Despair for footballers as hurlers progress to Christy Ring Final

Westmeath hurlers played Derry in the semi-final of this year"s Christy Ring Cup last Saturday in sun drenched Cusack Park in front of a good crowd and came away with a ten point winning margin.In doing so the hurlers have qualified for their third Christy Ring final in the four years since its inception.The game started in lively fashion and after the eight minute Westmeath had raced into a five point advantage following a well taken goal by Derek McNicholas. Derry came back into the match and were helped by two fantastic points from sideline cuts by corner forward, Michael Kirkpatrick, but Westmeath deserved their 1-10 to 0-9 lead.Westmeath started the second half brightly but wayward shooting meant that the gap still remained at four points midway through the second half. Westmeath then started to find the range and excellent points from McNicholas, Andrew Mitchell and Brendan Murtagh saw Westmeath stretch their margin and run out convincing winners on a scoreline of 1-19 to 0-12.Football Championship QualifiersWestmeath senior footballers travelled to Omagh last Saturday to take on Tyrone in the second round of this year"s qualifiers. This was a closely fought game with only two points between the sides for most of it. Tyrone started the better and by the twelfth minute they led by 0-4 to 0-1 after three points from wing forward, Tommy McGuigan. Westmeath then settled and points from Denis Glennon, John Smyth and Dessie Dolan, brought them right back into contention before, in the twenty ninth minute, Michael Ennis scored a goal. Westmeath took the lead by a point and things were looking up. Westmeath led at the break by 1-5 to 0-6.Tyrone again had the better start and with twelve minutes gone were back in front by two points, Westmeath were dealt a cruel blow in the next few minutes when wing back, Damien Healy was dismissed for a second yellow card and wing forward Doran Harte was shortly to follow. This left Westmeath stretched and although it also unsettled Tyrone they finished the stronger by a margin of four points, 0-14 to 1-7 thus ending Westmeath"s involvement in this year"s championship.Great credit and thanks must go to the players, the manager, Tomás Ó Flatharta, selectors and all involved with this year"s squad for the good times and memories achieved during the year.Christy Ring CupWestmeath senior hurlers will meet Carlow in this year"s Christy Ring Cup Final next weekend. At time of going to press we learn that the game has been fixed for Croke Park this coming Friday evening, August 1 at 7.30pm.This is likely to be a very close encounter as was last year"s semi-final in Tullamore with Westmeath just shading it in the end. This is the most important match of the year for Westmeath hurlers as the winners will take on Laois to see who will play top grade championship hurling next year.Westmeath will need to be at their best to take this title and the forwards will need to take every scoring opportunity they get. They will be looking to last week"s man of the match, Derek McNicholas to lead the way, while the defence of Paul Greville, Adam Price and Darren McCormack et al will need to be on top form. Carlow will be looking for a big performance from their defence again and in particular Dessie Shaw and Shane Kavanagh while up front Robbie Foley will take watching.Verdict: WestmeathUnder 15 Hurling DevelopmentWestmeath"s Under 15 Hurling Development team had an emphatic win in the Leinster League last Wednesday when they beat a very strong Kilkenny North team on a scoreline of 5-14 to 1-11. They take in Carlow next Wednesday in Cusack Park at 7.30pm. Please come and support this team and the development of hurling within the county.County Board meetingAt this month"s County Board meeting held in Cusack Park last Thursday, Chairman, Tom Farrell informed the meeting that the Leinster GAA Convention for 2009 will be held in Kinnegad. It was also announced that Westmeath had applied to host the Annual Congress and it looks like the county will be the selected venue in 2011.Each and every club within the county will need to elect an Alcohol/Substance Abuse Officer to their Executives in the near future.The new electronic membership database is now up and running and will be on trial in seven counties, including Westmeath, in the near future.A decision was taken on the distribution of the monies available from the playing of Soccer and Rugby in Croke Park and any clubs with projects in the pipeline need to submit details to the County Board before August 1 to be in with a chance of availing of these monies. Approval of these projects will be by Croke Park.The Chairman, Tom Farrell wished the three Olympians from Westmeath the very best of luck on behalf of Westmeath GAA. He also thanked Paddy Dunican, Manager of Kilbeggan Racecourse, for their help during the recent fundraiser.Senior FootballChampionship SponsorsOn Friday, July 25 Tom Farrell, Chairman Westmeath GAA County Board announced that Shay Murtagh Ltd. are now the official sponsors of the Westmeath Senior Club Football Championship.The company has agreed a sponsorship for the next three years. In conjunction with this there are two additional components.The Ber Murtagh 'Man of the Match' AwardThis will be presented to the outstanding player of the final on senior club final day.The Ber Murtagh Westmeath GAA BursaryThis is a bursary of €1500 given to one first year student who intends to pursue a third level course in a Construction/Civil Engineering related discipline in a recognised Irish College. This will be awarded in October, applications to be made in September and the successful applicant will be selected from an appointed panel.Speaking at the launch, Mr. Farrell said that all in Westmeath GAA 'are delighted that Murtaghs have agreed to be our main sponsor and with the loss of Ber Murtagh this makes it all the more poignant'.The Man of the Match Award and the Bursary honour the memory of Ber Murtagh who passed away last September. Ben, who was a director of the Company, had been heavily involved in the GAA, a former referee, Chairman Killucan GAA and committee member of Westmeath GAA Supporters Club.On behalf of Shay Murtagh Ltd, Gillian Murtagh, Company Director said 'the company is proud to be associated with the Senior County Club Football Championship and we have added extra components in memory of Ber and his legacy to the organisation'.SympathyWestmeath County Board would like to extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Margaret Boyle who passed away last week. Margaret"s son, Billy is a long standing servant of Westmeath GAA, having served a term as assistant secretary on the Hurling Board and is still deeply involved with the current county hurling set up.Westmeath GAA Development LottoThe numbers drawn last week were 3, 18, 24 and 30. The following Match 3 winners won €54 each:Cathal Daly, Mullingar Shamrocks GAA; Gerald Foley, Westmeath Ladies GAA; Elaine Conroy, Westmeath Ladies GAA; Alice Kerrigan, Westmeath Ladies GAA; Joe Martin, Ballymore GAA; Brid Harrington Ballymore GAA.ResultsFeis Cup Football: Mullingar Shamrocks 2-11, Tyrrellspass 2-11; The Downs 0-12, Bunbrosna 0-7; St. Loman"s, Mullingar 3-13, Athlone 1-10; Garrycastle 1-17, Killucan 1-13.Intermediate Cup Football: Moate All Whites 1-11, Tang 0-7.Intermediate Football Championship: Caulry 1-11, Ballymore 1-10.Junior Football Championship: St Mary"s, Rochfortbridge 4-13, St. Pauls 0-8; Loughnavalley 2-10, St. Fintan"s/Multyfarnham 0-10; St. Josephs 2-7 St. Loman"s, Mullingar 1-10; Milltown 2-11 Bunbrosna 0-6; Mullingar Shamrocks W/O, Delvin Scratch.