Senior Hurlers lose but progress to next round:
Though Westmeath Senior hurlers narrowly failed to lay a long term losing sequence to Laois in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, the 1-20 to 1-17 loss at O Moore Park on Sunday 23 May was tempered by qualification for the Quarter finals in two weeks time. Following on from two superb wins over Carlow and Antrim respectively, the likelihood of not making the Leinster Quarter finals was remote as most of the heavy lifting had been done in the previous games. And indeed for long periods on Sunday, Westmeath looked to continue their winning ways as they powered into a 1-12 to 0-9 lead early in the second half. Westmeath held a 0-10 to 0-6 half time lead and when Brendan Murtagh crashed home a goal 20 seconds into the second half the momentum was certainly with the Lake County.  But Laois who needed the win to make progress out of the group clawed their way back into contention and when Charlie Dwyer netted with 15 minutes remaining it swung the pendulum in favour of the home side. Though the result was always in the melting pot right up until the final whistle, the loss of Murtagh at full forward combined with two late dismissals disrupted the flow of Westmeath and three points was the margin at the finish. The upshot of the result means that Westmeath finish runners up in the round robin and will now have a home quarter final in Cusack Park against Wexford on Sunday 7th June. That is certainly a game to look forward to indeed.
Under 21 Leinster Hurling Championship:
The Championship season continues apace with Westmeath facing Offaly in O Connor Park Tullamore on Wednesday 26 May in the Cadburys Leinster Under 21 Hurling Championship.  Though next door neighbours, it is a rare occurrence for both counties to meet in a Leinster Hurling Championship fixture and Wednesday's game should draw a decent crowd to Tullamore. The standard in both counties is broadly similar at the moment and I would expect the game to be very tightly contested. Westmeath in 2014 narrowly missed out on reaching a first ever Leinster final at Under 21 level losing to Dublin at the semi final stage. Though quite a number of that team is now overage, there is a feel good factor in Westmeath hurling at the moment and hopefully that factor will be a help to the mindset of the players on the team. There is no real form guide to go on as neither side met one another at Minor level three years ago. The only common denominator was that both counties lost to Laois by similar margins in the 2012 Minor championship. It's not much of a form guide to go on but Westmeath will I believe quietly fancy their chances. Throw in at O Connor Park is at 7-30pm.
Club Iarmhí & Golf Classic
Gaelic Games in Westmeath have a newfound supporter namely "Club Iarmhí". This recently formed ambitious group cherish very exciting and progressive plans for the promotion, enhancement,development and all round support of Football and Hurling within The County at both Senior and all underage levels. 
The group could be classified as a coming together of the former Football and Hurling supporters groups forming one unit. The ideology of this new group can be simply put "One County, One Jersey, One for all and All for one"
Club Iarmhí will commence activities with Two major fundraising ventures over the coming weeks. A group membership draw was  launched on Monday May 18th at the Annebrook House Hotel. Tickets for the draw are €50 each with prizes on offer to the value of €16,000. First prize is €10,000. Tickets for the draw are available throughout the county and all draw entrants will receive automatic membership of Club Iarmhí along with a car sticker. The draw takes place on Wed July 1st. The group are also holding a major Golf Classic in Newforest golf club Tyrrellspass on June 26th. 
While the provision of funding for all teams within the county is to the fore in the groups plans the members of Club Iarmhí are also however very cognisant of the need to enhance and promote a positivity within the county when it comes to supporting our county teams. Negativity on the sidelines can filter through to the players which creates somewhat of a vicious circle inhibiting progress. Club Iarmhí aim to unite supporter and player in a positive, ambitious and progressive frame of mind so as to achieve the ultimate success for our beloved Maroon and White. 
Club Iarmhí contact details:
Chairman Paul Daly 086 8314388
Secretary John Madden (087) 247 5440
Draw coordinator Tommy Kelly (087) 294 9714
Golf coordinator Des McGuire (087) 253 9297

Weekend Pass:
Westmeath GAA have introduced a weekend pass for Championship games at a cost of €25 per pass. The pass allows the bearer access to all games over a weekend so it is great value with the local club championships now heading into full swing. With the club Senior & Intermediate championships commencing next weekend, by getting a pass, punters can enjoy a large number of games for a fraction of the normal cost. Applications must be made to County Secretary James Savage.

Senior & Intermediate Football Championship:
With all grades of the Hurling championships plus the Junior football championships having already commenced, it is the turn of our Senior & Intermediate clubs next weekend with a full round of games in both grades. The race to succeed Garrycastle and Caulry in their respective grades starts next weekend with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The full round of fixtures is listed on www.westmeathgaa.ie and in this publication.

WESTMEATH Results : ACFL Div 1 - St Loman's-Mullingar 0-8 Mullingar Shamrocks 1-10; Caulry 2-11 Garrycastle 1-6; Maryland 3-15 Bunbrosna 1-6; Athlone 3-8 Tubberclair 0-11; ACFL Div 2 - Castledaly 1-11 Ballinacargy 0-13; ACHL Div 2 - Delvin 0-16 Clonkill 1-12; JHC A - Delvin 0-13 Clonkill 2-13; Raharney 2-12 Crookedwood 0-11; JHC B - St Oliver Plunkett's 3-22 Cullion 0-8; Turin W/O Fr Daltons - ; JFC Sect A - Loughnavalley 0-3 Delvin 2-4; Ballycomoyle 1-8 St Paul's 1-8; Multyfarnham 2-13 St Joseph's 1-7; Kilbeggan Shamrocks 3-5 Milltown 4-10; JFC Sect B - Killucan 2-6 Garrycastle 1-14; Maryland - Caulry W/O; Coralstown-Kinnegad 0-4 Mullingar Shamrocks 4-17; St Loman's-Mullingar 3-8 Athlone 3-11; The Downs 4-5 Tubberclair 0-13; 

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

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