Hurlers show great spirit as footballing slump continues

This was a poor match with Westmeath only managing to score a single point in the second half. National Football League: Westmeath footballers made the long journey to Kerry last Sunday to take on last year"s beaten All-Ireland finalists in the league. This was a poor match with Westmeath only managing to score a single point in the second half.Despite this were only beaten in the final ten minutes after a penalty shot from Denis Glennon went wide of the Kerry posts while at the other end Kieran Donaghy made no mistake in getting the game"s only goal with three minutes remaining.Westmeath were well in the match in the first half but relied heavily on Glennon for scores and were leading at the break by a single point 0-5 to 0-4. During the second half Donaghy was a real thorn in the Westmeath defence and helped Kerry to some fine points from Tomas Ó Sé and Darren Sullivan,. A brilliant save from Connaughton in the Westmeath goal from a penalty, was not enough to lift the men in maroon and they went down on a final score of 1-12 to 0-6.The footballers now face Donegal in the League next weekend in Mullingar. This will be a big test for Westmeath as they are still pointless and Division 2 of the league beckons for next year, despite running Galway, Tyrone and Kerry very close. However, the team are starting to gel together and performances are improving all the time. This is a game which Westmeath will be targeting for a win but Donegal will be on a high after defeating Tyrone last weekend and will be looking to secure Division 1 status for next year.National Hurling LeagueWestmeath hurlers travelled to the Model County last weekend to face Wexford in the league. The home side dominated the first half after Westmeath conceded two goals from the stick of Rory Jacob and they led by seven points at the interval. Westmeath, to their credit, looked a different team for the second half and when full forward Brendan Murtagh eventually found his stride the Westmeath comeback began. Murtagh scored the two Westmeath goals to bring them right back into contention and with only minutes remaining they were only one point behind. Several missed opportunities could have cost Westmeath at least a point from this fixture but when Stephen Doyle netted for the third Wexford goal Westmeath hearts sank. Wexford won on a final score line of 3-15 to 2-14.The hurlers take on Carlow next weekend in Cusack Park, where both sides will be looking for more league points. Westmeath, while having been beaten last weekend by Wexford, will be going out with all guns blazing with the hope of gaining revenge for last year"s defeat in the Christy Ring Final. Carlow, on the other hand, will be really up for the match coming on the back of a good victory over Antrim. While there is never much between the sides one can look forward to a close hard battle and I feel Westmeath should claim two further league points from this fixture.Leinster Under 21 Football ChampionshipWestmeath lost out to Dublin in the Under 21 Leinster Football semi-final in Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon last. Westmeath"s failure to keep possession proved their downfall as we kicked too much aimless ball handing Dublin easy possession. Dublin got a good start and Westmeath were chasing the game after that but by the break the gap was too big as the score stood at 1-8 to 0-5.We came back well in the second half and three successive frees from John Connellan left just three points in it on 43 minutes. It was Westmeath"s most fruitful spell. Dublin needed a score to settle their nerves and Dean Rock got it in the 45th minute following a brilliant pass from man of the match, Paddy Andrews. Rock"s point was the only score from play in that second period. Three minutes later, Paddy O"Connor lofted over a free and suddenly the game was out of reach again with Dublin going on to win by 1-10 to 0-9.Scór Sinsear FinalsThe Leinster Scór final took place last Sunday evening in Ballymore Community Centre, with Westmeath represented in all eight events. We were successful in four of the eight, Solo Singing - Ballymore (Padraic Keena), Recitation - Moate All Whites (Peter Dolan), Novelty Act - (Castletown Geoghegan) and Set Dancing - (The Downs).Congratulations to all our winners and well done to all participants who represented their clubs and county with pride. The All-Ireland Semi-Finals take place in Killarney on Saturday, April 18.Paudie Butler to visitWestmeathAs part of the Westmeath Coaching and Games Development Plan, Paudie Butler will be in Westmeath next Monday and Tuesday, March 30 and 31. Paudie will be meeting a variety of groups as he develops Schools, Clubs and other areas. The following are his focus areas: Monday: 1.00pm - 3.00pm Session with Primary Schools Coaching Scheme Personnel revolving around Fundamentals Activity for 5/6/7 year olds; 4.30pm - 5.30pm Session with County Schools Juvenile Under 14½ Squad (tbc), 6.30pm - 7.30pm Workshop for South Westmeath Club Mentors - Fr. Daltons Club as hosts and 8.30pm - 9.30pm Southern Gaels Club Development Session in Pairc Chiaran. Tuesday: 4.00pm - 5.30pm Session with Primary Teachers focusing on "Fundamentals Activity" - venue Cullion Community Centre and 7.30pm - 9.00pm Workshop for North Westmeath Club Mentors with Cullion Club as hosts.No doubt all that attend the various workshops will find them hugely beneficial.Hurling Board Presentation Dinner DanceThe Westmeath Hurling Board were forced to re-schedule their presentation Dinner Dance due to reasons outside their control.The Dinner Dance is now fixed for April 11 in the Mullingar Park Hotel and the last few tickets are on sale and can be purchased from and of the committee or by contacting any of your local hurling clubs.GAA membership database trainingThe training courses for club officers will take place in early April in the Institute of Technology, Athlone, (exact dates next week). By now all clubs should have received a blank Excel spreadsheet for filling in, it is of utmost importance that all clubs (especially clubs with no broadband access) fill in this spread sheet and return it to Kieran Leddy (kleddy@gaa.ie) in Croke Park before Friday, March 27 to allow for this data to be uploaded onto the system. If any club has not yet received this spreadsheet you can contact either myself (paddreilly@eircom.net) or Noel Tierney (ntierney@ait.ie) and we will forward this file to you.GAA 125 FlagsIf any Club would like to purchase The GAA 125 Flag they are now available from O" Regan Flags. The prices are 6" x 3" at € 85 + VAT;7"6' x 3"9' €125 + VAT; 10" x 6" €190 + VAT.Contact details: phone 01 6710753, fax 01 6774054 or timothyoregan@yahoo.comLá na gClubannaAs this is the 125th anniversary of the GAA, there has been a day set aside for all clubs in the country to organise something in their area to mark this occasion, as was the case in the centenary year 1984.The day set aside by the GAA is Sunday, May 10 so start planning now and lets all have on hell of an enjoyable day to remember.CongratulationsI feel I cannot let this week go by without congratulating the Irish Rugby Team on their magnificent achievement in winning the Tripple Crown and Grand Slam, and also Bernard Dunne on becoming WBA Super-Bantamweight World Champion. While one is a team sport and the other is an individual sport, and both are at professional level, there is a valuable lesson to be learned from both victories, as both Dunne (defeated in round 1 of his defence of the European title) and the Rugby lads (World Cup disaster) are now back at the top after hard work and commitment. It Can Be Done!!ResultsLeinster Under21 Football Championship Semi-Final: Dublin 1-10, Westmeath 0-9.National Football League: Kerry 1-12, Westmeath 0-6.National Hurling League: Wexford 3-15, Westmeath 2-14.ACFL Div 4: Tyrrellspass 6-8, Ballynacargy 3-12; Mullingar Shamrocks 3-0, St. Lomans 1-8.ACFL Div 5: Coralstown/Kinnegad 2-11, Killucan 2-9; Caulry W/O, Kilbeggan Shamrocks Scratch; Bunbrosna 0-11, Shandonagh 0-7; Ballymore 1-10, Athlone 0-8.ACFL Div 6: Tubberclair 1-7, Rosemount 1-7; St. Malachy"s 2-5, St. Mary"s, Rochfortbridge 0-4; Maryland 1-10, Tang 1-4.ACFL Div 7: Moate All Whites 5-18, Delvin 0-3; Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall 1-9, Ballinagore 0-6.MHL: Clonkill 1-10, Raharney 0-4; Crookedwood 1-13, Southern Gaels/Fr.Daltons 0-11; Castletown Geoghegan W/O, Lough Lene Gaels Scratch; Castlepollard 7-13, Delvin 2-6; St. Oliver Plunketts W/O, Brownstown Scratch; St. Brigid"s 2-10, Ringtown 1-8.WebsitesSenior: http://www.westmeathgaa.ie/Minor: http://coistenanog.westmeath.gaa.ieContactI can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on paddreilly@eircom.netWestmeath GAA FixturesSaturday, March 28Cusack Park: Westmeath v. Carlow, 2.30pm.ACFL Division 4 Round 1Garrycastle: Garrycastle v. Castledaly, P. Fox 3pmBallycomoyle: Ballycomoyle v. The Downs, H. Nolan 3pm.ACHL Division 2Robinstown: St. Oliver Plunketts v. Clonkill, Frank Brennan 5pm.Sunday, March 29Cusack Park: NFL - Westmeath v. Donegal, 2.30pm.ACHL Division 1Section A Round 2All games 11.30amCastletown-Geo.: Castletown-Geoghegan v. Castlepollard, T. Hackett 11.30am.Ringtown: Ringtown v. Brownstown, S. Carroll 11.30am.ACHL Division 1Section BRobinstown: St. Oliver Plunketts v. Raharney, J. McGrath.Clonkill: Clonkill v. Lough Lene Gaels, M. Riggs.ACHL Division 2 Round 2Ballymore: Fr. Daltons v. St. Brigids, M. Mannion.Cullion: Cullion v. Southern Gaels, J. Weldon.ACHL Division 4 Round 7Turin: Turin v. Crookedwood, J. Weir.Home Club responsible for referees expenses €40 per game.If "Home" teams venue is unplayable, the responsibility is on the home club to provide a suitable alternative venue.Failing that the game will be played in opponent"s venue or suitable alternative nominated by opponents.In the event of a clash of colours both teams must change colours.Please phone in results to 0876293048 and 0449372343.