On Sunday morning last The Downs welcomed St Mary’s Rochfortbridge to The Downs for the semi-final of the junior B football championship. A low scoring encounter was to present itself with the struggles of winter football clearly evident. 

On a foggy morning, it was the visitors who started the brighter aided by the breeze and they had struck for two 2- point scores within the opening ten minutes. The Downs registered their account through a Jack Carroll free on 15 minutes. Rochfortbridge scored another point not long after before James Drumm scored his first point of the half after some broken play. St Mary’s were starting to gather some momentum and a point from Shane Cully and the first goal of the game sprung Rochfortbridge into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead. James Drumm raised his second white flag of the day just before the halftime whistle to leave The Downs trailing at halftime 1-5 to 0-3. 

 

The Downs started the second half with a little more zip about them. Jack Carroll struck for a 2- pointer early in the second half to give the Downs some momentum to close the gap back to three points. Over the proceeding few minutes both sides threatened some good  attacking  play but it was the surging run of Dan O’Callaghan who in turn teed up Kevin Smullen to fire home to the St Mary’s net to level this contest on 45 minutes. St Mary’s to their credit reacted well to this goal and got themselves the next 2 points in quick succession to widen the gap back out to 2 points again. Shane Carroll then converted a free after Adam Conneely was fouled. In the next attack a quick thinking free by Keith Carroll set The Downs moving forward for the all-important score of the game. From the free the ball found its way to Jack Carroll who with a quick switch of the play found Kevin Smullen whose speculative shot found veteran substitute Declan Lynam at the back post who fired home from close range for The Downs to take a 2 point lead. Kevin Smullen added another point for The Downs and with some great team defensive work in the last few minutes The Downs ran out winners on this occasion on a score-line of The Downs 2-8 St Mary’s Rochfortbridge 1-8.The lads look forward to a final meeting against Tubberclair in Tubberclair next Friday December 5th at 7.45 p.m.

The main Christmas draw will take place on Friday January 2nd in The Clubhouse.

Fantastic prizes to be won including €5000 1st prize, hotel breaks, gym membership & much more. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member or online  https://naduntagaa.clubifyapp.com/products/31900/purchases/new

Proceeds go to running the club as well as a contribution to a new local community footpath.

The Downs GAA AGM will take place on Thursday December 4th at 7.30 p.m. All motions and nominations to be forwarded to the secretary Shane Carroll. All members welcome. Refreshments afterwards.

The Ladies AGM will take place on December 11th in the clubhouse at 7.30 p.m.

The Scór na nÓg Leinster Final will take place in Taghnom GAA Centre in Wexford at 1pm on Sunday December 7th. Very best of luck particularly to our own Nuachleas team and their mentors Noel Lynam and Trudie Rowan. We wish all other Westmeath participants the very best of luck also. 

 

Rince Foirne - St Lomans LGFA

Amhránaíocht Aonair - Darragh McCabe, Mullingar Shamrocks

Aithriseoireacht/Scéalaíocht - Eoghan McKenna, St. Lomans

Bailéad Ghrúpa - Moate All Whites 

Nuachleas - The Downs

Ceol Uirlise - Ballinagore

Rince Seit - Bunbrosna

Tráth na gCeist - Ballinagore

Many congratulations to Tommy Kelly and all at TEG on the recent announcement that they (TEG) will be the new Westmeath GAA Sponsors. The unveiling of the new sponsors was very professionally co-ordinated by Marie Lynagh (Westmeath PRO) and Keith Quinn (Westmeath secretary) at a wonderful event attended by Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns aswell as the incoming hurling and football managers for 2025 Kev O’Brien and Mark McHugh respectively as well as the Westmeath Executive Committee and other guests. TEG are long serving supporters and sponsors of Westmeath GAA. Everyone here in The Downs congratulates Tommy and his team on the new sponsorship deal and wishes them every success with the new partnership. 

The club extends its sincere sympathy to Sean Loran and extended family on the sad passing of his wife Kathleen late of The Downs, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Please keep an eye on our social media platforms for updates to shop opening.

Bingo continues every Friday night at 8.30 p.m. All new members welcome.

We will continue to live stream our Lotto draw via our Facebook page for the foreseeable future. Tune in at 9-30 on each Monday night to catch the draw.

1.Add a discounted bundle to your Downs GAA club membership by clicking here.
2.Play online at our website www.thedownsgaa.com
3. Play online at Clubzapp http://bit.ly/3ItlksQ
4. Contact your regular draw collector for your area or any Committee member who will enter
your numbers on to our Perma Book which is retained at the club.
5. Send a cheque for €100 to club secretary Tommy Kelly, Coralstown, Mullingar (one year’s
subscription).
6. Or scan here:

Thanks to our supporters for their loyal commitment to our Fundraising Draw and to those new players who have signed up online and in hard copy.

Keep up to date with club activities
There are lots of ways to keep up to date with our activities. Our award-winning website can be viewed at www.thedownsgaa.com where you can sign up to receive our weekly newsletter by email. Also check us out on Twitter, Facebook YouTube and Instagram.