Proving that class is permanent, 47-year-old Larry Giles stole the show in last Saturday's Westmeath Intermediate Cup Hurling final when he scored both goals for Raharney in their 2-10 to 2-7 victory over Crookedwood.

Lining out at corner forward, the former Westmeath dual star struck twice late in the first half to help Raharney to a 2-4 to 0-5 interval lead, despite the fact that they started the game with just 14 players. Another ex-Westmeath dual player, Francis Boyle, joined the fray for the second half, but failed to finish the game after being sent off.

A firm favourite with Westmeath supporters whose only rewards during a stellar inter-county football career were O'Byrne Cup and National League Division 4 medals in 1988 and '94 respectively, Larry is regarded as of the best forwards the county has ever produced. He was also a highly-rated centre back for the county hurlers during the same period.

His finest hour came in 1994 when his 2-2 helped Westmeath to a sensational National League quarter-final victory over the then All-Ireland champions, Derry. He served as a Westmeath football selector a few years ago and has had spells in charge of his beloved Coralstown/Kinnegad as well as Ballivor and Longwood in Meath.

His son Alan has been a member of the Westmeath senior football panel for the past number of years, while another son, Darren, was wing back on the Westmeath minor team that reached this year's Leinster final. Tweet

Most Read Stories