Under 21s show the way with victory over Meath
Westmeath Under 21 footballers defeated neighbours Meath last Saturday in the quarter final of the Leinster Football Championship at a sunny Cusack Park. The significance of this win goes far beyond the neighbourly rivalry between these two sides, and sets up a semi-final clash with Laois on St. Patrick's Day.Meath started the brighter and one could be forgiven for thinking that Westmeath were in for a hiding as Meath's Brian Sheridan was notching up scores at ease with both the right and left and within seven minutes Westmeath were four points behind. The introduction of Timmy Mescall to the side along with some defensive switches helped to get Westmeath back into the game, and when Ian Coffey held off his man and caught the high delivery the net rattled for the first of our two goals. This score lifted the side and Man of the Match John Heslin really made centre field his own with a display of high fielding and accurate delivery of the ball as well as notching up a few scores.The match turned in Westmeath's favour eighteen minutes into the second half when Meath wing back Kevin McCann received his marching orders on a second yellow card, which was rather a harsh decision as there didn't even appear as if there was a foul committed at all. It is hard to believe that Westmeath scored ten points in a row without reply from Meath but that's what happened as Westmeath finally won on a scoreline of 2-14 to 1-11.National Football LeagueFollowing on from the Under 21 match in Mullingar all roads led to Navan on Saturday evening as once again the two teams squared up, this time in the National Football League. All the talk on the way in was of the surprising result in Mullingar but the general feeling was that Meath would take this one by quite a margin as results hadn't gone their way in the previous rounds and Westmeath weren't playing well. While Meath did win the match it was just with the last kick of the match in injury time. The first half of this match was all Meath and had Joe Sheridan been more accurate with his shooting this game could have been over at the break. The introduction of a number of subs on the Westmeath side helped matters as they all stepped up to the plate and as the match entered added on time the Westmeath held a slender one point lead and an upset looked on the cards but in true Meath fashion the somehow managed to claim the last two scores and the win.National Hurling LeagueWestmeath hurlers play the next round of the National League next Saturday in Cusack Park against Kildare. Westmeath will be disappointed having lost to Carlow in their last outing and will need to lift themselves as this is a match we need to win and a much better performance will be required. Wicklow having lost to Kildare last Sunday will be formidable opponents and will be hoping to get their campaign back on trackIf Westmeath hurl like they are able to then I don't see why they cant come away with a win. Verdict Westmeath.National Football LeagueWestmeath footballers face Laois next weekend in the fourth round of this year's league and still needing a win, but after last weeks much improved performance against Meath however this will be a real test for Westmeath and a win is not out of the question but it will require a good hard working performance from all of the team. Laois on the other hand will be hoping to get back on their winning ways after losing out narrowly to Armagh last Weekend and will be looking to this match as a must win to help keep them in Div. 2.Important DateWestmeath Under 21 Footballers have qualified for the Leinster Semi-Final which is to be held on St. Patrick's Day, March 17. This match is a home fixture for Westmeath and Westmeath GAA are asking all members to come out and support this team in their bid for success.AIB All-Ireland Senior Hurling and FootballClub Finals -Wednesday, March 17This St. Patrick's Day four club teams will take to the pitch in Croke Park in search of All-Ireland Club glory. If you are 'up for the match' why not pay a visit to the GAA Museum and check out our new Club Wall and Café!2.00pm Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v. Portumna (Galway)3.45pm  Kilmurray Ibrickane (Clare) v. St. Gall's (Antrim)On match days the GAA Museum offers reducded rate admissions.http://www.crokepark.ie/gaa-museum/visit/match-daysWin two tickets to see Ireland play ScotlandTo be in with a chance to win two tickets to see Ireland v. Scotland, March 20 email the answer to the question below, email your name and contact telephone number to education@crokepark.ie by Friday, March 12.Please note thatentry to this competition is by email only.Question:On May 2, 2009, Croke Park set a new world record attendance for a club rugby union game with an attendance of 82,208! Name the two teams playing that day?Westmeath GAADevelopment LottoThe numbers drawn last week were 7, 13, 18, 26. Three were three Match 3 who each received €107 - Denise O'Neill C/O Delvin GAA, Paddy Ivory C/O Delvin GAA and Gabrielle Fraser C/O Westmeah Ladies GAA.ResultsUnder 21 LFC: Westmeath 2-14, Meath 1-11.NFL Div. 2: Meath 1-12, Westmeath 2-8.SHL Div1: Clonkill 3-13, Raharney 1-10; Castlepollard 2-12, St. Oliver Plunketts 0-10.SHL Div 2: Ringtown 1-13, Brownstown 0-9.SHL Division 3: Cullion 3-14, Southern Gaels 0-8; Crookedwood 1-10, Fr. Daltons 1-7.Websitehttp://www.westmeathgaa.ieContactI can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on pro.westmeath@gaa.ie