Sports review of the year 2022: September

Speculation was rife early in September as to who would replace Jack Cooney as Westmeath senior football manager. Former Garrycastle and Roscommon boss Anthony Cunningham was among those linked to the job at an early stage, but by the end of the month the matter was settled when one of Cunningham’s former charges, Dessie Dolan, was appointed to the role. Dolan, who joined Cooney as a selector for the 2022 campaign, said that he would be retaining all of the incumbent backroom team while making one more high-profile coaching addition. At a meeting of Westmeath GAA’s county board, chairman Frank Mescall expressed his regret that news of Dolan’s appointment was leaked to the media. Also in September, St Loman’s, Mullingar clubman Eoghan Kevlihan was named as Westmeath minor football manager.

In hurling, Westmeath star Killian Doyle (Raharney) spoke of a “great honour” as he became the first Lake County player in 36 years to be nominated for an All Star award in hurling. Locally, Castletown Geoghegan and Raharney qualified for an SHC ‘A’ semi-final, the winner of which would take on Clonkill in the final on October 2. A win for Clonkill in their final round robin game, meanwhile, put paid to Lough Lene Gaels’ chances of reaching the knockout round. Later in the month, an early goal from Peter Clarke set Castletown on their way as they defeated Raharney 1-19 to 0-15 to qualify for the decider.

At senior ‘B’, Fr Dalton’s and Brownstown made it to the semi-final, and with Owen McCabe on song, the south Westmeath side prevailed. Cullion were relegated to senior ‘B’ for 2023, while in the senior ‘B’ playoff, St Brigid’s lost on penalties to St Oliver Plunkett’s and dropped to intermediate. Ringtown and Raharney qualified for the IHC final at the expense of Clonkill and Castletown Geoghegan respectively, with the evergreen John Shaw impressing for Raharney.

On the football front, the knockout stages of the Westmeath football championships were down for decision. Tyrrellspass and Killucan emerged winners against Caulry and Coralstown/Kinnegad respectively in two exciting SFC quarter-finals. In the last four, Shane Dempsey and John Heslin hit form for St Loman’s, Mullingar as they survived a scare against Killucan, while The Downs put in a classy display to fend off Tyrrellspass, with goals from Ian Martin, Andrew Kilmartin and Niall Mitchell crucial. St Loman’s manager Declan Kelly said that he was expecting a “titanic battle” with the Black and Ambers in the final.

In the IFC, 1-2 from Matthew Whittaker fired Tubberclair into the semis at Castledaly’s expense, while a controversial late point sent Shandonagh through to the last four. Tubberclair and Shandonagh subsequently advanced to the final, with Tom Molloy’s scores crucial for Shan’ as they edged Milltown after extra-time. Whittaker and Robbie Curley were on song for Tubberclair, meanwhile, as they defeated St Mary’s Rochfortbridge. Kilbeggan Shamrocks were relegated to junior, after losing their playoff to Maryland. At junior 1 grade, Ronan Wallace led the way for Multyfarnham as they reached the semi-finals along with neighbours Bunbrosna, The Downs and Garrycastle. Ballinagore, meanwhile, were relegated to Junior 2. In the semis, the full junior clubs prevailed, setting up a fascinating local derby between Multy and Bun in the decider.

On the ladies’ football field, The Downs knocked St Loman’s out of the senior championship at the quarter-final stage, while St Mary’s Rochfortbridge prevailed against Mullingar Shamrocks. In the semi-finals, Sarah Dillon’s prowess saw Milltown through comfortably against The Downs, while a flurry of goals, including two from Megan Brick, won the day for St Mary’s against Garrycastle. At junior level, the county championship concluded with St Joseph’s romping to victory against Cill Óige. In camogie, St Brigid’s made club history by reaching a senior semi-final.

At the August meeting of Westmeath GAA’s county board, held in early September, the normalisation of debit card machines at GAA venues was discussed, with Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall stating that it was the board’s hope to do away altogether with the use of cash for admission to games. Meanwhile, September saw plenty of handball success for Westmeath. Robbie McCarthy Jnr once again lifted the All-Ireland senior softball (60x30) cup with victory against All-Ireland final debutant Gary McConnell of Meath. On the same weekend, Mick Naughton won an All-Ireland EMAS softball title by beating Mayo’s Tom Sweeney.

Elsewhere in GAA, St Loman’s, Mullingar hosted a Leinster LGFA U10 blitz; Raharney and St Munna’s won U16 Division 1 and Division 2 camogie titles respectively; St Oliver Plunkett’s annexed the U17 Division 2 hurling crown; members of Westmeath’s Tailteann Cup-winning team were given a civic reception by Westmeath County Council; Loughnavalley GAA launched their pitch development project; and St Loman’s, Mullingar won the county’s premier U14 ladies’ title.

The month in athletics saw Mullingar Harriers among the team medals with Ireland at the World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Clonmel, with Gerard Gavin claiming silver, while Aisling and Oisín Lane took part in a mass 10k event at the European T&F in Munich. Harriers impressed at the Ratoath Half Marathon, while the club made an encouraging start to the cross country season at the Star of the Sea AC open meeting. Elsewhere, Coralstown/Kinnegad AC launched their Couch to 5k initiative, while Kilbeggan’s Jim Langan (Tullamore Harriers) won the Offaly Masters at Lough Boora.

In soccer, Mullingar Town claimed the CCFL Westmeath Cup at the expense of Ballinahown thanks to a late goal from Dan Beyo, while the club’s Over 35s won their shield final on penalties against Clara Town. However, the club was taught a harsh lesson by Monksland United in the league, going down 3-0 in their CCFL Senior Division opener, before losing 5-4 on penalties to Templeogue United in the LFA Over 35s Cup, after a 4-4 draw. Real Football Academy, Mullingar’s U12 boys won their NECSL U12 Cup final against Enfield Celtic, while Longford Town Cruisers eased past Mullingar Celtic in the FAI Junior Cup. In the League of Ireland, Mullingar’s Aidan Keena continued to find the net for Sligo Rovers and pulled away at the top of the league’s goalscoring charts.

In pitch and putt, Sean Goggins won the senior category in the Collinstown Pitch and Putt Club Scratch Cup, while in Kilbeggan, Padraig Carton and Maureen Clarke were the big winners in Kevin Clarke’s Captain’s Prize. In golf, Margaret Treacy won the Lady Captain’s (Kathryn Cooney’s) Prize at New Forest Golf Club, while Mullingar Golf Club’s Liam Grehan shot 67 under par to record his fourth win in the Irish Club Pro Championship. Meanwhile, Mullingar club pro James Quinlivan was involved in international action in the Algarve. On the rugby field, Katie Heffernan represented Ireland at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, South Africa, reaching a quarter-final against New Zealand, where the Irish women were defeated. Heffernan came on as a sub in victories over Brazil and England.

Elsewhere in sport, Mullingar Rugby Club officially opened its new 400-seater stand at Shay Murtagh Park; Westmeath Pony Club’s youths were in national eventing action at Tattersalls; trainer David Murray recorded a treble at a Mullingar greyhound racing meeting; Mullingar’s Jordan Dempsey moved into a title winning position in the Avon Tyres BRSCC Formula Ford 1600 with a string of outstanding displays at Donington Park, Derby; Mullingar Sailing Club hosted the Mirror Western Sailing Championships at Lough Owel; Mullingar Tennis and Badminton Club held its senior open tournament, with Tammy Duffy taking three titles; and in soccer, Raharney United’s senior team enjoyed a 2-1 CCFL Division 3B derby win over Kinnegad Juniors.