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A brilliant occasion in Cusack Park, entertaining game, Colaiste Mhuire better team, huge physicality in middle section, Marist just couldn't win possession, James McHugh man of the match with 2-8 off limited possession, Weir, Byrne, Ormsby, Moloney and O' Brien had big influence for winners. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2570 - 07/02/2026 16:48:11 2655377 Link 2 |
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Some serious talent coming through in Westmeath. I thought McHugh was unbelievable. Ormsby had a massive game also. Schahill by his standards probably had a quiet first half but came more into it in the second half. I can see Colaiste Mhuire getting to the all Ireland final at a minimum. Should be interesting seeing McHugh & Scahill playing together at U20 level this season for Westmeath. Mark McHugh was also there today which was good to see! Matthew (None) - Posts: 1112 - 07/02/2026 20:01:59 2655403 Link 1 |
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It really does depend on what your county boards priority is. If you let u18s play adult gaa it kills the u18 championship. Its as simple as that. Your minor championship becomes condensed. The best minors are on their clubs first team and that teams fixtures takes precedent for both the club and the county board. This means that the rest of your u18s get 3 games max in possibly the most vital year or years of their development. So your choice is to either keep minor at u17 or dont allow u18s play Adult gaa. Most other counties did get it wrong. It killed u18 hurling and football in Limerick for example. Another factor is who runs the competition U17 is run by the minor board and its their marquee championship. U18 is run by the senior board and its a nuisance to them Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 22 - 07/02/2026 20:36:24 2655417 Link 0 |
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I thought that the Marist coped very well in the first half with Ormsby and the kickout. They lost their way on their own kickout in third quarter. I dont know what happened but the keeper just seemed to lose his concentration and kicked the ball to an unmarked Mary's player four or five times in a row. This brought the Mary's half back line roaring into the game and I think they scored 6 points between them in second half. Even with all that to contend with Marist were a point up going into the 4th quarter. Then they inexplicably imploded at the back and gifted Mary's their first goal through an unforced error at the back. The did it again for the second goal when they again had possession and handpassed the ball( admittedly under pressure) to a Mary's forward right in front of their own goal. Mary's were the better team but Marist found a way for long periods to stay in the game only to hand it to Mary's in the end. Its a bit simplistic to give all the credit to McHugh for that. He got the scores, is a great player and had a great game but the work rate, resilience and team play of Marist was excellent. Mary's are a very good team and Marist went toe to toe with them inspite of some serious physical disadvantages. They can hold their heads high.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 22 - 07/02/2026 20:50:29 2655419 Link 0 |
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Very good analysis, can't underestimate the legitimate physicality the CBS brought to proceedings and how that tired the Marist lads in the final quarter. Marist had worked very hard to stay in contention but took its toll. CBS also had stronger bench with Flynn, Hayes and Meehan. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2570 - 07/02/2026 21:47:51 2655424 Link 0 |
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Agreed; it should have remained an U17 competition where there's no Leaving Cert distraction either. The minor competition has been poor the last number of years, a monopoly between Tubberclair and Shamrocks with the chasing pack almost all Div 2 standard teams. That may change now that most of them have moved on.
OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 226 - 07/02/2026 22:18:51 2655431 Link 0 |