Heartbreak for Westmeath footballers in Cusack Park

Westmeath footballers took on All-Ireland champions, Tyrone last weekend in the Allianz National League in Cusack Park.On a cool sunny day with conditions near perfect for football the 2,800 or so supporters were served up a wonderful game, and the disappointment on the faces of the Westmeath players as they walked off the field told the story.The game was lively right from the off and when Tyrone notched up the first three scores the loyal Westmeath support thought it was going to be another bad day at the office, but not so. Playing with the aid of the breeze in the first half Westmeath never let the champions get too far ahead thanks to some fine free taking by Denis Glennon and two wonderful long range points from midfielder, Niall Kilcoyne. Westmeath really took the game to Tyrone in the second half and played lovely free-flowing football and when Glennon scored Westmeath"s first goal to give us a two point lead things looked a lot better but in true style Tyrone never gave up. Then up popped Michael Ennis to score our second goal and an upset looked on the cards. In what can only be described as a cruel twist of fate Tyrone scored a lucky goal, after Gary Connaughton had made a good save to give Tyrone the victory on a final scoreline of 1-15 to 2-10.Westmeath have their next outing in the League at the weekend when they travel to the Kingdom to take on Kerry. This will be another tough encounter for Westmeath as they try to pick up their first points of the league, and the fact that we have to play the Under 21 on Saturday it will make the task even greater. However, after a good performance against Tyrone anything is possible. Kerry will be hoping to keep their good run in the League going as they share the top spot with Derry and GalwayNational Hurling LeagueWestmeath hurlers make the long trip to Wexford next weekend where they face the Purple and Gold in the next round of the League. This will be a hard battle with both sides looking for league points. Ironically the last game for both teams was against Antrim where both sides had different fortunes, Wexford losing and Westmeath drawing and gaining a valuable league point. On paper Wexford would look the stronger side and will probably feel they will be in the shake up for promotion, but another committed performance from the Westmeath lads could mean things might not go as planned.Leinster Under 21 Football ChampionshipWestmeath Under 21 footballers take on Dublin in the semi-final of this year"s Leinster Championship next Saturday in Parnell Park. Having defeated Kilkenny in the quarter-final three weeks ago and with a number of the players gaining some valuable league experience with the senior panel, this is a fixture which Westmeath could win. Dublin defeated near neighbours, Meath in their quarter-final and like Westmeath have a few senior panellists on the team so this should be a cracker.Scór Sinsear FinalsThe Leinster Scór final will take place on Sunday evening, March 22 in Ballymore Community Centre at 6pm. Best wishes are extended to all our participants so everyone go out and support our county representatives.Coaching and GamesAn in-service GAA foundation course which is being run for teachers during the summer. If a teacher attends the course they will be entitled to 3 days leave during the school year. This would be a great opportunity for your club to have a foundation level coach (a Camogie module is part of the course) working in your local school(s).The benefit of having this teacher qualified would contribute to the development of club players in Primary school by giving more opportunities to play Hurling/Camogie, participation in Cumann na mBunscoil competitions would be increased because the teacher will have a greater knowledge of the game. Also the teacher will have the opportunity of introducing Hurling/Camogie to children at a younger age which will greatly improve the child"s ability and chances of playing the game after Primary school and into your club teams.The course costs € 20 per teacher to attend the course. If your club could visit your local school(s) and invite teachers to attend the course. This would increase the chances of a teacher from the school(s) attending the course.Hurling Board Presentation Dinner DanceThe Westmeath Hurling Board were forced to re-schedule their presentation dinner dance due to reasons outside their control. The dinner dance is now fixed for April 11 in the Mullingar Park Hotel and the last few tickets are on sale and can be purchased from any member of the committee or by contacting any of your local Hurling Clubs.Note to ClubsI want to thank all clubs for the big improvement in texting or phoning in the results on time. This makes my job somewhat easier and allows me to get them to the papers on time. However I am still requesting that all clubs keep up the effort to text/phone in the results of their matches to either myself or James Savage (Fixture Secretary) on time.Lá na gClubannaAs this is the 125th anniversary of the GAA, there has been a day set aside for all clubs in the country to organise something in their area to mark this occasion, as was the case in the centenary year1984. The day set aside by the GAA is Sunday, May 10 so start planning now and lets all have on hell of an enjoyable day to remember.Possible events have been suggested by the GAA and are as follows: Mass for Deceased Members; Unveiling of Plaques honouring those who created the club and nurtured talent; Tree Planting Ceremony, Re-Union of Past Teams, Concert of Scór Acts from past and presentGames for Mammies and Daddies (Married v. Single) etc, Underage Blitzes.Westmeath GAA Development LottoThe numbers drawn last week were 6, 11, 25 and 28. There was no Jackpot winner. The following matched three numbers and received €64: Emma O"Connor C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA; Catherine Darcy C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA; Brendan Cocoman C/O Mullingar Shamrocks GAA; Kevin Murtagh C/O Mullingar Shamrocks GAA; Mark Doyle C/O Ballinagore GAAResultsNational Football League: Tyrone 1-15 Westmeath 2-10;ACHL Div 1 Section A: Castletown Geoghegan 4-17 Delvin 1-7; Castlepollard 2-18 Ringtown 1-7ACHL Div 1 Section B: St. Oliver Plunketts 5-17 Crookedwood 2-8; Raharney 2-11 Clonkill 1-10ACHL Div 2 Round 1: St. Brigids 0-13 Cullion 2-4; Southern Gaels 3-11 Fr Daltons 1-11; St. Oliver Plunketts 4-11 Turin 0-7ACHL Div 3 Round 1: Lough Lene Gaels W/O, Brownstown ScratchWebsitesSenior: http://www.westmeathgaa.ie/Minor: http://coistenanog.westmeath.gaa.ieContactI can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on paddreilly@eircom.net