Lough Lene Gaels edge out Raharney to claim first senior title since 2002

A Killian Doyle free left the deficit at a goal, but Raharney were unable to conjure up an equalising goal in the single minute remaining

David Williams shone on the day for Lough Lene. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026 - 17:33

Gerry Buckley

Westmeath SHC final: Lough Lene Gaels 1-16 Raharney 0-16

Lough Lene Gaels are Westmeath senior hurling champions for the first time since 2002 after they edged out Raharney by a goal in ideal conditions for hurling in front of a big crowd in Mullingar.

Raharney went two points ahead in the opening four minutes, courtesy of a Killian Doyle free and Robbie Greville from play, but they very wasteful over the next ten minutes.

Lough Lene Gaels edged ahead by 0-4 to 0-2 by the end of the opening quarter, a score from play by Ryan Williams being followed by three converted frees by team captain David Williams. Raharney then pounced for four unanswered points of their own from the sticks of Eamon Cunneen (two - open play and a monster free), Callum McKeogh, and Eoghan Ahearn.

Both teams added three points to their total during the remainder of the first half – Cunneen with another brace for Johnny Greville’s troops (a wonderful score from play and a ‘65’), and the other from former All Star nominee, Killian Doyle, with two David Williams’ frees and John Egan from open play accounting for the scores of the Collinstown men. At the break, Raharney led by 0-9 to 0-7.

The Gaels had a dream start to the second moiety with David Williams pointing twice in as many minutes – a quality score from play and a free – before the same player converted a 35th-minute penalty after influential sub Marcus Kennedy had been fouled. This proved to be a double-whammy for Raharney as full back Jamie Mulkearns picked up a second yellow card for the incident.

The champions-elect led by four points (1-13 to 0-12) when Killian Doyle looked sure to find the net in the 55th minute, but Noel Conaty pulled off a smart save.

Doyle compensated with a quickfire brace of points on the hour mark, as a minimum of five minutes’ added-time was signalled. The gap was down to the bare minimum when Cunneen added to his tally.

However, Lough Lene Gaels were not to be denied and a Philip Reilly point from play, shortly before Marcus Kennedy was red-carded, was followed by two great free conversions by David Williams to give them a four-point cushion.

A Killian Doyle free left the deficit at a goal, but Raharney were unable to conjure up an equalising goal in the single minute remaining.

Scorers for Lough Lene Gaels: D Williams 1-10 (1-0pen, 8f, 1‘65’), M Kennedy 0-2, P Reilly, R Williams, D McNicholas, J Egan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Raharney: K Doyle 0-8 (5f), E Cunneen 0-5 (1f, 1‘65’), R Greville, E Ahearn, Callum McKeogh 0-1 each.

LOUGH LENE GAELS: N Conaty; D Daly, D Higgins, M Daly; P Reilly, J Egan, T Doyle; B Doyle, S Williams; C McCrossan, D Williams, E Daly; R Williams, D McNicholas, J Malone.

Subs: M Kennedy for Malone (23), D Qamar for T Doyle (blood, 32 – 33), D Qamar for McCrossan (46), A Kennedy for E Daly (52), W Williams for S Williams (60+1).

RAHARNEY: A McHugh; S Quinn, J Mulkearns, D Finn; G Greville, R Keyes, R Greville; C Boyle, Callum McKeogh; E Cunneen, Cormac McKeogh, Ciaran Doyle; E Ahearn, J Boyle, K Doyle.

Subs: D Hill for C Doyle (inj., 26), C Ready for Boyle (blood, 50-52), C Ready for Ahearn (54), B McGrath for Boyle (55), R Coyne for Callum McKeogh (57), Conor McKeogh for Finn (60+6).

Referee: C Flynn (St Brigid’s).