U16 hurlers deny Dublin to reach semi-final
Westmeath GAA Coaching and Games
Westmeath maintained their 100% record and sealed top spot in their group with a convincing win in Crumlin last Saturday. Following wins over Offaly and Wexford, the Lake County entered the game knowing victory would guarantee first place and qualification for the Division 2 semi-final, with the team duly delivering.
A good start set the tone for the game with Westmeath leading by 0-6 to 0-3 after 15 minutes, and this lead was slightly extended by the interval when the Lakemen lead by 0-15 to 0-11. The away team pushed on after the break to rattle off a half dozen points, with Dublin keeping in touch through a goal (their only score in the third quarter).
The result was sealed with 10 minutes remaining when MJ Long goaled to push the lead out to 1-21 to 1-11. Although Dublin found their range with points in the last few minutes, Westmeath saw out the game maturely to win out by eight.
Panel: Ryan McNamee (St. Oliver Plunkett's), Cian Matthews (Cullion), Dylan Gaffney (Clan na Gael), Oisin Gavin (St. Oliver Plunkett's), Jack Connaughton (Cullion), Dean Kelly (St. Brigid's), Andy Sinnott (Cullion), Cillian Clarke (Castletown-Geoghegan), Conor Cleary (Clonkill), Hugo Corroon (St. Oliver Plunkett's), Eoghan Beehan (Cullion), Aidan Doyle (Cullion), Dara Geary (Southern Gaels), MJ Long (Clonkill), Tom Shaw (Raharney), Fionn Kelly (St. Oliver Plunkett's), Cathal Flanagan (St. Vincent's), Odhran Mitchell (Southern Gaels), Liam Weblin (St. Brigid's), Eoghan Daly (Clonkill), Shane Murray (Na Piarsaigh), Conor Williams (Na Piarsaigh), Eamonn Gannon (Cullion), Cian Kennedy (St. Vincent's), Tomas Brennan (Cullion)
The result places Westmeath into the Division 2 semi-final and Finals Day which will take place on Saturday 30th August. Well done to the players on a convincing win and to mentors Greg Gavin, Ger Beehan, Fintan Clarke and Martin Geary on preparing the team.
U15 Hurling John Doyle Cup quarter-final: Westmeath 0-18 Limerick 1-13
A gutsy Westmeath overcame a strong challenge from Limerick last Saturday in Mungret to qualify for the semi-final of the John Doyle Cup. Playing with the aid of the wind in the first half, the away team opened on the front foot, scoring four of the first five points, but were rocked by a clinical goal from the Treaty men after 10 minutes.
Westmeath responded well to this setback and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over, rattling off another nine points in the half through Conor Raleigh, Ciaran Casserly, Billy Whelan, Jame Leech, Ruairi Heffernan and Luke Dowling.
Limerick replied with a pair of their own points in this period, and the Lakemen could have been further ahead but for failing to convert three goal chances. Still, a 0-13 to 1-5 lead at half time represented a good half's work following the early goal.
Limerick scored the first two points after the interval but Westmeath responded with a pair of their own to stretch the lead back to five. A trio of points from the home team had the lead back to two on the 50-minute mark but some heroic defending from Ciaran McGrath, Adam Kiernan and Jack McGuinness prevented further inroads.
Westmeath hit a purple patch when needed and three points in a row had them out to a 0-18 to 1-10 lead by the 55th minute. Limerick worked away to reduce the deficit but Westmeath denied them any sight of the goal chance they needed to save the game and Limerick's final point from distance was the last action of the game.
Team: Evan Dunbar (St. Brigid's), Ciaran McGrath (Clonkill) Adam Kiernan (Clonkill), Luke Ward (Clan na Gael), Jack McGuinness (Clan na Gael), Lorcan Masterson (Na Piarsaigh), Jamie McGuinness (Clan na Gael), Killian Raleigh (Clonkill), Ciaran Casserly (St. Vincent's), Jamie Leech (Na Piarsaigh), Ruairi Heffernan (Na Piarsaigh), Billy Whelan (Castletown-Geoghegan), Luke Dowling (Na Piarsaigh), Odhran Devine (Clan na Gael), Conor Raleigh (Clan na Gael). Substitutes used: Daniel Masterson (Castletown-Geoghegan), Ciaran Mulvaney (Clan na Gael), Matthew O'Brien (Clonkill)
The result qualifies the team for the John Doyle semi-final and Finals Day on Saturday 30th August. Well done to the whole panel on an excellent display and to mentors Kevin O'Brien, Alan Kenna and Barry Whelan.
U14 Forrestal/Walsh Offaly Cup
Two Westmeath teams travelled to Meath Centre of Excellence last Saturday morning to take part in the Forrestal/Walsh Cups. Both teams faced opposition from Meath, Wicklow and Antrim in their groups and each team were treated to competitive fair across their three games each. Well done to all the players on the day and their mentors Barry Williams, Johnny McGuinness, Damien Cassidy, Kevin Reynolds, Mike Maloney and Paddy Dempsey. The panel will be in action in the Forrestal/Walsh Cups again on Saturday 30th August.
Lakeland Óg U13 Hurling Programme
Westmeath GAA are pleased to start the U13 Hurling Lakeland Óg Programme this coming Saturday (9th August) in Ringtown. The programme is for hurlers born in the year 2012 and will run over 4 weeks, giving the players high quality coaching and mentoring across a number of areas. The sign up link has been sent to all minor secretaries and club coaching officers, and staff members will be assisted by experienced coaches in implementing the programme. Many thanks to our staff and the volunteer coaches for putting this worthy initiative together. A similar 4-week programme will follow for footballers across September.