Coaching and Games Update

Kilkenny 3-17 Westmeath 2-13

Westmeath 1-13 Meath 1-10

Kilkenny 7-9 Westmeath 3-19

Limerick 4-17 Westmeath 4-13

Our U16 hurlers rounded off their year last Saturday in Dunmore, Kilkenny with two games in the U16 Shield. They took on the home county in the first outing of the day and were edged out by 3-17 to 2-13. In the 3^rd place play off, the Lake County men overcame neighbours Meath by 1-13 to 1-10.

28 players saw action on the field over the pair of games and compliments must go to the work that mentors Alan Kenna, Barry Whelan, Alan Collins, Eoin Weir and Darren Finn have put in with the group over the course of the year. Well done to all the players on their efforts over the year and it is hoped they will go on to shine in club and county colours in the coming years.

Our U15s concluded their year with two exciting encounters in Borris-Iliegh GAA club in Tipperary last Saturday. They first faced Kilkenny in the Shield semi final, where the Cats’ ability to goal was the determining factor. Despite some excellent play from the Westmeath lads, a late Kilkenny goal sealed a 7-7 to 3-19 win for the black and ambers.

Westmeath faced a 3^rd place play off with Limerick in their second game and again put in another commendable display. The game was toe to toe for much but the Treaty men were able to open a slight gap in the second half to win by 4-17 to 4-13.

Well done to the full panel of players who have put in a huge effort over the year and much praise must go to mentors Barry Williams, Damien Cassidy, Johnny McGuinness, Mike Maloney and Paddy Dempsey for their coaching work with the team.

Two U14 teams were in action last Saturday, with one team in Raharney and the other in Portlaoise. The team in Raharney played games with Meath and Wicklow whilst the team in Portlaoise played outfits from Laois and Meath. Well done to all players on last Saturday and their sterling efforts throughout the year. A huge thank you to mentors Johnny Hardman, Kevin Reynolds, Trevor Redmond, James Curley, Billy Murtagh and Johanna Farrell for their coaching work with the panel over the year.

the Lakeland Óg Academy will run for U13 hurlers (players born in 2013) across 4 Saturdays in August and September, starting this weekend (Saturday 22nd). This is an opportunity for U13 hurlers in the county to train and test themselves against their counterparts from across the county and the process will form part of the selection process for the 2027 U14 hurling development squad. Club coaching officers and underage secretaries have been provided with the details for signing up.

Coaching and Games held the fourth of planned regional meetings with clubs last Monday, meeting with first cluster of football clubs in Drumraney. The meetings offer clubs the chance to provide feedback whilst also identifying where resources can be pooled to help develop Gaelic Games in the county. The details of meetings have been provided to club coaching officers and will continue over the coming weeks.