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Is cox from lomans involved this year with the county panel? He was very impressive in Leinster campaign. Lakecounty94 (Westmeath) - Posts: 71 - 21/01/2025 23:14:55 2586887 Link 0 |
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TJ not on the county. There was talk of him emigrating but I think that's off the cards now
Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 194 - 21/01/2025 23:53:19 2586888 Link 0 |
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According to sources he was playing in Mullingar Athletic last weekend so that indicates he's not involved with county Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1974 - 21/01/2025 23:59:14 2586889 Link 0 |
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I concur with you after seeing them yesterday. They're a very well drilled side, physical and play as a team. Lots of support play in attack and defense making sure their shots were high percentage ones and often had 3-4 lads to force turnovers isolating the Moate lads who over carried and brought the ball into the tackle. Moate for their part hit the panic button quite early forcing things and like you said were guilty of alot of poor shot selections especially in the second half. They also missed a couple of frees they should've scored from but like you said it was comfortable for the winners who look a fine side. I've not seen Mullingar play but Athy will take some beating on yesterday's evidence granted the opposition wasn't great.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2824 - 22/01/2025 10:15:34 2586911 Link 0 |
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Stay in Division Two is the target for the year. Dessie done some super work over the last two years. He made us competitive in the All Ireland Series and came within a kick of the ball of reaching the knockouts in 2023. Last year they reached the target of winning div 3. The only negative would be that he didn't really blood young talent. He did give opportunities to many young players but not many took it. Now these players will get a full league to show if they are good enough. We are going into the unknown this season. Losing players like John Heslin, James Dolan, Kevin Maguire, David Lynch, Andy McCormack and Ronan O'Toole is a massive negative. Andy and Ronan if they stayed could have turned into real leaders of this team as they are both in their prime. Losing other young players like Shane Allen, Johnny Lynam and Eoin Mulvihill is another set back as these 3 would have been nailed on starters this year. Luke Loughlin and Ray Connellan will be our two main players as they are well experienced and the new rules will suit both. On paper, with us losing at least 6 starting players we are the weakest team in division 2 there's no hiding from that. That doesn't mean we cant stay up. Home games against Louth, Cavan and Meath are the games we need target as wins. 6 points will keep us in the division. Away games against Cork, Down and Monaghan look tough on paper. Our last home game against Roscommon could be a dead rubber if Roscommon are already through to league final. We need 3 wins!! If McCabe can keep us in division 2 with this young team it will be a massive achievement. If this does happen it will put Westmeath football in a great place for the 5 years as all these players will develop in to real county standard footballers. Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 523 - 22/01/2025 12:34:09 2586939 Link 0 |
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Not doubting Ray Connellans quality, however I believe the captain needs to be the one to stand up when we need leaders most, down through the years he has tended to go hiding when the going got tough, Louth 2 years ago in Navan springs to mind immediately. I feel Sam mc or Ronan Wallace are the men to lead this team going forward"]Sam mc would not be a suitable captain from what i hear its not in his nature and struggles before game days with nerves, Jamie Gonoud i think deserves a shot at captain and probably will feature in most games and is most experience.
PowellJohn3 (Westmeath) - Posts: 67 - 22/01/2025 14:13:41 2586966 Link 0 |
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A ridiculous statement that this is worst team in years. Some supporter. I remember when alot of the players you named started in div 2 previously. Thank god social media wasn't as big back then. Those players were relegated a number of times but stuck with it and eventually got westmeath back to div 2 with some brilliant days in maroon. Please give the new batch the same time as I believe they to will become our future stars"]Worst team in years on paper. It might seem harsh, but it's true. If you compare it to the Tailteann Cup win v Cavan 3 years ago, the only lads that are around now are Ronan Wallace, Jamie Gonoud, Ray Connellan, Sam McCartan, Luke Loughlin and Lorcan Dolan. A few players have come through since then, and acquitted themselves very well, for example Charlie Drumm and Senan Baker, but not enough in either quality or quantity. The new manager finds himself in a rebuild and hasn't had a lot of time with the players before Sunday. This goes beyond the bounds of the usual rebuild or whatever you want to class it. I think it's going to take several years to make us a competitive top 16 team again. If Luke Loughlin gets injured, who do we turn to score 1-8 like we needed to beat Clare last week? It's a bleak scenario!!
iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 113 - 22/01/2025 15:17:20 2586976 Link 0 |
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How are we feeling about Sunday? Realistically probably a must win, with two really tough away trips afterwards. Can't see us getting anything but here's hoping Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 194 - 23/01/2025 11:40:35 2587104 Link 0 |
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I think we will win on sunday against Louth-new management set up bounce-first competitive fixture and young lads raring to go to prove that they are up to the challenge!!sure what can go wrong! Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 221 - 23/01/2025 12:41:48 2587120 Link 0 |
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Im excited to see many new players playing for the crest , giving it an almighty rattle for 70 minutes. Thats all you can ask for. Everyone has us written off for relegation but thats fine, lets get out and make Cusack a fortress on Sunday
A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 263 - 23/01/2025 13:04:03 2587123 Link 0 |
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A ridiculous statement that this is worst team in years. Some supporter. I remember when alot of the players you named started in div 2 previously. Thank god social media wasn't as big back then. Those players were relegated a number of times but stuck with it and eventually got westmeath back to div 2 with some brilliant days in maroon. Please give the new batch the same time as I believe they to will become our future stars"]Worst team in years on paper. It might seem harsh, but it's true. If you compare it to the Tailteann Cup win v Cavan 3 years ago, the only lads that are around now are Ronan Wallace, Jamie Gonoud, Ray Connellan, Sam McCartan, Luke Loughlin and Lorcan Dolan. A few players have come through since then, and acquitted themselves very well, for example Charlie Drumm and Senan Baker, but not enough in either quality or quantity. The new manager finds himself in a rebuild and hasn't had a lot of time with the players before Sunday. This goes beyond the bounds of the usual rebuild or whatever you want to class it. I think it's going to take several years to make us a competitive top 16 team again. If Luke Loughlin gets injured, who do we turn to score 1-8 like we needed to beat Clare last week? It's a bleak scenario!!"]May not be the worst team in years but for such an inexperienced team to be asked to compete in Div 2 is a HUGE ask. Not their fault and they and McCabe deserve the support of all Westmeath supporters. We live in hope.
Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 666 - 23/01/2025 13:55:37 2587138 Link 0 |
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A ridiculous statement that this is worst team in years. Some supporter. I remember when alot of the players you named started in div 2 previously. Thank god social media wasn't as big back then. Those players were relegated a number of times but stuck with it and eventually got westmeath back to div 2 with some brilliant days in maroon. Please give the new batch the same time as I believe they to will become our future stars"]Worst team in years on paper. It might seem harsh, but it's true. If you compare it to the Tailteann Cup win v Cavan 3 years ago, the only lads that are around now are Ronan Wallace, Jamie Gonoud, Ray Connellan, Sam McCartan, Luke Loughlin and Lorcan Dolan. A few players have come through since then, and acquitted themselves very well, for example Charlie Drumm and Senan Baker, but not enough in either quality or quantity. The new manager finds himself in a rebuild and hasn't had a lot of time with the players before Sunday. This goes beyond the bounds of the usual rebuild or whatever you want to class it. I think it's going to take several years to make us a competitive top 16 team again. If Luke Loughlin gets injured, who do we turn to score 1-8 like we needed to beat Clare last week? It's a bleak scenario!!"]May not be the worst team in years but for such an inexperienced team to be asked to compete in Div 2 is a HUGE ask. Not their fault and they and McCabe deserve the support of all Westmeath supporters. We live in hope.
Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 666 - 23/01/2025 15:14:09 2587158 Link 0 |
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I see louth team is named and published, strong team name. Is McCabe similar to dessie in not naming teams publicly until last min. The westmeath hurling team has also been names granted that match is sat Upforthegame23 (Westmeath) - Posts: 123 - 24/01/2025 11:28:51 2587289 Link 0 |
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Will be interesting to see how the team lines out. Not much known about who is even on the final panel. I'll give a guess at a starting 15 ..not sure if some are involved with the squad though. 1. C McCormack 2. S smyth 3. C Drumm 4. J Gonoud 5. N Harte 6. R Wallace 7. C Dillon 8. R Connellan 9. F O'Hara / B Guerin 10. M whittaker 11. S McCartan 12. D McCartan 13. L Loughlin 14. R Forde 15. S smith Lakecounty94 (Westmeath) - Posts: 71 - 24/01/2025 12:05:59 2587295 Link 0 |
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Just like Dessie, Dermot McCabe does not run the social media accounts. They're the ones who decide when to publish the team online
Tailteannchamps (Westmeath) - Posts: 35 - 24/01/2025 12:32:24 2587301 Link 2 |