Columb Barracks; Foul language; Sports winners

Columb BarracksThe fight for the barracks in Mullingar goes on. Apparently there will be no decision until after the presidential election on October 27, but when Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, sits down to call it, he should bear in mind the feeling in the town.More than 1,000 people turned out on Saturday to make their feelings clear about what should be done about Columb Barracks. Do not close it Mr Shatter. Mullingar has suffered enough. The saving you might make by closing the barracks will almost certainly be balanced by losses in the economy as the 200 personnel and their families change their focus to Athlone.Mullingar needs Columb Barracks. Keep it open.Foul languageThose present at Cusack Park on Saturday afternoon enjoyed the Westmeath football finals. However, it was a pity that an otherwise memorable occasion was sullied by the use of foul language. It could even be heard in the adjoining car park.This unacceptable trend has crept into post-match presentations at Gaelic games. It also reared its ugly head when Westmeath defeated Meath in the Leinster U21 B hurling final at Trim in July.It is unnecessary, and it is something those in a position of influence, such as players and others involved in the most popular sport in the country, should cease.Sports winnersCroke Park has seen some nail-biting finals this autumn and last Sunday's victory for the Westmeath ladies football team over Cavan ranks up there with the best of them.Peter Leahy and Alan Mangan's charges looked dead and buried when the Cavan forward Grainne Smith scored a goal with a little over 10 minutes remaining to put 1-2 between the sides, but displaying a steeliness and self belief that have been a feature of this squad throughout the campaign, they scored 1-3 without reply to secure an historic first all-Ireland ladies title for the Lakeside County.There were heroes all over the park for Westmeath on Sunday from Captain Fantastic Elaine Finn to defender Triona Durkan, who postponed a trip to Australia to turn out in maroon, but a special word must also go the team mentors for preparing the girls so well for a season in which they claimed a memorable league and cup double.With most of the squad in their early 20s, the Westmeath ladies hopefully won't have to wait another 25 years to appear in Croker.Another young Westmeath sports person who distinguished himself last week was boxer John Joe Nevin. The highly rated bantamweight became the first Irishman to win a medal at two world championships after reaching the semi-finals of this year's competition in Baku, Azerbaijan, and qualified for his second successive Olympics in the process.Now firmly established as one of the top fighters in the world in his weight, expectations are high that the 22-year-old will become the first Westmeath athlete to win an Olympic medal. Here's hoping.