O’Reilly goal gave Black and Ambers the perfect platform

Reaction from the Westmeath Senior 'A' Hurling Final

Castletown Geoghegan clinched the Westmeath Senior Hurling title for the 15th time, overcoming Lough Lene Gaels on Saturday at TEG Cusack Park. Manager Alan Mangan expressed pride in the team’s performance, celebrating the victory and looking ahead to their next challenge in the club championship.

"It was a great win, thank God; it was a long time coming around," Mangan said. Reflecting on the prolonged lead-up to the final, he noted the difficulty of "sitting for six weeks trying to wait for our next match and then you have to wait another six days." He was referring to the previous week when inclement weather and fading light led to the first game being abandoned.

Despite the wait, he said, "It's great now that we've won; it’s super."

The match began with Castletown Geoghegan firing on all cylinders, grabbing an early goal just three minutes in. Mangan praised the setup: "It was a good ball in, exactly what we asked. The lads threw a triangle ball into the square, trying to get David O’Reilly one on one. There’s very few lads in the country that are going to contend with him. He’s a great bit of stuff."

Yet, as Mangan admitted, the team had lapses: "We sort of fell asleep for 10 or 15 minutes after that, but full credit to these lads - the second half was outstanding."

Castletown Geoghegan’s resilience emerged in the final stages of the first half. They initially led, but Lough Lene Gaels edged ahead before the break. Mangan credited Lough Lene Gaels for their first-half play: “They were outstanding. Some of the scores they got were outstanding and the way they worked the ball, they are a credit to their club.”

Castletown Geoghegan’s second-half performance underlined their strategy and skill, and Mangan was quick to acknowledge his players: "We had some outstanding performances. I know we talk about the David O'Reillys and the Niall O'Briens - but the rest of the lads are great to have involved." He highlighted Conor Murphy and Jack Gallagher, players who “don’t get the credit that they probably deserve” but were crucial in securing the victory.

Mangan praised the defensive line, especially the full-back line’s tight marking. "Our full-back line, they'll hand it up to anyone. They’re tight," he said. Reflecting on the squad's depth, he mentioned that the absence of players like Naoise McKenna, who is set to travel to Australia this week, creates opportunities for others.

Reflecting on the journey, Mangan noted: "You set out your stall at the start of the year, to try our best to win the championship. That was our number one goal.” It’s been a rewarding three years with the current management, he said, emphasising the contributions of selectors Derek Gallagher, Pat Clarke, and Damien McLoughlin. Mangan also acknowledged former manager Pat O’Brien, who led Castletown to three county finals but narrowly missed out each time.

“The work that Pat O’Brien has done for this club is second to none as well.”

As Castletown Geoghegan look to the Leinster club championship, Mangan admitted their upcoming opponents, Thomastown of Kilkenny, will be formidable. "I don't know anything about them, but they were outstanding last weekend against the O’Loughlin Gaels." The Thomastown squad includes John Donnelly, one of the finest hurlers in the country, making the next round "a huge test."

Despite the odds, Mangan’s Castletown squad plans to give it everything. “If we happen to win, it'll be the shock of the season. So, listen, we'll give it a go and see how it goes.”

For now, Castletown Geoghegan will savour the county title win, a feat that Mangan, a former player, values deeply. "It means everything," he said, reflecting on the team’s achievements and the dedication of the players. "This group of lads, there's nothing like training them. It's a joy to be involved with them,” he remarked, noting how committed the players have been.

Celebrations were well underway in Castletown on Saturday night, with Mangan concluding: “Castletown won’t be a quiet place: It's a noisy dressing room, so imagine what the other rooms are going to be."

Clarke thrilled to lead his club to senior glory

Castletown Geoghegan captain Aonghus Clarke expressed his delight and pride following his team’s hard-fought victory over Lough Lene Gaels in Saturday’s Westmeath SHC final at TEG Cusack Park. With a scoreline of 1-27 to 2-17, the win secured Castletown Geoghegan the Westmeath Examiner Cup and marked their second county title in three years.

Clarke acknowledged the tremendous support and team effort that led to their success, highlighting the impact of early scoring and solid defence.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Clarke said, “It was an unbelievable win. We just kept scoring, I suppose; that was the big thing. We kept the scoreboard ticking over. They were coming back at us, getting great scores, tackles, hooks, and blocks. But every time they came back, we were able to get another score or two, and that was really the big difference.”

Clarke praised David O'Reilly, whose early goal set the tone for the game. “Dave O'Reilly, he just too his chance so well. He's an amazing hurler. He's been amazing all year, and we knew if we could isolate him, he could do damage. He got man of the match; he was excellent, so it was a great start that he got.”

The captain also touched on the impact of the long layoff between competitive matches, which, though challenging, seemed to benefit his side. “We did have a big layoff - six weeks since we really had a proper game. We obviously weren't at the pace last week, so that maybe helped us a little bit. Definitely, in the second half, we were coming more and more into it. We felt if we could stick with it and match their intensity and work rate, we had the hurlers to do it in the end.”

Clarke acknowledged the significance of winning the title after years of feeling his club had been underachieving. “It’s super, because we've always been, I suppose, at the top, but we haven't been winning enough. We feel like we've been under achieving. So to put two back in three years is the best we've done since the ‘50s in Castletown, so it is special and it means a lot.”

Despite the typical November conditions, Clarke commended the playing surface. “Actually, to be honest, yes the pitch was sticky, but it was always going to be sticky in November. They've done a great job on it, obviously, during the week. It’s November weather, winter hurling, but as it goes, the pitch was pretty good.”

Clarke praised the Castletown Geoghegan defence, crediting them as the foundation of the victory. “The backline was excellent. That was the foundation for the whole thing. They were on all the breaks, and even when they (Lough Lene Gaels) won a couple of balls, we were able to turn them over a few times, which left space up in the forwards. It’s a whole team effort.”

With standout performances across the field, Clarke also highlighted players like Jack Gallagher and Niall O’Brien, who “really came into his own,” particularly with consistent free-taking. “At half-time, we felt we were missing a few scores. We probably had five or six uncharacteristic wides, so we knew if we could just be a little bit more composed. I don’t think Niall missed a free all day; he was very, very good on the frees, which are all crucial scores.”

With 1-27 on the scoreboard, Clarke praised his team’s scoring capabilities. “It’s a great total, but we’ve been putting up those scores all year. We scored 3-27, 1-27, something like that in a couple of games already this year, so we knew if we could get up to that 30-point mark, we’d win.”

Looking ahead to the Leinster Club Championship, Clarke acknowledged that their focus had been solely on the county final. They will face Kilkenny’s Thomastown on Sunday week at TEG Cusack Park.

“Like any county, you don't think too much about it until you actually win it. We’ll enjoy a few days. We haven’t talked about it yet, but I'm sure once a few days pass, we'll knuckle down and give it a go,” he remarked.

“Having a home game is massive, a great bonus. We went down to Kilkenny two years ago, and it’s a hard place to go. So to get a home game is definitely a bonus.”

As Clarke and his team celebrate their well-earned county title, they’ll soon turn their sights to the Leinster competition, where they’ll aim to keep their momentum going.

Disappointment in the Lough Lene Gaels camp

There was a feeling of utter heartbreak in the Lough Lene Gaels camp afterwards and manager Joey Williams was inconsolable. Fielding the questions was selector John Molloy who was gracious yet visibly disappointed following his team’s second consecutive loss in the Westmeath Senior Hurling Championship final on Saturday. Castletown Geoghegan secured a 1-27 to 2-17 victory at TEG Cusack Park, leaving the Gaels once again without the coveted title.

Reflecting on the defeat, Molloy described the experience as "tough to take," admitting that the reality of the loss hadn’t yet fully sunk in. It comes after they lost to Raharney in last year’s decider.

"It's devastating stuff to take, but sure, look at it. It's part and parcel of life, I suppose. It’s sport for you. So, we just have to grin and bear it for the next couple of months and try and get back there next year again, so please God," he said.

The Gaels remained close to Castletown Geoghegan throughout much of the game, even levelling at one stage, but ultimately couldn’t capitalise on their chances. "When you're playing the likes of Castletown Geoghegan, you have to stay on top of them when you get the chance. And unfortunately, we just didn't do it today. Castletown are a great team and congratulations to them, and best of luck to them in Leinster. But we just didn't perform on the day as we should have, really," Molloy conceded.

Despite the disappointment, Molloy expressed immense pride in his team, recognising the dedication they’ve shown over the past two years. "Since we took over two years ago, the boys have had no stone unturned to get back here. And we were just unlucky last year and unlucky again this year. That’s sport. But we'll get on with the task, grin and bear it and hopefully get back next year," he remarked.

Lough Lene Gaels boasts a talented roster of young players, and Molloy sees the potential for future success. "We've as good as hurlers in this dressing room as in any other dressing room. It's just the bit of luck and the bit of drive that we need to push on next year and hopefully come back and win the cup next year," he said.

Reflecting on the game’s pivotal moments, Molloy acknowledged the impact of Castletown Geoghegan’s early goal. "It's not a nice way to start off. Like, it came too early, probably for us. And we were just caught by that early strike; just not up to the mark, maybe, at that stage. But look, fair play to Castletown Geoghegan. They took their chances when they came; more luck to them," he said.

Molloy also had high praise for his players, noting their individual and collective efforts. "Tommy Doyle and Eoin Daly are fantastic players to have, and Noel Conaty, is magnificent. He was super in the goals. And sure, look at fair play. Dan Higgins, at full back was excellent. Doyle is a mountain of a man. Fair play to him. He certainly put his shoulder to the wheel," he said.

Molloy remains optimistic that Lough Lene Gaels can make it third time lucky next year. "Please, God, we’ll get back there next year. We'll win her," he concluded, determined to see his team’s hard work rewarded in the seasons ahead.

A memorable occasion

Saturday's senior hurling final was a wonderful occasion, with supporters permitted free entry to TEG Cusack Park for the game which was re-scheduled having been abandoned after 13 minutes the previous week.

The decision to open the gates to the public was well received and a terrific crowd, in the region of 5,000 supporters, turned up to witness a great game. Westmeath GAA County Committee Chairman Frank Mescall acknowledged the work of all involved in making Saturday's occasion such a success, paying tribute to the staff at TEG Cusack Park who had the pitch in superb condition given the heavy rain the previous week. The thanked Slevin’s Coaches for their sponsorship of all hurling championships.

Aonghus Clarke accepted the newly commissioned Westmeath Examiner Cup and delivered one of the most memorable county final speeches, paying tribute to all who have helped to make Castletown Geoghegan such a successful club. Saturday's victory secured their 15th senior hurling title and the feeling is there is more to come from this talented group of players.