Leinster Final Beckons Again!

It may not have been the best game of football and at times it was quite hard to watch but the end result is that Westmeath Senior Footballers have qualified for the Leinster final for the second year in succession. And that indeed is a very welcome development! 1931, 1949, 2004, 2015 and now 2016; this will be our counties fifth ever appearance in a Leinster Senior final and these are days to look forward to as they have been rare occurrences over the years. Westmeath hit 1-6 without reply in the second half to record a 1-12 to 1-11 victory over Kildare at Croke Park. Leading by 1-9 to 0-6 after 41 minutes, the losers didn't score again until Neil Flynn curled over a free on the stroke of full time. During that time, the winners hit 1-6 without reply, including an equalising goal from James Dolan in the 48th minute. Paul Sharry's point opened the scoring after a really poor opening five minutes, where both teams struggled badly. John Heslin's beautiful free doubled the gap but the Lilywhites were level by the 13th minute with a point from play and a free. John Heslin lobbed over a brace of frees and Sharry pointed a'45' as the Westmeath led by three after 20 minutes. However by half time Kildare had edged ahead as they had the better of the final phase of the half to lead by 0-7 to 0-6 ahead at the break.

On the resumption Neil Flynns free doubled the gap for Kildare and within six minutes of the half they led by 1-9 to 0-6 as Westmeath shipped a sloppy goal and the game looked to be rapidly slipping away.

However, points from Paul Sharry and a Ray Connellan a brace to leave just the goal between them and the sides were level when Dolan fired the ball to the net at the Davin End in the 48th minute.

Heslin's lovely free on 54 minutes meant Westmeath had struck 1-4 without reply to go ahead in the game. Kieran Martin added another Westmeath point with 13 minutes left and substitute Callum McCormack made it 1-12 to 1-9 with 65 minutes played. A nervous final few minutes almost let the result slip and at one stage Kildare did have the ball in the Westmeath net but fortunately it was disallowed. So a Leinster final on 17th July to look forward to with All Ireland Champions Dublin our opponents as in 2015. That is another task but one to look forward to. Well done Westmeath! Maith an Obair!

 

Hurlers face Limerick in Qualifiers:

For the second successive year, Westmeath will face Limerick in the opening round of the All Ireland Hurling Qualifiers at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday 2nd July with the game at 5-00pm. It will be a tough task for Westmeath as Limerick will be hot favourites to progress. But if you cast your mind back to last years encounter also at TEG Cusack Park. While Limerick did win the game in the end by 4-15 to 1-12, it was far from comfortable for the shannonsiders. Limerick led in the early stages by 2-2 to 0-2 but a Cormac Boyle goal in the 18th minute helped Westmeath fire 1-5 without reply to lead by 1-7 to 2-2 as the game headed towards the 25th minute. Four points did leave Limerick ahead by 2-6 to 1-7 at half time and while they did have the upper hand in the end, it was their final burst of 1-4 in the final minutes which sealed the issue. Limerick are coming off a loss to Tipperary while Westmeath's last outing was a loss to Galway. The championship has been a good one for Westmeath to date and while the margin of the loss against Galway was a little disappointing, I believe that we certainly can do a job on Limerick next Saturday. Our hurling stock is on the rise and while we will not be fancied to win, it cant be ruled out. Best of luck next Saturday and come along and give the team the support they deserve.

 

Westmeath GAA Development Lotto:

The most recent Lotto draw was held on Tuesday 21st June with the numbers drawn being 1,11,12 and 13 with no Jackpot being won so next weeks Jackpot will be €9100. There were five match three winners of €40 each and they were;

Ber Carey C/O Ballinagore GAA

Catherine Kelly C/O Ballinagore GAA

Willie Kenny C/O Delvin GAA

Maree Kenny C/O Bracklyn GAA

B Lyons C/O St Oliver Plunketts GAA

 

WESTMEATH Results

ACFL Div 4 - Athlone 4-12 Caulry 4-21; 

ACHL Div 3 - Cullion 2-13 St Bridgid's 2-14; 

JFC Sect A - Ballycomoyle 0-6 Kilbeggan Shamrocks 3-18; St Joseph's 1-1 St Paul's 1-17; Loughnavalley 0-3 Multyfarnham 1-11; Multyfarnham 1-11 Loughnavalley 0-3

JFC Sect B - Coralstown-Kinnegad - Rosemount W/O; Athlone 3-6 St Loman's-Mullingar 1-12; Garrycastle 1-15 Tyrellspass 0-6; 

U-21 HC - Cullion W/O Lough Lene Gaels -

 

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

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