Westmeath New York hurlers claim first title since 1996

New York Senior Hurling final: Westmeath 3-22, Hoboken 3-18

The Westmeath NY Senior hurlers atoned for last year's final defeat by claiming this year's title with a hard-fought win over the Johnny Glynn led Hoboken. In doing so a 29 year gap was bridged since that 1996 title.

In a connection to the previous championship winning team, Meath's Nicky Potterton of the Kildakey Club starred in this year's final and his late father Nicky Snr was on the 1990s championship winning teams. A slow start in the blistering heat appeared ominous for the Westmeath men during which time two goals were conceded. Goals change games and a rasper of a shot following a long solo run by the aforementioned Nicky Potterton, on the stroke of halftime, changed the trend. The team grew from strength to strength after the break and as the game wore on Westmeath's superior fitness shone through and Westmeath ended eventual winners on a scoreline of 3-22 to 3-18.

The four provinces of Ireland were represented in the Westmeath team such is the diversity of the NY GAA scene. The Westmeath connection was maintained by long-term club president, the ever-present Tom Nugent; sponsor and selector Mick Stones (MJS Development); sponsor and club Chairman, the former Cullion and St Loman’s dual-star Colin Whyte (CFW Contracting), and star player Adam Loughlin Stones, who defied a hand-injury received in the semi-final, and came on as a substitute and picked off a number of key scores. Sean Byrne from the Black and Whites club in Kilkenny, Seán O’Leary Hayes from Midleton and Liam McKinney from Burt, County Donegal also played key roles. McKinney won a Nickey Rackard Cup medal in 2024, was on the team of the competition and was nominated as the Player of the Year for the competition.

Eugene Kyne was the Westmeath team manager with John McKenzie, Mick Stones, Colin Whyte and Tom Nugent completing the management team.

Westmeath: Dominic Mottram; Brian McPartland, Sean O’ Leary Hayes, Connall Kerr; Conor Caulfield, Gerard McPartland, Cian Murray; Conor O’Shea, Liam McKinney; Michael Cullen, David Mangan, Gary Corless; Sam Byrne, Kieran Moloney, Nicky Potterton. Substitutes: Eoin Corrigan and Adam Loughlin Stones.