Congratulations Garrycastle!

Congratulations Garrycastle! Garrycastle confirmed their status as Westmeath football kingpins with a third Flanagan Cup in a row and a sixth county title since 2001 on Sunday. It's a remarkable achievement for the club and, in particular, for this particular group of players and manager Anthony Cunningham. And as befits a club that refuse to sit on their laurels, Garrycastle were immediately targeting the Leinster championship crown that has, to date, eluded them. Manager Anthony Cunningham said after the game against Mullingar Shamrocks: "It's going to be tough. We're playing Longford Slashers here on November 13 and it's going to be one hell of a battle. "These lads deserve to win a Leinster with the quality that's there," he added. Garrycastle reached the semi-finals of last year's Leinster Club championship, before losing to Kilmacud Crokes, in the semi-finals. In 2009, they also reached the provincial decider, but fell short against Portlaoise. Hospital parking charges are here to stay There have been calls for the elimination of parking charges at acute hospitals across the country following revelations in this week's edition that over €200,000 was collected in parking revenue at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe. However, those seeking the elimination of the charges may do well to consider how this funding would otherwise be sourced. The car parking charges are, almost by definition, frustrating and an inconvenience to those visiting hospitals. However, the reality of our cash-starved economy is that this cashflow stream would not to be replaced by an alternative source of income if the charges were to be eliminated. Action speaks louder than words on floods Westmeath was battered by winds gusting up to 75kmh on Sunday and Monday, and with the sort of heavy rainfall that automatically brings people back to the floods of November 2009. The last two winters caused huge disruption and inconvenience in all corners of the country, and local authorities were caught out as their resources were stretched beyond the limit. Everyone understands the pressures the authorities and the emergency services face when half the country is covered with ice and snow, but we've had a couple of years of it now, and everyone is hoping we will be better prepared when the cold returns in a few weeks. As for flooding fears, it is simply not good enough that little has been done to limit potential flood damage to many areas of the midlands. Those who suffered in the floods of 2009 are understandably nervous of a re-occurrence of that catastrophe, particularly in the wake of the pictures from Dublin yesterday. And there needs to be a greater sense of urgency from the powers that be in helping to reassure people in the greater Athlone area that all is being done to prevent a repeat of the 2009 floods. President bows out in Kiltoom How fitting it was that St Brigid's GAA club hosted the final official function of President Mary McAleese outside Dublin. The President and her husband Martin have a strong relationship with Roscommon and Lough Ree. And her interest in Gaelic Games has also shone through during her 14 years in office. South Roscommon's Sean Kilbride is currently heading up the innovative GAA Social Initiative under which programme the President visited Kiltoom on Monday. St Brigid's is a fine example of a club which is at the core of its community and which can reach out to provide a social outlet to those, particularly the elderly, who may feel isolated or alone.