A big weekend ahead for two north westmeath gaa clubs

If you're thinking ahead to Christmas or still in the Hallowe'en mood, Collinstown will be the place to be this Sunday November 2, when Lough Lene Gaels Hurling and Camogie Clubs jointly host a monster auction fundraiser.

The event kicks off at 2pm on Sunday afternoon, and takes place at Collinstown Hall.

Items for sale include household goods and furniture, weekend breaks, meal vouchers, gifts, agricultural fodder and equipment, fuel, sports items and toys. Sideshows include bric-a-brac, cake and clothes sales.

For further details contact 087 133 7994 or 086 817 6966.

Meanwhile, another north Westmeath club, Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall, will celebrate 50 years in existence on Saturday November 1 (tomorrow).

Founded in 1964, or to be precise, reorganised after a lapse of a number of years, Paddy Hill – the current chairman of Westmeath County Council – Frank Gilhooley, Eddie McLoughlin and Bap Lynch got together and set in motion a thriving club which has since won three adult championships: two intermediate and one junior.

The club has, of course, also enjoyed tremendous success in its various forms at underage level.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the club’s rebirth, past and present players and members will gather at Castletown church at 7pm on Saturday (7pm), and then later at the Hotel Castlepollard (9pm), where all surviving members of the club’s three championship winning teams will receive certificates, as will representatives of deceased players.

There will be music, song, dance, refreshments and plenty of nostalgia by way of an 'open mike’ discussion session.

Tickets are priced at €15, and those interested in attending should contact any club member for details.