Westmeath GAA notes
February 01, 2010O' BYRNE CUP FOOTBALL:
Westmeath senior footballers lost out to Wexford in the semi-final of the O' Byrne Cup Shield last Sunday in a game of two halves. Wexford led at the break by four points as Westmeath failed to cope with the Wexford attack at one end and were not really working as a unit at the other. The introduction of Denis Glennon made a big difference and things started to change for Westmeath as they out scored Wexford by six points to two, with the defence being much tighter and on top in most places. A late goal for Wexford gave them a four point winning margin, and Westmeath have one week to prepare for their first league match against Donegal.
KEOGH CUP HURLING:
Westmeath senior hurlers turned in a fine display in their opening round of the Keogh Cup to overcome a strong Down side by a single point in a cold and breezy Kinnegad last Sunday. Down started the brighter and with points from Johnston at centre forward and a brace from Braniff in the corner one could be forgiven for thinking this wasn't going to be a good day for Westmeath, but the lads settled in playing with the aid of a brisk breeze and with twenty minutes gone it was all square at five points apiece thanks to some accurate free taking by Andrew Mitchell. Westmeath led at the interval by 0-12 to 0-08. On the resumption Down once again started at a fast pace and gradually drew level before going in front with Braniff the main score getter eventually finishing up with a total of twelve points, but the introduction of two Westmeath subs changed the flow of the game and both sides exchanged scores with Westmeath eventually coming out on top by a single point on a final scoreline of 0-19 to 0-18.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE:
Westmeath senior footballers start off their division 2 national football league campaign next Sunday with very challenging fixture against Donegal in Cusack Park. The benefit of the O' Byrne Cup competitive matches will stand to a new look Westmeath side, but a much better performance will be required if they are to come away with anything from this fixture. Donegal on the other hand will be on a high having defeated Tyrone in the Dr. McKenna Cup final last weekend and should provide a tough test for Westmeath
WESTMEATH GAA STRATEGIC PLAN:
The launch of the Westmeath GAA Strategic Plan takes place on Wednesday night February 3rd in the Mullingar Park Hotel at 7pm. It will be followed by a County Committee meeting featuring draws for this year's championships. As this is a very important function for Westmeath GAA is is important that all clubs are well represented and everybody is welcome to attend.
WESTMEATH SENIOR SCHOOLS HURLING:
Westmeath senior schools had a notable victory last week in the Leinster collages "A" competition when they defeated Dublin South on a scoreline of 2-14 to0-15 after extra time, and will now face Kilkenny CBS in the quarter final next Saturday at a Laois venue TBC. This panel of players from all over the county deserve our support so please if you can travel on Saturday please do so. Fixture details will be available later in the week and will be posted on the Westmeath GAA website www.westmeathgaa.ie
In preparation for next Saturday's Leinster Colleges Quarter Final (against Kilkenny CBS) Westmeath Schools play the Athlone IT Freshers Team today/Monday at 4.30pm in St. Lomans GAA, Mullingar.
PROPOSED WESTMEATH SENIOR CYCLE FOOTBALL LEAGUE (NON EXAM YEARS)
Following discussions it has been proposed to run a Westmeath Senior Cycle Football League to involve non exam students. (i.e. non Leaving Cert year and post Junior Cert students). This will be open to all schools in Westmeath with the league running after the mid term break and to be completed before Easter. For schools that participate they will be guaranteed two games with the league likely to be divided into two sections - depending on uptake amongst schools.
Michael Mchugh and Noel Delaney will be making contact with all schools in the County this week to discuss schools participation and we will also be taking feedback as to how best to structure the league with a view to giving this age group meaningful games in late February/March.
WESTMEATH FIRST/SECOND YEAR HURLING COMPETITION 2010:
Format / Blitz Detail
Blitz One: Wednesday, February 3rd Venue: Robinstown Mullingar
Blitz Coordinator: James Heffernan 087-6460030. Referees Declan Hogan & Jimmy Weldon
1.00pm: Kilbeggan v Colaiste Mhuire (Greens), Rochfortbridge v Colaiste Mhuire (Whites)
1.35pm: Kilbeggan v Colaiste Mhuire (Whites), Rochfortbridge v Colaiste Mhuire (Greens)
2.10pm: Kilbeggan v Rochfortbridge, Colaiste Mhuire (Whites) v Colaiste Mhuire (Greens)
Top Two teams on the basis of blitz results qualify for Semi Final of competition
Team 3 and 4 play knock out quarter final the week of February 8th - 12th
NOTE: Colaiste Mhuire to submit panel lists before blitz - players on the listed panel cannot interchange between teams (Colaiste Mhuire entering two even teams)
Blitz Two: Thursday, February 4th Venue: Robinstown Mullingar
Blitz Coordinator: TBC. Referees Declan Hogan & Jimmy Weldon
1.00pm: Athboy CS v Kilucan, Mullingar CC v St. Finians College
1.35pm: Athboy CS v Mullingar CC, Kilucan v St. Finians College
2.10pm: Athboy CS v St. Finians College, Kilucan v Mullingar CC
Winner of this blitz plays the winner of Blitz 3 in the quarter final of the competition - the week of February 8th - 12th. The other three teams will be offered one additional blitz day.
Blitz Three: Wednesday, February 3rd Venue: Marist College Athlone
Blitz Coordinator: Eddie Bouabbse 086-2609820 Referee: Martin Malone
1.00pm: Athlone CC v Marist College
1.35pm: Moate C.S. v Athlone CC
2.10pm: Marist College v Moate CS
Winner of this blitz plays the winner of Blitz 2 in the quarter final of the competition - the week of February 8th - 12th. The other two teams will be offered one additional blitz day.
Points to Note:-
Ø First/Second Year Activity - i.e. for any players in First and Second Year (no age limit)
Ø Teams asked to be at their respective venues at 12.45pm
Ø Games 26 minutes duration (2 x 13min)
Ø Referees for the three blitzes already appointed - and funded centrally also
Ø All normal rules apply.
HURLING HELMETS:
The time has arrived. The compulsory use of approved hurling helmets, complete with face guards came into effect on January 1. Hurlers of all ages and grades will be obliged to comply once they have a hurley in their hands whether in training or a match.
Match officials will stop play in a situation where a player removes a helmet or attempts to enter the field of play without one. Posters outlining this initiative can be downloaded from http://www.gaa.ie/page/hurling_helmets.html.
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.
MEMBERSHIP DATABASE SUPPORT:
Please see below the support email and phone details for users of the Online Registration System. Queries relating to usernames and passwords and queries in relation to using the system should be directed to the email and/or phone numbers below. Please pass these details to the person charged with completing the registrations in your clubs.
Email support
[email protected]
Phone support: 048 9031 3845, +44 7990 930 009, +44 7990 930 009
* for out of hours support, you may be required to leave a short message and we will call you back as soon as a Support Engineer becomes free
WESTMEATH REFEREES ASSOCATION AGM:
The Annual General Meeting of the association will take place on Thursday, February 4, at 7.30pm in St Loman's GAA Club House. All referees are urged to attend on the night.
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.
WESTMEATH GAA DEVELOPMENT LOTTO: (Results 26th January)
NO JACKPOT WINENER: WINNING NO'S: 4, 8, 15, 21
NEXT WEEKS JACKPOT €2,460
8 MATCH 3 WINNERS @ €40:
Declan Scally C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA
Julieane Comiskey C/O Mullingar Shamrocks GAA
Kieran Donaghue C/O Mullingar Shamrocks GAA
Dermot Buckley C/O Ballinagore GAA
Anne Mc Inerney Buckley C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA
Lorraine Sharry C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA
Michael Burke C/O Mullingar Shamrocks GAA
Patsy Fagan C/O Mullingar Shamrocks GAA
NEXT DRAW DATE: TUESDAY 2nd February 2010.
RESULTS FOR WEEK ENDING 24-01-10:
O' Byrne Cup Shield: Wexford 1-11, Westmeath 0-08;
Keogh Cup Hurling: Westmeath 0-19, Down 0-18
I can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on [email protected] Tweet
