Hurlers regain some pride

Westmeath hurlers made the return trip to Casement Park last Sunday for the re-fixture of their Allianz National League against Antrim, with hurling at an extreme low after suffering a heavy defeat at home to Down last weekend.One would have settled for a better more committed performance, and in truth this is what we got.Antrim fielded a weakened side due to "Varsity commitments of some of their younger stars but to come away with a draw and an important League point is a magnificent achievement. Westmeath led at the break by 0-10 to 0-8 thanks largely to some fine long range points by center back Andrew Mitchell, who continued to shine for the whole match, ably assisted by Paul Greville and John Shaw while up front Dan Carthy and Brian Smyth tried hard.The final score was 0-15 to 0-15 and one cannot but wonder at the wisdom of the GAA in allowing Antrim to play in the Leinster championship while at the same time refusing Westmeath the same option.National Football LeagueWestmeath footballers travelled to Mayo last weekend for the third round of this year"s National League, a match which should have been targeted for a victory, but another poor performance means that we are now propping up the bottom of Division 1 and will probably find it difficult to change this position. The hosts really controlled this game with the exception of the start when Westmeath flattered to deceive and went two points clear, but not for long, and after Trevor Mortimer netted on the rebound for Mayo after his first shot was saved the writing was again on the wall. Westmeath tried hard all through but lacked penetration up front, and but for the commitment of the defence the outcome could have been much worse. Mayo won on a final score of 1-13 to 0-8.National League FootballWestmeath footballers have their next outing in the League next weekend when they welcome All-Ireland champions, Tyrone to Cusack Park.This will be another tough encounter for Westmeath as they try to pick themselves up and will need to be able to put something together up front to get the better of the normally watertight Tyrone defence. Tyrone will be anxious to get their League campaign back on track after surprisingly losing out to Galway last weekend and no doubt will be favourites to do so.However, never rule out an upset as this time last year Westmeath claimed the scalp of both Armagh and Meath in the space of two weeks which helped them get to Div. 1 where they really need to be playing to improve the performances of the newer faces and get them up to a faster pace and tougher competition.StewardingAll clubs are requested to have personnel available for stewarding at the National League match next weekend. These personnel are required to be in Cusack Park no later than 1pm for a briefing on all procedures.Scór Sinsear FinalsThe Leinster Semi-Finals of Scór Sinsear took place in The Downs on Saturday night 8/03/2009. Westmeath were represented in all eight disciplines and each of the acts have once again been successful and all eight will now represent Westmeath in the Leinster finals.The eight successful acts are as follows: Figure Dancing: Ballymore; Solo Singing: Ballymore (Padraic Keena); Instrumental Music: Ballymore; Recitation: Moate All Whites (Peter Dolan); Ballad Group: Ballycomoyle; Question Time: Mullingar Shamrocks; Novelty Act: Castletown Geoghegan; Set Dancing: The Downs;Congratulations and best of luck to all the winning clubs. The Leinster Scór final will take place on Sunday evening 22nd March in Ballymore Community Centre @ 6pm so everyone go out and support our county representatives.Westmeath GAA Development LottoThe numbers drawn last week were 3, 5, 13 and 28. There was no jackpot winner and the following won €27 each: Paul Christie C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA, Cathrine Hartigan C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA, Anne Birmingham C/O Westmeath Ladies GAA,Mick Flynn C/O Westmeath Ladies GAA, Amy Hamill C/O Westmeath Ladies GAA, Josephine Quinn C/O Westmeath Ladies GAA, Willie Geraghty C/O Westmeath Ladies GAA, Padraig Keogh C/O Westmeath Ladies GAA, The Downs Ladies C/O Westmeath Ladies GAA, Tom Keenan C/O Ballymore GAA, Tony Burke C/O Ballymore GAA, Zoe, Alex, Zara Martin C/O St. Lomans Mullingar GAA.ResultsNational Football League Div 1: Mayo 1-13, Westmeath 0-8.National Hurling League Div 2: Westmeath 0-15, Antrim 0-15.ACFL Div 1: Ballynacarrgy 2-3, Bunbrosna 0-9; Coralstown/Kinnegad 1-8, The Downs 1-8; Garrycastle 0-10, Tyrrellspass 1-1; Athlone 1-7, Castledaly 1-4.ACFL Div 2: Tubberclair v. St. Malachy"s (P); Kilbeggan Shamrocks v. Milltownpass (P); Tang 1-8, Caulry 1-4; Maryland 0-8, Ballymore 0-5; Shandonagh 3-8, Killucan 0-8ACFL Div 3: Milltown 2-3, St. Pauls 0-7; Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall 0-7, Ballinagore 1-2; Rosemount 0-8, Moate All Whites 2-1; St Mary"s Rochfortbridge v. St. Josephs (P); Loughnavalley v. St. Fintans/Multyfarnham (P).Westmeath GAA FixturesSaturday, March 14All games 4.30pmACHL Division 1 Section ARound 1Delvin: Delvin v. Castletown-Geoghegan, T. Hackett.Castlepollard: Castlepollard v. Ringtown, S. Carroll.ACHL Division 1 Section BCrookedwood: Crookedwood v. St. Oliver Plunketts, Ml Riggs.Joristown: Raharney v. Clonkill, J. McGrath.ACHL Division 2 Round 1Rochfortbridge: St. Brigids v. Cullion, J. Weldon.Pairc Ciarain: Southern Gaels v. Fr Daltons, M. Mannion.ACHL Division 3Collinstown: Lough Lene Gaels v. Brownstown, J. WeirSunday, March 15Cusack Park: Allianz NFL - Westmeath v. Tyrone, 2.30pmACHL Division 2Round 1Turin: Turin v. St. Oliver Plunketts, Frank Brennan, 11amHome Club responsible for referees expenses €40 per game.If "Home" teams venue is unplayable, the responsibility is on the home club to provide a suitable alternative venue.Failing that the game will be played in opponent"s venue or suitable alternative nominated by opponents.In the event of a clash of colours both teams must change colours.Please phone in results to 0876293048 and 0449372343.WebsitesSenior: http://www.westmeathgaa.ie/Minor: http://coistenanog.westmeath.gaa.ieContzctI can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on paddreilly@eircom.net