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Westmeath Football thread

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Saturdays games were poor viewing, rosemount will be lucky to stay within 10 vs Milltown in semi final, a big jump from section A and B, Athlone and Moate game also a very poor standard, Moate had enough Grit and direct ball and maybe a forunate shot was enough, i See the Downs willing by 12/13 points however. Shane allen impressive again as was Harry Niall and Conteh was hard stop. Sundays intermediate game was men and boys, Shandonagh looked like a senior team at times but i think Ballinagore were just a step behind everywhere and in the end hammered really. Scahill looked fit and fast, Tynan also had a good game. The Lomans game was the game of the weekend, Tubberclare will be kicking themselves they didnt win with all the chances they had, missed penalty, hit the bar and missed about 3-4 goal chances and a shot at the end to win it. Lomans still have that know how, the Mccartans were there best players by far, when they needed them they stood up, Heslin was kept very quiet and probably only touched the ball 5 or 6 times but drifted out then and kicked two unbelievable twos of his weaker foot and nailed the frees, Dempsey caused hassle in first half but went out of it then. Whitaker didnt look fully right and i think a huge missed chance by a team which will be knocking on the door for the next few years. PowellJohn3 (Westmeath) - Posts: 106 - 15/09/2026 14:53:49 2693910 Link
Replying To BadgerDog: "Entertaining weekend by all accounts, all games bar Shandonagh Ballinagore were well contested. Lomans found a way to creep over the line but Tubberclair pushed them all the way in fairness. Moate have been the big winners from the new format, came 3rd in Section B and are now in a semi final while the other 2 section B teams are out, but that's not their fault. Huge progress from them as I don't think they ever made it out of the group since they first came up to Senior in 2021. They'll be confident ahead of a one off game with The Downs but very hard to see them winning, just think they may be undercooked going into this having not played a Section A team, there is a big step up from Section B to Section A apart from Tubberclair. In fairness I would have said there was a big gap between the big 3 and the rest but based on the weekend Tubberclair aren't too far off and will only improve as the years go on. I do think its inevitable that the format will be changed for next year, when you do stop and think about it is farcical that Moate could get to a county semi final this year and technically be relegated next year." Moate finished second, for your information MichaelScott (Westmeath) - Posts: 2 - 15/09/2026 16:34:38 2693928 Link
Replying To Tosserhead13: "If the Moate management genuinely think that was their best six forwards, I'd be surprised. They took off No. 10 or 12 at half-time, and from what I saw, young Murray or Curran would have offered more there. The blonde corner-forward was poor enough for most of the game too, apart from the handy goal he got. I'd imagine Murray or Curran could have caused more problems in that position as well. The big thing is, though, you won't get that amount of space and time against the better teams that are left in the championship. For me, Moate's biggest issue was their back line. Young Darragh Lough caused them serious problems on a number of occasions and seemed to run through them. None of the back three looked capable of matching him for pace. That's something they'll have to sort out quickly because the better teams will punish them far more severely." Agree with your post. I think Moate are very lucky to be where they are. The new format has definitely worked in their favour this year. Being realistic, the only really strong team they played in this year's championship was Tubberclair, and they beat Moate well. Apart from that, they've mainly been playing teams who would be considered intermediate standard.I was at the Tang game as well, and if Tang had a few more legs in the second half, they could probably have hung on. It does make you wonder whether the new format is actually working. Tubberclair finished top of Section B and, in my opinion, got very little reward for it. They should have been rewarded with Athlone, while Moate should arguably have got St Loman's.On the Moate back line, I thought they were shocking at times, particularly in the first half. The better teams will expose that. Moate have produced some very good footballers over the last few years, but they need to start bringing the next group through to replace some of the older lads.I genuinely can't understand why more of the U20 players aren't getting a chance. If they were good enough to start at county U20 level, surely they're good enough to be starting or at least getting serious game time with Moate. I've seen Curran and Murray play plenty of times. Curran is a great ball carrier and Murray is a real handful for any defender. He can be a bit hot-headed at times, but you need a bit of fire and aggression if you're going to win something.I was also surprised to see Darragh Lowery taken off. I thought he was doing okay and he's a serious young talent. Surely these are the lads Moate should be looking to build around going forward. Shamrock72 (Westmeath) - Posts: 3 - 15/09/2026 17:02:18 2693931 Link
Replying To BadgerDog: "Some good contests to look forward to this weekend, Saturday in particular with 2 local derbies. Senior Athlone v Moate: Huge opportunity for both teams to get to a county semi final, probably won't get a better chance than this year as I would say the format will change next year. Local derby and tough one to call, Moate won when they met in the group but I think Athlone have improved since then. Gonna go for Athlone to win narrowly. St Lomans v Tubberclair: Actually give Tubberclair a good chance in this. Lomans have been poor this year compared to their usual high standards. Weren't overly impressive in beating Caulry but got the job done. However, they are still unbeaten this year and they are extremely hard to beat in knockout games, in the last 10 years they have only lost 4 games in Westmeath in knockout football. Tubberclair have impressed so far and have a good youthful team but I think they may have too many fires to put out in terms of the match winners Lomans have. Lomans to stumble over the line. Inter Shandonagh v Ballinagore: Ballinagore deserve all the credit they get this year, they have been brilliant and fair play to them for getting through to the quarter final. Ennis getting a serious tune out of them and McDaniels being back has been a major help too. I do think this will be a step too far for them as Shandonagh were impressive at the weekend. I think they have the backs to shut down McDaniels and if he isn't firing they will struggle. Shandonagh to win by 10+. Ballymore v Rosemount: Local derby and expecting this to be tight. Big opportunity for both of these teams, I think Rosemount may just get over the line but wouldn't rule out Ballymore by any means." Ballymore put up a good fight but couldnt stop rosemount in the end lacking that bit of talent that rosemount have BallymoreBest (Westmeath) - Posts: 1 - 15/09/2026 20:03:40 2693944 Link
Replying To Shamrock72: "Agree with your post. I think Moate are very lucky to be where they are. The new format has definitely worked in their favour this year. Being realistic, the only really strong team they played in this year's championship was Tubberclair, and they beat Moate well. Apart from that, they've mainly been playing teams who would be considered intermediate standard.I was at the Tang game as well, and if Tang had a few more legs in the second half, they could probably have hung on. It does make you wonder whether the new format is actually working. Tubberclair finished top of Section B and, in my opinion, got very little reward for it. They should have been rewarded with Athlone, while Moate should arguably have got St Loman's.On the Moate back line, I thought they were shocking at times, particularly in the first half. The better teams will expose that. Moate have produced some very good footballers over the last few years, but they need to start bringing the next group through to replace some of the older lads.I genuinely can't understand why more of the U20 players aren't getting a chance. If they were good enough to start at county U20 level, surely they're good enough to be starting or at least getting serious game time with Moate. I've seen Curran and Murray play plenty of times. Curran is a great ball carrier and Murray is a real handful for any defender. He can be a bit hot-headed at times, but you need a bit of fire and aggression if you're going to win something.I was also surprised to see Darragh Lowery taken off. I thought he was doing okay and he's a serious young talent. Surely these are the lads Moate should be looking to build around going forward." Moate are the new Caulry. iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 392 - 15/09/2026 23:25:16 2693953 Link
Replying To PowellJohn3: "Saturdays games were poor viewing, rosemount will be lucky to stay within 10 vs Milltown in semi final, a big jump from section A and B, Athlone and Moate game also a very poor standard, Moate had enough Grit and direct ball and maybe a forunate shot was enough, i See the Downs willing by 12/13 points however. Shane allen impressive again as was Harry Niall and Conteh was hard stop. Sundays intermediate game was men and boys, Shandonagh looked like a senior team at times but i think Ballinagore were just a step behind everywhere and in the end hammered really. Scahill looked fit and fast, Tynan also had a good game. The Lomans game was the game of the weekend, Tubberclare will be kicking themselves they didnt win with all the chances they had, missed penalty, hit the bar and missed about 3-4 goal chances and a shot at the end to win it. Lomans still have that know how, the Mccartans were there best players by far, when they needed them they stood up, Heslin was kept very quiet and probably only touched the ball 5 or 6 times but drifted out then and kicked two unbelievable twos of his weaker foot and nailed the frees, Dempsey caused hassle in first half but went out of it then. Whitaker didnt look fully right and i think a huge missed chance by a team which will be knocking on the door for the next few years." Moate really don't deserve all the nonsense been said about them . I see them really having a go at The Downs . Murry will get his chance Undertheroad (Westmeath) - Posts: 100 - 15/09/2026 23:27:07 2693954 Link
Replying To Undertheroad: "Moate really don't deserve all the nonsense been said about them . I see them really having a go at The Downs . Murry will get his chance" I hope you're right and Moate give The Downs a good game. It would be great for Westmeath football if they could really put it up to them. I can only go on what I've seen so far, though.The other thing is, Moate haven't really played anyone of the top teams yet, apart from Tubberclair, and Tubberclair beat them fairly well. So it's hard to know exactly where Moate are at until they come up against a team like The Downs.If Moate don't sort out that full-back line and bring a bit more energy into the forward line, I honestly can't see them getting within 7 or 8 points of The Downs. Their back line has been all over the place in the last few matches, especially in the first half. At times they were chasing shadows - they looked like a farmer without a farm at times! Hopefully I'm completely wrong and Moate put in a big performance and give The Downs a proper game. It would be great to see, and it would be brilliant for Westmeath football if Moate could cause a surprise. Shamrock72 (Westmeath) - Posts: 3 - 16/09/2026 10:07:38 2693962 Link
Replying To MichaelScott: "Moate finished second, for your information" Apologies Michael. BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 60 - 16/09/2026 10:21:19 2693966 Link
Replying To Undertheroad: "Moate really don't deserve all the nonsense been said about them . I see them really having a go at The Downs . Murry will get his chance" Sounds like people trying to be smart, with Lowry, Whitney, Forde, Conteh, Niall among others they are a good side. DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 53 - 16/09/2026 10:51:59 2693968 Link
Replying To DelaneyCup2026: "Sounds like people trying to be smart, with Lowry, Whitney, Forde, Conteh, Niall among others they are a good side." The championship has been good to Moate this year, and fair play to them for getting to a senior semi-final. I just think they could struggle when they come up against the better sides. I'm not a stats man by any means, but did Moate actually win any of their own kick-outs in the first half last Saturday? I don't think they did. Nearly every kick-out was going long and out to the right, underneath the stand. Surely something needed to be changed there because it became very predictable. If Athlone had anyone else up front to help Darragh Lough, I honestly think the game could have been over by half-time. Whitney played well at times, but he left the centre-back position open on a number of occasions. You might get away with that against Athlone, but I can't see it working against The Downs. They have the players to expose the problems Moate have in the full-back line. I'm not saying Moate don't have good players because I actually think they do. But from watching them last Saturday, I thought the management were very slow to address the problems with the kick-outs and the space being left in the back line. Those are the sort of things that need to be sorted during the game, especially against the better teams. At the end of the day, Moate stumbled over the line against an average enough Athlone side. Don't get me wrong, it's great to see Moate competing in a senior semi-final, and they deserve credit for getting there. But I do think there are question marks over the direction the team are getting from the Moate management during games. Hopefully they can prove me wrong against The Downs, because it would be great for Westmeath football to see Moate make a real push for the final. Tosserhead13 (Westmeath) - Posts: 7 - 16/09/2026 12:04:21 2693984 Link
Interesting that Hogan Stand seems to have finally found its way to Moate Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2798 - 16/09/2026 13:23:19 2693996 Link
Good to see Moate lads have discovered Hogan Stand. Ye young lads should focus on the football and tryna get your place on the team and not be running down your team mates who have got ye to a semi final. BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 60 - 16/09/2026 15:49:49 2694014 Link
County board having a football review with everything up for discussion next week. Probably the senior format will be changed. Tweaks to intermediate and the junior championship will have to be looked at otherwise there'll be no proper junior clubs left only the second and third teams playing. Something might be happening as it was talked about on the podcast Monday night, rightly or wrongly all 2nd and 3rd teams should be in their own competition. If that means a proper junior championship and then leave those teams in their own championship format. Senior Intermediate Junior Then replace the junior two with championship for second and third teams. No new competition created just tweak the junior two. 2maroonjerseys (Galway) - Posts: 202 - 16/09/2026 16:32:20 2694020 Link