Mick Naughton wins Leinster title

Mick Naughton brought home the gold after a successful Leinster Championship at the weekend. He travelled to Na Fianna in Dublin on Saturday last to compete in his EMAS 60x30 softball Leinster final. Referee Frank Daly commenced proceedings with the toss of a coin and the lads were straight into battle with Westmeath steaming ahead to a 9-2 lead.

Mick’s game has really improved this past year, his serves dumping in the back left corner and were on this occasion, too much to handle for Wexford’s Mick Armstrong. Although Wexford settled into the game, it was all too much too late with Westmeath taking game one on a score line of 21-4. Game two was a slightly better watch for the many Westmeath supporters in the gallery with long fought rallies between the pair.

They remained tight through to about 12-7 when Mick took hold of the match to finish it out on a score line of 21-9. Mick has now bagged himself a place in the All-Ireland semi-final where he will compete against the Munster champion on August 20.

Alan O’Mara was due to compete against Kilkenny in Na Fianna on Saturday last but sails through to the next round due to a no show from Kilkenny in the Men’s JC.

Robbie McCarthy Snr also displayed an impressive win as he travelled to Ballymore Eustace on Wednesday last to compete in his DMAS Leinster semi-final, also again Wexford. There was no surprise for us in here in Westmeath as Robbie took the match comfortably on a score line of 21-5, 21-0. It’s a return to Na Fianna for the Westmeath supporters as Robbie competes in his Leinster final this coming Wednesday (July 27) at 8pm against his Irish rival but World doubles partner, Mick Dowling of Kildare. The final will be a tough one, but we have every faith in Robbie Snr and wish him the very best of luck on Wednesday.

Funding

While we in Westmeath would typically develop our strategic plan based off that of our governing body, this year while we were completing it, another very important goal was included. It is the aim of Westmeath GAA Handball to team up with Mullingar Handball Club and commence an inclusion initiative later this year.

The training has been completed and all is ready to go as soon as phase one of the club refurb has been completed. Mullingar Handball Club have been amazing advocates for this project and are in the process of ensuring their facility is accessible ahead of the programme start. The coaches overseeing this project set up a funding page last week to purchase some much needed equipment and were overwhelmed with the response.

Not only had they online donations but they had members such as Peter McCabe and Thomas Martin privately donate to the project. Ballymore Carpets were super in their effort to assist driving over to drop in a cheque. We wish to express a massive thanks to them and everyone who donated for such a worthy project. We are very much looking forward to the project commencing and look forward to seeing the outcomes.