Garrycastle and Tyrrellspass vie for final spot

The first of this year's semi-finals will take place next weekend with Garrycastle taking on Tyrrellspass while the replay of the drawn quarter-final between near neighbours, Mullingar Shamrocks and St. Lomans.This semi-final should be a closely contested affair as Garrycastle topped the group and Tyrrellspass were put to the pin of their collar by Maryland and will be hoping to go a step further than last year. Tyrrellspass will look to the likes of the Glennon brothers, Flanagan, and Keith Scally to help them to a second final in a row while on the other hand Garrycastle with players of the calibre of the Dolan brothers, Justin McAteer and Paul Dillon in their side and their ability to play an open, fast, moving style of football could trouble their neighbours.The quarterfinal between Mullingar Shamrocks and St. Lomans will be a tough, closely fought match with nothing between either sides. On paper St. Lomans seem to be the form team and will probably fancy themselves to make the final with players like Conrad Reilly, Enda Mathews and Conor Lynam. However, the never-say-die spirit shown by Shamrocks in the drawn game along with big performances from Kieran Gavin, Donal O'Donoghue, Simon Quinn and Brian O'Sullivan may help to see them over the line.Greville Arms Senior Hurling ChampionshipLough Lene Gaels and Clonkill will contest this year's hurling final after both semi-finals took place last weekend in Cusack Park. In the lively and entertaining first match. Lough Lene Gaels were made to work hard by CastletownGeoghegan, who matched them score for score for most of the match, but two excellent long range frees from Derek McNicholas and two goals from wing forward Pauric Fitzsimons in the second half helped ensure victory for the Gaels.The second game between champions Raharney and Clonkill was a lack lustre affair. Clonkill looked the hungrier and led right from the off, and with ten minutes left held a ten point lead, before Raharney scored the game's only goal which put a gloss on the score-line of a poor lifeless display, much to the surprise of the large attending crowd.Slevin's Coaches Intermediate Hurling ChampionshipOver the last week the final round of games were played in the league section of this year's championship, with Crookedwood, Turin, St. Brigid's and Fr. Daltons qualifying for the semi-final spots. Owing to time pressure the first semi-final Between St. Brigid's and neighbours Fr. Daltons took place last Sunday morning in Kinnegad with St. Brigid's eventually getting over a very determined Fr. Daltons side to reach their second final in two years.The second semi-final will take place next weekend between local rivals Crookedwood and Turin, with the wood having topped the table one would expect them to progress but do not write off Turin as they have been in the semi-final for the last couple of years and could well cause a shock, look out for a lively encounter in this one.Intermediate Football ChampionshipThe semi-finals of the Intermediate Championship take place next weekend with Tang playing Tubberclair in the first match. Tubberclair, who topped their group will feel confident they can progress but Tang have the benefit of a tough quarter final win under their belt and will not give this one away without a fight. In the second semi-final Ballynacargy face up to Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall and just like Tubberclair they topped their division as well and will not like to lose out to Castletown who overcame last year's promoted champions, St. Mary's in the quarter final after a tough battle.Jasca Sports Junior Football ChampionshipThe semi-finals of this competition took place last weekend in Cusack Park with Caulry and St. Pauls reaching the final. Caulry overcame a strong challenge from Coralstown/Kinnegad and at times it looked as if this game might might go the other way but a very strong finish by Caulry saw them over the line. In the second game St. Pauls defeated Mullingar Shamrocks. This was a rather lack lustre affair with little or nothing to cheer about but for the fact that it was so close in scoring terms, with a draw looking likely at several stages as the final whistle approached. Howver, St. Pauls just eked out a one point win on the stroke of full time.Slevin's Coaches Junior Hurling ChampionshipThe second semi-final of this year's Junior championship takes place next Friday evening between Clonkill and Castlepollard. This is a rematch of last years junior final and Clonkill will be looking to reverse last year's outcome but hurling tradition runs deep in Castlepollard and this may help them to reach the final.Coaching and GamesWin a CÚL Day Out!Children from all over the country are in with a chance of playing in the world famous Croke Park stadium this September 28 at the Vhi GAA Cúl Day Out.Vhi GAA Cúl Day Out is a very special event that will see 240 children realise their dreams and train and play games (a match) in the world-famous stadium. GAA heroes such as Anthony Daly and Colm O'Rourke, as well as over 50 hurling, football, camogie and handball players from every senior team in the country will be working with the children on the day to help them develop their skills and instil their passion for the game.Vhi GAA CÚL Camps - the official GAA summer camps - are the only summer camps that give children the opportunity to enter into the competition for the Vhi GAA CÚL Day Out. The competition is open to every one of the 80,000 plus children taking part in the Vhi GAA CÚL Camps this year - they simply have to log onto the website www.vhiCúlcamps.gaa.ie to download an entry form.On the Vhi GAA CÚL Day Out children will meet with and be coached by their GAA heroes. They will play a match in Croke Park, they will have an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Croke Park stadium and museum plus they will get a goodie bag to take home.The deadline for entries is September 8, more information about the camps and the CÚL Day Out is available at www.vhiCúlcamps.gaa.ieWestmeath GAA Referees AssociationThe Westmeath Referees Association would like to thank everybody who supported their All-Ireland ticket draw which was held last week. The winners were as follows, Niall Dempsey C/O Sean Carroll; Milltownpass GAA Club. Each received two All-Ireland tickets.Congratulations to James McGrath and his team of officials on doing an excellent job refereeing the All-Ireland minor hurling final last weekend.HandballCommiserations to Mullingar man, Robbie McCarthy on losing out in the 60 x 30 All Ireland singles final last week-end. Robbie has been selected on the Irish squad which will fly out to Portland, Oregon, to represent Ireland at the 2009 World Championships.Important Insurance reminderIt has come to our attention that a lot of clubs are using mechanically propelled vehicles without third party cover eg. ride-on lawnmowers and tractors. As advised in the past the existing GAA property and liability policy excludes mechanically propelled vehicles. The GAA grounds can from to time to time come under the Road Traffic Act eg. car park, entrance etc.If there was an accident with a third party in these areas the club could be liable for significant damages which would be excluded under the existing policy leaving the club with a large exposure to financial loss. To avoid this it is imperative that all mechanically propelled vehicles have at least third party cover. It would also be advisable to insure them for fire and theft or comprehensive depending on the situation.You should also ensure that these vehicles are safe and have the proper safety guards in place as well as emergency cut-off devices on ride-on lawnmowers in the event of sudden dismounting.If you have any further queries in relation to the above please contact Pauric Murtagh on 086 2699930.Westmeath GAA Development LottoThe numbers drawn last week were 2, 14, 24 and 28. There was no jackpot winnerThere were six Match 3 winners who each received €54. They were Helena Martin C/O Ballymore GAA; Annette McEnerney C/O Delvin GAA; Kathleen Gilroy C/O Delvin GAA; Gary Smith C/O Delvin GAA; Mary Sheerin C/O Delvin GAA; Damien Brennan C/O St. Lomans GAA.ResultsGreville Arms Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals: Lough Lene Gaels 3-12 Castletown-Geoghegan 2-12: Clonkill 0-18 Raharney 1-8Slevins Coaches Intermediate Hurling Championship: Turin 2-13 St. Brigids 0-10; Crookedwood 4-8 Clonkill 2-5; Delvin 3-14 Cullion 1-10Slevins Coaches Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final: St. Brigids 2-9 Fr. Daltons 2-6ACFL Division 3: Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall 1-15 Moate All Whites 0-5ACHL Division 2: Fr. Daltons 3-16 St. Oliver Plunketts 0-13Jasca Sports Junior Football Championship Semi-Finals: Caulry 2-7 Coralstown/Kinnegad 1-4; St. Pauls 0-10, Mullingar Shamrocks 0-9WebsitesSenior: http://www.westmeathgaa.ie/Minor: http://coistenanog.westmeath.gaa.ieContactI can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on pro.westmeath@gaa.ie