Mixed weekend for Westmeath hurlers

National Hurling League: Westmeath hurlers played their last match in this year"s National League last Sunday in Cusack Park.On a fine Sunday with conditions similar to what one would expect in mid June this was a cracker, with both sides serving up a fine display to the small but appreciative crowd. Westmeath settled into the game quicker than Laois and registered the first score a goal from Derek McNicholas, which was to set the trend for the day.Laois to their credit came more into the match and with the match heading into first half injury time Westmeath trailed by a single point, but fine points from Brendan Murtagh (one from deep in his own half) and Darren McCormack during the half meant that the sides were level at the break. Westmeath were guilty of missed chances, two from corner forward Christopher Flanagan when the crowd felt he should have netted, while at the other end we were being punished for needless fouling by the accurate Dwyane Peacock.Both sides traded points on the resumption before a long range free By the Laois full back went all the way to the Westmeath net and the game took on a different perspective, but credit must go to Westmeath for digging deep and when substitute Alan Devine flicked a high ball to the Laois net things looked better, further points were added by John Shaw, McNicholas and Alan Devine to stretch the Westmeath lead and secure victory on a scoreline of 2-17 to 1-14.Unfortunately, victory was not without a price as Westmeath lost both Brian Smyth and (in injury time), man of the match, Paddy Dowdall with shoulder injuries - the latter looking more serious as he needed to be stretchered off.Leinster Under 21 A Hurling ChampionshipWestmeath Under 21 hurlers played Kildare in the semi-final of this competition last Saturday in Cusack Park. It"s fair to say that Westmeath squandered a chance of reaching the Leinster final as they gave away a nine-point half time lead. This was a game of two halves (pardon the pun) but Westmeath were totally in control during the first period helped in no small way by points from Stephen Bardon at midfield (who ended up with a total of eight points), but the same team failed to show up for the second half and Kildare took control.The Westmeath defence was constantly under pressure and were forced into giving away simple needless frees, which were duly punished by the accurate corner forward Paul Fitzgerald, (he scored six frees in a row between the seventh and the twenty fourth minute). The sides were level midway through the second half but Kildare seemed to be the more hungrier and possessed a greater will to win which they did by 1-13 to 0-15.Senior Football ChampionshipYes, it"s that time of year again! Next weekend see the start of the 2009 championship with six ties down for decision. Current county champions, Castledaly take on Killucan, with the hope of defending their title, but as we well know once at the top it"s hard to remain there, Killucan will approach this fixture with confidence as they only narrowly missed out last year. The Downs will play Coralstown/Kinnegad in a local derby and having only finished one place behind last year and narrowly missing out on a quarter final spot they will be seeking revenge. Bunbrosna will face up to Maryland who will be hoping to improve at senior level having won the intermediate title last year, and Bunbrosna will be hoping for a better run than last year having to overcome Ballinagore in a relegation play-off. Garrycastle take on Mullingar Shamrocks and having been beaten in last year"s final will feel they can claim the honours. St. Lomans play Tyrrellspass and as both sides were narrowly defeated in last years semi-finals this will be a close, tough encounter with both sides aiming to go one better this year. The last match pitches old rivals and near neighbours St. Malachy"s against Athlone. St. Malachy"s will approach this game as if their life depended on it, having failed miserably to perform in last year"s championship they know they have something to prove. Athlone on the other hand who faired no better than St. Malachy"s in last year"s campaign will be hoping to start off with a win.ScórThe All-Ireland Finals took place in Killarney on last Saturday, April 18.Westmeath were represented in four events, Solo Singing - Ballymore (Padraic Keena) Recitation - Moate All Whites (Peter Dolan), Novelty Act - (Castletown-Geoghegan) and Set Dancing (The Downs).Congratulations to all our representatives and well done for representing their Clubs and our County with pride. Congratulations to Peter Dolan (Moate All Whites) on winning the All-Ireland Scór title in the Recetation/Story Telling Category.Congratulations also to County Football Board Chairman, Des Maguire on being selected again as Chairman of the National Scór Committee for another three years.Notes for ClubsGAA Membership Data Base TrainingA number of clubs failed to turn up and we are trying to schedule another night for to complete the training. (venue and time will be confirmed later)The Chairman"s and Secretaries meeting will take place on Monday, April 27 in the Greville Arms Hotel. Mullingar at 8pm. All clubs are requested to attend.If any clubs who have their own website would like a link put on the Westmeath website please e-mail the club website address to either myself (paddreilly@eircom.net) or James Savage (seamusosabhaois@eircom.net) and we will include the link.Referees" AGMThe Referees" AGM will be held in Rosemount on Wednesday, April 22 at 8pm. All referees are expected to attend, even new ones who are doing Under 12 games in the county at present.  Westmeath Football Supporters Group Draw resultsThe Westmeath Football Supporters Group would like congratulate all winners and thank everybody who supported their Annual Patrons Draw and made it a huge success.National ArchiveThe GAA Museum is currently establishing a National GAA Archive which will house the official records of the Association. Examples of these records include minute books, annual reports, financial documents, photographs, maps and plans etc.One series of record that the Archive seeks to house are match programmes-could County Secretaries/PRO"s please ensure that three copies (one for handling, one for display and one for preservation) of each match programme within respective counties, as well as the digital copy, are sent to the Museum as they are published. This will ensure that a record of each Gaelic Game played will be preserved for future researchers.  If you require any more information on the above, or on the establishment of the Archive in general, please do not hesitate in contacting me at any time: Marcus MacRaghnaill/Mark Reynolds, Cartlannaí/Archivist, GAA Museum, 00353 1 8192350 or mreynolds@crokepark.ieWestmeath GAADevelopment LottoThe winning numbers last week were: 2, 14, 18 and 23. There was no jackpot winner. There were five Match 3 winners who each receive €64. They were: Kevin Williams C/O Delvin GAA, Des Fahy C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA, Vinny Maguire C/O St. Lomans Mullingar GAA, Helena Martin C/O Ballymore GAA and Mary Martin C/O Ballymore GAA.WebsitesSenior: 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