Kinnegad branch to contest Macra final

Three farmers from the Kinnegad branch of Macra na Feirme will represent Westmeath in the Macra na Feirme/FBD Farmskills national final at Gurteen Agricultural College, Co. Tipperary on Saturday, August 23.Daniel Drum, Ronan Mulligan and Jonathan Beggan, have qualified through the county rounds and semi-finals to compete in the final. They will compete in Fencing, Tractor skills, and General Knowledge against teams from five other counties who made it through to the final.Daniel Drum, a full time dairy farmer said, 'I am delighted that three farmers will represent Westmeath in the national final. This event provides the opportunity to display modern farm techniques and also highlights the importance of health and safety on today"s farms'.A Teagasc report on Farm Safety found, amongst other things, that two thousand injuries occur on Irish farms each year. Seventy five per cent of all farm accidents are associated with tractors and machinery, trips and falls, and livestock . Shockingly, Ireland has over twice the incidence of farm accidents than other European countries. Clearly a knowledge of farm safety techniques is vital for today"s farmers.The aims of the competition are to help young farmers develop various farm skills and techniques, to demonstrate to the public the skill required in modern farming, and to create greater awareness of farm safety.The Westmeath team consists of dairy farmer Daniel Drum, Delvin, and suckler herd farmers Ronan Mulligan, Delvin, and Jonathan Beggan, Killallon.Soccer season gets underwayWith the Premiership back in full swing in England, soccer fever is well and truly on the agenda again, and for young people in Kinnegad, the story is no different.Local club Kinnegad Juniors are preparing to contest a variety of leagues from Under 10 to 17 grades, and to build up their roster of players ahead of the resumption of competitive football, training schedules have been drawn up by the respective team managers.On Tuesday of this week, August 19, training for Under 10s and Under 11s (boys and girls) took place between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, with Under 12 boys and girls following 6.30pm for one hour at St. Etchen"s National School, Kinnegad. On Wednesday of this week, August 20, training for Under 13s, 15s and 17s (all boys) takes place between 6pm and 7.15pm on the pitch at St. Finian"s Hall, Kinnegad.All new players are welcome to train with Kinnegad Juniors. In the interest of safety, players are required to wear boots and shinguards for both matches and training.Anyone who would like to join the club on a coaching basis, or even to just assist in any way, is invited to contact Colm Gildea on (086) 8354297, David Flood on (086) 6099401 or one of the team managers. The team managers for this year are: Jeff Gleeson and David Cannon (Under 10s), Mick and Kevin Ronan (Under 11s), Colm Gildea and Gary Doyle (Under 12s), Mark Woods and Stef Smith (Under 13s), David Flood and Joe Mannix (Under 15s), Vincent Dornan and Gary Brady (Under 17s).At the club"s recent AGM, it was decided that the Under 10s and 13s will enter the Athlone league, while the Under 15s and 17s will enter the North Dublin Schoolboy/girl league for the coming season.Kathleen and Julie share €200Kathleen Darby and Julie Glennon shared the match 3 prize of €200 in last week"s Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA Lucky Numbers Draw, with the jackpot of €5,600 failing to attract a winner. The numbers drawn were 1, 17, 19 and 24.Meanwhile, in neighbouring Clonard, there were no winners of the dual jackpot (€12,800 and €8,600) in last week"s Clonard GAA and Community Council Lotto Draw. The numbers drawn were 6, 11, 15 and 27, and the sole match three winner was Mary Naughton, who picked up €150.Presentation to Killucan causesOn Sunday next, August 24, Nanny Quinn"s pub in Killucan will be the venue for a special presentation by the Rover Enthusiasts Club of Ireland to a number of Killucan-based charities and schools.The presentation kicks off at 3pm, and a number of local causes will benefit from the funds raised at the hugely successful Killucan Vintage Rally in May of this year. All are welcome to Nanny Quinn"s for what is expected to be an afternoon of terrific entertainment.Kinnegad/Coralstown leads the way in MosneyOf the Westmeath contingent heading to Mosney for the National Community Games finals this weekend, the largest section will represent Kinnegad/Coralstown Community GamesRepresenting Kinnegad/Coralstown at the finals will be: Caroline Keaveny, Long Jump/U-14 Relay; Aileen Murtagh, U-14 Relay; Ciara Fogarty, Shot Putt/U-14 Relay; Donna Kiernan, U-14 Relay; Jane Leydon, U-14 Relay; Kayleigh Woods, U-14 Relay; Shane Giles, U-12 Relay; Brendan Keaveny; Ball Throw/U-12 Relay; Evan Toner, U-12 100m/U-12 Relay; Kevin Giles, U-12 Relay; Ciaran Bracken, U-12 Relay; Aaron Glynn, U-14 Relay; Philip Giles, U-14 80m H./Relay; Ebhin O"Meara, U-14 Relay; Adam Woods, U-10 Mixed Relay; Patrick Leydon, U-10 Mixed Relay; Eoghan Bracken, U-10 Mixed Relay; Nicole Gorry, U-10 Mixed Relay; Rachel Glennon, U-10 100m/Relay; Laura Toner, U-10 Mixed Relay; Jordyn O"Connor, U-8 80m; Aisling Bracken, U-12 600m; Amy Giles, U-16 1500m.; Shannon Lyons, U-12 Ball Throw.From neighbouring Killucan/Raharney, Ciara O"Looney will represent Westmeath in the Under 10 girls" 60m hurdles.