An animated Westmeath manager, Brendan Hackett makes a point to his players during the O'Byrne Cup clash with DCU in Lakepoint Park on Sunday afternoon.

Disappointing start to new manager's reign

Published: Wed 20 Jan 2010, 6:00 PM

O'Byrne CupThe opening round of the O' Byrne Cup Football took place last Sunday in Lakepoint Park Mullingar where a new look Westmeath side took the field against a strong DCU side who by the way are fancied to lift the O' Byrne Cup. The Westmeath side featured many new faces and in fairness there still is some work to be done. The game lacked fire and in truth DCU was never in any danger of losing as they powered into an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead.With Westmeath failing to convert some easy chances and DCU's Seanie Johnson causing problems for the Westmeath defence this was always going to be a tough day for Westmeath. It was after all only the first competitive outing for the new Westmeath side and things will certainly improve. We travel next weekend to face Kilkenny in the Shield and all these games will help the team along as we prepare for the opening round of the League in early February.Co. Board MeetingThe first County Board meeting of 2010 takes place on Wednesday evening at 8pm in Cusack Park. It is important that all clubs are represented at this meeting as the main item on the agenda is the transfers and regrading for the coming year.Westmeath GAA Stratetic PlanThe proposed dateÂ - January 25 for the launch of our Strategic Plan is now postponed until Wednesday, February 3 in the Mullingar Park Hotel.Â It is also intended to hold the next County Committee meeting featuring draws on that night also.Winter Minor Football LeagueThe Westmeath GAA Minor Committee are organising a Winter Minor Football League (Fé 17). The League will be played by way of a series ofÂ 'Blitzs' involving teams selected on an amalgamated basis, North & South of the County.Only players who are Under 17/18 on or after January 1, 2010 will be permitted to participate i.e a player eligible for Fe 16 Grade in 2010 is not allowed to play in the 'Blitz'.This winter League will commence this coming week-end January 23 and 24. The games on the Saturday will take place in Rosemount at 11am sharp whilst the games on Sunday will take place in Kinnegad also at 11am sharp.The South Westmeath teams are, (1) Maryland-Tang/Millmore Gaels. (2) Castledaly/Moate All Whites. (3) Athlone/Garrycastle (4) Caulry/Rosemount/Tubberclair (5) St. Malachys-Ballinagore/Kilbeggan/St. Josephs.The North Westmeath teams are, (6) Clann Braonáin, (7) Bunbrosna/Delvin/Multyfarnham/St.Fintans/St.Michaels/St. Pauls (8) Coralstown/Kinnegad/Killucan (9) Ballynacargy/St. Loman's, Mullingar/Shandonagh (10) Mullingar Shamrocks/The Downs.The following Mentors have agreed to co-ordinate/organise each team,(1) John Gordon (2), Ger Heavin (3), James Duignan (4), Frank Lynam (5), Alan McCormack (6), Damien Gavin, (7) Eugene Dolan, (8) Jack Cooney, (9) Declan Cox, (10) Graham O'Connor.Scór na nÓg FinalsThe Leinster Finals of Scór na nÓg took place last Sunday in Ballymore. Westmeath were successful in three categories - Recitation Mark Dalton (The Downs), Ballad Group (Moate All Whites) and The Downs in the Set Dancing. Congratulations to all three acts and they will now represent the county in the All-Ireland Final.A wonderful evening's entertainment was had by the sell out crowd in attendance and made this a fantastic occasion for Westmeath GAA. Great credit must go to the Scór committee for organising and overseeing this event.Ticketing - Season TicketWestmeath GAA would like to remind members and supporters that Season Tickets are available for the 2010 season. These tickets offer excellent value. Further information is available from and purchases can be made through www.tickets.gaa.ieNew Email AddressesPlease be aware that there are new GAA email addresses for all underage club secretaries and club registrars. The format is as follows- secretarybng.clubname.Westmeath@gaa.ie & registrar.clubname.Westmeath@gaa.ie it is of utmost importance that all relevant elected officers logon to their mail as this is the only official form of communication for fixtures etc from now on. If anybody has any problems please contact either myself or Noel Tierney 086 3934884.GAA Membership DatabaseAs 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.Irish WebsiteThese are details of an Irish web service that may help you and the team organisers in your club save significant time and money over the course of the season. Teamer is literally saving team organisers like you hours every week as well as completely eliminating the text messaging costs of contacting their teams. More details can be found on www.teamer.net.GAA Museum January 28: Heroines with HurlsAn evening of Camogie History. GAA museum.Mary Moran will give a talk on the personalities and performances that have enriched the game of camogie down the years.Sports historian Eoghan Corry will talk about camogie's place in sporting culture, the national and international context into which Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael came into existence, and the ovften overlooked international significance of camogie's rich history.Afterewards there wil be a panel discussion involving players, administrators and historians sharing their reminiscences and views of the game.More HistoryThe Camogie Association will be compiling the first authoritative history of the game at national level over the coming months.We are interested in hearing from players, administrators and officials who have participated in camogie down through they years, and who may have photographs, memorabilia and reminiscences, great and small. For more info on the above contact any of the county camogie board officers.Westmeth GAA LottoThe numbers drawn last week were 2, 12, 17, 20.There were ten Match 3 winners who each received €32.They were Nollaig McEntaggart C/O Ballinagore GAA; Mary Geraghty C/O St Oliver Plunketts GAA; Mona Darby C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA; Deirdre O'Connor C/O St Oliver Plunketts GAA; Denis Vaughan C/O Delvin GAA; Annie Ruane C/O Loughnavalley GAA; Brendan Cocoman C/O Mullingar Shamrocks GAA; John Bennett C/O St. Lomans Mullingar GAA; Sean Robinson C/O Ballinagore GAA; Ronan Reynolds Westmeath Ladies GAA.WebsitesSenior: http://www.westmeathgaa.ie/Minor: http://coistenanog.westmeath.gaa.ieContactI can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on pro.westmeath@gaa.ie