Westmeath GAA notes
March 23, 2015
Senior Hurlers reach League final:
Westmeath Senior hurlers emerged victorious at Cusack park Mullingar on Sunday 22 March when they overcame Carlow by the narrowest of margins on a score of 1-14 to 1-13 to reach the Division 2A league final. Trailing by 1-13 to 0-12 as the game headed into its final minutes, the spoils and Westmeath chances seemed to be heading south as Carlow looked to have enough in the tank to seal their spot in the divisional final. But Westmeath while never functioning as fluidly as they needed to somehow dug out victory with 1-2 in the final moments of the game. A flowing move, in fact the best of the game saw Cormac Boyle fire home an equalising goal with two minutes of normal time remaining before Niall O Brien's long range free from under the stand clinched the win. It was a classic smash and grab finish which looked unlikely as the game headed to its conclusion. Westmeath were forced to start without Eoin Price who was injured at training during the week and while they did hold a 0-4 to 0-3 lead during the opening half but John Michael Nolan's goal pushed the barrowsiders ahead by 1-7 to 0-6 at half time. With wind advantage Westmeath did hit back rapidly with three successive points in the opening minutes of the second half but just could not gain parity. Carlow held a two to three point lead for much of the half and with ten minutes to go they looked certain of the points when they led by 1-13 to 0-11. However, when least expected, the Lake County got stuck in and hit 1-3 in the last ten minutes to record a very welcome win. It has been quite a while since Westmeath have managed to get over Carlow in recent years and though this one was somewhat fortuitous, it was very welcome indeed. So a league final awaits on Saturday 4th April with Kerry the opponents. A Divisional title is up for grabs as is a play off with Antrim for a spot in Division 1B for next year. Not easy by any means but progress is being made slowly but surely and the first objective of reaching the divisional final has been achieved. The next step awaits in two weeks time.
Minor Hurlers reach Leinster league semi finals:
Westmeath Minor Hurlers have continued their good early season form by qualifying for the Leinster league semi finals. By virtue of their 6-16 to 0-6 win, Johnny Grevilles charges have won their group and will face Wexford next weekend.
Senior Footballers vital clash with Cavan:
Saturday 28th March will be a vital one for Westmeath Senior footballers as they seek to gain valuable league points from their away fixture to Cavan. Division 2 is extremely competitive and after the back fixtures involving Roscommon V Meath and Laois V Galway, Westmeath now lie second from bottom on four points from five games. Cavan are a point ahead but the gap between third and bottom team is just four points so there is everything to play for over the next two weeks. Realistically, Westmeath need to win next Saturday evening. The last time both sides met in competitive football at Kingspan Breffni Park was last summer on Saturday 28 June when Cavan won by 1-15 to 1-14. The throw in next Saturday evening is at 7-00pm.
Feile na nÓg 2015:
Underage competitions get underway with the Feile Peil na nÓg competitions which are being held on Saturday 4th April at 11-00am. The following are the details of the draws.venues and match officials.
Moate: Group A: (1) Moate All Whites, (2) Shannon Gaels (M/T), (3) St.Lomans M'gar, (4) Ballycomoyle. Referee: S.McCormack.
Killucan: Group B: (1) Killucan, (2) The Downs, (3) Inny Gaels (4) St.Earnans (Pauls/Delvin). P.McGauran.
Pairc Ciarán: Group C: (1) Athlone, (2) Shannon Gaels (T/C), (3) Caulry, (4) Milltownpass. Referee: N.Ward.
Ballinagore: Group D: (1) Lilliput Gaels (2) Mullingar Shamrocks (3) Garrycastle (4) Rosemount. Referee:A.McCormack.
Shandonagh: Group E: (1) Shandonagh, (2) St.Marys Rochfortbridge (3) Kilbeggan/Josephs Referee:B.Keena.
Milltown: Group F: (1) Millmore Gaels (2) Tyrrellspass (3) Coralstown/Kinnegad S.Farrell.
Games Sequence:4 Team Group: Team 1 v Team 2: Team 3 v Team 4: Team 1 v Team 3:Team 2 v Team4
Team 1 v Team 4: Team 2 v Team 3.
3 Team Group: Team 1 v Team 2: Loser Team 1 or Team 2 v Team 3: Team 3 v Winner Team 1 or Team 2.
All games are 30 minutes- 15 minutes per half.
Top team in each 'Group' goes forward 'Knock Out' stage, draw which will be made prior to games listed above.
Underage League dates:
The dates for this years underage competitions have been agreed and are listed below;
Fé 12 Football : Fé 12 Hurling :
April 1st, 15th, 29th. April 8th, 22nd..
May 13th, 27th. May 6th, 20th.
June 10th, 24th. June 3rd, 17th.
July 8th, 22nd . July 1st, 15th, 29th.
August 5th, 19th. August 12th, 26th.
September 2nd, 16th. Sept 9th, 23rd.
Fé 14 Football: Fé 14 Hurling:
April 2nd, 16th , 30th. April 9th, 23rd.
May 14th, 28th, May 7th, 21th,
June 11th, 25th. June 4th, 18th.
July 9th, 23rd. July2nd,16th.30th.
August 6th, 20th. August 13th, 27th.
September 3rd, 17th, September 10th, 24th.
Féile Peil na nÓg: Féile na nGael:
April 4th, 6th, 11th, 18th, April 25th, May 2nd,May 4th
Finals on date yet to be fixed.
Fé 16 Football: Fé 16 Hurling:
March 30th, April 6th, 20th,
April 13th, 27th, July 6th, 20th,
May 11th, 18th, August 3rd, 17th, 31st,
June 29th,
July 13th, 27th. September 14th, 28th.
August 10th, 24th.
September 7th, 21st.
Minor Football (Provisional). Minor Hurling (Provisional).
Dates for Minor Hurling League Championship and Minor Football Leagues to be advised later as both Westmeath Minor Teams - Football & Hurling -play their Leinster Championship first Round games in April.
Dates will issue as soon as possible.
.
Other Dates.
Cumann na mBun Scoil Finals: May 18th - May 21st inclusive.
Westmeath Fé 10 Football League (Provisional Dates).
April 14th, 28th, May 12th, 26th, June 9th, 23rd, July 7th, 21st, August 11th, Finals Sept 8th & 9th.
Westmeath Fé 10 Hurling League. (Provisional Dates).
April 18th, May 9th, 30th, June 13th, July 4th, 25th, Finals week commencing September 10th.st.
Westmeath Under Fé 8's 'Play & Stay'.
Football: April 18th, May 9th, 22nd, June 16th, July 10th. August 15th, September 5th,
Hurling: April 25th, May 16th, June 5th, 18th, July 17th, August 22nd, September 12th,
Fr. Manning Cup: (Provisional Dates): July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th.
OldcastleTournament-GerryReilly (Provisional Dates): June 27th/28th, July 4th/5th, 11th/12th, 18th/19th.
Leinster Minor Football League Dates: February 14th, 21st, 28th, March 14th.
Leinster Minor Hurling League Dates: March 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th.
Leinster Minor Championship - Hurling & Football Dates:
Hurling: April 11th, 25th. May 9th, June 20th, July 5th.
Football: April 18th, April 29th, May 16th, June 27th, July 19th.
Downs Play:
The Pull, the popular comedy show by Liam Horan and John Corless of Half Solid Productions, has been confirmed for The Downs GAA club, The Downs, Co. Westmeath, on Saturday, April 11th, at 8.30pm. The show starts at 8.30pm and admission is €10. Tickets can be purchased from club members and on the door on the night.
I can be contacted at [email protected] or 086 3992403
