Double joy for Westmeath hurlers and footballers

Westmeath hurlers travelled to Newbridge last Saturday to play Kildare in the Christy Ring Cup Quarter Final. This was a much better performance from Westmeath and Kildare had no answer to centre half forward Brendan Murtagh who notched a total of 11 points throughout the game.Westmeath started well and with goals from Paddy Dowdall and Andrew Mitchell the game looked over at the break with Westmeath leading by ten points, Kildare started the second much brighter and had reduced the deficit to just two points within seven minutes after goals by Oisin Lynch and Adrian McAndrew. Westmeath stepped up a gear with a flurry of points from Murtagh, Clarke and Shaw to leave the final score 2-22 to 3-13.Football Championship QualifiersWestmeath senior footballers made the long trip to Ardfinnan last Saturday to face Tipperary in the first round of this year"s qualifiers. This wasn"t a game what one would class as skilfull by any manner or means but at least we came away with a win. It took all of fourteen minutes before Westmeath registered their first score, a free from Dessie Dolan and between himself and Denis Glennon they registered eleven points. Scores were few and far between with even Michael Ennis managing to register a point to leave Westmeath leading by 0-7 to 0-1 at the break. The second half was much the same with Tipperary only managing to score a further five points and sub David Glennon scored the match"s final score. Westmeath won on a final score of 0-15 to 0-6.Christy Ring CupWestmeath senior hurlers have been drawn against Derry in the Christy Ring Cup semi-final next Saturday in Cusack Park. Westmeath will approach this game with caution by virtue of the fact that their own performances of late are rather erratic and Derry toppled Down last weekend who were probably hoping to be in the final. It will take nothing less than a 100% effort from all players and, in particular, the backs as the Derry full forward line is extremely sharp notching a total of 1-15 against Down with corner forward, Michael Kirkpatrick coming away with a tally of 11 points. On the other hand, Brendan Murtagh is on top form at the minute as well and hopefully this match won"t come down to a two horse race. Verdict: Westmeath.Football Championship QualifiersWestmeath senior footballers have been drawn against Tyrone in the second round of this year"s qualifiers. This is possibly the hardest tie of the round but if we are to progress we need to be able to beat everybody. Westmeath will need to up their performance from last weekend"s lack lustre affair with Tipperary if they are to come away with a victory. We will need a better effort from the forwards as we are still heavily reliant on Dessie Dolan and Denis Glennon to get our scores. Tyrone will be looking to midfielder, Ryan Mellon and to forwards, Sean Cavanagh and Colm McCullagh who scored five points last weekend to help secure victory for them and with both sides playing the same style of football (blanket defence), this could be a very close encounter.Verdict Westmeath.SympathyWestmeath County Board would like to extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Dr. Liam Harris (Castletown Geoghegan) who died lately. Liam served Westmeath GAA for many years as team doctor to the county hurlers and often applied running repairs to the needy while sitting pitchside to get them back into the action. He will be sadly missed by all in the area. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.Westmeath GAA Development LottoThere was one winner of the €11,100, Mary Hynes, c/o St. Oliver Plunketts GAAResultsJunior B Championship Section A: Ballymore 1-10, Moate All Whites 1-6; Ballinagore 4-14, Ballycomoyle 2-6.Junior B Championship Section B: Coralstown/Kinnegad 1-10, The Downs 2-8; Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall 0-16, Tang 1-13.Junior B Championship Section C: St. Loman"s, Mullingar 1-6, Kilbeggan Shamrocks 0-10; Maryland 5-8, Milltownpass 2-6.Junior B Championship Section D: Rosemount 1-16, St. Mary"s, Rochfortbridge 1-6; Caulry 4-14, Bunbrosna 1-3.Junior B Championship Section E: St. Malachys 0-2, Tubberclair 0-8.Junior B Championship Section F: Ballynacargy 1-16, Shandonagh 0-9.Intermediate Hurling Championship: Clonkill 1-13, Southern Gaels 1-13; Turin 3-12, St. Oliver Plunketts 0-6; Delvin 1-15, Cullion 0-10; Brownstown 3-9. St. Brigids 1-11.