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Grade 5
 Semi-Finals: Westmeath 4 - Longford 2 & Wexford 5 - Wicklow 0
FINAL: Westmeath 4 - Wexford 3 Six teams entered this competition and the format was two groups of three to be played on a round robin basis with two teams advancing to the semi finals. Vicarstown was the venue for both groups and Westmeath were beeaten 5-2 by Wexford in the opening match but qualified thanks to a 5-2 win over Kilkenny. In the semi final, we were drawn against Longford and with all the players knowing each other so well a close contest was expected. Alan Keenan got Westmeath off to a great start in his singles. This was seen by both camps as one of two pivotal matches in the contest so Westmeath were delighted to come out on top in this one. Sue Whyte collected the second win in her singles. Longford got on the score sheet taking the mens doubles before Carmel Burke & Marie Bardon stretched the lead again. First and second mixed doubles went on court at the same time and Longford had reduced the deficit before Marie & Barry Hogan sealed the match 4-2. Third mixed, the other pivotal match, was not played. Wexford, who had beaten us in the first match of the campaign, provided the opposition in the final. However, there was to be a very different result this time!! Alan Keenan came up just short in his singles before Sue Whyte pulled off a completely unexpected win in her singles. In the mens doubles, Jason Burke & Barry Hogan went down 23-21 in the third set despite being ahead 19-15 ahead in the closing stages. Once again, the ladies came to the rescue when Marie Bardon & Carmel Burke again reversed the defeat from the opening day to leave the score at 2-2. First mixed was a match where Wexford were very strong but Marie & Barry put in a very strong showing before going down 23-21 in the third set. Both second and third mixed now went on court and we had felt if we could keep in the match to this point then we were going to be in with a great chance as we had two more strong pairings to come. Mother and son combination, Carmel & Jason Burke, had little difficulty in the bottom match on the score sheet as they tied up matters again. Sue & Alan lost the first set but fought back to win the next two sets and secure the title. Well done to all concerned, and to coach Tom Roche, for putting in a huge effort which was well rewarded. Players used in 4 matches of competition: Marie Bardon (won 4 form 8 matches played), Carmel Burke (5/7), Sue Whyte (4/8), Jason Burke (3/5), Barry Hogan (5/8), Alan Keenan (4/6), John Noonan (1/2) & Vin Duch Ly (0/2).
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GRADE 4
Semi-Finals: Westmeath 4 - Meath A 2 & Wexford 5 - Meath B 0
FINAL: Wexford 4 - Westmeath 1 Ten teams entered the competition in Grade 4. Meath B, Louth and Westmeath were drawn together in Section 2 and Westmeath qualified for the semi final by beating Louth and Meath B in both matches. Having beaten one Meath team in the qualifying round, Westmeath were drawn against the other Meath in the semi. Again, we enjoyed success over the Royals with a 4-2 victory. Sue Whyte won her singles, however, Tommy McCormack was beaten in his singles. Dave Ryan & Tom Roche won mens doubles in straight sets but Angela Farrelly & Dolores Sheerin were beaten in three sets in their doubles. Sheerin & Roche put Westmeath in front after first mixed doubles in another three set encounter before Farrelly & Ryan secured the spot in the final with a comfortable straight set win. Things did not go well in the final where Wexford were just that bit too strong for us. Tommy McCormack again gave a good display in his singles before the hard working Sue Whyte this time found one to beat her. Dave Ryan & Tom Roche took the opening set in mens doubles but could not sustain the effort and went down badly in the third set. Angela Farrelly picked up an injury while warming up so Sue came in to partner Dolores Sheerin for her sixth win out of seven matches on a day she will long remember!!! Injuries and unavailability had necessitated her playing in both grades and she deserves a special mention for how well she did and gave great heart to her team members. At 3-1 down, we had to win all three remaining matches. This was not to be as Dolores & Tom went down 21-19 in the third set of a match that on another day could have been won. In the meantime, Dave & Marie Bardon had played and won one set of second mixed before proceedings came to a halt. It was great to get two teams to two finals and achieve ultimate success in one section. Players used in 4 matches of competition: Marie Bardon (won 1 out of 2 matches played), Dolores Sheerin (5/8), Angela Farrelly (4/6), Margaret Murphy (0/2), Sue Whyte (2/3), Alan Keenan (1/2), Tommy McCormack (0/2), John Noonan (1/2), Tom Roche (6/8) & Dave Ryan (5/7) . |
Inter County 20116th March
Westmeath secured its first inter county title in many a year by capturing the Leinster Grade 5 competition in Baldoyle. The Grade 4 team also made it to the final,played on the same day, but came up short. All in all a very good year for the players who had put in a lot of training since before Christmas.
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