Castledaly lift first Westmeath senior title amid joyous scenes

On Sunday last, the final of this year"s championship took place in a sunny Cusack Park between Castledaly and Garrycastle. The game was played at a good pace but scores were hard to come by as both sides were very committed and were giving nothing easy away.Castledaly got the better of the early exchanges and with twenty minutes gone led the match by 0-6 to 0-3. Garrycastle came into the game and after a fine score from an almost impossible position by Dessie Dolan, things looked better as this score was followed by two more and the sides were level.The second half was played in much the same vein as the first and with only twelve minutes left Garrycastle hadn"t managed to score and with the way the game was going one wondered if they would score at all. Castledaly scored some fine points from the boot of MJ McLoughlin, who was leading the way up front, and as referee Barry Kelly sounded the final whistle Castledaly were crowned County Champions for the first time on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-8.Meadowhall Construction Intermediate HurlingThe final of this year"s championship took place last Saturday in Cusack Park between Brownstown and St. Brigid"s, with the winners moving up to senior grade next year. The game, which was played at a good pace, lacked nothing in the way of excitement from start to finish. St Brigid"s started the sharper and took the early scores and but for some excellent free taking by Brownstown"s captain, Johnny McGuinness they could have been further ahead. The game changed in Brownstown"s favour just before half time when they scored 1-1 without reply to lead at half time 1-5 to 0-4.The second half was a more open affair and while Brownstown had one eye on the trophy St. Brigid"s had other ideas and midway through the half had levelled the match and were well on top in most areas of the field with Dermot Faulkner slotting over some fine points. With Injury time approaching and the game level Brownstown were awarded a free from forty metres, which was duly pointed by the aforementioned McGuinness to win the title on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-12.IntermediateFootballChampionshipThe final of the Intermediate championship takes place next weekend between Ballynacargy and Maryland. This has the makings of a very good match as Ballynacarragy who finished second in their group defeated Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall in the semi-final, and coincidentally Maryland who also finished second in their group defeated Tubberclair in their semi-final, and both sides will be hoping to attain senior status for 2009.JuniorFootballChampionshipThe final of this year"s championship takes place next weekend between Mullingar Shamrocks and St. Mary"s, Rochfortbridge, with both sides looking to get to Intermediate level next year.Shamrocks had a convincing win over Milltown in the semi-final while St Mary"s defeated St Pauls. This one will probably go down to the wire and don"t be surprised if a shock is on the cards.Westmeath Coaching And GamesWorkshop 3 - Strength Training For Gaelic Games - Caleb CairnsBelow are details of the above workshop being organised by the Coaching and Games. Again we encourage all clubs to have as many coaches/mentors in their clubs in attendance at these workshops. Workshop 3 is for both hurling and football clubs.Wednesday 15th October in Shandonagh from 7 to 9pmRegistration will take place at 6.30 pm. Fee €10 per person payable on the eveningFor any further details please contact any of the following: Michael McHugh 087 2935504; Gary Sammon 086 8963150 or James Heffernan 087 6460030Westmeath GAADevelopment LottoThe numbers drawn last week were 11, 23, 24 and 26. There was one Match 3 winner, Pat Loughrey, c/o Mullingar Shamrocks who received €320.ResultsSenior Football Championship Final: Castledaly 0-10, Garrycastle 0-8.Senior Football Championship Relegation: Bunbrosna 3-10, Ballinagore 1-6.Intermediate Hurling Championship Final: Brownstown 1-10, St Brigids 0-12.Junior "A" Hurling Championship: Castletown-Geoghegan 1-9, Lough Lene Gaels 2-14; Clonkill 1-6, Raharney 3-5; St. Oliver Plunketts 0-14, Crookedwood 1-13.Junior "B" Hurling Championship: Brownstown 4-19, Delvin 2-11.FixturesSunday, October 19Cusack Park: JFC Final - Mullingar Shamrocks v. St. Mary"s, Rochfortbridge, B. Keena, 2pmCusack Park: IFC Final - Maryland v. Ballynacargy, S. Carroll 3.45pmWebsitesSenior: http://www.westmeathgaa.ie/Minor: http://coistenanog.westmeath.gaa.ie