Westmeath GAA Jottings

Greville Arms Hotel Senior Hurling Championship FinalIn front of a crowd of approx 2,900 people last Sunday, Raharney claimed the senior hurling title for 2010 after a two-year gap when they overcame a strong challenge from Clonkill in what was one of the best finals for years.Raharney started the better and were first off the mark with an accurately struck 65 from Brian Connaughton, and it was all of six minutes before Clonkill got their first score also a 65 from centre back Andrew Mitchell. Raharney took control of the game after that and opened up a four-point gap by the eighteenth minute 0-8 to 0-4, but the game turned in Clonkill’s favour when surprisingly John Shaw went short with a Raharney free and Clonkill broke up the field to score a fine point from Enda Loughlin followed by four more from Anthony Price, Niall Dowdall, Alan Dowdall and Shane power to leave them one point up at the break 0-9 to 0-8.After the break once again Raharney opened the scoring with a point from Frank Boyle to level the sides for the third time, but when Niall Dowdall scored the game’s first goal in the 39th minute after a fine interlink play between Eoin Price and Murtagh it looked like it might be Clonkill’s day.Clonkill stretched their lead further and with ten minutes left had a six-point lead. Raharney switched Paul Greville up front (move of the match) and within minutes he was causing problems for the Clonkill defence, forcing a good save from Murray in the Clonkill goal. In the 56th minute Greville notched a point only to follow up one minute later with a goal to close the gap to a single point. Brendan Murtagh caught the puck-out and snapped over a point which looked like the winner, but there was yet another twist as deep in injury time the aforementioned Greville was fouled and the resulting twenty one metre free was blasted to the Clonkill net by Brian Connaughton to give Raharney victory on a final scoreline of 2-14 to 1-16.Cullion win Junior ‘B’ TitleSlevin’s Coaches Junior ‘B’ Hurling ChampionshipCullion survived a late onslaught from Crookedwood to take the Junior ‘B’ title for 2010. After an explosive start which saw Cullion’s Frank Shaw score a goal in the first thirty seconds and Crookedwood being awarded a penalty at the other end less than a minute later. Unfortunately for the ‘Wood, the penalty was saved at the expense of a ‘65. Crookedwood can look back on this one as one they may have left behind as a total of eleven wides tells its own story. One could be forgiven for thinking it was a soccer match if they looked at the score boardafter eighteen minutes as Cullion led by 2-0 to 1-0. It took all of twenty-eight minutes for the first point of the match from Cullion centre back, Jamie Shaw.Crookedwood came into the game more in the second period with three fine points from Michael Savage and when Noel Kiernan scored his second Crookedwood goal in the sixtieth minute it was a case of too little too late and Cullion held on to win on a final score of 2-8 to 2-5.Leinster Club Football ChampionshipIn Cusack Park next weekend we have a double header when senior champions Garrycastle will take on Longford Slashers in the first round of the senior competition, and will be hoping to go one better than last year having lost out to Portlaoise in the final last year. Milltownpass newly crowned junior champions will face up to Ballyfin and will want to make a good start to this competition. Please come out and support.Sponsored WalkThe Westmeath Hurling Supporters Club have organised a Sponsored Walk to raise funds for underage development squads, from the Shannon to the Lakelands next weekend.The following is the layout of the weekend:October 239am Bus leaving Mullingar Park Hotel; 10am arrive at Clondra (Shannon) - Walk to Abbyshrule (lunch en route); 5.30-6.00pm Arrrvie in Abbyshrule Bus to Ballymahon; 7pm evening meal; B&B in Ballymahon HotelOctober 2410am Bus to Abbeyshrule; Walk to Mullingar; 5pm Arrive in Mullingar; Reception and refreshments.If there is anybody out there that would like to join in on the walk and help raise much needed funds they can contact Billy Boyle on 087 2519251, Billy Foley on 0862553260 or Aidan Davitt, 087 8235945.At this stage nearly all clubs are represented with the exception of two or three. There is still lots of time to register so please hurry on and do so now.CondolencesWestmeath Co. Board would like to extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Pat Downes who sadly passed away last weekend. Pat was a long serving member of Westmeath GAA and President of Maryland at the time of his death. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-ainm dilis.Minor BoardA Committee meeting of the Coiste na nÓg Iarmhi will be held on Wednesday, October 20at 7.30pm in the meeting room in Cusack Park, Mullingar. All Underage Clubs are requested to have a representative at the meeting.Strategic Plan reviewThe first year review for the above plan takes place in the Mullingar Park Hotel on Thursday, October 21 at 7.30pm.You are asked to have a minimum of 3 people, including one from Underage Committee. Also you are asked to bring your copy of the Plan.New GAA Club Website SolutionThe GAA has a new official club web site solution which is available to all GAA clubs.The new Club website platform is deployed on Google Sites.The old System will cease to operate after December 20 as the server will be powered down, so it’s important that clubs on the old service are up and running on the new solution before that date. You can request a club site on line by visiting http://newmail.gaa.ie. Click on the link Club and County Web Site Migration Form or alternatively contact the support team. For support email Baker Security and Networks GAA email support team at sites@gaa.ie or by phone on 076-615 4932 (lo-call number).Irish Daily Mail International Rules SeriesJust a quick update re: tickets for IDM International Rules Series.  Limerick: The Mackey Stand is now sold out, so Tickets still on the system under “Gen Avail” are for Central North Stand. Croke Park: Cusack and Hogan tickets still available. The upper tier will not be opened until the majority of Lower Tier is sold. There are plenty of group passes available for both tests. Clubs should go to the following link to fill out the forms: http://www.gaa.ie/tickets-and-merchandise/tickets/international-rules/Westmeath GAA Development LottoThe numbers drawn last week were 4, 10, 14, 26.There were four Match 3 winners who each won €80. They were Geraldine Deegan C/O Ballinagore GAA; Carol Finch C/O St. Loman’s, Mullingar GAA; Mary Mimnagh C/O St. Loman’s, Mullingar GAA; Michael Curley C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA.ResultsGreville Arms SHC Final: Raharney 2-14 Clonkill 1-16Slevins Coaches JHC B Final: Cullion 2-8 Crookedwood 2-5ACFL Div 2: Milltownpass 3-13 Ballymore 0-11; Ballynacargy 0-14 Caulry 2-8ACFL Div 3: Tyrrellspass 2-14 Loughnavalley 3-9Websitehttp://www.westmeathgaa.ieContactI can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on pro.westmeath@gaa.ie