Westmeath hurling final abandoned - free entry likely for replay

The Westmeath senior hurling final between Castletown Geoghegan and Lough Lene Gaels was abruptly abandoned after only 13 minutes on Sunday due to a rain-sodden pitch and deteriorating conditions at TEG Cusack Park.

The final has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 2, at 2pm.

The match was the fourth game on the pitch that weekend, and managers from both clubs expressed frustration over the scheduling and the impact on the playing surface.

Vastly experienced referee Barry Kelly called the match off as Lough Lene Gaels were leading by 0-2 to 0-0, citing player safety concerns as the driving factor.

Lough Lene Gaels manager Joey Williams was visibly disappointed, noting that his team had been in control. “It’s hard to know,” Williams commented on whether the right decision had been made.

“We were going well, and it’s the referee’s decision at the end of the day. But, to be honest, we all saw the weather forecast during the week and knew what was coming, so it’s very disappointing that it was left to happen on the day.

“A lot of people put a lot of time and effort into this, and to be called off 12 minutes into a game is very disappointing.”

Williams felt the minor final earlier that day should have been moved to another venue.

Alan Mangan, manager of Castletown Geoghegan, shared concerns about the packed schedule.

He agreed that the minor final may have added strain to the pitch, which had also hosted intermediate and senior ‘B’ finals on Saturday.

Reflecting on the referee’s decision, he lent his full support to the experienced St Oliver Plunkett’s whistler. "Barry’s doing it for the safety of the players, and you can only take his word. He’s out there, watching everyone going into these rucks. He said there were seven rucks in the first 11 minutes, so it was only going to get worse.”

Both managers acknowledged the challenge of rescheduling and regrouping for the replay, but Williams remained optimistic about the mindset of his team.

“We’ve no problem getting the attitude right with our bunch of lads. As I said, we waited 22 years to get a championship, and another week isn’t going to make a difference,” he said.

Mangan also took the situation in his stride, though he acknowledged concerns about the late afternoon throw-in.

“Maybe it was an oversight that they forgot the clocks were going back,” he suggested, referring to fading light.

Westmeath County chairman Frank Mescall expressed sympathy for the players who had prepared for the big day. “Our hearts go out to the players from both teams. It’s totally upsetting for them, having been all geared up for this and preparing intensely over the last two weeks,” Mescall said.

“However, I believe the best decision was made today in the interest of the players and their future wellbeing. The referee made the call, and we fully back him. He made the right choice, and we support our referees 100 percent.”

Mescall confirmed that the final would be replayed on Saturday at 2pm, and patrons are expected to gain free entry. “This isn’t about money; our primary concern today was the players,” he said, concluding with an apology to the players, “It’s unfortunate, but we don’t control the skies.”

This was the second time in Westmeath hurling history that a final had to be abandoned, the first instance occurring in 1948, and Collinstown versus Brownstown was eventually settled in Brownstown’s favour on the fourth attempt.

With the Westmeath winners not out in Leinster until November 17 (at home to Kilkenny's Thomastown), there is time for a replay if Saturday's rescheduled final finishes in a draw.