Race Day a resounding success

The weather was sizzling and the style was even hotter at our Race Day and 25th anniversary reunion for our 2000 intermediate football champions at Kilbeggan Races last Friday.

In glorious sunshine, the event was attended by over 300 guests on what was a wonderful evening for the club and community. So successful was the evening that it is set to become an annual event. There was a fantastic atmosphere in the VIP marquee, where music was provided by the brilliant Jiggers of Eireann, trackside and in the parade ring where our 2000 intermediate champions were honoured and the best dressed lady and lad were announced amid great excitement and anticipation.

Wearing a beautiful headpiece created by Edwina Maloney Millinery, Katie Colton won the best dressed lady competition, while the smartly turned-out Niall Kinahan was the best dressed lad. A big thank you to the ever-glamorous Katie Moran and Mary Gardiner for judging the competition and to all who took part.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Stephen and Hilary of Kilbeggan Races for hosting us and look forward to seeing you again next year.

There was also a raffle for All-Ireland football and hurling final tickets, two tickets for Westmeath GAA’s Win a Home in Spain draw and other spot prizes. The winners were as follows:

All-Ireland hurling final tickets: Derry Whyte (c/o Matthew McConnell); All-Ireland football final tickets: Sean O’Connor; Win a Home in Spain draw ticket winners: John O’Brien and Laura Deering; Cheveux Hair voucher: Imelda Finn; Flexi ticket and mini Kilbeggan whiskey pack: Conor Howard (c/o Laura Deering); Karen Edel Millinery & Hat Hire voucher: Bernie Kinahan; Bottle of Gunpowder gin: Fiona Leonard; Mini Kilbeggan whiskey pack winners: Róisín Quigley, Randal Scally, Amy Alford, Sharon Durcan, Aideen Pettit, Peter Pierson, Stephanie Scally, Emma O’Sullivan and James Hanlon.

Division 3 v Moate All-Whites

It was back to the grindstone on Sunday afternoon when our intermediate footballers recorded a 3-15 to 1-17 victory over Moate All-Whites in sweltering conditions at MJS Builds St James’ Park.

Despite being short a number of regulars and being under the cosh for much of the second half, we came out on top thanks to a brace of first half goals from James Finnegan and another from Darragh Coffey straight after the restart. We led by 2-8 to 0-11 at half-time against a Moate team who kicked five two-pointers with the wind behind them in the opening moiety.

When the visitors got to within two points of us, 1-15 to 3-11, midway through the second half, it was anyone’s game, but two points from young gun Cillian Rochford helped to settle us before late scores from substitute Diarmuid Egan and Nigel Scally made victory safe.

Team: Niall Rabbitte; Martin Ward, James Fox, Mel Kiernan; James Hanlon, Colin Draper, Joey O’Neill; Ray Kennedy, Dean Fitzgerald; Cillian Rochford, Micheál Coffey, Danny Scully; James Finnegan, Nigel Scally, Darragh Coffey. Subs used: Conor Mullins and Diarmuid Egan.

Sympathy

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Eamonn Mangan, The Hill, Kilbeggan and formerly of Newtown, Tyrrellspass last weekend. Eamonn was a great character who endeared himself to all who met him.

Deepest sympathy is also extended to the Sullivan family, Frevenagh on Tommie’s passing. An absolute gentleman, Tommie ran a very successful panel-beating and crash repairs business. May Eamonn and Tommie rest in peace.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ayesha Roche and her Westmeath team-mates on winning the Leinster LGFA intermediate championship final at Laois’ expense last Sunday.

Congratulations also to James Stones, Tullamore Road on receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award from at the Westmeath GAA dinner dance in New York last Saturday night.

Lotto jackpot is €15,000

Last week’s lucky numbers were 2, 9, 14 and 21. The jackpot wasn’t won. The Match 3 winners were Art Egan (x2), Lizzie McDonnell, Emily Ayres, Declan Kennedy, Mervyn Cornally, Pauric Ennis, Dermot Carroll, Michael Brennan, Patrick Buckley and Alison O’Neill, with all proceeds going to Scoil an Chlochair to assist with their new Astroturf area.

The jackpot has been capped at €15,000 until it is won again. Make sure to buy your tickets online or at Centra, Mace and Whelan’s. Thank you for your continued support.