New facilities a long process; mixed fortunes on the field

By Gerry Buckley

It has been a long time coming, but the announcement in recent days that a Westmeath GAA centre of excellence is on the way is to be applauded, even if the finished product is a very long way off, while the financing of same is a major worry.

The expression that ‘yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery’ has served many a person well over the years, so there is nothing to be gained from dwelling on the many mistakes already made in relation to the provision of facilities on a par with those proudly displayed by most counties in Ireland. It’s shoulder to the wheel time now, with the addendum that it is hoped that not a penny will be wasted in the pursuit of a proper infrastructure for Gaelic games in the Lake County.

Of course, the finest edifice will not guarantee successful teams in either code, but at least there will be clearly-defined pitches for county teams to train etc, unlike a plethora of ‘outside’ county managers being redirected to venue B rather than venue A while heading to Westmeath for a training session. Sorry, there I go dwelling on past mistakes!

At the wonderful Mullingar Athletic AFC reunion dinner dance recently, a long-time friend of mine opined tongue-in-cheek with trademark wit: “How come I’m the only one here who hasn’t aged?” Well, he and I and countless others hope and pray that the Great GAA Administrator in the Sky will pencil us in as guests/onlookers at the formal opening of the completed project on whatever date it takes place.

On currently existing pitches, Westmeath teams had a very mixed weekend in Salthill and Mullingar respectively, both of which I witnessed in the flesh. My post-match summary of a very heavy defeat to Galway in the Allianz Hurling League was succinct and accurate: “I hoped for a one point-a-man defeat; got a two points-a-man defeat; and but for Noel Conaty, it could have been a three points-a-man defeat.”

Visiting Lake County scribes squirmed when we looked down the very strong Galway panel for last Saturday’s league opener, given that we were all too well aware of the huge list of absentees in the green and maroon jerseys. Joe Fortune has been dealt major blows between lads ‘taking time out’, injuries, and other forms of unavailability.

The massive commitment needed nowadays to play inter-county (and even club) matches at any sort of meaningful level is well documented, but it does seem strange that hurlers in Westmeath would not relish the chance to play against the very top teams while still having a lot to offer.

Galway certainly appear to be in the top three counties in the country at present, and Kilkenny’s ten-time Celtic Cross winner Henry Shefflin is unquestionably under pressure to deliver – at least – the Bob O’Keeffe Cup this year, and perhaps even the Liam MacCarthy Cup itself. There was never going to be much mercy shown.

The latter trophy has, of course, been monopolized by next Sunday’s visitors to TEG Cusack Park. Limerick are unquestionably top of the small ball pile. Indeed, events in the upcoming five months may well end with John Kiely’s troops being labelled as the greatest ever to play the ancient game. Five of the last six titles (and had VAR been around in 2019, it could have been six out of six) needs no embellishment.

Despite the absence of many household names, the men in green and white racked up 1-36 in their home away from home last Sunday, as Antrim (who are at Westmeath's level – on a good day for Westmeath) were swatted aside by 27 points in Semple Stadium, with the Gaelic Grounds undertaking a sod-changing.

So what would a constitute a good performance by the home team next Sunday (throw-in 2pm)? Again, a point-a-man would be very commendable and less dependency on the Lough Lene Gaels cúlbáire to produce sensational saves, albeit the visitors will probably take point opportunities when they present themselves.

A heroic win like 1956 when the incomparable ‘Jobber’ McGrath scored 4-4 in a famous league encounter in Mullingar against the reigning Munster champions is simply not going to happen. There will be no shortage of green and white colours in and around Mullingar next weekend. Some maroon and white would be great to see, as up and coming Lake County stars deserve the backing of their own people. And it’s a case of fingers crossed after that.

Yours truly always supports the admirable half-time draw in TEG Cusack Park, but less loose change than usual in my pockets meant that just one ticket was purchased last Sunday ahead of the football clash with Clare, from the aforementioned Noel Conaty’s father, the incredibly dedicated Gael that is Matty.

During the interval, when the next ticket after mine was pulled out as the winner, I thought that Lady Luck was not on my side, despite Westmeath’s crucial opening score, Conor Dillon’s fifth minute goal, having been decidedly fortunate.

However, Ms Luck came up trumps again when Cormac Murray’s injury-time ‘goal’ was harshly disallowed, allowing Ronan O’Toole to kick a great winning point. Frankly, the Banner County men deserved at least a share of the spoils, and their long journey home to that beautiful county would have been full of ‘what ifs’.

Dessie Dolan’s men have a long journey facing them on Sunday week, and while Aughrim may have lost its ‘fortress’ status somewhat as the years have gone by, the visitors to the Garden County will need a better all-round performance to maintain their perfect start to Division 3. However, as the likes of Alex Ferguson would testify, winning while not at your best is a great sign.

Of course, Westmeath still have generational talents in John Heslin and Kevin Maguire waiting in the wings. And I must remember to bring more coins for whatever draw the locals are holding in Aughrim!