County Finals What an exciting weekend of county finals we had last weekend with the replays of both the Senior Hurling and Senior Football taking place in Cusack Park on Saturday, followed by the Junior and Intermediate football finals on Sunday also in Cusack Park. Throw in the Leinster Intermediate hurling championship on Sunday and you have an idea of the busy and exciting weekend. Crossbar Senior Hurling Championship Final Raharney won their first senior hurling championship since 1994 with a comprehensive 4-5 to 2-5 win over Castletown Geoghegan in the Crossbar Senior Hurling final replay played on Saturday last in Cusack Park. Raharney were always in command of the match and two first half goals from Niall Flanagan and Francis Boyle saw them lead by 2-3 to 0-4 at the break. On the re-start they quickly added two more goals through Niall Flanagan and Francis Boyle again. A tremendous goal from a 20 metre free from Ronan Whelan gave Castletown some hope but Raharney stayed in command and a late goal from Sean Whelan was mere consolation for the Black & Ambers. After the final the Westmeath Examiner Cup was presented by County Chairman, Séamus Ó Faoláin, to Raharney captain, Johnny Greville. Lagan Cement Senior Football Championship Final Replay Unfortunately for our patrons the Lagan Cement Senior Football Championship final replay turned out to be a very niggly and nasty affair, particularly in the first half. The tone was set almost from the off and the first half was interspersed with several incidents, particularly at the half-time whistle when there was a very serious outbreak of violence. Castledaly held a 0-3 to 0-2 lead at the half-time break but Tyrrellspass took command on the restart. A Tommy Newman goal in the early part of the half proved decisive and with Denis Glennon and Martin Flanagan in fine form, Tyrrellspass never looked in any danger during the half and by the final whistle had a comfortable 1-7 to 0-5 win. Alan Rigney, Tyrrellspass captain, received the Flanagan Cup from County Chairman, Séamus Ó Faoláin. Tyrrellspass now lay Longford champions, Abbeylara, in the first round of the Leinster club championship on Sunday next in Cusack Park. Wilf's Intermediate Football Championship Final Bunbrosna and Maryland have caught the infectious disease, drawitis!! This was confirmed on Sunday last when they played out a very exciting 1-7 for Bunbrosna to 0-10 draw. Bun started the better and a point from Peter Tormey was followed by an opportunist goal from Padraig Tighe. However Maryland gradually settled and by the half-time break they had equalised at 0-6 to Bun's 1-3. The second half proved extremely exciting and the accuracy of David Martin for Maryland and Bunbrosna's Peter Tormey proved the highlights. In the end a David Martin free three minutes from the end meant that the sides finished level and must meet again to decide the destination of the 2006 Wilf's Intermediate Football championship. Junior Football Championship Final The Juniors of Milltown and Caulry served up a classic - particularly what were surely the most exciting three minutes of sport anywhere this weekend. A brilliant Gary Flanagan point for Caulry from the throw-in set the tone for the afternoon and when Declan Rooney goaled for Milltown after about 20 minutes, all four starting midfielders had scored! At the half-time break the sides were level at Milltown 1-3; Caulry 0-6. For much of the second half Caulry maintained control and as three minutes additional time were called by referee, Sean Sheridan, they held a two point lead, 0-9 to 1-4. In an amazing three minutes, Milltown scored three magnificent points to lead 1-7 to 0-9 and with the last attack of the match, Caulry snatched victory when Gary Flanagan flicked a high centre to the net and ensured victory for his side by 1-9 to 1-7. Dea Maguire, Chairman of the Football Board presented the trophy to a delighted Caulry captain, Peter Smyth. Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship Raharney had no time to rest as they took on Wexford Intermediate champions, Cushinstown/Rathgarogue, in the first round of the Leinster club Intermediate Hurling championship at St. Loman's on Sunday. To their absolute credit Raharney performed magnificently to draw the match and face a replay (presumably next weekend at a Wexford venue). The first half was evenly contested and the Wexford champions led 1-6 to 1-4 at the break. They took complete control on the restart and ran into a 3-8 to 1-6 lead before Raharney clawed their way back into the match and finished level at the end of 60 minutes, 3-9 each. In the first half of extra time, Cushinstown/Rathgarogue, again assumed control and moved five points clear. However, despite a tough county final the previous day, Raharney battled back in the second period of extra time and a late goal sent the tie to a replay. Well done to Raharney, who did the county proud, with their battling performance. Inter-Provincial Finals Have we had a record haul for Westmeath over the past seven days? Firstly in Boston the Leinster footballers overcame Munster in the Inter-Provincial final. On the starting fifteen were Gary Connaughton and Michael Ennis. They were joined during the match by Alan Mangan. Well done to all three. On Saturday last Leinster overcame Connacht in Pearse Stadium, Salthill, Galway, in the hurling final. Heartiest congratulations to Darren McCormack, who as a second half sub, added an Inter-Provincial hurling medal to his collection. Heartiest congratulations to Darren and his team-mates. Westmeath G.A.A. Club Development Lotto There was no jackpot winner in the Westmeath G.A.A. Club Development Lotto held on Tuesday last. Match 3 winners were: Thomas Nally, c/o Mullingar Shamrocks G.A.A. Davy Gavin, c/o St. Oliver Plunkett's G.A.A. Joe Beatty, c/o Delvin G.A.A. Helen Corcoran, c/o Delvin G.A.A. Helena Flynn Smith, c/o St. Loman's, Mullingar G.A.A. Kevin Taggart, c/o Mullingar Shamrocks G.A.A. Liam Finney, c/o Southern Gaels G.A.A. Joe Keane, c/o St. Oliver Plunkett's G.A.A. M. Morony, c/o St. Oliver Plunkett's G.A.A. Elaine Daly, c/o St. Oliver Plunkett's G.A.A. Tony Irwin, c/o St. Oliver Plunkett's G.A.A. Joe Martin, c/o St. Loman's, Mullingar G.A.A. P. Keane, c/o Maryland G.A.A. Paula Ennis, c/o Ballinagore G.A.A. Paddy Donnell, c/o St. Loman's, Mullingar G.A.A. The jackpot in the draw of 31st October is €5,660. Coaching Matters Westmeath/Offaly Hurling Development committee together with Coiste na nÓg are currently organising Foundation level courses. It is important that all Hurling Clubs would avail of this opportunity and forward Names of those within their Club who would be interested in taking part (It is hoped that each Club would send at least ten to take part). The course itself will be run over two sessions. Session (1) will involve one evening (theory) with Session (2) taking place outdoors involving a morning (practical). Commencing on February 2nd, 2007 is a Level 1 Hurling Coaching Course, being held in Westmeath. Interested Coaches with Foundation Certificate are asked to contact Pat Casserly or Michael McHugh if they are interested in taking part. Level 1 Football Courses are to be held in Wicklow (16/10/06), Dublin (6/11/06), Meath (13/11/06), Kildare (8/1/07) and Dublin (15/1/07). Again coaches interested in taking part should contact Pat Casserly or Michael McHugh. VHI Cúl Camps Following the recent VHI Cúl Camps there is some excess gear of Jersey, Shorts, Socks, Bag and Bottle. Anybody interested in purchasing this gear can contact Michael McHugh. Contact I can be contacted with any news and results on 044/9344567 or by e-mail to [email protected] Tweet

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