Heavy defeat for senior hurlers

Westmeath made the long trip to Mayo last weekend for the second round of this year"s Christy Ring Cup and if the first round display was poor this one was nothing short of a disaster. Westmeath started the match poorly and within fifteen minutes were 2-3 to 0-3 behind and never really closed this gap.The players looked dead on their feet and were second to nearly every ball and when Darren McCormack was dismissed on a second yellow card in the second half the writing was on the cards. Mayo finished the stronger of the two sides and went on to win easily on a final scoreline of 2-20 to 0-15 and in doing so consigned Westmeath to another tough match against Wicklow next weekend.Christy Ring Play-offWestmeath hurlers will have to travel to play Wicklow in a relegation play-off match next weekend with the winners remaining in the Christy Ring Cup next year. This is a disastrous position for Westmeath to be in as this will not be an easy match and the least slip could mean relegation. In truth we don"t deserve to be in this position as we have an exceptional record in the Christy Ring Cup and would have designs on playing in the Leinster championship proper. However, as a result of a number of very poor performances we find ourselves in this position. Westmeath will need to up their performance from last weekend if they are to have any chance of success. Wicklow will be tough opponents make no mistake about it but Westmeath should progress by a small margin.Leinster Minor Hurling ChampionshipWestmeath minor hurlers caused a major surprise when they deservedly defeated Offaly by three points in an enthralling and hard fought game played in Mullingar on Saturday evening. The crucial scores arrived for Westmeath in first-half injury time, when a long delivery by midfielder Colin O"Brien caused problems for Offaly goalkeeper Conor Kennedy, and the ball ended up in the net. Glen Flynn quickly added a point to leave Westmeath ahead at the break on a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-5.Westmeath maintained their four point lead through the second half thanks to the accuracy of freetaker Barry O"Meara. Westmeath were already celebrating a memorable victory when Offaly"s David King pounced to score a consolation goal from a free, with the very last puck of the game. The final score was Westmeath 1-10 Offaly 1-7. Westmeath now face Kilkenny in the semi-final on June 24. More details later.Coaching and GamesWestmeath Primary School 3rd/4th Class GO Games Football BlitzesThe Third/Fourth Class Boys and Girls Football Blitzes take place next week, commencing on Thursday, May 21 in Pairc Chiaran from 12.30pm - 2.30pm. The schools involved are Tang, St. Mary"s, Athlone, Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí, Athlone, Scoil an Chlochair, Kilbeggan, Clonbonny and Ardnagrath.On Friday, May 22 the venue is St. Lomans GAA Mullingar from 10am - 12noon The schools involved are The Downs, Scoil Mhuire, Mullingar, St. Etchan"s, Kinnegad, Curraghmore, Taghmon, Fore, St. Joseph"s, Rathwire and Presentation Senior Girls School, Mullingar. On Friday afternoon St. Lomans is again the venue with the participating schools being Milltownpass, Mount Temple, St. Ernans, Delvin, Dysart, Miltown, Clonmellon, Mullingar Educate Together, St. Fintans, Lismacaffrey, Loughnavalley, Emper, Moyvore and Coralstown. The time is from 1pm to 3pm. The following rules/general guidelines apply:Games 11-a-side (Some games 7-a-side accommodating smaller schools); Schools to play in their school jerseys; Referees will appointed by organisers ; All schools play a minimum of three games; All substitutes to be brought on at half time; Game length 20 minutes approx. (2 x 10 min)One hop/one solo rule applies; For the boys pick up, crouch lift ideally (this will be enforced at the referees discretion)Full fixtures will be distributed on arrival at each venue. If you want further information at this stage, feel free to contact Noel Delaney (087 2456147). For schools involved in Hurling/Camogie blitzes this is running the following week and full details will be circulated next week.GAA 125 Year CelebrationsAs part of the GAA 125 Year Celebrations, Leinster GAA are giving the GAA public a chance to win a VIP day in Croke Park at the Leinster Senior Hurling or Football Championship FinalsWhat is it?A team of adjudicators has shortlisted 120 players, four players for each position, 1 to 15, to form a panel of 60 Footballers and 60 Hurlers who have made their mark at Senior level in Leinster during the years 1984 to 2008.What do I do?Using the four nominated players per position, 1 to 15, as listed, choose your Leinster team of the last 25 years in football or hurling or both.How do I enter?Submit your 1 to 15 selection in Football or Hurling or both, together with your contact details, to: 125.leinster@gaa.ie or post your entry to: "Team of the 25 Years", Leinster GAA, Áras Laighean, Portlaoise, Co. LaoisHow long have I got?The final date for entry, by email or post, is Wednesday, June 24.What"s the prize?The selected winners, in Hurling and Football, will be the guests of Leinster GAA at Croke Parkfor the relevant Leinster Final in July, with an overnight on the Saturday night before the finalin the Croke Park Hotel.The winners will also receive a set of club jerseys for their nominated GAA club.To enter please get the nominations from any of your local club members,Notes for clubsCounty Board meeting on Wednesday, May 20 at 8pm in Cusack Park and all clubs are requested to attend.If any clubs who have their own website would like a link put on the Westmeath website please e-mail the club website address to either myself (paddreilly@eircom.net) or James Savage (seamusosabhaois@eircom.net) and we will include the link.Westmeath GAA Development LottoLast week"s numbers were 10, 23, 28 and 29.There were three Match 3 winners who each won €107 - Caron Weldon C/O St. Oliver Plunketts GAA; Aine Leonard C/O Delvin GAA and Mary Scally C/O Westmeath Ladies GAAResultsChristy Ring Cup: Mayo 2-20 Westmeath 0-15Leinster MHC Qtr Final: Westmeath 1-10 Offaly 1-7JFC Section A: Milltown 0-10 St Josephs 1-11; Caulry 2-3 St. Pauls 0-9; Mullingar Shamrocks 1-15 Ballycomoyle 1-5JFC Section B: Castledaly 5-10 Delvin 0-4ACFL Div 1: Castledaly 1-9, Coralstown/Kinnegad 0-12; Tyrrellspass 3-3 Athlone 1-9WebsitesSenior: http://www.westmeathgaa.ie/Minor: http://coistenanog.westmeath.gaa.ieContactI can be contacted by phone on 044 9666476, 087 2777987 or by email on paddreilly@eircom.