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Westmeath Hurling thread

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Eoin Daly redemption arc, time to silence the high stool hurlers

TransitVan (Roscommon) - Posts: 1 - 02/11/2024 11:43:10    2577933

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Normal service has resumed was never going to be any other outcome, only for Noel Conaty we would have won by 20 points. Morgan Gavigan holding David Williams scoreless from play is a fair achievement. Fair play to the Gaels tho they have definitely closed the gap somewhat. Some very nice hurlers eoin Daly played excellently today likewise Shane Williams,

James73 (Westmeath) - Posts: 51 - 02/11/2024 16:16:46    2577950

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Replying To westmeathgaa11:  "Castletown by 5, David o Reilly and Niall o brien to run riot
Expect a bumper crowd with free admission"
Accurate prediction but Castletown by 7.
They had a potent forward line that hit 1-27 for this time of the year which is good going, could have had even more only for exceptional goalkeeping from Noel Conaty. Hard on the Gaels losing two finals in a row, they've done great work and have improved massively over the last couple of years.

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 951 - 02/11/2024 16:19:35    2577951

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Fair play to Ctown, they pulled away in the 2nd half, it means one of the big 3 have won every year since Pollard in 2005, 20 years ago next year. It would surely give hope to everyone else to see another team win it.

Bigjoe1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 58 - 02/11/2024 16:54:10    2577955

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Replying To Bigjoe1:  "Fair play to Ctown, they pulled away in the 2nd half, it means one of the big 3 have won every year since Pollard in 2005, 20 years ago next year. It would surely give hope to everyone else to see another team win it."
Better team won
It'll be another 20 years before anyone outside of the 3 will win a senior title
Other clubs just don't have the numbers required to challenge consistently

valley84 (Westmeath) - Posts: 1900 - 02/11/2024 17:31:14    2577956

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Replying To valley84:  "Better team won
It'll be another 20 years before anyone outside of the 3 will win a senior title
Other clubs just don't have the numbers required to challenge consistently"
Agree about numbers. And CTG are covering a huge area to keep their squad up.

jfd (Westmeath) - Posts: 252 - 02/11/2024 18:10:30    2577963

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Replying To jfd:  "Agree about numbers. And CTG are covering a huge area to keep their squad up."
I wouldnt be so pessimistic.Na Piarsaig and Clann Na Gael amalgamations are going well and senior b final was the best quality I have seen outside the A.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1600 - 02/11/2024 18:42:34    2577972

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David O'Reilly is some talent, probably the best forward in the county at present. Ably assisted by Niall O'Brien, Conor Murphy, Aonghus Clarke, Liam Varley and Peter Murphy.

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 951 - 02/11/2024 18:51:10    2577974

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Replying To Dheen:  "David O'Reilly is some talent, probably the best forward in the county at present. Ably assisted by Niall O'Brien, Conor Murphy, Aonghus Clarke, Liam Varley and Peter Murphy."
All of those will be needed by the Bulfin/O Brien team. Shane Williams is another key new player for us.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1600 - 02/11/2024 19:07:51    2577982

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Replying To jobber:  "All of those will be needed by the Bulfin/O Brien team. Shane Williams is another key new player for us."
Shane Williams had a great game, one of the most consistent performers in the championship. He operates well at half back.

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 951 - 02/11/2024 19:31:31    2577986

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A great game today Williams's sidelines worth any admission. O Reilly and o Brien immense for Ctg. game was in the melting pot in the first half gaels hit to many wides and goal kept them in it. Second half and Ctg were always doing enough. And Tommy Doyle some man to stay going I seen his thumb injury it was bent back and he played through it hats off to him. Ctg on the balance deserved it the gaels can have no complaints both teams gave their all. It was a great entertaining game today and Barry Kelly did a fair and firm job in the middle.

2maroonjerseys (Galway) - Posts: 97 - 03/11/2024 00:09:08    2578033

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the first 25 mins was a great game of hurling and had the makings of one of the best finals but the space the ctg forwards seem to be able to make was the difference and they pushed it through in the end, o reilly is a raw talent with great ball winning ability but will have to fill out more for modern intercounty i feel, i remember i commented on shane williams in 2020 against galway in the league on this forum all those years ago on that he looked to have great potential but i cant understand why he hasnt been on the county hardly since, he surely would be on the first 15 in westmeath.

preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 760 - 03/11/2024 00:36:06    2578037

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From half time it wasn't really in doubt. CTG seemed to be going through the gears and while they played well and clearly to a plan, a faster opposition with an alternative to the long ball which LLG stuck to could have been closer.

I felt that LLG suffered on first touch, and got caught in possession more than CTG while the space that CTG created for their fast young forwards gave them time on the ball.

LLG wasted a lot of ball, wides as well as long ball cleared down the middle which was too predictable after a while went stalemate and lot of which was cleared from the CTG HB and FB lines.

O Reilly was good but in my opinion lacks physical presence and his advantage today was space and speed over a slow LLG FB and HB lines where only Shane Williams excelled.

CTG were in luck that Eoin Daly had to be substituted. Himself and Tommy Doyle were central to the long ball plan. Without him LLG were under pressure to win and distribute ball and David Williams (who tried really hard) was living on slow scraps while trying to get through the CTG 'wall defence' as they retreated quickly.

Barry Kelly has a curious style. He would do well to remember that it's not inter county hurling and also reread the rule book on advantage rule. He seemed to signal advantage for both teams at times but not always recall the play to give a free.

Shout out to Noel Conaty. I'm my opinion the man of the match. We might want to applaud the CTG forwards but different forwards who left LLG backs trailing and went 1-1 on Conaty many times and he got the better of them. You don't see that often. It left me wondering what will those lighter CTG forwards achieve against faster stronger defences in Leinster.

Good entertaining game overall and enjoyable to watch. Seemed like LLG support was larger than CTG though I felt overall the crowd was small. What would a final be like on fast dry ground on a nice sunny day in early September?

Iveagh (Westmeath) - Posts: 6 - 03/11/2024 08:34:51    2578050

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Replying To Iveagh:  "From half time it wasn't really in doubt. CTG seemed to be going through the gears and while they played well and clearly to a plan, a faster opposition with an alternative to the long ball which LLG stuck to could have been closer.

I felt that LLG suffered on first touch, and got caught in possession more than CTG while the space that CTG created for their fast young forwards gave them time on the ball.

LLG wasted a lot of ball, wides as well as long ball cleared down the middle which was too predictable after a while went stalemate and lot of which was cleared from the CTG HB and FB lines.

O Reilly was good but in my opinion lacks physical presence and his advantage today was space and speed over a slow LLG FB and HB lines where only Shane Williams excelled.

CTG were in luck that Eoin Daly had to be substituted. Himself and Tommy Doyle were central to the long ball plan. Without him LLG were under pressure to win and distribute ball and David Williams (who tried really hard) was living on slow scraps while trying to get through the CTG 'wall defence' as they retreated quickly.

Barry Kelly has a curious style. He would do well to remember that it's not inter county hurling and also reread the rule book on advantage rule. He seemed to signal advantage for both teams at times but not always recall the play to give a free.

Shout out to Noel Conaty. I'm my opinion the man of the match. We might want to applaud the CTG forwards but different forwards who left LLG backs trailing and went 1-1 on Conaty many times and he got the better of them. You don't see that often. It left me wondering what will those lighter CTG forwards achieve against faster stronger defences in Leinster.

Good entertaining game overall and enjoyable to watch. Seemed like LLG support was larger than CTG though I felt overall the crowd was small. What would a final be like on fast dry ground on a nice sunny day in early September?"
Sounds like u thought ctg were lucky to win they were better team overall .
Sour grapes? first half close but ctg wer much better second half.
O'reillt had good championship. He is young and doesn't lack physical presence in terms height maybe can fill out more but he is still young a lot clearly forget that.

Daly big loss but don't llg would have won either with him on for all it.

Noel conaty was good but no mention threat by ctg forwards if he didn't save it would be fair beaten.

Thomastown are going win leinster no Shame loosing to them they hammered o loughlins of kk so nobody is expecting much but to write off as if they are bad forwards ridiculous.

This is extremely harsh as if you forget 2 17 is good scoring but more so 1 27

There was good crowd

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 517 - 03/11/2024 11:56:54    2578068

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Replying To Iveagh:  "From half time it wasn't really in doubt. CTG seemed to be going through the gears and while they played well and clearly to a plan, a faster opposition with an alternative to the long ball which LLG stuck to could have been closer.

I felt that LLG suffered on first touch, and got caught in possession more than CTG while the space that CTG created for their fast young forwards gave them time on the ball.

LLG wasted a lot of ball, wides as well as long ball cleared down the middle which was too predictable after a while went stalemate and lot of which was cleared from the CTG HB and FB lines.

O Reilly was good but in my opinion lacks physical presence and his advantage today was space and speed over a slow LLG FB and HB lines where only Shane Williams excelled.

CTG were in luck that Eoin Daly had to be substituted. Himself and Tommy Doyle were central to the long ball plan. Without him LLG were under pressure to win and distribute ball and David Williams (who tried really hard) was living on slow scraps while trying to get through the CTG 'wall defence' as they retreated quickly.

Barry Kelly has a curious style. He would do well to remember that it's not inter county hurling and also reread the rule book on advantage rule. He seemed to signal advantage for both teams at times but not always recall the play to give a free.

Shout out to Noel Conaty. I'm my opinion the man of the match. We might want to applaud the CTG forwards but different forwards who left LLG backs trailing and went 1-1 on Conaty many times and he got the better of them. You don't see that often. It left me wondering what will those lighter CTG forwards achieve against faster stronger defences in Leinster.

Good entertaining game overall and enjoyable to watch. Seemed like LLG support was larger than CTG though I felt overall the crowd was small. What would a final be like on fast dry ground on a nice sunny day in early September?"
Pretty bad take I would have to say, especially on O'Reilly. The chap Scores 5/6 points a game no matter who he's up against, he's an excellent talent. It was a good contest in the first half but CTG pulled away in the second half and probably could have won by 12/13 pts regardless of if Eoin Daly stayed on or not, Noel Conaty was brilliant in the goals and stopped 3 certain goals from going in.

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 951 - 03/11/2024 12:33:38    2578077

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Replying To Iveagh:  "From half time it wasn't really in doubt. CTG seemed to be going through the gears and while they played well and clearly to a plan, a faster opposition with an alternative to the long ball which LLG stuck to could have been closer.

I felt that LLG suffered on first touch, and got caught in possession more than CTG while the space that CTG created for their fast young forwards gave them time on the ball.

LLG wasted a lot of ball, wides as well as long ball cleared down the middle which was too predictable after a while went stalemate and lot of which was cleared from the CTG HB and FB lines.

O Reilly was good but in my opinion lacks physical presence and his advantage today was space and speed over a slow LLG FB and HB lines where only Shane Williams excelled.

CTG were in luck that Eoin Daly had to be substituted. Himself and Tommy Doyle were central to the long ball plan. Without him LLG were under pressure to win and distribute ball and David Williams (who tried really hard) was living on slow scraps while trying to get through the CTG 'wall defence' as they retreated quickly.

Barry Kelly has a curious style. He would do well to remember that it's not inter county hurling and also reread the rule book on advantage rule. He seemed to signal advantage for both teams at times but not always recall the play to give a free.

Shout out to Noel Conaty. I'm my opinion the man of the match. We might want to applaud the CTG forwards but different forwards who left LLG backs trailing and went 1-1 on Conaty many times and he got the better of them. You don't see that often. It left me wondering what will those lighter CTG forwards achieve against faster stronger defences in Leinster.

Good entertaining game overall and enjoyable to watch. Seemed like LLG support was larger than CTG though I felt overall the crowd was small. What would a final be like on fast dry ground on a nice sunny day in early September?"
Was also a very good crowd in, were you even at it? some of your takes are ridiculous?

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 951 - 03/11/2024 12:36:14    2578079

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Sounds like u thought ctg were lucky to win they were better team overall .
Sour grapes? first half close but ctg wer much better second half.
O'reillt had good championship. He is young and doesn't lack physical presence in terms height maybe can fill out more but he is still young a lot clearly forget that.

Daly big loss but don't llg would have won either with him on for all it.

Noel conaty was good but no mention threat by ctg forwards if he didn't save it would be fair beaten.

Thomastown are going win leinster no Shame loosing to them they hammered o loughlins of kk so nobody is expecting much but to write off as if they are bad forwards ridiculous.

This is extremely harsh as if you forget 2 17 is good scoring but more so 1 27

There was good crowd"
I agree Thomastown hot favourites to win Leinster.They hammered last years All Ireland finalists in Kilkenny final but its very important this year of all years(looks as if county will have a big turnaround in players) that our 3 representatives perform well in Leinster.Dont know anything about Fr Daltons or Brownstowns opponents but in recent years our clubs have not done well.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1600 - 03/11/2024 12:37:09    2578080

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Sounds like u thought ctg were lucky to win they were better team overall .
Sour grapes? first half close but ctg wer much better second half.
O'reillt had good championship. He is young and doesn't lack physical presence in terms height maybe can fill out more but he is still young a lot clearly forget that.

Daly big loss but don't llg would have won either with him on for all it.

Noel conaty was good but no mention threat by ctg forwards if he didn't save it would be fair beaten.

Thomastown are going win leinster no Shame loosing to them they hammered o loughlins of kk so nobody is expecting much but to write off as if they are bad forwards ridiculous.

This is extremely harsh as if you forget 2 17 is good scoring but more so 1 27

There was good crowd"
Wiser take, minus the sour grapes!

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 951 - 03/11/2024 12:39:56    2578082

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Sounds like u thought ctg were lucky to win they were better team overall .
Sour grapes? first half close but ctg wer much better second half.
O'reillt had good championship. He is young and doesn't lack physical presence in terms height maybe can fill out more but he is still young a lot clearly forget that.

Daly big loss but don't llg would have won either with him on for all it.

Noel conaty was good but no mention threat by ctg forwards if he didn't save it would be fair beaten.

Thomastown are going win leinster no Shame loosing to them they hammered o loughlins of kk so nobody is expecting much but to write off as if they are bad forwards ridiculous.

This is extremely harsh as if you forget 2 17 is good scoring but more so 1 27

There was good crowd"
I wouldn't be anointing Thomastown just yet. Sure they'll be long odds on to win but surely CTG can have a right cut at them and see what happens. You never know with club hurling.

2maroonjerseys (Galway) - Posts: 97 - 03/11/2024 12:59:56    2578088

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Replying To 2maroonjerseys:  "I wouldn't be anointing Thomastown just yet. Sure they'll be long odds on to win but surely CTG can have a right cut at them and see what happens. You never know with club hurling."
Thomastown will likely win out Leinster, they were highly impressive in Kilkenny all year. Castletown with a forward line of Niall O'Brien, Conor Murphy, Aonghus Clarke, Varley and O'Reilly can cause them problems though and give them a good game. I think most would be pleased with just a good performance and showing from CTG.

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 951 - 03/11/2024 13:09:16    2578089

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