Raharney regain Examiner Cup:
For the first time since 2010, Raharney have regained the Westmeath Examiner Cup, after their second goal from Brian Connaughton  helped them withstand a late comeback from underdogs Castlepollard in theccSlevin's Coaches SHC final at Cusack Park on Sunday 19th October.
Killian Doyle clocked up nine points as the Johnny Grevilles charges ran out 2-12 to 1-9 winners. In a game which was slow to get going, Raharney eventually got their shooting on track following a plethora of wides to lead by 1-7 to 0-3 lead at the break. The games opening goal came from Ciaran Doyle and a landslide Raharney win looked on the cards.  But the Blues lost influential midfielder Cormac Boyle to an injury early in the second half, and 'Pollard bounced back. Kevin Brazil with two great points and Alan Devine reduced the arrears to four, but when Killian Doyle fired over two great scores, the result looked inevitable.
However, with five minutes to go, Pollard - in their first final since 2005 pulled themselves back into contention, thanks to a tremendous goal from veteran Darren McCormack leaving them trailing by just three with four minutes remaining. Alan Devine had a free which would have reduced the margin to two but Raharney finished strongly and with Connaughton's late strike putting the result beyond all doubt, and sealing the Blues' twelfth title.
Raharney were the more consistent side throughout and Captain Conor Jordan gave an inspirational speech at the end which encapsulated what the win meant to all involved with the club. Raharney will no go forward to meet the Carlow champions St Mullins on Sunday 2nd November in Mullingar.
Caulry lose out in Leinster:
Caulry bowed out of the Leinster Club Intermediate football championship when they hosted Louth kingpins Sean O Mahonys at Mount Temple on Sunday 19th October. Losing by 1-11 to 0-10, Caulry trailed by 0-8 to 0-4 at half time but rallied well to level matters early in the second half with four successive points. However, when O Mahonys midfielder Conor Crawley fisted home a goal in the 44th minute, it put the game beyond Cauly as the Louth outfit finished stronger.  It was a pity that Caulry didn't make it past this hurdle but it has been a long season for them and a very successful one so this will be a minor disappointment to them I would expect. Senior football was their goal and that has been achieved for 2015.

Senior Football Final preview:
Sunday 26th October sees the pinnacle of Westmeath Club football conclude with the County Senior final taking place between Garrycastle and Mullingar Shamrocks. Though the final pairing is a familiar one with the sides meeting for the fourth time in six years, it is one that looked unlikely a couple of months ago. Both clubs finished third in the table in their respective Divisions of the championship qualifying for the quarter finals but only after a battle. Shamrocks lost heavily to St Lomans Mullingar and Killucan en route but have displayed huge grit since making the knockout stages. They clawed back half time deficits in all their games since by defeating Tyrrellspass and St Lomans (after a replay) to make it to next Sundays final. Garrycastle lost to last years Intermediate champions St Malachys and last seasons beaten finalists Tyrrellspass but did enough to get to the knock out stages. They avenged their earlier defeat to St Malachys by eleven points in a quarter final play off before disposing of Kilucan by a five point margin in the quarter finals. In the semi final against Coralstown Kinnegad they again had an eleven point margin to qualify for the final in what has been an impressive run in for the Athlone based side. So to the final places the winners of 2012 v the winners from 2009 to 2011 in a battle to reclaim the Flanagan Cup. Garrycastle for the past decade and a half have been the most consistent holders of the Senior Championship with all of their six titles coming since 2001. Mullingar Shamrocks who were the dominant team throughout the 1990's won their eleventh senior title just two years ago and will be well in the hunt to strengthen their place on the roll of honour.  Looking at Garrycastle first; they have the foundation of the team which won the Leinster title in 2011 and ran Crossmaglen rangers to a replay in the All Ireland Club final in 2012; they are still a powerful force. Backboned by experienced players such as Cathal Mullin,Mark Mc Callon,John Gaffey,James Dolan and of course Dessie Dolan they wont fear any team in the final. They have added new blood in the Monaghan brothers (Eoin & Michael ) and Alex Gardnier at full forward so they have a good blend that would make them worthy champions. Likewise, Mullingar Shamrocks have a strong team with Eddie Moore, Killian Daly, Efe Siode and Donal O Donoghue to the fore in a tight defence. Darragh Daly has been the fulcrum of their attack with the likes of Lorcan Smith, Ciaran Curley and Sean Daly a handful for any club defence. The battle of Athlone V Mullingar is always the classic clash in Westmeath and next weeks final is an intriguing one. In 2012, Garrycastle were on the verge of winning four in a row but they were held to a draw and lost the replay to Shamrocks. Neither side made the final last year, a fact that didn't sit well with either club but they have got back on track and despite a rocky road have made the final. There wont be much to chose between the sides on Sunday. Garrycastle have won their knock out games by decent margins but Mullingar Shamrocks have had the tougher run in and I think they will claim the title. There is not much scientific analysis to my thoughts other than a gut feeling that they have a slightly more momentum behind them. Saying that if Garrycastle are as sharp as they were in the semi final, then my prognosis could be quite a bit out. Throw in for the Senior final is at 3-30pm with the curtain raiser being the Minor final between The Downs and Shandonagh which has a 1-30pm throw in time.
Underage Review Committee:
Westmeath GAA's Underage Review Committee are requesting all Clubs to supply a list of their players at each age group - U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 & Minor.  Please indicate on the  list the players who played for your Club this year.  This list to be emailed to [email protected] before Friday 31st October 2014.The information is vital as this Committee will be bringing its recommendations on Club Structures for 2015 to the County Executive within the next 4 weeks.

I can be contacted at [email protected] or 086 3992403

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