Westmeath GAA Notes
January 14, 2013O Byrne Cup:
Westmeath and Offaly played out an interesting early season encounter at Cusack Park which saw the visitors qualify for the O Byrne Cup semi finals with a narrow 0-8 to 0-7 win over our the home team. This result sees Offaly play Kildare in the semi final next Sunday while Westmeath can now concentrate on the upcoming start of the National league which commences with a home match on Sunday 3rd February against Louth. Having come off a mid week defeat to Laois where Westmeath fielded a very experimental team; Sundays game was a very competitive outing with Westmeath having the better of things for the majority of the opening half and deservedly leading by 0-6 to 0-2 at the break. Dessie Dolan opened the scoring with a free after seven minutes before Alan Mc Namee replied from play a minute later for Offaly. Paul Bannon's point put Westmeath ahead in the11th minute and Dessie Dolan increased their lead to two with a fine effort in the 14th minute. Paul Sharrys point in the 23rd minute left Westmeath ahead by 0-4 to 0-1 and Dennis Glennon made it 0- 5 to 0-1 with a free as Westmeath were quite dominant at this stage. David Hanlons point for Offaly in the 33rd minute narrowed the margin to three. before Paul Sharry converted a 45 in the final minute of the half to finish off the scoring.
If the first half was Westmeath's then the second halve proved the opposite as Westmeath managed just one score through Paul Bannon as the men from the faithful county had much more cohesion. They gradually got into contention and levelled matters with seven minutes remaining. Offaly took the lead via a Paul Mc Padden point two minutes for the first time in the game which proved to be the winning score at the finish. While a win is always welcome, Westmeath, I believe will be content with the past week as Pat Flanagan and his selectors have had three games to blend and mix a number of players which should stand us well for the forthcoming Divison 2 league campaign.
Walsh Cup:
Westmeath Senior Hurlers open their account in the Bord na Mona Walsh cup at Kinnegad on Sunday 20th January when they take on NUI Galway at 2-00pm. Brian Hanleys charges will be itching to get things going against the students who are in preparation for the Fitzgibbon Cup at the moment. Though I don't know much about the opposition, they recently drew with Galway Senior Hurling Champions St Thomas which indicates a very good standard indeed. Westmeath have a huge incentive here to make some early season progress and book a date with All Ireland Champions Kilkenny on Sunday week.
Serving Referees Course
A course for Existing Referees in Service Course, will be held on Thursday 24th January and Thursday 31st January 2013 in Cusack Pk Mullingar at 7.45pm.
It is mandatory that all existing referees who wish to referee in 2013 must attend this course on any of the 2 nights. The Course will be given by 2 Tutors appointed by Croke Park. Any queries please contact Referees Cordinator Michael Gordon at 0876884717 or [email protected]
County Board Meeting:
The County Board Meeting of Wednesday 10th January dealt with the Transfers & re gradings for 2013 was attended by 40 clubs on the night.
Normally, this is one of Westmeath GAA's livelier meetings of the year but was unusually quite due to a small amount of transfers being dealt with on the night and the referral of the re-gradings to the County CCC.
In relation to transfers, the following were agreed to;
Crookedwood to Fr. Daltons - Mark Nally, Delvin to Killucan - Liam Beddows, St. Oliver. Plunketts to Cullion - Andrew Connaughton, Castletown Geo to St. Brigids - Leonard Gavin, Multyfarnham to Kinnegad - Patrick Rattigan.
There were a small number of Transfers objected to & representations made for the following & letters noted - Valentinas Sizychas Kilbeggan/St. Josephs to Tyrrellspass. Daniel Loughrey from Multyfarnham to The Downs.
On the night the following committees were ratified by the meeting:
Football: Liam Gavin, Gerry Coyne, John Cunningham, Seamus Browne, Des Maguire.
Hurling: Matty Conaty, Vinny Kenny, Willie Murphy, Billy Boyle, Tony Robinson, Conleth McCormack, Aidan Davitt, John Weir.
CCC: Sean Sheridan, Pat Reilly, James Savage, Michael Gordon - Refs Co-ordinator, Michael McHugh, Albert Lowry, Gerry Coyne, Vinny Kenny, Frank Mullen, Martin Newman, Jim Rock.
Hearings: Alan Duffy, Tom Hunt, John Julien, James Farrelly, Nollaig McEnteggart, Tom Keegan, Sean Rice.
Referees: Michael Gordon, Joe Martin - St. Lomans, Pat Collins, Jimmy Cribben, Niall Ward, Liam McDaniel, Sean Carroll, Pat Fox - Rosemount.
Coiste na nÓg: .Liam McDaniel, Michael McHugh, Declan Leonard, Shane Briody, Paul Doolin, Pat Fox - Moate.
In addition to the committees Michael Gordon was appointed as Referees Co-ordinator, Ken Eades as Event Controller, and Joe Daly as Safety Officer, Seamus Conroy as Chief Steward and Frank Mescall as Childrens Officer
The meeting was addressed by a representative from Heart Safety solutions who discussed the software updates for AED's which a number of clubs now have on premises. Clubs were asked to ensure that their AED's were continually monitored and the software kept up to date.
There were a number of items of Correspondence with the Letters from Clubs regarding nominations noted and the Minutes from Coiste Bainistí were noted. Operations Plan from Kieran Leddy in Croke Park was discussed and the Proposals at national level regarding the Hurling competitions were discussed with Clubs unhappy at the proposed changes. Ard Comhairle delegate Seamus Ó Faoilain will bring our dissatisfaction on the matter to the relevant Committee. The GAA Season Ticket was discussed and at ?85 it was agreed to be good value with Clubs encouraged to promote the purchase of same by club members. The Leinster Health & Safety Committee has inspected floodlit venues in Westmeath with St. Lomans Mullingar deemed only suitable venue for floodlit matches. While finally a Letter from the GAA Medical & Scientific committee regarding mouth guards was discussed with information being forwarded to Clubs on the night.
Ard Comhairle delegate Seamus Ó Faoláin reported from their meeting of 15th December 2012 where it was agreed that medical bags x 2 be made available to each County. The over competitiveness of Feile na Gael was discussed and the proposed Upper age limit of 55 for those umpiring at Inter County Level and also the possibility of a Rules test & an eye/fitness test & the training of Umpires for Hawkeye which is proposed for use in Croke Park provoked some debate on the matter. Seamus Ó Faoláin also expressed condolences to the O'Sé family on the recent and untimely death of Paidí Ó Sé.
Irish language Officer Catherine Daly informed the meeting that the Leinster Finals
for Scór na nÓg this weekend with Westmeath Clubs involved in 7 out of the 8
disciplines. Catherine also informed the meeting that Scór Sinsear is being planned
for the weekend 15th and 16th February with the County final set for Saturday 2nd
March.
In relation to Coiste na nÓg, Liam McDaniel reported informed delegates of the
Coiste na nÓg meeting on Monday 14th January.
At the conclusion of the meeting Chairman, Sean Sheridan warned Clubs who owed
Substantial amounts of money to address the matter quickly, and to talk to the County
Board about putting a plan in place to redress matters otherwise their participation in
competitions would be curtailed. The Chairman also reminded clubs about the revised
match regulations and stressed that Regulations would be strictly enforced.
The Chairman concluded by thanking Liam McDaniels as outgoing Referees Co
ordinator for all his work, and wished Michael Gordon all the best in his new role.
Scór na nÓg Leinster Final:
There was success for Westmeath at the Leinster Scór na nÓg final in Erins Isle GAA in Dublin with wins in the Recitation and Set Dancing categories. Well done to the Ballycomoyle and The Downs clubs on their success and we wish them well in the All Ireland final in Derry on Saturday 23rd February.
County Website:
Our current website www.westmeathgaa.ie is a resource that is a very useful aid in promoting all aspects of Westmeath GAA. In order to improve its functionality, I would appreciate input on the matter. Therefore I am asking all interested parties not to hesitate to contact me with ideas or suggestions for improving the current website as it is planned to make significant changes to the current format over the next few weeks.
Westmeath GAA Development Lotto:
The Results from the draw held on Tuesday 8th January were as follows:
Numbers drawn were 1,13,29 and 30 and there was no Jackpot winner.
There was Three match 3 winners of ?107each and they were;
Peter mc Neela C/O Loughnavalley GAA
Faye Gorman C/O Loughnavalley GAA
Paul Christie C/O St Oliver Plunketts GAA
Next Draw is on Tuesday 15th January 2013 for a jackpot of ?1850
Results:
O Byrne Cup: Westmeath 0-07 Offaly 0-08 Div 3 Hurling SF - Brownstown 3-8 Turin 2-5; JFCB Final - Moate All Whites 1-6 Ballymore 1-13
I can be contacted at 086 3992403 or by e mail on [email protected]
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