Westmeath GAA
Encyclopedia
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association
(GAA) or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards
of the GAA in Ireland
, and is responsible for Gaelic games
in County Westmeath
. The county board is also responsible for the Westmeath inter-county teams.
. 2004 marked the pinnacle of resurance in the county's fortunes, which had its roots in the 1995 All-Ireland Minor winning team managed by Luke Dempsey. Dempsey then went on to lead an almost completely different team to the 1999 All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
.
! They walked off the field when Dublin
were leading 1-7 to 1-0, claiming one of the Dubliners had struck an Athlone player. Another generation of Westmeath players took part in the first week-night fixture in the GAA championship: on June 20 1935 they played Meath
in Kells
and lost by 2-7 to 0-9. The footballers won the 1929 junior championship, lost to Dublin
by ten points in 1960 and then beat Dublin
to reach the 1931 Leinster final. They beat Carlow
, Laois
and Offaly
to go into a 1949 final against Meath
, but were well beaten on both occasions. Twenty years later they reached the National Football League semi-final. Westmeath beat Dublin
again in the 1967 Championship and the 1984 Centenary Cup campaign and qualified for their second League semi-final in 1994.
in Roscommon, this team was inspired by Ger Heavin who was playing probably the best football of his life in his twilight years of his inter-county career. Dessie Dolan was fulfilling the promise that he had shown as an under age player. Rory O Connell was starting to become one of he best midfielders in the country. The defence was backboned by Damien Healy
and David Mitchell with other players to star from time to time including Martin Flanaghan, Fergal Wilson, Paul Conway, David O Shaughnessy and Fergal Murray., Finally and painfully Westmeath lost out to Meath
in an All-Ireland Quarter Final Replay - this despite being 9 points clear of Meath
at half time in the original game, the loss was made worse by the fact that Westmeath has never beaten Meath in the championship. Disappointing 2002 and 2003 seasons followed and Westmeath parted terms with Dempsey.
footballing legend Páidí Ó Sé
was parachuted in to manage the senior team some months later after he had been removed from the Kerry
Senior team management. In the following year of 2004 Westmeath won their first ever Leinster senior football title with a replayed victory over Laois
(having previously beaten Wexford
, Dublin
and Offaly
). However the team tamely exitted their second All-Ireland Quarter Final - losing to Derry
.
. After a poor league campaign, in which they were quite lucky to be promoted from Division 2, the team was easily knocked out of the Leinster Senior Football Championship
in the first round by Offaly
and another bad year beckoned.
However wins over London
, Limerick
, Sligo
and then a historic defeat of Galway
in Pearse Park in Salthill set up a third All-Ireland Quarter Final for the team in six years - this time against Dublin
. Westmeath didn't live up to expectations in the Quarter Final meeting against Dublin
and lost by 10 points. Poor performances from Gary Connaughton, Dessie Dolan and Damien Healy, in particular, couldn't help the teams exit from the Championship. In the Quarter-Finals of the Leinster Championship in 2009 they were beaten by Dublin by 27 points. Ó Flatharta resigned as Westmeath manager after their defeat to neighbours Meath on the 11th July 2009
Winners in bold. Nominations in plain text.
to qualify for the 1937 Leinster Senior final. They played in the first division of the National Hurling League
in 1985-86, and were the only team to beat Galway
in an 18-month period. This team included the 3 Kilcoyne brothers and produced an All Star award for David who was the team's free taker and top scorer in 1986. The first All Star award for any Westmeath player in Hurling or football.
Rickardstown's John 'Jobber' McGrath
is considered the greatest player to ever play hurling for Westmeath, and as one of the greatest players never to have won an All-Ireland senior hurling title.
and thereby gained promotion to the 2006 Liam McCarthy Championship. In 2006, they beat Dublin
in the first round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
before losing the semi final to Kilkenny
in Mullingar
by 14 points. They then lost to Waterford
, Galway
and, disappointingly, Laois
before tamely losing a relegation playoff against Dublin
on a scorching July day in Tullamore
. Despite progress made in 2006, the GAA condemned the county's hurlers to the Christy Ring Cup
- this time without the prospect of promotion. Further rule changes and a Christy Ring win in 2010 allowed westmeath back into the 2011 Liam McCarthy.
Further progress came on 20th of April 2008 with victory in the NHL (Division 2), winning the final against Carlow. That day also saw the Westmeath footballers move into Division 1 of the NFL also with a win over Monaghan
in 2009 and 2010.
Mary Henry won the camogie All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship
in 2006, the first Westmeath woman to win it. Tubberclair in 1987 and Cullion in 1992 won the Coiste Chontae an Chláir Shield at Féile na nGael
in 1987. Aileen Lawlor
refereed the All Ireland senior finals of 2002 and became president elect of the Camogie Association
in 2011.
Under Camogie’s National Development Plan 2010-2015, “Our Game, Our Passion,” five new camogie clubs are to be established in the county by 2015.
in the Leinster Semi-Final on Sunday 27th of June 2010.
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
(GAA) or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards
GAA county
A Gaelic Athletic Association county is a geographic region within the Gaelic Athletic Association , controlled by a county board and originally based on the counties of Ireland as they were in 1884. While the counties of Ireland have changed since the foundation of that date, the GAA counties have...
of the GAA in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and is responsible for Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
in County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
. The county board is also responsible for the Westmeath inter-county teams.
Gaelic football
Westmeath's history is one of a small downtrodden county which as very recently risen to the top of Gaelic footballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
. 2004 marked the pinnacle of resurance in the county's fortunes, which had its roots in the 1995 All-Ireland Minor winning team managed by Luke Dempsey. Dempsey then went on to lead an almost completely different team to the 1999 All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
.
Early History
Although Westmeath had never previously won a Senior Provincial Championship prior to 2004 they did compete in an All-Ireland semi-final. Athlone T P O'Connors, who represented Westmeath in the 1890 Leinster Championship, entered the 1891 All-Ireland semi-final as Connacht champions, representing RoscommonRoscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
! They walked off the field when Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
were leading 1-7 to 1-0, claiming one of the Dubliners had struck an Athlone player. Another generation of Westmeath players took part in the first week-night fixture in the GAA championship: on June 20 1935 they played Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
in Kells
Kells
Kells may refer to the following people:* Machine Gun Kelly , Cleveland Rapper/poet #LTFU #EST the movement.* R. Kelly, an American R&B musician...
and lost by 2-7 to 0-9. The footballers won the 1929 junior championship, lost to Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
by ten points in 1960 and then beat Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
to reach the 1931 Leinster final. They beat Carlow
Carlow GAA
The Carlow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Carlow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Carlow and the Carlow inter-county teams.-Gaelic football:...
, Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
and Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
to go into a 1949 final against Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
, but were well beaten on both occasions. Twenty years later they reached the National Football League semi-final. Westmeath beat Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
again in the 1967 Championship and the 1984 Centenary Cup campaign and qualified for their second League semi-final in 1994.
Luke Dempsey's Reign
In 2001 the team went on an All-Ireland journey through an unheralded 9 games including a memorable extra time win over hotly fancied MayoMayo GAA
The Mayo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Mayo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Mayo and the Mayo inter-county teams.-History:...
in Roscommon, this team was inspired by Ger Heavin who was playing probably the best football of his life in his twilight years of his inter-county career. Dessie Dolan was fulfilling the promise that he had shown as an under age player. Rory O Connell was starting to become one of he best midfielders in the country. The defence was backboned by Damien Healy
Damien Healy
Damien Healy is a former inter-county Gaelic footballer from County Westmeath, Ireland. He played with the Westmeath inter-county team from 1998 to 2010. He won National League Division 2 medals in 2001, 2003 and 2008, and was centre back on the 2004 Leinster Championship winning team. He also won...
and David Mitchell with other players to star from time to time including Martin Flanaghan, Fergal Wilson, Paul Conway, David O Shaughnessy and Fergal Murray., Finally and painfully Westmeath lost out to Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
in an All-Ireland Quarter Final Replay - this despite being 9 points clear of Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
at half time in the original game, the loss was made worse by the fact that Westmeath has never beaten Meath in the championship. Disappointing 2002 and 2003 seasons followed and Westmeath parted terms with Dempsey.
Ó Sé Era
In a shocking development KerryKerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
footballing legend Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé is a retired Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played football with his local club An Ghaeltacht and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1987...
was parachuted in to manage the senior team some months later after he had been removed from the Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
Senior team management. In the following year of 2004 Westmeath won their first ever Leinster senior football title with a replayed victory over Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
(having previously beaten Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
, Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
and Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
). However the team tamely exitted their second All-Ireland Quarter Final - losing to Derry
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
.
Tomás Ó Flatharta takes charge
Ó Sé quit Westmeath at the end of a very poor 2005 season and was replaced by his assistant Tomás Ó FlathartaTomás Ó Flatharta
-Westmeath:He managed Westmeath from 2005 to 2009 where he succeeded Kerry legend Páidí Ó Sé. Ó'Flatharta resigned as manager in July, 2009 after Westmeath were exited in the quailifiers by neighbours Meath.-Galway:...
. After a poor league campaign, in which they were quite lucky to be promoted from Division 2, the team was easily knocked out of the Leinster Senior Football Championship
Leinster Senior Football Championship
The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
in the first round by Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
and another bad year beckoned.
However wins over London
London GAA
The London County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or London GAA is one of the county boards outside Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in London...
, Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
, Sligo
Sligo GAA
The Sligo County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Sligo GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Sligo...
and then a historic defeat of Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in Pearse Park in Salthill set up a third All-Ireland Quarter Final for the team in six years - this time against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
. Westmeath didn't live up to expectations in the Quarter Final meeting against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
and lost by 10 points. Poor performances from Gary Connaughton, Dessie Dolan and Damien Healy, in particular, couldn't help the teams exit from the Championship. In the Quarter-Finals of the Leinster Championship in 2009 they were beaten by Dublin by 27 points. Ó Flatharta resigned as Westmeath manager after their defeat to neighbours Meath on the 11th July 2009
Whelan's reign comes to an end
Seamus Whelan wrote himself into the Westmeath GAA history books in serving as chairman for a staggering 22 years. He was the man at the top during Westmeath's most successful period in both hurling and football. A native of Castletowngeoghegan and also a teacher in St Mary's CBS Mullingar, he also oversaw the development of Cusack Park in the mid '90s.Farrell takes over
On the 22nd of December 2007 Tom "Tut" Farrell was elected the new chairman of Westmeath GAA. Farrell, who is also PRO of the Leinster Council, defeated the only other candidate for the post, Patrick Doherty, the out going County PRO. In what had been predicted as a closely run race, Farrell claimed a comfortable victory, winning over 86 of the 149 delegates who were entitled to vote. A native of Tang, on the Longford border, he has served Westmeath immensely down through the years and will continue to do as chairman.National League Final 2008
Westmeath staged a strong second half display to capture the Division 2 National Football League title for the third time, and the first since 2003 following a five point win over Dublin at Páirc Tailteann, Navan. The score line was Westmeath 0-15, Dublin 0-10.Honours
- All-Ireland Under-21 Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
s: 1999 (1) - All-Ireland Minor Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Minor Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
s: 1995 (1) - Leinster Senior Football ChampionshipLeinster Senior Football ChampionshipThe GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council and are played during the summer months. The competition involves the counties of...
s: 2004 (1) - Leinster U21 Football Championships: 1999,2000 (2)
- Leinster Minor Football ChampionshipLeinster Minor Football ChampionshipThe Leinster Minor Football Championship is a Gaelic football "knockout" competition played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council. Each county in the province fields a team in the competition. The term "minor" is given to players who are...
s: 1939, 1952, 1963, 1995, 2000 (5) - Leinster Junior Football ChampionshipLeinster Junior Football ChampionshipThe Leinster Junior Football Championship is a junior "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council. The competition began in 1906, with Wicklow winning during the inaugural year. The...
s: 1905, 1915, 1929, 1940 (4) - National League Division 2 Winners: 2004, 2006,2008
All-Stars
- Rory O'Connell - 2001
- Ger Heavin - 2001
- David Mitchell - 2001
- Dessie Dolan - 2001, 2004.
- Donal O'Donoghue - 2004
- Denis Glennon - 2004
- Gary Connuaghton - 2004, 2006, 2008.
- John Keane - 2004, 2008.
- Michael Ennis - 2008
Winners in bold. Nominations in plain text.
Hurling
Westmeath's hurlers' best performance was a run in the mid 1930s, when they won the Leinster League twice in succession, the Junior Championship in 1936, and beat LaoisLaois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
to qualify for the 1937 Leinster Senior final. They played in the first division of the National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
in 1985-86, and were the only team to beat Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
in an 18-month period. This team included the 3 Kilcoyne brothers and produced an All Star award for David who was the team's free taker and top scorer in 1986. The first All Star award for any Westmeath player in Hurling or football.
Rickardstown's John 'Jobber' McGrath
John McGrath (hurler)
John ‘Jobber’ McGrath was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Rickardstown and with the Westmeath senior inter-county team from 1950 until 1965. McGrath is regarded as one of the greatest players never to have won an All-Ireland medal.-Club:McGrath played his club...
is considered the greatest player to ever play hurling for Westmeath, and as one of the greatest players never to have won an All-Ireland senior hurling title.
Christy Ring Cup Wins
In 2005, the county won the first Christy Ring CupChristy Ring Cup
The Christy Ring Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2005 for middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland....
and thereby gained promotion to the 2006 Liam McCarthy Championship. In 2006, they beat Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in the first round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
before losing the semi final to Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
in Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
by 14 points. They then lost to Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
, Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
and, disappointingly, Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
before tamely losing a relegation playoff against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
on a scorching July day in Tullamore
Tullamore
Tullamore is a town in County Offaly, in the midlands of Ireland. It is Offaly's county town and the centre of the district.Tullamore is an important commercial and industrial centre in the region. Major international employers in the town include 'Tyco Healthcare' and 'Boston Scientific'. In...
. Despite progress made in 2006, the GAA condemned the county's hurlers to the Christy Ring Cup
Christy Ring Cup
The Christy Ring Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2005 for middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland....
- this time without the prospect of promotion. Further rule changes and a Christy Ring win in 2010 allowed westmeath back into the 2011 Liam McCarthy.
Further progress came on 20th of April 2008 with victory in the NHL (Division 2), winning the final against Carlow. That day also saw the Westmeath footballers move into Division 1 of the NFL also with a win over Monaghan
Honours
- The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship : the Christy Ring CupChristy Ring CupThe Christy Ring Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2005 for middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland....
: 2005Christy Ring Cup 2005The Christy Ring Cup 2005 began on Saturday, June 4, 2005. 2005 was the first time this new element of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was introduced. It was devised by the Hurling Development Committee to encourage some of the so-called "weaker" hurling counties and to give them the...
, 2007Christy Ring Cup 2007The Christy Ring Cup 2007 began on Saturday, June 9, 2007.-Format:10 counties are contesting the 2007 competition for the Christy Ring Cup — the prize for the winners of Tier Two of the Guinness All-Ireland Hurling Championship...
, 2010Christy Ring Cup 2010The 2010 Christy Ring Cup is the sixth staging of Ireland's second-tier hurling competition. Carlow are the current champions, however, they will not get the chance to defend their title due to their promotion to the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship...
(3) - All-Ireland Senior B Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior B Hurling ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship was an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association between 1974 and 2004 for the so-called 'weaker' hurling teams in Ireland....
s: 1975, 1985, 1991 (3) - All Ireland Minor B Hurling ChampionshipAll Ireland Minor B Hurling ChampionshipThe GAA Hurling All-Ireland Minor B Hurling Championship is an annual competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association for competitors under eighteen years of age in the game of hurling played in Ireland. Teams representing counties who are not good enough for the All-Ireland Minor Hurling...
s: 1999, 2010 (2) - All-Ireland Junior Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Junior Hurling ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship was a hurling competition organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland. The competition was originally contested by the second teams of the strong counties, and the first teams of the weaker counties...
: 1936 (1) - Leinster Junior Hurling ChampionshipLeinster Junior Hurling ChampionshipThe Leinster Junior Hurling Championship is a junior "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in the province of Leinster in Ireland...
: 1912, 1936, 1963 (3) - National Hurling LeagueNational Hurling LeagueThe National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
, Division 2: 2008 - Walsh CupWalsh Cup (hurling)The Walsh Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Leinster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1954 for the top inter-county and third-level hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The cup was named after Tom Walsh , Chairman of the Leinster Council...
: 1982 (1) - Kehoe CupKehoe CupThe Kehoe Cup is an annual hurling competition organised by the Leinster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1977 for inter-county and third-level hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The Kehoe Cup is named after Michael Kehoe , former GAA President and Chairman of...
: 1993, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010 (6) - All Stars
- David KilcoyneDavid KilcoyneDavid Kilcoyne is a former hurler from County Westmeath, Ireland. He won Westmeath's first ever All Star Award in Football or Hurling in 1986. He won All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship medals in 1985 and 1991, and a Walsh Cup in 1982. He won two Westmeath Senior Hurling Championship medals...
1986
Camogie
Westmeath won the Máire Ní Chinnéide Cup in 2006. They were defeated in the final of the fourth division of the National Camogie LeagueNational Camogie League
The National Camogie League is the second most important competition in the Irish team sport of Camogie, played exclusively by women. The competition is held in four divisions graded by ability....
in 2009 and 2010.
Mary Henry won the camogie All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship
All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship
The All-Ireland Poc Fada Hurling & Camogie Championships is an annual tournament testing the skills of Ireland's best hurlers and camogie players. Poc Fada is Irish for "long puck". The championships are sponspored by M Donnelly & Co. since 1996....
in 2006, the first Westmeath woman to win it. Tubberclair in 1987 and Cullion in 1992 won the Coiste Chontae an Chláir Shield at Féile na nGael
Féile na nGael
Féile na nGael , Irish for "Festival of the Gaels") is an annual tournament comprising the sports of hurling, camogie and handball organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association...
in 1987. Aileen Lawlor
Aileen Lawlor
Aileen Lawlor nee Redmond is a former camogie player, referee and official who was elected 29th president of the Camogie Association when she defeated Catherine O’Hara of Antrim for the position of president elect at the 2011 congress in the Wellington Park Hotel in Belfast, to assume office in...
refereed the All Ireland senior finals of 2002 and became president elect of the Camogie Association
Camogie Association
The Camogie Association organises and promotes the sport of camogie in Ireland and across the world. The Association has close ties with the Gaelic Athletic Association.-History:...
in 2011.
Under Camogie’s National Development Plan 2010-2015, “Our Game, Our Passion,” five new camogie clubs are to be established in the county by 2015.
Westmeath Football Squad
This team that played LouthLouth GAA
The Louth County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Louth GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Louth. The county board is also responsible for the Louth inter-county teams....
in the Leinster Semi-Final on Sunday 27th of June 2010.
| Number | Player | Position | Local Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary Connaughton Gary Connaughton Gary Connaughton is an inter-county Gaelic footballer for Westmeath. He was awarded an All Star for performances with Westmeath in 2008 as Goalkeeper. He works in his fathers Quarry business... |
Goalkeeper | Tubberclair |
| 2 | Francis Boyle | Right Full Back | Killucan |
| 3 | Donal O'Donoghue Donal O'Donoghue (Gaelic footballer) Donal O'Donoghue is a Gaelic footballer for Westmeath & for his local club Mullingar Shamrocks.O'Donoghue joined the panel in 2003 which proved to be less successful as Donal & his team crashed out of the Leinster Championhsip against neighbours Meath before exited in the qualifiers by Monaghan... |
Full Back | Mullingar Shamrocks |
| 4 | Kevin Maguire | Left Full Back | Caulry |
| 5 | Michael Ennis |
Right Half Back | Ballinagore Ballinagore GAA Ballinagore GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in County Westmeath, Ireland. The club is affiliated to the Westmeath county board.-History:Ballinagore GAA was formed in the early 1920s, having previously formed part of the Castletown Geoghegan club... |
| 6 | Kieran Martin Kieran Martin Kieran Martin is an Irish sportsperson. A dual player, he plays both Gaelic football and hurling with his local club Maryland and has been a member of the Westmeath senior inter-county team in both codes since 2009.-References:... |
Centre Back | Maryland |
| 7 | Doran Harte | Left Half Back | Garycastle |
| 8 | Paul Bannon | Midfield | Athlone Athlone GAA Athlone GAA is the Gaelic football club in the town of Athlone in County Westmeath, Republic of Ireland. The local Hurling club is called .Athlone are the most successful club in Gaelic Football in Westmeath.-Club history:... |
| 9 | David Duffy | Midfield | Shandonagh |
| 10 | Derek Heavin | Right Half Forward | Castledaly |
| 11 | Conor Lynam | Centre Forward | St.Loman's |
| 12 | Ger Egan | Left Half Forward | Tyrrelspass |
| 13 | Paul Greville Paul Greville Paul Greville is a dual player from County Westmeath. He plays both Gaelic football and hurling with Westmeath GAA, and was part of the team that won the Christy Ring Cup... |
Right Full Forward | Killucan |
| 14 | Dessie Dolan Dessie Dolan Dessie Dolan is a Gaelic football player for Westmeath and Garrycastle. He won a Leinster Senior Football Championship medal with Westmeath in 2004.... |
Full Forward | Garycastle |
| 15 | Denis Glennon Denis Glennon Denis Glennon is a Gaelic footballer from Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath, Ireland who plays with the Westmeath inter-county team. Glennon is considered to be one of the finest talents the county has ever produced. He was part of the Westmeath team that win the 2004 Leinster Senior Football... |
Left Full Forward | Tyrrellspass |
| Management Team | |||
| Pat Flanagan Pat Flanagan (Gaelic footballer) Pat Flanagan is the current Gaelic football manager for Westmeath and former Gaelic player for the Offaly football team. Born in Clara, County Offaly originally he has huge links with Westmeath after he served as a selector under former manager Tomás Ó Flatharta.In April,2010 Flanagan was appointed... |
Manager | ||