Hurlers qualify for Ring Cup semi-finals

Westmeath GAA Jottings -- Westmeath hurlers travelled to Navan last weekend to take on Down in the quarter-final of the Christy Ring Cup. This was a tough hard fought game with both sides trading scores from the start.It looked as if Down had the upper hand in this department as they seemed to be able to score with greater ease than Westmeath with points from Branniff, Coyle and Clarke to give them a commanding lead but this all changed in the twenty eighth minute when Joe Clarke pounced on a rebound off the upright to score Westmeath's first goal. Further points from Murtagh, Enda Loughlin and Leo Smith sent them in at the break with a 1-11 to 0-11 advantage.The second half was just a minute old when Down went level with a goal from Stephen Clarke who finished from close range after Burke had made a spectacular save from Coyle's screamer. Andrew Mitchell and John Shaw came more into the game at the heart of their defence, and Westmeath turned the game back in their favour. Brendan Murtagh continued to hit the target, with Paul Greville and Stephen Bardon also notching up valuable scores.Corner forward Dan Carthy was denied a goal by a superb Graham Clarke save, but moments later managed to beat the Down 'keeper with a firmly struck shot to effectively kill the game off with a four minutes to play. One feature of this game was the superb performance of both keepers bringing off many superb saves from point blank range particularly Pat Burke in the Westmeath goal who turned in a Man of the Match performance.Westmeath won on a final scoreline of 2-21 to 1-18 and now face Kildare in the semi-final.Leinster Minor Football ChampionshipGoalkeeper Paddy Collum's late penalty sealed a thoroughly deserved victory for Longford over a Westmeath side that failed to perform to their potential in this years ESB Leinster Minor Football Championship quarter-final at a sun-kissed Cusack Park last Saturday.Westmeath appeared totally disjointed and only managed two points from play with team captain John Heslin providing four of their scores.Longford took the game to Westmeath from the off and had opened up a 0-2 to 0-1 lead before David McCormack levelled for Westmeath, but unanswered points from Hughes, James McGivney and Darren Farely left the visitors 0-5 to 0-2 ahead at the break.Indeed, they would have been out of sight had Hughes not spurned two goal chances late in the half.The second half wasn't much better from a Westmeath perspective as we were wasteful in the third quarter when we shot a number of bad wides and also dropped the ball into the hands of the Longford keeper on more than one occasion.Heslin pointed two frees to reduced the margin to the minimum with eight minutes remaining, but two minutes later, Hughes was brought down for a penalty, and, just as he had done in the last round against Carlow, Longford 'keeper Paddy Collum made the long trek up the field to beat his opposite number Darren Brady and give the visitors a memorable victory.Greville Arms HotelSenior Hurling ChampionshipNext weekend see the start of the 2010 championship in earnest. We already have the prelim round over with Lough Lene Gaels defeating St. Brigid's who now face Clonkill next weekend. One would have to favour Clonkill to take the honours in this one. Raharney play Castlepollard in what is probably the tie of the round and expect sparks to fly here as both sides will be hoping to be in the final shake up. St. Oliver Plunketts will face up to Brownstown.Brownstown, who just survived at senior level by the skin of their teeth, will be hoping to maintain senior status this year but on paper Plunketts look the stronger but Brownstown could cause an upset albeit by a small margin if they produce the form shown in the first round last year.Castletown-Geoghegan will play Ringtown and this has the makings of a lively encounter as both sides move the ball fast and Ringtown will be fighting for survival at senior level.Coachingand GamesOur Under 14 Hurling development squad travelled to Mucklagh last Saturday morning to take on an Offaly selection.Despite the hot conditions we played 30 minutes followed by two further periods of 20 minutes each giving our 28 players plenty of game time.After the first period we led 1-9 to 1-6 with Darragh Clinton, Ciaran Fagan and Shane Clavin to the fore.At the end of the second period we were 1-15 to 1-8 ahead following some great scores from Ian Kilcoyne, Micheal Daly and Jack Galvin. The final score was Westmeath 3-16 Offaly 3-14. Other players to shine included Robbie Gillen, Liam Cassidy, Alan Kincaid, Luke Byrne, Ronan Wallace, Bobby Gonoud and Sean Quinn.MatchguidelinesChoiste Cheannais Comortaisí na hIarmhí wishes to remind Clubs of the following;Water bottles are not permitted to be thrown onto the pitch.  The following persons are not permitted to act as Water/Hurley carrier: (i) Bainsteoirp; (ii) Maor Foirne or other Selectors;(iii) Cathaoirleach or Runaí/Nominated Representative; (iv) Medical Personnel; (v) Substitutes, members of extended panel and injured players.Poc Fada and Kick Fada CompetitionsAs part of Westmeath County Council 'Destination Sports Mullingar' week running from June 12 - 20, Westmeath Coaching and Games Development Committee are planning to run Poc Fada and Kick Fada competitions in the Belvedere Estate on Monday evening, June 14. There will be four separate competitions:- Minor Hurling, Adult Hurling, Minor Football and Adult Football.with the hurling running from 6.30pm - 8pm and the football running from 8pm - 9.30pm. The competition will be run over a distance of approximately 2km with the winner being the person who completes the course in least number of shots/kicks in each section.Entries giving name, club and a contact number to James Heffernan by Friday, June 4 (one minor entrant per club per competition)If you have any query, feel free to contact: Noel Delaney (087 - 2456147) or James Heffernan (087 - 6460030)GAA MembershipcardsThe Association will shortly begin the production of personalised 2010 membership cards. These cards will contain each member's name, club, county, membership type and membership number.The list of members for each club will be taken directly from the on-line membership system.Please ensure that your club's registration is up to date and correct. Any person who is not registered on this system will not be allocated a card. Please also ensure that the club name is correct. The cards will be issued to each club via the County Committee office. Please note that any person whose details are on the 'REGISTER' page in the 'MEMBERS MANAGEMENT' tab are awaiting registration. The club name that is displayed can be changed in the CLUB DETAILS section.The website address is https://people.gaa.ie/admin. Each club will already have a username and password. If there are issues with the username and password, email gaasupport@servasport.com using the club GAA email address. ResultsJasca Sports IFC Div1: Ballynacargy 3-9, Moate All Whites 1-4.K.C. Sports JFC Sect A: Milltownpass 1-16, Loughnavalley 1-3; Delvin 3-12, St. Josephs 2-12; Milltown 2-14, St. Pauls 0-10; Ballycomoyle 1-8 St. Fintan's, Multyfarnham 1-6.ACFL Div 4: Garrycastle 1-11, The Downs 2-6.ACFL Div 5: Caulry 1-12, Killucan 3-6; Bunbrosna 3-10, Ballymore 2-8; Athlone 1-14, Shandonagh 0-7; Tubberclair 6-8, Coralstown/Kinnegad 1-14.ACFL Div 6: Kilbeggan Shamrocks 3-16, Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall 2-14; St. Malachys 5-10, St. Marys Rochfortbridge 2-14.Websitehttp://www.westmeathgaa.ieContactI can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on pro.westmeath@gaa.iePat Reilly, Westmeath GAA PRO