Shane Ormsby is the latest Mullingar Shamrocks  player to represent Westmeath at Senior inter-county level.  Shane made his  debut against Longford on 12 April when Westmeath had a comprehensive 21-point victory, scoring 5-23 from play in the process. Shane also played his part in the sensational Leinster quarter-final victory against Meath, only the second time in the 142 year history of the GAA that the county  defeated Meath in a championship encounter. 

A few young Shamrocks boys, Ben and Jack Shaw, and Benjamin and Ronan Bagnall  were on hand to congratulate Shane on the famous victory. 

The prize on offer for Westmeath against Kildare is a place in the Leinster final and an opportunity to win the Delaney Cup for the second time, an event that would have special significance for Ben and Jack and their first cousins MJ and Josh Burke. 

The Delaney Cup is named in honour of their Great Grandfather Bill Delaney (Marie Burke's dad)  from Stradbally, County Laois and their Great Grand-Uncles, Mick, Chris and Jack, the legendary family of Laois football. 

The four brothers were members of the Laois team that were defeated by Mayo back in 1936 when Mayo won their first Al-Ireland title. The brothers won 18 Railway Cup medals between them at a time when the completion was the second most important competition in the GAA. Bill Delaney was there too when Mayo won the last All-Ireland title in 1951 as he refereed the final. After that victory came the curse! We are all aware of the contribution of Micheal and Lisa to Mullingar Shamrocks and Westmeath. 

Tomorrow however is Westmeath’s day and we wish all those involved the best of luck and particularly Shane, as well as Brian and Dillon of the extended Westmeath panel.