Ladies GAA launch club championships in Westmeath

Westmeath LGFA proudly welcomed 29 clubs to Wednesday evening's championship launch and they thanked each of them for attending. July 2024 will mark 50 years of the LGFA, while Westmeath LGFA have a couple of years to go before reaching that milestone they were delighted to be in a position to have so many enthusiastic clubs with membership increasing year on year.

Westmeath LGFA were delighted to welcome Trina Murray, Leinster President, Westmeath Camogie Chairperson Karen Goldrick and members of her Executive and representatives from Westmeath GAA Clubs who support us with training facilities throughout the year for our inter county teams. Their support ensures the continued development and success of our players. Wednesday's event was an opportunity to meet and celebrate the work of the clubs and the volunteers that make all this happen.

This week marks National Volunteers week and as volunteers, our contribution to the Gaelic Games Community here in Westmeath and to society as a whole cannot be underestimated. The development roadmap has been Westmeath's guide for the past three years we they very proud of the progress made in completing the aims set out in the roadmap. One item that we had not been in a position to get up and running was the volunteer recognition programme contained in the PR strand of the roadmap, but they were delighted to announce that 2024 will see the first annual volunteer recognition programme in Westmeath.

This programme will give clubs the opportunity to nominate their club members for awards which will culminate in a gala evening in November. The nominations will open in September and an independent panel will be put in place to adjudicate. The Awards will be:

1. Young Volunteer of the Year; 2. Club PRO; 3. School coach; 4. Club coach; 5. Club committee Officer; 6. Volunteer Hall of Fame Award.

In March of this year, members of Westmeath LGFA had the opportunity to attend congress in Clare and had the privilege to nominate one of our own, Trina Murray, as President Elect of the LGFA. Triona, who is Leinster President of the LGFA, President Elect of the LGFA, and a proud Westmeath and Moate Ladies Member, joined Westmeath LGFA for Wednesday's launch. Westmeath LGFA are working at all times to promote the game and provide as much playing and development opportunities for over 4,200 members. This year saw the first ever Post Primary School competition in Westmeath, open to all 1st and 2nd year students and a total of 7 post primary schools participated. Westmeath are looking forward to running it again next year and thanked all teachers for giving of their time to support this initiative. The work of Development Officer Pat Geraghty and Ted Cronin in fixtures ensured the competition was a success.

One of the initiatives for the early part of 2024 was to get more referees trained up and ready for the playing season at underage level. Those referees were recognised at Wednesday's launch, receiving their referee gear from Chairperson Geraldine Giles. New referees Niall Kelly, Claire McCormack, Jack Tynan, Maisie Currams, Leah Nugent, Gary Guilfoyle, Rebecca Monaghan, Emma Sammon, and Roisín Nally were congratulated. Clubs were reminded of the 'No Ref No Game' initiative with Westmeath GAA and Westmeath Camogie; the contribution of referees and their officials cannot be underestimated. It was stressed that they must be supported and respected in their roles for the continued growth and development of the games.

This year the Westmeath Gaelic games family came together to offer Gaeltacht bursaries. This initiative is supported by Westmeath GAA, Camogie, LGFA, Leinster Council and Club Iarmhí and led by Westmeath GAA’s Cultural and Irish Language Officer Des Cawley. Des had an unprecedented number of applicants this year and Westmeath LGFA honoured the bursary recipients on Wednesday: Orla Collins, Bebhinn Nic Gabhann, Ciara Dolan, Dawn Gill, Alexa Gavigan and Megan Best.

Westmeath also took the opportunity to launch Westmeath LGFA Summer Camp. Intermediate county team manager Frank Browne attended and explained his vision for the camp.

Wednesday was also an opportunity to look back at over 40 years of Westmeath LGFA. Our plans for the future would not be possible without the foundations laid by the ladies who pioneered ladies football in Westmeath. Lilie Brick and Martina Glennon, stalwarts of St Mary Rochfortbridge and Westmeath teams, attended on the evening and gave a great insight into their memories of playing for Westmeath, the positive way it influenced their lives and the lasting bonds that remain with the ladies they played for an against. Geraldine Giles, two time president of the Association and Chairperson of Westmeath LGFA, spoke about her continued commitment to Westmeath LGFA and the volunteer, amateur status of our game.

The draw for this year’s championship also took place. Round 1 was drawn with the following rounds to follow.

The first round of the senior and junior championships both have a start date of August 1, with an August 10 start planned for the intermediate championship.

These dates may change based on the progression of Westmeath ladies in the TG4 Intermediate Championship.

The Village Barn Senior Championship

St. Joseph’s vs Milltown; Garrycastle vs Killucan; St. Loman's vs St. Mary's; Mullingar Shamrocks v The Downs

Eoin Clarke & Co Intermediate Championship

Caulry v Athlone; Coralstown Kinnegad v Moate; Loughnavalley v Clann Gaels

Wright Windows Junior Championship

Ballycomoyle v Cill Óige; Shandonagh v St. Paul’s Delvin; Milltownpass v Goldsmiths; Tyrrellspass v Bye

The evening concluded with the acknowledgement of championship sponsors The Village Barn, Eoin Clarke & Co and Wright Windows. There was also a special word of thanks to Bloomfield House Hotel for the use of their facilities and the lovely refreshments served.