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Westmeath Football thread

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Not many surprises over the weekend really; the margin of victory for The Downs definitely wasn't something I seen coming, Athlone definitely fancied an upset as they knew Loman's were going to be down a number of starters; Tyrrellspass seem to be on a decline but who knows how they may yet regroup. In the B section no real shocks, Moate let a huge opportunity slip, Killucan continuing their good form this year with a win over Caulry. Leaves the group tight with a number of local derbies to come.

In the intermediate again no huge shocks; Shandonagh and Milltown was always going to be interesting as they are probably the two standouts, Wallace the difference for Multy, if any team can shut him out they may struggle but not many will be capable, Tubberclair with a big score over Rosemount who are quite depleted from last year.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 114 - 27/07/2025 19:55:34    2628373

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Big win for Ballinagore in the Junior 1. Seem to be progressing at a quick enough rate to challenge for the junior. Ballynacargy were close enough to St Joseph's to be challengers later on in the year. Bunbrosna not as aging a team as painted having introduced some younger players where they can. Will be a sticky opponent for the others but won't win it.
B teams hard to call.

Jack_Sparrow (Westmeath) - Posts: 1049 - 27/07/2025 20:13:03    2628383

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Loman's Junior team already severely depleted. Eoghan O' Keefe, Nathan Lally, Cillian Plunkett, Conan O' Hara and Seanii Bracken all played yesterday, Sean Kelly has retired, they're easily down to numbers 22+ on panel, will prob qualify as other senior clubs junior sides not as strong as previously but doubtful they'll challenge overall

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2303 - 27/07/2025 20:44:51    2628407

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Loman's Junior team already severely depleted. Eoghan O' Keefe, Nathan Lally, Cillian Plunkett, Conan O' Hara and Seanii Bracken all played yesterday, Sean Kelly has retired, they're easily down to numbers 22+ on panel, will prob qualify as other senior clubs junior sides not as strong as previously but doubtful they'll challenge overall"
The only second side who has a chance of challenging is shamrocks but even they won't have enough.

Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 291 - 27/07/2025 22:32:10    2628448

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Was speaking to a Cavan man yesterday who reckoned Dermot McCabe Cavan manager is as good as done , talk about capping off a great year for the county board, hurling and football managers gone

coffey (Westmeath) - Posts: 24 - 27/07/2025 23:24:27    2628461

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Replying To A_Chairde:  "
Replying To Bluelake:  "[quote=Iakecounty90:  "Senior A
Lomans vs Athlone - Athlone by 1
The Downs vs Kinnegad - Downs by 5
Shamrocks vs Tyrellspass - Shamrocks by 4

Senior B
Garrycastle vs Moate - Moate by 3
Caulry vs Killucan - Killucan by 2
Tang vs St Malachys - St Malachys by 5

Intermediate A
Multyfarnham vs Rochfortbridge - Multy by 7
Shandonagh vs Milltown - Shandonagh by 4
Tubberclair vs Rosemount - Draw

Intermediate B
Castledaly vs Ballymore - Castledaly by 8
CFCW vs Kilbeggan - Kilbeggan by 5
Milltownpass vs Maryland - Milltownpass by 12"
Athlone by 3
Downs by 1
Shamrocks by 8

Garrycastle by 2
Killucan by 1
Malachys by 1

Multy by 4
Shan by 1
Tubberclair by 2

Castledaly by 9
Kilbeggan by 2
Milltownpass by 10"
Can someone explain how Tyrrellspass are 7/1 and Athlone 33/1. The Downs were 7/2 last week so money has come for them. The Downs are certs to win the championship before a ball is kicked? Dangerous talk but I find it interesting,. Do the bookies know something we dont? . People that are opposed to gambling odds being posted on forums dont have to comment.
SFC odds
The Downs 11/10
St Lomans 23/10
Kinnegad 6/1
Tyrrellspass 7/1
Caulry 12/1
Garrycastle 14/1
Shamrocks 20/1
Killucan 25/1
Athlone 33/1
Moate 33/1
Tang 40/1
St Malachys 60/1."]After Round 1 I think those odds will change dramatically for some teams!!
The Downs coasted, as I predicted, and they look odds on. Lomans did remarkably well to get a draw in that game being 6 behind in stoppage time. When Sam McCartan etc come back it will help but they are not the same force currently. Kinnegad at 6/1 - put them at 600/1. They are the most single boring team. Many players of the same stature and style but no standouts. TPass in decline. Caulry over hyped. GC possibly not enough to go the distance but they will be hard beaten. Shamrocks v strong against TPass even with 3 debutants and Ross in goals for the first time. Killucan absolute work horses and deserve more credit than I and others have given them. Athlone possess some fine players and although they won't win it they are good. Moate too hot and cold. Tang and Malachy's playing to survive.

HardToKnow135 (Westmeath) - Posts: 2 - 27/07/2025 23:29:51    2628462

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Replying To coffey:  "Was speaking to a Cavan man yesterday who reckoned Dermot McCabe Cavan manager is as good as done , talk about capping off a great year for the county board, hurling and football managers gone"
It was ominous as soon as it went public; there's no way he'd have let it get that far if he wasn't interested. Hard to turn down in his own county to be fair, if he doesn't get it it's very hard to see him return to Westmeath after openly looking for another job.

Where to even start on replacements, Mark McHugh lives in Kilcar so that's hardly feasible. Is there anything within the county? Probably not. There's some nice young players around 19/20 coming through, an outsider probably won't want to blood potential so maybe someone from within with a remit to build a squad to challenge in the next 4/5 years is the way forward. You look at Meath and Louth it can turn pretty quickly but I feel we are a bit off their levels yet. Division 3 is certainly not to be taken for granted with the likes of Limerick really improving.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 114 - 28/07/2025 09:50:20    2628509

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Junior 1 Championship.
Joseph's v Ballynacargy. Joseph's very good for first half, Ballynacargy improved as game progressed. Both sides will contest knock out stages.
Ballinagore v Moate. Ballinagore won as they pleased. Moate were very poor. Challenge game pace.
Bunbrosna v Ballycomoyle. Tight enough first half but once Bun got second goal that was it. Ballycomoyle shorn of a lot of players from last couple of years.
Even though it's first round, it does look like both Moate and Ballycomoyle are in bother already. Though that could all change in round two.

Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 26 - 28/07/2025 10:24:16    2628522

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Replying To OverTheHill85:  "It was ominous as soon as it went public; there's no way he'd have let it get that far if he wasn't interested. Hard to turn down in his own county to be fair, if he doesn't get it it's very hard to see him return to Westmeath after openly looking for another job.

Where to even start on replacements, Mark McHugh lives in Kilcar so that's hardly feasible. Is there anything within the county? Probably not. There's some nice young players around 19/20 coming through, an outsider probably won't want to blood potential so maybe someone from within with a remit to build a squad to challenge in the next 4/5 years is the way forward. You look at Meath and Louth it can turn pretty quickly but I feel we are a bit off their levels yet. Division 3 is certainly not to be taken for granted with the likes of Limerick really improving."
Davy Burke maybe? Although not sure if he'd take us or if he's a long term option. I always think if there's a viable internal candidate that's who you should go with. Whether McCabe has the Cavan job or not he clearly is focused on Cavan and not us (fair enough, home county and all that). Best of luck to him if he is over Cavan but it's not the end of the world, if not ideal.

Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 291 - 28/07/2025 10:55:14    2628541

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Replying To Bluelake:  "Davy Burke maybe? Although not sure if he'd take us or if he's a long term option. I always think if there's a viable internal candidate that's who you should go with. Whether McCabe has the Cavan job or not he clearly is focused on Cavan and not us (fair enough, home county and all that). Best of luck to him if he is over Cavan but it's not the end of the world, if not ideal."
The timing is a pity really as there's no one to look at club games now and I sure there's plenty in the county worth a look at.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 114 - 28/07/2025 11:19:23    2628558

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Replying To HardToKnow135:  "Athlone by 3
Downs by 1
Shamrocks by 8

Garrycastle by 2
Killucan by 1
Malachys by 1

Multy by 4
Shan by 1
Tubberclair by 2

Castledaly by 9
Kilbeggan by 2
Milltownpass by 10"
Can someone explain how Tyrrellspass are 7/1 and Athlone 33/1. The Downs were 7/2 last week so money has come for them. The Downs are certs to win the championship before a ball is kicked? Dangerous talk but I find it interesting,. Do the bookies know something we dont? . People that are opposed to gambling odds being posted on forums dont have to comment.
SFC odds
The Downs 11/10
St Lomans 23/10
Kinnegad 6/1
Tyrrellspass 7/1
Caulry 12/1
Garrycastle 14/1
Shamrocks 20/1
Killucan 25/1
Athlone 33/1
Moate 33/1
Tang 40/1
St Malachys 60/1."]After Round 1 I think those odds will change dramatically for some teams!!
The Downs coasted, as I predicted, and they look odds on. Lomans did remarkably well to get a draw in that game being 6 behind in stoppage time. When Sam McCartan etc come back it will help but they are not the same force currently. Kinnegad at 6/1 - put them at 600/1. They are the most single boring team. Many players of the same stature and style but no standouts. TPass in decline. Caulry over hyped. GC possibly not enough to go the distance but they will be hard beaten. Shamrocks v strong against TPass even with 3 debutants and Ross in goals for the first time. Killucan absolute work horses and deserve more credit than I and others have given them. Athlone possess some fine players and although they won't win it they are good. Moate too hot and cold. Tang and Malachy's playing to survive."]Unbelievable call on The Downs, well done. 'As I predicted', where is your prediction by the way?

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 184 - 28/07/2025 11:24:35    2628562

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With rumours of McCabe set for a Cavan return who do we turn to ? It's hard to see who from within the county is best set to take the job on ? Few names spring to mind but at that will they be viable candidates Damien Healy , Damien Gavin , Kenny McKinley, Alan mangan , do we go for a Lar Wall ? It's a tough choice and with the widening gaps between county board and clubs will there be a queue of candidates , I feel for the squad it's been a tough 2 years with multiple changes within panels … what's everyone's take on who we should look to turn to lead us forward I personally think a manager with a 3-5 year plan has to be appointed because we have enough talent to make ourselves somewhat competitive in division 2 and be capable of taking scalps off the stronger counties

TheGaaMan77 (Westmeath) - Posts: 74 - 28/07/2025 11:38:46    2628574

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Replying To iarmhiabu:  "Can someone explain how Tyrrellspass are 7/1 and Athlone 33/1. The Downs were 7/2 last week so money has come for them. The Downs are certs to win the championship before a ball is kicked? Dangerous talk but I find it interesting,. Do the bookies know something we dont? . People that are opposed to gambling odds being posted on forums dont have to comment.
SFC odds
The Downs 11/10
St Lomans 23/10
Kinnegad 6/1
Tyrrellspass 7/1
Caulry 12/1
Garrycastle 14/1
Shamrocks 20/1
Killucan 25/1
Athlone 33/1
Moate 33/1
Tang 40/1
St Malachys 60/1."
After Round 1 I think those odds will change dramatically for some teams!!
The Downs coasted, as I predicted, and they look odds on. Lomans did remarkably well to get a draw in that game being 6 behind in stoppage time. When Sam McCartan etc come back it will help but they are not the same force currently. Kinnegad at 6/1 - put them at 600/1. They are the most single boring team. Many players of the same stature and style but no standouts. TPass in decline. Caulry over hyped. GC possibly not enough to go the distance but they will be hard beaten. Shamrocks v strong against TPass even with 3 debutants and Ross in goals for the first time. Killucan absolute work horses and deserve more credit than I and others have given them. Athlone possess some fine players and although they won't win it they are good. Moate too hot and cold. Tang and Malachy's playing to survive."]Unbelievable call on The Downs, well done. 'As I predicted', where is your prediction by the way?"]Agree however not sure relagtion senior yet mate tang calory could be close and malachys beat moat last year who knows .

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 857 - 28/07/2025 11:56:07    2628582

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Replying To OverTheHill85:  "It was ominous as soon as it went public; there's no way he'd have let it get that far if he wasn't interested. Hard to turn down in his own county to be fair, if he doesn't get it it's very hard to see him return to Westmeath after openly looking for another job.

Where to even start on replacements, Mark McHugh lives in Kilcar so that's hardly feasible. Is there anything within the county? Probably not. There's some nice young players around 19/20 coming through, an outsider probably won't want to blood potential so maybe someone from within with a remit to build a squad to challenge in the next 4/5 years is the way forward. You look at Meath and Louth it can turn pretty quickly but I feel we are a bit off their levels yet. Division 3 is certainly not to be taken for granted with the likes of Limerick really improving."
Is Kenny McKinley an option? Good club record, under 20s this year will be important over next 3-4 years? The danger of an outside appt like with our hurlers previously is that two good years means bigger counties circle

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2303 - 28/07/2025 15:24:31    2628714

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Replying To Bluelake:  "Davy Burke maybe? Although not sure if he'd take us or if he's a long term option. I always think if there's a viable internal candidate that's who you should go with. Whether McCabe has the Cavan job or not he clearly is focused on Cavan and not us (fair enough, home county and all that). Best of luck to him if he is over Cavan but it's not the end of the world, if not ideal."
Rossie supporters would very quickly tell us not to appoint him. Interesting he never got Kildare job.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2303 - 28/07/2025 15:25:48    2628715

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Replying To TheGaaMan77:  "With rumours of McCabe set for a Cavan return who do we turn to ? It's hard to see who from within the county is best set to take the job on ? Few names spring to mind but at that will they be viable candidates Damien Healy , Damien Gavin , Kenny McKinley, Alan mangan , do we go for a Lar Wall ? It's a tough choice and with the widening gaps between county board and clubs will there be a queue of candidates , I feel for the squad it's been a tough 2 years with multiple changes within panels … what's everyone's take on who we should look to turn to lead us forward I personally think a manager with a 3-5 year plan has to be appointed because we have enough talent to make ourselves somewhat competitive in division 2 and be capable of taking scalps off the stronger counties"
I don't think any of those names get it, McKinley I would say is better served as U20 manager and develop what's coming through. Has Healy ever managed anyone? I don't think Alan Mangan has ever managed a football team either so don't see how he'd jump to the top of the queue despite hurling success at club level. Maybe Lar Wall following The Downs success.

Would John Keane be an option, knows the players, good coach, club experience and club success, well respected. Or maybe he feels better suited to a coaching role.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 114 - 28/07/2025 17:30:20    2628777

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Replying To OverTheHill85:  "I don't think any of those names get it, McKinley I would say is better served as U20 manager and develop what's coming through. Has Healy ever managed anyone? I don't think Alan Mangan has ever managed a football team either so don't see how he'd jump to the top of the queue despite hurling success at club level. Maybe Lar Wall following The Downs success.

Would John Keane be an option, knows the players, good coach, club experience and club success, well respected. Or maybe he feels better suited to a coaching role."
Alan Mangan managed Tyrrellspass, and did quite well with them.

jamsie (Westmeath) - Posts: 476 - 28/07/2025 18:44:53    2628798

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Mark McHugh appeared on The Football Pod Live show last Thursday evening at Croke Park. During the show, he mentioned that he's unsure what Dermot McCabe plans to do, noting that while McCabe has been nominated by a club in Cavan, he can only speak for himself. McHugh confirmed that he is 100% committed to Westmeath GAA for next year.

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 565 - 28/07/2025 19:27:53    2628813

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Replying To jamsie:  "Alan Mangan managed Tyrrellspass, and did quite well with them."
Apologies, whether that's enough for an intercounty job remains to be seen. He was on a podcast last week and wasn't aware Conor Dillon is injured so maybe more focused on the hurling side of things.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 114 - 28/07/2025 21:48:32    2628837

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Replying To jamsie:  "Alan Mangan managed Tyrrellspass, and did quite well with them."
Yes should have won one of the finals they were in

DanGer966 (Westmeath) - Posts: 36 - 28/07/2025 22:29:29    2628850

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