St Lomans 1-13
Corralstown/Kinnegad 1-09
St Loman’s marched on to this year’s county decider thanks to a four point win over Kinnegad last weekend. In doing so they bridged a 41 year gap since last featuring in a decider.
With Colm Coyle at the helm this season Kinnegad had high hopes of at least reaching a decider. At times in the group stages they shaped as if they would be genuine contenders. Having topped their group they took the direct route to the semi-final. Perhaps in hindsight the couple of week’s break was the last thing the men from Kinnegad needed.
The Saints on the other hand would not have been expected by many at the outset to be still in the hunt for the Flanagan Cup. Having beaten Athlone in their final group game, they then faced near-neighbours Mullingar Shamrocks in the quarter-final. Again they wore the tag of underdog with great comfort and despite playing second fiddle for long periods they clawed their way back into contention and secured a draw.
In the replay which was a somewhat tempestuous affair, the blues showed their battling qualities to emerge on top with four points to spare.This set up last weekend’s semi-final clash with Kinnegad.
The head of steam built up by St Loman’s with those extra two quarter-final games gave them an added advantage over Kinnegad. Loman’s looked sharp in the opening half and held a three point half time lead. Kinnegad converted an early second half penalty to lift their hopes. They received a further boost when Loman’s talented midfielder John Heslin received his marching orders for a second yellow card.
Again showing their stubbornness, the Saints refused to wilt. A timely Kieran Lynam goal was just what they needed to send them on their way to a long awaited final against Garrycastle.
No doubt The Saints will again be big-time underdogs in the decider on October 4, but it would be foolish of Anthony Cunningham’s men to take this Lomans outfit for granted. In James Davitt, Kenny McKinley, Gary Glennon, Conrad Reilly, Enda Mathews, Conor Lynam, and the talented John Heslin, they are not lacking in experience or quality. They have reached the last two on merit and won’t go down without a fight.
Greville Arms Senior Hurling County Final
The Greville Arms senior championship hurling final takes place this weekend. Neighbours Lough Lene Gaels and last year’s beaten finalists Clonkill go head-to-head for the second time in three years.
Clonkill will be looking to the likes of Brendan Murtagh, Paddy Dowdall and Adam Price for leadership while The Gaels can count on Martin Williams, Killian Cosgrave, and Noel Conaty.
Clonkill are the form team of the championship and are likely to live up to their favourites tag, despite being pushed all the way by their neighbours.
St Brigid’s crowned Intermediate hurling champions
St Brigid’s 2-16
Turin 2-11
Having tasted defeat in last year’s decider, St Brigid’s made no mistake this time around when they proved too strong for a game Turin side in the final of the Slevins Coaches Intermediate Hurling Championship.
St Brigid’s had the better of the exchanges in the opening half and led by four points at half time. Turin fought back early in the second half and had the gap reduced to two points before Philip Sheridan bagged a decisive second goal for Brigid’s.
Turin never threw in the towel and were rewarded with a second goal with five minutes remaining, to reduce the gap to three points. However St Brigid’s pace and running game were too much for Turin to handle and they ran out deserving four point winners.
Maryland crowned All-Ireland champions
Congratulations to Finbar Egan’s Maryland side who captured the All-Ireland intermediate sevens title in Rathoath last weekend. On route to this prestigious title they accounted for teams from Meath, Tyrone, Antrim, Sligo and Down before getting the better of Oliver Plunketts from Derry in the final. Well done to all concerned.
Karl Ashe RIP
Tragedy struck the tight-knit community of Tubberclare last weekend with the untimely passing of Karl Ashe. Karl played for Tubberclare U16s against Athlone the evening before his sudden passing. A keen rugby player, Karl was also a talented Gaelic footballer, and was part of the Westmeath U16 squad.
We would like to convey our sympathies to the Ashe family, friends. and relations at this difficult time.
