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Westmeath might have suffered seven Allianz Football League Division One losses on the spin, but manager Paul Bealin is adamant the Midlanders can make an impact in the Leinster Senior Football Championship.

As the defining Leinster Senior Football May 17 clash with Louth edges closer, Westmeath will be anxious to continue their preparations by producing improved performances in the remaining two rounds of the Allianz Football League.

The Mayo League representative side made the short trip to Eamon Deacy Park in Terryland on Tuesday night for this first round EA Sports Cup tie. But unfortunately they came up short against the SSE Airtricity League side after holding them at bay for more than 75 minutes of the contest. Galway FC had been pushing for a goal all night, but Mayo League goalkeeper Gary Cunningham had been in fantastic form. When he was finally beaten it came from the boot of Marty Owens who fired home at the back post from close range after being set up by Jake Keegan. The hosts doubled their lead seven minutes before the end when Keegan riffled the ball past Cunningham from out on the right hand side after some neat footwork to create the space for the shot.

Eighteen years can feel like an eternity in football and Lissywoolen will provide the ideal backdrop for Athlone Town’s first home SSE Airtricity League Premier Division fixture in almost two decades when hosting Shamrock Rovers tonight.

Down 0-17

IT IS not everyone who can say they met the great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti. It is fewer again who can tell of meeting him twice, and fewer still can boast of having received career guidance from the master.

Building on the strong tradition of Mayomen impressing in maroon is one of Galway FC's aims and the early capture of Ballyglass native Ryan Connolly ensures there will be local interest in how the Tribesmen fare.

Galway FC's opening game in the Airtricity League will be a home fixture against first division favourites Longford Town on Friday March 7 at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Mayo 2-14

The senior season may have ended up in disappointment against Dublin, however, our minors had a truly remarkable year but it could have been so different. Back on June 22 we first set eyes on Stephen Coen, Tommy “Goals” Conroy, and co. They had an easy victory over Leitrim winning by 1-15 to 1-05 in McHale Park. The old saying that “no one game will make a season”, could not be further from the truth after Mayo’s clash with Galway on June 30 (the same day London shocked Leitrim). This was a remarkable game, Mayo were within inches of going out, (and remember there is no back door safety net for minors at semi-final stage) sheer persistence got them over the line in extra time on a final score 5-08 to 2-11. The Connacht final against Roscommon was a great spectacle. Brilliant goals, superb defending, and skill levels to match. Mayo sauntered into a big lead but Roscommon clawed their way back and came agonisingly close to snatching a draw in the dying seconds, it would have been robbery had Mayo not won it. A Connacht minor final is not to be sniffed at. Mayo then gave Westmeath a right tanking in the quarter final in Tullamore winning by 2-13 to 0-8 points, the rest of the country were beginning to take note. A real test awaited in the semi final against Monaghan, many bookmakers’ favourites for the title. This was no question the performance of the year from the minors. They blitzed their northern opponents, scoring a whopping three goals and 19 points in the process. Talking to Barney Rock during and after this game, he was very impressed. The only negative from this game was the unfortunate injury to Cian Hanley who would agonisingly miss the final. The final pitted Mayo against more Ulster opponents in Tyrone, who were very lucky to beat Roscommon in their semi-final. Mayo played some brilliant football, urged on by the huge Mayo support. The full forward line of Darragh Doherty, Liam Irwin, and Tommy Conroy scored 2-09 of the 2-13 total. We were given the scare of our lives when Tyrone pulled a goal back in the dying moments but the Tommy Markham Cup was won for the first time since 1985. The celebrations in Croke Park after the final whistle will be something I will never forget.