St Loman's celebrate a remarkable year

Westmeath senior football champions St Loman’s, Mullingar celebrated their 2024 success with a dinner dance in Bloomfield House Hotel on Friday, St Valentine’s Day.

On what was a memorable evening, there were 220 present, including players, members, guests or families and it was a tremendous occasion for the club. All involved are extremely grateful to the staff of the Bloomfield House Hotel who were absolutely marvellous, with lovely food and great service. The main highlights included presentations to the various players of the year in both ladies and men's football, while retiring Westmeath star John Heslin was recognised for his inter county career.

“We came together to celebrate a great year for the club, both adult and underage, boys and girls, who have all had multiple victories and were competitive, either reaching finals or winning at all age groups. It was a tremendous occasion for the club,” said chairman Pat McCartan.

“Our senior side of the club also enjoyed a wonderful year with two double doubles, as they say, both through the ladies winning the league and the championship, and the men winning the league and the championship. And then for additional good measure, the Division Three men won their league as well.”

Medals were presented to the senior men by Paddy Dowdall, senior manager. Ciarán Kilmurray presented the medals to the senior ladies. while Seán Kelly presented medals to to the Division Three team.

Seán is retiring as a player, but he will join the management team for the Division Three team in 2025. There were some special awards on the night, including the Ladies Young Player of the Year, who was Katie Murray, an absolutely outstanding young talent. “We're really looking forward and very excited about her future,” said Pat.

The Ladies Senior Player of the Year, Ciara Blundell was also honoured. There was a special award to Aileen Martin, who won her first championship in 2004 and her most recent in 2024. “To have served 20 years with the senior ladies team is a tremendous achievement,” remarked the chairman.

The senior men Young Player of the Year was Jack Geoghegan, who had an impressive inter county debut against Cork on Saturday in Cork. The Men's Senior Player of the Year was Sam McCartan, who has emerged as a very talented footballer in recent seasons.

A special award then was made to Seán Kelly for his great service to the club. “He's been a fantastic servant; he's always been front and centre and one of the main men at all levels of competition. He gets involved at all levels at the club and is a great member and we're very proud to hear that he's going to join the management team of the Division Three lads for next year,” said Pat.

There was also a special presentation by the club to John Heslin, who is retiring as an inter-county player.

“It was essentially just to thank John for his tremendous service to the club and for his tremendous service to the county. It is a highly deserved award and we were very proud to be able to give it to him on the night,” the chairman explained.

MC on the night was Darren Frehill of RTE sport and he proved a popular choice.

“He was fantastic and he really developed a very warm rapport with the crowd. It made for a wonderful atmosphere and it was a very nice occasion,” added the chairman.

Music on the night was by the Raggle Taggle Gypsies. The celebration continued well into the early hours and everybody enjoyed themselves.