|
Looking Towards Football 2027 - 4 Like(s)
Replying To MayoDan: "Not sure what point you're trying to make.. Mayo won Connacht and reached an all Ireland final in 2021 so were obviously challenging at the top table." Well I think the point is obvious, you're point in general (correct me if I'm wrong) is that Mayo were always/regularly competitive and if little things went right their trophy CV would be different. The difference between being in the frame and being truly competitive is the ability to make sure those tight wins , like that semi for Mayo v Dublin are not wasted against an average Tyrone team in the final.
I would say Mayo were a bit farther away from winning Sam in those years than you suggest, lack of belief and lack of a strong bench.
Congratulations to them this year they beat an average Kerry outfit who were lucky to be in the final.
sligo joe (National) - 12/11/2026 14:54:49
|
|
Westmeath Football thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To DanGer966: "He never really fancied daly as his no 1, I'd say that's a big reason for his retirement" I will tell you one thing, we would never have won a Leinster title this year were it not for Jason Daly. There is plenty of debate about the most vital score of the year, but I'd argue the most vital moment was Conor McCormack's injury against Meath. Without that injury, Jason Daly might never have got his chance, as you say McHugh fancied McCormack over him for some bizarre reason. McCormack's kickouts were all over the place up until his injury and Daly came in, steadied the ship with the kickouts and made some absolutely vital saves in the Meath and Kildare games. I would go as far as saying we wouldn't have beaten Meath had McCormack stayed in goals. Jason was badly caught out against Galway, but Westmeath still have an awful lot to thank him for. McHugh has worked miracles with this team, but you would have thought he would have learned his lesson from the goalkeeping experiment by now. Bringing in another forward to play in goal is not the answer, particularly after the failed experiment with McCormack.
iarmhiabu (National) - 12/11/2026 12:29:38
|
|
Looking Towards Football 2027 - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: "All your life is not true as Mayo weren't challenging in 2022 2023 2024, 2025 and not even winning a quarter final before winning it this year so I'd suggest that's why many counties that haven't challenged in recent years will feel they can should things fall in place for themselves as they did with Mayo in 2026.
Dublin dominating era was ended a 5 years ago." Even in those 4 'down' years Mayo reached 3 division one league finals, winning one of them against Galway. Although we didn't go deep into the championship there were numerous narrow/heartbreaking losses which showed we weren't very far away.
2022 narrow defeat to Galway who went on to nearly beat Kerry in final.
2024 lost Connacht final by a last minute point, Galway then went on to AI final. Dublin got a last second equaliser to stop us topping the all Ireland group. Lost to Derry on penalties the following week.
2025 another narrow Connacht final defeat to Galway. Could and should have beaten Donegal which would have meant topping the all Ireland group or a draw would have got us a prelim game. However conceded a last second point to lose and get knocked out.
If some of those narrow defeats went differently the seasons could have been very different.
I think Mayo have shown over the last 30+ years that it doesn't take much for us to get run of momentum and go deep into the championship. Aside from Dublin, Kerry and maybe Tyrone I don't think many other counties have shown that consistently.
MayoDan (National) - 12/11/2026 01:39:13
|
|
Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Far too much discussion on the Holiday. Give over for God's sake. It is well deserved by whoever travels, partners included. It is likely that several, due to work or other commitments, will not. Every panel member and member of management worked hard to raise funds. If the younger lads who joined the panel to train in the Summer get to go, good luck to them. Good luck to The Downs, Milltown, and St Josephs flying the flag at the weekend.
fogonthetyne (National) - 11/11/2026 23:33:08
|
|
Roscommon GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Going by the law of averages, a Galway victory over Roscommon team is overdue heading into Sunday's game Pearse Stadium.
Roscommon teams have held the stranglehold on the fixture across all tiers lately: Roscommon seniors with League and Championship wins in meetings this year, U20 semi-final, and defeating the Galway U17s in both the round-robin and Connacht decider. Combined with St. Brigid's and Pádraig Pearses systematically eliminating Galway's last three senior club champions Corofin twice and Moycullen last year.
Pearses beat Mountbellew 2021 so the only club win for Galway Senior winner against a Roscommon team in the last five years was Moycullen against Strokestown and that was after extra-time.
The defensive absences of Seán Trundle and Pearse Frost represent a massive blow for St. Brigid's, particularly as they would have been tasked with man-marking marquee Salthill-Knocknacarra threats like Rob Finnerty, Tomo Culhane, or Matthew Thompson. Losing that pair forces Brian Stack into the full-back line, which disrupts Brigid's defensive balance, as their overall structure is vastly superior when Stack operates as a sweeping centre-back at number six.
Furthermore, starting midfielders from last Januarys All-Ireland final Shane Cunnane and Eddie Nolan have logged minimal championship minutes this campaign, a lack of match sharpness that also applies to Paul McGrath arguably one of their most influential outfield operators.
That said, if Salthill-Knocknacarra adopt an overly expansive, open defensive setup, Brigid's possess the exact weaponry to punish them. The sheer pace, fluidity, and off-the-ball movement of Conor Hand, Brian Derwin, Bobby Nugent, and Ben O'Carroll can inflict serious damage.
The_analyser (National) - 12/11/2026 00:40:49
|
|
Looking Towards Football 2027 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To MayoDan: "Even in those 4 'down' years Mayo reached 3 division one league finals, winning one of them against Galway. Although we didn't go deep into the championship there were numerous narrow/heartbreaking losses which showed we weren't very far away.
2022 narrow defeat to Galway who went on to nearly beat Kerry in final.
2024 lost Connacht final by a last minute point, Galway then went on to AI final. Dublin got a last second equaliser to stop us topping the all Ireland group. Lost to Derry on penalties the following week.
2025 another narrow Connacht final defeat to Galway. Could and should have beaten Donegal which would have meant topping the all Ireland group or a draw would have got us a prelim game. However conceded a last second point to lose and get knocked out.
If some of those narrow defeats went differently the seasons could have been very different.
I think Mayo have shown over the last 30+ years that it doesn't take much for us to get run of momentum and go deep into the championship. Aside from Dublin, Kerry and maybe Tyrone I don't think many other counties have shown that consistently." I'd tend to agree with most of what you say there however I'll pull you up on "should" have beat donegal in championship 2025. That was a game donegal didn't even need to win and really should have put mayo away much earlier. The league final they reached that year was mainly due to donegal travelling with a weakened team to castlebar and had o'baoill not hit the bar with the penalty effort mayo could just have easily been relegated.
WeGoAgain (National) - 12/11/2026 11:07:28
|
|
Monaghan GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To MonaghanMan44life: "He was training tuesday night I've heard." Strange that, I heard they trained Wednesday after getting an extra day for recovery following playing ET on Sunday
Monaghanmad123 (National) - 12/11/2026 13:51:10
|
|
Longford GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Paidi04: "As a Westmeath man growing up in the 60s, Clonguish is a GAA club synonymous with Longford GAA. A proud footballing stronghold which claimed a 4 in a row in the 60s in the pomp of Longford football. With that, the club was a superb feeder to the county teams at underage and senior level with
No one more emphatic than the Barden family, a cross generational mammoth of our games, recognised countrywide. I was disappointed in the discourse between my own county and your once proud home with regards to today's game. Numerous people saying they will not get within 10/15. I understand Clomguish have become a marmite club with their underage success but they have always been a wonderful ambassador for Longford football. Paul Barden is one of the very best I've ever seen, to rival anything across na tíre. I remember his darting runs and insane skill when Clonguish rattled a mighty Garycastle in 2009. Dessie Dolan and Paul Barden both schooled in Longford were the shining stars at the time for both counties and probably the best midlands ever produced. I always respected Dessie for how he spoke about Paul on the Sunday game etc; game respects game. The younger brother though, and current selector David Barden was the star on show. After collecting the man of the match in the co final replay and performing admirably alongside his brother Paul in the first round victory over Horeswood, he was once again on form. The maverick forward scored 5 from play as Garrycastle won after extra time in a game that went to extra time. It's amazing to see David back as a selector, a question for ye Longford heads - have Clonguish ever won a championship without a Barden on a team between Brendan, Pat, Oliver, Tom, Enda, Paul & David, some history, pure legacy.
That era was more my time but it was sad to see so many writing off Clonguish ahead of this weekend. I personally don't see them as Leinster contenders. The result of Mostrim yesterday now wouldn't help optics but Clomguish proved today Longford football isn't that far behind. I thought they were excellent today and easily could've got over the line. But with such a cohort of an amazingly youthful age profile, hopefully that performance will give them confidence to compete again. After 6 minor champs in a row, no doubt they will be back in Leinster soon.
So much young talent from that Leinster winning team of 2024, a competition Westmeath haven't won since 2000. These young boys can definitely play and I loved to see them kicking the ball lots today. One thing I will note, and I wonder do clubber viewers in Longford note this , as they do not have the Westmeath contract; the clubber camera today was doing serious jumping from cameras to different angles which I personally found discombobulating. Let me know your thoughts?
Good encouragement for Andy McEntee and I wish the blue and gold well for the coming year. From talking to my friends, a major problem in Longford has been the reluctance of the best talent to commit to the county teams. Though, Clonguish to me from keeping a close eye on programmes and reports always seemed to be represented well. You can't beat that culture and that success will come hand in hand because their players will be pushing themselves to their best capability at the top level.
Another big day for Longford Slashers ladies team and according to your excellent stats site , this is the first Longford ladies team to compete for a senior club title. Will the county get behind these girls considering they do not represent themselves well on the county team. I have to say the Milltown girls in Westmeath have been outstanding ambassadors for club and county. To me, this is the ethos of the GAA and must come hand in hand.
I see Clodagh Logan got 2-9 today. I was involved with Leinster ladies and seen her action with Grattans in a Leinster Intermediate clash a few years ago where she must've got a hat trick. Sensationally skilful player with a balance and electrifying pace to match. Clodagh and her sister Caoimhe have obviously been a major part in making that jump from All Ireland Intermediate champs to senior contenders. What's the sense of this in Longford.
To conclude , best of luck to Slashers in a Leinster final they'll need everything behind them to get over the line against the superpower Kilmacud Crokes. Maybe they can enlist some of that Mullinalaghta magic which seized Longford's only other Leinster senior success at club level. Best of luck girls. Well done to the Green and White of Clonguish, you made it clear; Longford is here to compete and won't be made little of. Hope the county is proud of you all as they were when they got behind the Laurels club in 2018." Ladies football gets very little recognition in Longford and deserves a lot more, that Slashers team are absolutely excellent and they have a number of young girls coming through from U16 that are forcing their way into the team now also. I'm very confident Clonguish are going to catch them in the coming years and whenever they do, that game will be an outstanding watch, no doubt.
Lohan is exceptional, absolutely rapid, you can't catch her once she is gone by you, she's big into the hyrox training now apparently and you can see it paying off.
I firmly believe there's no reason why Longford Ladies can't be similar to Westmeath ladies in terms of competitiveness, the Milltown girls are outstanding, I went to school with them and they were the exact same then. Longford Ladies needs to be able to choose from every club in the county but for whatever reason, there seems to be a clash when it comes to Slashers being involved.
BallWatching (National) - 12/11/2026 14:04:29
|
|
Looking Towards Football 2027 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To yew_tree: "Most years then you know well what I mean. Mayo only been out of division 1 for one year in the last 20 odd years. My point it Mayo winning an All Ireland while a shock it happened this year, is not a shock in terms of a minnow coming out of nowhere.
Counties thinking they can now win Sam because Mayo did yet those same counties never challenge or reach the latter stages is a big fat fetched for me just yet. I may be proved wrong but let's just see. If anyone outside of the usual 5-7 contenders win it it would be an even bigger "shock" than this year." All your life was a daft statement is you meant so.
A minnow won't win the All-Ireland however a team who lost All-Ireland Quarter-final or narrowly missed out on reaching the last 8 can.
It's worth remembering Armagh won it in 2024 and they hadn't played in semi-final before that for 20 years and won from playing in Division 2 that spring.
MayoDan lovely post of ifs buts and maybes but doesn't take away the fact that prior to winning it this year Mayo was not challenging for the All-Ireland in 2022 23,24 and 25. This year was the case that Mayo arguably won the year they least expected to win it.
Drax_the_destroyer (National) - 12/11/2026 15:05:48
|
|
Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Bruno@1: "Without doubt Jason Daly has been the best goalkeeper for Westmeath for a long time now but another way of looking at things in the Meath game was McCormack made a huge save from Cian McBride -saved a certain goal at a time when Meath were totally on top.The old saying "goals wins games"might have applied here-would Westmeath have come back.?McCormacks double leg break caused a long delay which stopped Meath's momemtum ." No, Conor McCormack is not a goalkeeper. It was a terrible injury for him, I hope he makes a full recovery and we see him back on the pitch soon, but just not in goal for Westmeath.
iarmhiabu (National) - 12/11/2026 16:43:31
|
|
Westmeath Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To richiepmurphy: "Just to clarify we have plenty soccer in thecounty. Evergreen reached the FAI junior cup final this year for example and won leinster junior cup a year ago. We also have players playing in the LOI and other's who have played in the Premier league as well as lower leagues, and have athletes who have represented Ireland at the Olympics in boxing and athletics.
For the record Im not standing up for my countyman ,just pointing out that we are not just an exclusively hurling county. And im always happy to see westmeath hurling teams doing well at any level." Listen its good Kilkenny and Wexford people have an interest in Westmeath hurling. Any constructive criticism always welcome
jobber (National) - 12/11/2026 19:53:14
|