24, Westmeath 3-08
ACFL Div 1: Garrycastle 0-13, Bunbrosna 1-8; Athlone 1-14, St Lomans Mullingar 1-10; Tyrrellspass 0-14, Mullingar Shamrocks 0-12; Coralstown-Kinnegad 3-13, Maryland 1-7; Castledaly 0-14, The Downs 1-11;
ACFL Div 2: Ballynacargy 1-12, St Malachys 0-13; Milltownpass 1-11, Tang 0-11; Killucan 2-8, Caulry 0-8; Ballymore 0-6, Shandonagh 0-3; Tubberclair 1-7, Castletown F/C/W 0-9;
ACFL Div 3: Milltown 2-13, Ballinagore 1-6; Loughnavalley 1-6, Kilbeggan Shamrocks 0-8; Rosemount 2-15, St Fintans Multyfarnham 0-6; St Marys Rochfortbridge 2-5, Moate All Whites 0-8; St Pauls 1-17, Tyrrellspass 0-10;
SH L Div 2: St Brigids 3-12, Turin 1-8;
SHL Div 4A: Lough Lene Gales 1-18, St Oliver Plunketts 1-8; Clonkill 1-12, Raharney 1-7;
SHL Div4B: Castletown Geoghan W/O, Ringtown Scratch;
SHL Div 4C: Crookedwood W/O, Cullion Scratch; Turin 2-13, Delvin 0-9;
I can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on [email protected] Tweet
