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Westmeath Football thread

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in what sense? Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2544 - 20/01/2026 11:20:21 2652037 Link
Replying To Meridian: "While i agree that we need more scorers I wouldn't sound alarm bells just yet. While Baker is still young, is he not on his 3rd year on the Panel now. Some of his shots were very poor in the first half. Kelly just didnt get into the game i thought, played on the periphery and didnt take his man on at all. Was surprised Harry Niall went off but thought Cooney did very well when he came on as did Molloy. Building a nice panel there. Well done all." Agreed, but you have to admire McHugh he's ruthless. Harsh on a young lad taking him off after 31 minutes in an O'Byrne Cup game, but the changes worked and got us over the line. I like that he's not afraid to be cut-throat when needed. Fighting-Cocks69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 123 - 20/01/2026 13:28:25 2652077 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "in what sense?" 10 page Document sent to all clubs about changing the structure of club football championships. Meeting in the Park Hotel Friday night to discuss changing the format. Each club chairperson, secretary and one player rep is invited to attend. Various reasons listed to change such as lack of jeopardy, too many dead rubbers, reduction in gate receipts, reduce pressure on dual players. Westmeath championship structures are the envy of many counties, don't see the need to change it. Wmeath2 (Westmeath) - Posts: 199 - 20/01/2026 14:56:54 2652107 Link
Taking off two lads at half time in the dressing room in a pre season game is hardly that unusual? The games were only 30 mins per half, it's not as if he took a lad off just before half time which might be considered ruthless or damaging a player's confidence. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2544 - 20/01/2026 16:27:08 2652142 Link
Replying To Wmeath2: "Why are the county board so determined to change the structure of the football championship?" I would say our hurling friends want to free up weekends; which is nonsense as we are a football county, it would be absolutely crazy to change a structure that is seen as excellent by so many counties around us. Hopefully the clubs remain strong. OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 212 - 20/01/2026 16:36:48 2652145 Link
Replying To Wmeath2: "10 page Document sent to all clubs about changing the structure of club football championships. Meeting in the Park Hotel Friday night to discuss changing the format. Each club chairperson, secretary and one player rep is invited to attend. Various reasons listed to change such as lack of jeopardy, too many dead rubbers, reduction in gate receipts, reduce pressure on dual players. Westmeath championship structures are the envy of many counties, don't see the need to change it." Ok, interesting, agree with you that current system seems fine. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2544 - 20/01/2026 16:39:20 2652147 Link
Here we go again!!-Our championship set up is working very well and is the envy of a lot of counties and should be kept as it is.But you know what -its working so lets dismantle it and try something else-where else would you get such nonsense. Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 295 - 20/01/2026 16:49:31 2652149 Link
Replying To Wmeath2: "10 page Document sent to all clubs about changing the structure of club football championships. Meeting in the Park Hotel Friday night to discuss changing the format. Each club chairperson, secretary and one player rep is invited to attend. Various reasons listed to change such as lack of jeopardy, too many dead rubbers, reduction in gate receipts, reduce pressure on dual players. Westmeath championship structures are the envy of many counties, don't see the need to change it." Ok. Any document for effective ways of raising a few quid to pay for the Centre of Excellence? A car wash would be better than doing nothing. iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 293 - 20/01/2026 16:59:51 2652153 Link
Replying To Wmeath2: "10 page Document sent to all clubs about changing the structure of club football championships. Meeting in the Park Hotel Friday night to discuss changing the format. Each club chairperson, secretary and one player rep is invited to attend. Various reasons listed to change such as lack of jeopardy, too many dead rubbers, reduction in gate receipts, reduce pressure on dual players. Westmeath championship structures are the envy of many counties, don't see the need to change it." If this is true that is shocking! We have the best championship format around in my opinion. Fair enough it is hard on dual players but maybe they could look at changing the hurling championship instead as I think that is the championship that is flawed. Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 606 - 20/01/2026 17:02:57 2652154 Link
In my opinion, This weeks game against Sligo will define Westmeath's season. I think McHugh knows that and that's why he went near to full strength in the O Byrne Cup. If we lose this weekend we wont get out of Div 3 and that's the main goal this year. It would be nice to think we could complete in Leinster this year but to do that we need a big league behind us. If we want to be completing in the championship we need to be levels above every team in div 3 bar maybe Down who had a great championship last year! Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 606 - 20/01/2026 17:08:05 2652157 Link
Replying To OverTheHill85: "I would say our hurling friends want to free up weekends; which is nonsense as we are a football county, it would be absolutely crazy to change a structure that is seen as excellent by so many counties around us. Hopefully the clubs remain strong." why you say that presuming its hurling if theres problem just blame the hurling they are the bad peole, great attiude there Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1151 - 20/01/2026 18:21:47 2652176 Link
Replying To Wmeath2: "10 page Document sent to all clubs about changing the structure of club football championships. Meeting in the Park Hotel Friday night to discuss changing the format. Each club chairperson, secretary and one player rep is invited to attend. Various reasons listed to change such as lack of jeopardy, too many dead rubbers, reduction in gate receipts, reduce pressure on dual players. Westmeath championship structures are the envy of many counties, don't see the need to change it." Did you ever hear the likes!! Our championship structure is brilliant. It's all amount the money , it's all about the gate receipts. I don't understand how the county board believe reducing the number of games increases gate receipts. For example if you reduced the number of group game for each Team by 1 that would mean 18 less games across senior to junior 1. The most games you could add after the group realistically is 2 more quarter finals in senior & intermediate so 4 extra games. No jeopardy ? Didnt every team bar 2/3 have something to play for in the last round of championship last year ? Across senior and intermediate. In my own club we have dual players and not too many of them if any moan about the number of games. These players train all year around from January to want to play and win a championship. I think for these players having a minimum of 5 games every summer and some margin for a slip up is the lesst out club players deserve. Reduce the number of high intensity club games you reduce the development rates of players particularly young lads who we are looking to develop up to senior inter county players. Players development increases by the more games they play. Westmeath213 (Westmeath) - Posts: 345 - 20/01/2026 18:47:24 2652185 Link
Replying To Gaaforlife2023: "why you say that presuming its hurling if theres problem just blame the hurling they are the bad peole, great attiude there" The document released literally states that dual players are one of the reasons. I'm certain in saying no football people want the structure changed. So if the football people don't want change then it's obviously coming from the other side of the dual coin. So no it's not an attitude problem it's just facts. OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 212 - 20/01/2026 19:05:11 2652191 Link
Anyone know the alternatives that the county board have proposed for the football championship? the21yardline (Westmeath) - Posts: 185 - 20/01/2026 19:05:14 2652192 Link
Replying To Temple56: "In my opinion, This weeks game against Sligo will define Westmeath's season. I think McHugh knows that and that's why he went near to full strength in the O Byrne Cup. If we lose this weekend we wont get out of Div 3 and that's the main goal this year. It would be nice to think we could complete in Leinster this year but to do that we need a big league behind us. If we want to be completing in the championship we need to be levels above every team in div 3 bar maybe Down who had a great championship last year!" Clare have been a top 12 team for the past 5-6 years, div 2 regularly, they would be seen as strong contenders to bounce back to div 2, 10 points might be enough to get promotion. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2544 - 20/01/2026 19:31:05 2652196 Link
Replying To Westmeath213: "Did you ever hear the likes!! Our championship structure is brilliant. It's all amount the money , it's all about the gate receipts. I don't understand how the county board believe reducing the number of games increases gate receipts. For example if you reduced the number of group game for each Team by 1 that would mean 18 less games across senior to junior 1. The most games you could add after the group realistically is 2 more quarter finals in senior & intermediate so 4 extra games. No jeopardy ? Didnt every team bar 2/3 have something to play for in the last round of championship last year ? Across senior and intermediate. In my own club we have dual players and not too many of them if any moan about the number of games. These players train all year around from January to want to play and win a championship. I think for these players having a minimum of 5 games every summer and some margin for a slip up is the lesst out club players deserve. Reduce the number of high intensity club games you reduce the development rates of players particularly young lads who we are looking to develop up to senior inter county players. Players development increases by the more games they play." Well said, it's not been driven by the people on the ground. I would say a quick survey of club players would very quickly show the true reflection. OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 212 - 20/01/2026 20:24:01 2652202 Link