Search Results for 'James Dolan'

That most important element which even the best prepared and most successful teams need, a sprinkling of luck, was the only thing missing from Westmeath’s performance against Louth in Pairc Tailteann, Navan last Sunday.

Westmeath 1-15

Garrycastle 1-11

Garrycastle 1-10

Garrycastle face a tough test when they take on Kildare champions Athy in Newbridge on Sunday. Athy can be described as an up and coming team with as many as nine of their starting team under 21. Having reached the provincial decider in 2009 and the semi-final last year, Anthony Cunningham’s men have a definite edge in terms of experience and at this stage of this particular competition that could prove crucial to the outcome.

Garrycastle sent out a firm warning last weekend that they are serious contenders for Leinster club glory with an eye-catching 14 point win over a disappointing Longford Slashers side. While manager Anthony Cunningham will be happy that his side bagged an impressive 4-11, he would probably have preferred a sterner test for his charges. Slashers looked like a side which had regressed since they collected their second Longford title in a row nine weeks ago and a long way off the side that ran Garrycastle to a point in the corresponding fixture last year.

Garrycastle collected the Flanagan Cup for the sixth time in the club’s history after a commanding second-half performance in a rain-soaked Cusack Park last Sunday. In doing so they completed a historic three-in-a-row and dashed Shamrock’s hopes of collecting silverware for the second year running.

Lightning isn’t supposed to strike twice but unfortunately for Westmeath footballers their dismal showing in Wexford was repeated in Casement Park last Saturday as they were put to the sword by an Antrim side.

Westmeath footballers will be hoping it’s a case of third time lucky when they take the field against Louth in Croke Park this Saturday evening at 7pm. Louth came out on top when the sides met in the championship last summer and again in the first round of this year’s league campaign.

Finally something for Westmeath football folk to celebrate. Promotion back up to division two secured, thanks to a nail-biting win over Offaly, and a division three final in Croke Park on Saturday week to look forward to. After a slow start to the campaign the achievement is all the sweeter. Pat Flanagan and his team deserve credit for stopping the rot and getting us back to where I feel we ought to be, in the second tier.