A Tough Journey Through Leinster

To win a Leinster title has always been the toughest task for teams from the twelve counties of the province and the winners will have truly earned their place at the National Finals in Athlone on the weekend of May 22/24. In the first rounds Westmeath teams are away to Offaly and away to Laois in the second round. If successful in these two rounds, they will then go on to play the winners of Zone 2, comprising of, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford in the semi-finals. All games in Carlow start at 10am sharp.Westmeath TeamsThe following are the Westmeath county winning teams who are hoping for a Leinster title and a place at the National Finals: Badminton (Tyrrellspass); Draughts under-10 and under-14 (Delvin); Draughts under-12 (Ballynacargy/Sonna); Chess under-12 (Beechpark/Coosan); Chess under-16 (Delvin); Indoor Soccer, girls under-13 and boys under-15 (Mount Temple/Baylin); Indoor Soccer, boys under-13 (Moate); Indoor Soccer, girls under-15 (The Downs) and Table Tennis boys and girls (Delvin).All team managers of the above teams must phone or text in results of their first and second rounds to either 0877755984 or 0906-472873 so that we know how many teams we have going to the finals and we can notify the Leinster Secretary.Under 13 SoccerThe success of the boys and girls Under-13 Indoor Soccer competitions was due mainly to the generosity of all the officials who gave of their time and expertise to officiate at these games. The were Oliver Holmes, Tony Noctor, Tom Ryder, Liam Boggs, Donal O"Keeffe, Eamon and Fergal Keegan and co-ordinator Mick Brick.We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Mullingar Athletic F.C., Gainstown for the use of their excellent facilities and to all the team managers and players for their help and co-operation in the successful running of the above competitions and wish continued success to the winners in Leinster and National.Basketball Going WellOur thanks to all the team managers of the boys and girls basketball teams who getting on with playing their games within the times set out and competitions are now down to the Zone Final stages. The following is the line-up.Boys under-13: Zone 1 - Beechpark/Coosan v Mt. Temple/Baylin. Zone 2 - Milltown/Empor v Kinnegad/Coralstown.Boys under-16: Zone 1 - Retreat v Tubberclair/Glasson. Zone 2 - Milltown/Empor v Delvin and Kinnegad/Corals town v Gainstown. (Don"t have results to hand for these two games).Girls under-13: Zone 1 - Tubberclair/Glasson v Mt. Temple/Baylin. Zone 2 - Multyfarnham v Kinnegad/Coralstown.Girls under-16: Semi-final - Beechpark/Coosan v The Downs and winners play Milltown/Empor in final.Team managers must ensure that the finals are played on or before 31st March.Winning Team Manager must tel. results immediately after match to: Mick Brick at 085-1743409, or Kay O"Connell at 0906-472873 with signature sheets from game to be sent to office immediately after each game for checking.Summer Games - Last CallThis is the final week (March 16) for entries to 2009 Summer Team Games (i.e. Gaelic, Soccer, Camogie, Hockey, Tennis etc.) .Don"t forget that March 31 is the closing date for entries for the following competitions: Art & Model Making, Choirs, Projects, Recitation, Culture Corner, Comedy Sketch. Solo Modern Dance, Set Dancing/Trad. Irish, Modern Dance Group, Group Singing, Under-14 Quiz, Cross Country, Sports Induction. Only panel forms received by 31st will be included in draw.National Finals - VolunteersAll Areas take note - Volunteers are required for the National Finals in Athlone in administration and event management: Security, Stewarding and Car-parking, Finnance/gate; Reception and Information Desk; Results and Accommodation Office; PR Office; Hospitality.Event Officials (judges/referees/adjudicators/co-ordinators/assistants/timekeepers) for: Dance (modern, traditional Irish and contemporary); Art/Projects; Handball; Choir/Group singing/Solo music; Indoor Soccer; Chess/Draughts; Table Quiz; Athletics (relays/cross country) and Presentations.Please indicate which of the above roles you are interested in becoming involved at our May Festival weekend and wish to carry out. and contact your Area Secretary or call our County Secretary direct as the deadline is 16th March.Some of those who volunteer will need to attend a special training event, yet to be confirmed but expected to be during the day on one of the Saturdays in April. This event will apply to all Security and Stewarding/Car Parking personnel..Area RegistrationsAuburn/Town Centre Area, comprising of the Town Centre, Auburn Road, Harbour Street, Newlands, Pettitswood Manor, Beechlawns are having a meeting to decide what competitions they will be taking part in this year. All parents and adults living in the above areas are invited to come along on this Wednesday night, March 11 at 8 p.m. in the Community Games Centre, Lynn Industrial Estate (beside Town Band Hall).A very important meeting will take place on this Thursday night, March 12 at 8pm in the Community Games Centre, Lynn Industrial Estate (beside Town Band Hall) for the parents living in the Ballinderry Area (Newtown Lawns, Chestnut Drive, Chestnut Grove, Lynn Heights, Hillview, Lynn Ave., Hillside Drive, Highfield, New and Old Ballinderry). If you live in any of these estates, come along on Thursday night.Streete Area had to postpone their meeting on Friday evening ilast due to a bereavement in the area and have now re-scheduled it for this Friday, March 13 at 8pm in Streete. There is great interest amongst the parents and children in getting the Games in Streete back on track and we hope to see a large turnout on Friday evening.St. Colmans Area are now getting together again and we are reliably informed that they will be taking part this year.If you live in the Lakepoint, Glenview, Bellview, Burnell Drive Estates, then please contact any of the outgoing committee or county officers.Kilbeggan, Rathowen, Milltownpass and Rosemount are four areas who have enjoyed many years of successful participation in the Community Games but now find themselves having to take a break because the parents in those areas cannot come together to provide healthy sport and cultural activities for their children.Dates For Your DiarySummer Team Games (i.e. Gaelic, Camogie, hockey, Soccer, Tennis etc.) - Closing date 16th MarchClosing date March 31st. for Quiz, Choirs, Culture Corner, Projects, Singing, Dancing, etc. - County Quiz Final - (Provisional) Friday, 3rd April.Swimming - Closing date 31st March, (County Final, 26th April, 12.30 p.m.).Art & Model Making - Closing date 31st March. County Final (Provisional) Saturday, 18th AprilGymnastics - Closing date - 31st. March. County Final to be announced.Leinster Semi-finals and finals - Sunday, 29th March in Carlow.First Weekend in Athlone A.I.T. - Fri., Sat., Sun. 22nd, 23rd and 24th May.Closing date for summer programme teams to Leinster is the 15th May.First Rounds - 3rd to 10th June. Second Round - 17th to 24th June. Semi-finals and finals - 11th July in Carlow.Athletic County Finals - Sunday, 14th June. Field Events Monday, 15th June.Closing date for entries, Saturday, 31st May.National Finals in Athlone A.I.T. - 2nd Weekend - August 14th/16th. Third Weekend - August 21st / 23rd.Copy of BIRTH/BAPTISMAL CERTS - should accompany panel forms.Only panel forms received by the closing date will be accepted - No Late Entries.Progressive 25Our thanks to all our card playing friends who turn out every Monday night to support the Community Games. The winners on Monday last were: Lizzie Lynam, Nellie Lynam, Peggy Egerton, Seamus Lyons, Gerry Bennett, Dan Geerah, Mick and Roe Lynch, Johnny Macken, Frank O"Hara. Raffle, Nellie Lynam, Jimmy Murtagh, Martin Glynn. Last game, Mai and Tom Reilly. See you all on Monday night at 9pm.