Mixed fortunes for local sporting teams

IT was a mixed bag for local sports teams last weekend, with Westmeath the biggest losers having been defeated in both the Hastings Cup semi-finals and the Walsh Shield Final.

Westmeath’s U21 side, managed by senior boss Paul Bealin, lost out to Meath, 0-8 to 0-5, in the semi-finals of the Hastings Cup. Meath will now face Roscommon in the final after the Rossies’ beat Cavan in their semi-final.

In the Walsh Shield Final, Westmeath’s senior hurlers were defeated by Carlow, while Leitrim overcame Roscommon in the final of the FBD League. In rugby, meanwhile, Buccaneers were narrowly defeated by Belfast Harlequins, while the local schoolboy and junior soccer scenes saw their scheduled fixture list decimated by the poor conditions in the area. For more on all the above stories, see this week’s Westmeath Independent which hits the streets on Wednesday morning.