County Westmeath’s sporting heritage, anchored in Gaelic games and enriched by soccer, rugby, and other pursuits, reflects a community united by competition. From historic triumphs to thriving clubs and athletes, Westmeath’s story is one of passion and achievement.
Gaelic Games: The County’s Core
Gaelic Football, hurling, and camogie, governed by Westmeath GAA, form the backbone of the county’s sporting identity. The senior football team won the inaugural All-Ireland Senior Football Championship ‘B’ in 1987 and claimed the county’s sole Leinster Senior Football Championship in 2004, defeating Laois. Westmeath secured the National Football League Division 2 title in 2008.
In hurling, the county won the Christy Ring Cup, an All-Ireland senior hurling title, in 2005, 2007, and 2010, with victories over Down, Kildare, and Kerry respectively. The camogie team triumphed in the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship in 2017. The minor football team won All-Irelands in 1995 and 2013.
In club football, Athlone GAA leads with 20 Westmeath Senior Football Championship titles, most recently in 1991. The Downs have 12 titles, including 2024, and reached the Leinster club final in 2003. Garrycastle won three consecutive titles from 2010 to 2012 and the Leinster Senior Club Football Championship in 2011.
In hurling, Raharney holds 16 county titles, with their latest in 2022, while Clonkill won 12 titles, last in 2019. Castlepollard and St Oliver Plunkett’s have also claimed hurling honours.
Famous footballers
- Dessie Dolan (Garrycastle): Widely regarded as Westmeath’s greatest-ever footballer. A forward known for his high scoring rate, he played from 1999–2014, winning an All Star in 2004 and an U21 All-Ireland in 1999.
- John Keane (Rosemount): A stellar corner-back who won All Stars in 2004 and 2008, making him the only Westmeath player to win two.
- Rory O’Connell (Athlone): A legendary midfielder and Westmeath’s first-ever football All Star (2001). Known for his aerial dominance.
- Gary Connaughton (Tubberclair): A highly regarded goalkeeper who won an All Star in 2008 and was crucial to the 2004 Leinster success.
- Denis Glennon (Tyrrellspass): A powerful corner-forward, affectionately nicknamed “The Ronaldo of Westmeath Football,” key to the 2004 championship win.
- John Heslin (St Loman’s, Mullingar): A modern-day star, one of the top scorers in the county’s history (2011–present) and a key playmaker.
- Martin ‘Spike’ Fagan (Mullingar Shamrocks): A long-serving defender/midfielder who played for nearly 15 years and was renowned for playing on international compromise rules teams.
- David O’Shaughnessy (Garrycastle): Captained the 2004 Leinster Championship winning team, he was a powerful midfield partner to Rory O’Connell.
- Kieran Martin (Maryland): A standout forward known for his goal-scoring ability, winning an All Star nomination in 2015.
- Willie Lowry (Mullingar Shamrocks): An outstanding all-round player of the 1980s, often cited as a standout player from the era before the 2004 breakthrough.
Athlone Town: A Soccer Beacon
Athlone Town AFC, founded in 1887 and based at Athlone Town Stadium, is one of Ireland’s oldest soccer clubs. The club achieved its greatest success in the 1970s and 1980s, winning the League of Ireland in 1981 and 1983, defeating Dundalk and Sligo Rovers respectively. Athlone Town also secured the FAI Cup in 1924, beating Bohemians, and the League of Ireland Cup in 1979, 1982, and 1983. The club’s women’s team won the FAI Women’s Cup in 2018 and the Women’s National League in 2020, cementing their legacy in Westmeath soccer.
Rugby, Athletics, and Beyond
Rugby thrives through Mullingar RFC, based at Shay Murtagh Park, competing in the Leinster League. Athlone RFC supports youth and women’s teams. prominent rugby internationals born in or closely associated with County Westmeath, particularly through Buccaneers RFC in Athlone, include Irish and British & Irish Lions star Robbie Henshaw, Ireland international Jack Carty, and USA Eagle Luke Carty.
Athletics flourishes at the Athlone IT International Arena, hosting national championships and producing talents like Kelly Proper, a European Championship sprinter. Mullingar Harriers AC trains at Belvedere House grounds. Golf at Mullingar Golf Club and cycling through Lakeside Wheelers add to the county’s sporting mix. Rowing on Lough Ree, backed by Athlone Boat Club, has a strong tradition. Silver Olympic medal was won for Westmeath by John Joe Nevin (Men’s bantamweight boxing, London 2012) and Percy O’Reilly from Colamber, a member of the 1908 Irish polo team.
Key Facilities
Cusack Park in Mullingar, with a capacity of 11,500, is Westmeath’s primary GAA venue, hosting county finals and Leinster Championship matches. Athlone Town Stadium serves soccer, with upgrades supporting both men’s and women’s teams. The Athlone IT International Arena offers world-class athletics facilities, while Mullingar’s Regional Sports Centre provides indoor courts and a swimming pool. Kinnegad’s Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA grounds and Moate’s community sports facilities support local clubs.
Prominent Personalities
John McNamara managed the 2004 Leinster-winning team, while Dessie Dolan earned an All-Star in 2004. In hurling, David Kilcoyne led Raharney to multiple county titles and starred in the 2010 Christy Ring Cup win. Pamela Greville won All-Ireland camogie medals in 2017.
In soccer, Turlough O’Connor managed Athlone Town to their 1980s League of Ireland titles, while Holly Newman captained the women’s team to the 2020 National League. Thomas Allen, a Paralympic sprinter, competed for Westmeath AC. Johnny Penrose, a former boxing coach, guided local youth to national titles.
Honours and Years of Success
Westmeath’s football team won the 2004 Leinster title and the 1987 All-Ireland ‘B’ Championship, with a National League Division 2 title in 2008. The hurling team secured Christy Ring Cups in 2005, 2007, and 2010. Camogie’s All-Ireland Intermediate title came in 2017. Club honours include Athlone GAA’s 20 titles (latest 1991), The Downs’ 12 titles (latest 2024), and Garrycastle’s Leinster club title (2011). Raharney’s 16 hurling titles (latest 2022) and Clonkill’s 12 titles (latest 2019) stand out.
Athlone Town AFC won League of Ireland titles (1981, 1983), FAI Cup (1924), League Cups (1979, 1982, 1983), Women’s National League (2020), and Women’s FAI Cup (2018).
Westmeath’s sporting community continues to thrive, with clubs and facilities nurturing new talent. From the energy of Cusack Park to the modern amenities of Athlone Town Stadium, the county’s love for sport promises more victories ahead.
Sports in the county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Westmeath:
Ireland’s county Westmeath offers a blend of lakes and historic charm, with Athlone Castle providing insights into medieval Ireland along the Shannon River. The Belvedere House and Gardens showcase Georgian elegance, while Lough Ree offers boating and fishing opportunities. Other attractions include the ancient Fore Abbey and its monastic ruins and traditional seven wonders. Westmeath is Ireland’s tenth smallest county by size (1,763 square km) and 11th smallest by population (96,221). Population peaked at 141,300 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 52,861 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Westmeath is Ireland’s 22nd most visited tourist county with around 95,000 international visitors per year.
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