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Westmeath Hurling thread

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Replying To Claretandblue: "How can you know that we have good teams at under 14 or even under 15 level? They've hardly played any matches at that age at county level. We seem to have strong teams in hurling at every age grade for last few years according to some posters here but that's not the reality at inter county under 20 level or minor. Like you I go to lots of Westmeath hurling matches and today's disappointing display was felt by all Westmeath's supporters. There was a sense beforehand that a shock result was possible or at least a very competitive game, Dublin lead by 6 points to nil after five minutes, all scored from play. Even then it seemed that we were in for a long afternoon. This Westmeath's team had hammered Derry who beat Antrim and also hammered Carlow, we looked good in both matches, however bridging the gap from those teams to the likes of Offaly, Dublin etc is incredibly difficult," This Westmeath team also only drew with Meath. Would there be much chance of Dublin only drawing with the Meath men even on a bad day ? That result was glossed over afterwards but in hindsight it was an early sign of a gap in quality. Like you say bridging the gap is the hard bit. Jack_Sparrow (Westmeath) - Posts: 1019 - 28/04/2024 20:35:50 2541285 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "How can you know that we have good teams at under 14 or even under 15 level? They've hardly played any matches at that age at county level. We seem to have strong teams in hurling at every age grade for last few years according to some posters here but that's not the reality at inter county under 20 level or minor. Like you I go to lots of Westmeath hurling matches and today's disappointing display was felt by all Westmeath's supporters. There was a sense beforehand that a shock result was possible or at least a very competitive game, Dublin lead by 6 points to nil after five minutes, all scored from play. Even then it seemed that we were in for a long afternoon. This Westmeath's team had hammered Derry who beat Antrim and also hammered Carlow, we looked good in both matches, however bridging the gap from those teams to the likes of Offaly, Dublin etc is incredibly difficult," Going off u15 games vs strong teams from Tipperary etc and getting results. Winning a Leinster u15 schools final having beaten Offaly schools and a Kilkenny schools selection. I'm going off that, but we will see how they develop as you said minor and u20 is where you see it and I share the same disappointment trust me. The only positive I'd take out of the u20s is that you can say 4 of them have made the step up to senior and Holding and McCormack should as well. Trying to remain positive or look at the positives where I can. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 804 - 28/04/2024 21:50:26 2541310 Link
I've managed to attend some of the u14 and u15 games and you can see they are getting good coaching and well organised with big panels playing against good opposition and getting results. It's about keeping that going into minor and u20. The minors at the moment I wouldn't shoot them down straight away, getting Aaron Flanagan, Darragh Kenny, Padraig Casey and some of these lads back should strengthen them back up, they were a loss at the weekend. We'll see how they fair in the knockout game vs Kildare. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 804 - 28/04/2024 22:05:45 2541314 Link
Westmeath might have shown some improvement at senior, bringing in some new talent and a few underage teams are showing potential. So are most other teams competing at the bottom of Tier 1 and top of Tier 2. We're pretty much where we should be given the playing pool, structures and facilities. There's no disgrace in losing to Kerry, Offaly, Laois, Dublin etc. League campaigns often differ from c'ship. Until minor teams regularly make leinster finals or challenge the big teams it's objectively hard to assess progress. The odd scare or surprise will always happen but it's about making those results unsurprising - that's the difference. Then the key development years 16-20 overlap with big changes in their lives (school/college). If structures and facilities aren't present their development isn't optimised. Plenty will drop off the radar too and this feeds into the senior team obviously. Nonetheless, it does start earlier than this and it's been super positive to see the 14/15 year olds making some strides. gedupoutofit (Westmeath) - Posts: 164 - 30/04/2024 10:29:51 2541708 Link
Replying To gedupoutofit: "Westmeath might have shown some improvement at senior, bringing in some new talent and a few underage teams are showing potential. So are most other teams competing at the bottom of Tier 1 and top of Tier 2. We're pretty much where we should be given the playing pool, structures and facilities. There's no disgrace in losing to Kerry, Offaly, Laois, Dublin etc. League campaigns often differ from c'ship. Until minor teams regularly make leinster finals or challenge the big teams it's objectively hard to assess progress. The odd scare or surprise will always happen but it's about making those results unsurprising - that's the difference. Then the key development years 16-20 overlap with big changes in their lives (school/college). If structures and facilities aren't present their development isn't optimised. Plenty will drop off the radar too and this feeds into the senior team obviously. Nonetheless, it does start earlier than this and it's been super positive to see the 14/15 year olds making some strides." Yeah spot on and completely agree that when we get big results against Tier 1 counties and it becomes less and less surprising that's when you can say we are making significant progress. Their is talent at u14/u15. U14s might not have played many games but they have a very large panel of two teams and have beaten the likes of Offaly so far. U15s have a large panel of over 50 players as well and have beaten Offaly and Kilkenny schools when playing on the Westmeath schools team and then with the county u15s they beat a Tipperary side in Castletown on Saturday. No Tipperary side are a bad side. We are maximising what we have with the playing pool but it's encouraging to see Castledaly have started a juvenile club, and I've heard talk of another club thinking of doing similar. That's what we need, the interest is there. The county board should be willing to assist these clubs as best they can. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 804 - 30/04/2024 12:31:07 2541760 Link
Your comment about no Tipperary side being a bad side was surely written before you saw Tipp's effort against Limerick last Sunday!!!!!!! To say they were deplorable is an understatement. It's good to see our players competing against likes of Tipp and Kilkenny schools but sometimes it leads to greater expectations than are realistic, Tipperary had three under 15 sides in action last weekend at different venues, it's not the likes of Tipp etc we need to measure against but Kildare, Laois and Offaly, they're our real opponents, Offaly 20s are very strong this year and beat Dublin already, we saw what Dublin were like in Cusack on Sunday. Minors facing Kildare this weekend in knockout championship is a real test of progress. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1514 - 30/04/2024 13:10:42 2541782 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "Your comment about no Tipperary side being a bad side was surely written before you saw Tipp's effort against Limerick last Sunday!!!!!!! To say they were deplorable is an understatement. It's good to see our players competing against likes of Tipp and Kilkenny schools but sometimes it leads to greater expectations than are realistic, Tipperary had three under 15 sides in action last weekend at different venues, it's not the likes of Tipp etc we need to measure against but Kildare, Laois and Offaly, they're our real opponents, Offaly 20s are very strong this year and beat Dublin already, we saw what Dublin were like in Cusack on Sunday. Minors facing Kildare this weekend in knockout championship is a real test of progress." Very true, I don't disagree with what your saying, just trying to commend the work that's being done to try get us to a better level and standard at underage. Ultimately we need that bigger playing pool to make real progress otherwise we will always be fighting an uphill battle. I hope the county board can help the likes of Castledaly and what they are trying to do to offer hurling to youngsters in these areas. I really have to praise them for putting the effort in and hopefully it does encourage other clubs in the south of the county to follow suit. Nothing is impossible when the interest is there. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 804 - 30/04/2024 13:35:59 2541796 Link
Sounds like we just about scraped a draw today, makes the Meath now even more important.... Bigjoe1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 42 - 04/05/2024 19:55:08 2542931 Link
Shame westmeath made real progress hope for county sake that ye do stay up in Joe mc donagh don't think possible make final. Why drop in form any reasons? Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 224 - 04/05/2024 20:35:40 2542954 Link
Replying To Gaaforlife2023: "Shame westmeath made real progress hope for county sake that ye do stay up in Joe mc donagh don't think possible make final. Why drop in form any reasons?" Kerry v Offaly is a semi final now. Winners will play Laois in the Final. Fancy a Laois v Offaly final. Kerry still a bit young. Meath will be relegated. Past hurler (None) - Posts: 745 - 04/05/2024 21:38:08 2542969 Link
There's no danger of relegation as Meath are totally the whipping boys in this competition but that in itself is an indictment of how low we've fallen this campaign. Reality check for many especially those who claimed moral victories in meaningless league games. In both codes we're struggling at senior level and likelihood that a number of key players will soon retire in both codes, at least 4-5 for both teams and replacing them will be difficult. The fitness levels of the hurlers today looked questionable, we led by nine and then trailed by seven in a twenty minute spell. Presume management will stay on for the remaining fixtures but Laois game in Cusack could be a long afternoon as we'll have nothing to play for. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1514 - 04/05/2024 22:22:06 2542981 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "There's no danger of relegation as Meath are totally the whipping boys in this competition but that in itself is an indictment of how low we've fallen this campaign. Reality check for many especially those who claimed moral victories in meaningless league games. In both codes we're struggling at senior level and likelihood that a number of key players will soon retire in both codes, at least 4-5 for both teams and replacing them will be difficult. The fitness levels of the hurlers today looked questionable, we led by nine and then trailed by seven in a twenty minute spell. Presume management will stay on for the remaining fixtures but Laois game in Cusack could be a long afternoon as we'll have nothing to play for." Very bad result yesterday and they just about get a draw. Going back to that hammering from Antrim last year which relegated Westmeath; it was so evident on that day how unfit the players were. They look even more unfit this year! Disappointing to see them go back so much as the year went on after a few encouraging performances in the league. Priority is not to get relegated now! Also; a shame to see the minors also lose to Kildare after a few good wins earlier in the campaign. Matthew (None) - Posts: 1008 - 05/05/2024 10:51:39 2543056 Link
lads on here crediting the amount of clubs being represented on the westmeath panel and this is the problem alot of lads on the Westmeath panel that wouldn't even start for the likes of a Raharney or CTG and thats the truth fireplace69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 15 - 06/05/2024 13:14:21 2543320 Link
Replying To Matthew: "Very bad result yesterday and they just about get a draw. Going back to that hammering from Antrim last year which relegated Westmeath; it was so evident on that day how unfit the players were. They look even more unfit this year! Disappointing to see them go back so much as the year went on after a few encouraging performances in the league. Priority is not to get relegated now! Also; a shame to see the minors also lose to Kildare after a few good wins earlier in the campaign." You have hit the nail on the head.Call a spade a spade the new management for 2025 for that is what it will be, must begin with its 35 man panel all fit athletically for the demands of modern day inter county hurling.We saw it not only in the seniors but also the under 20's where some of our skilful forwards are TOTALLY incapable of competing.So going forward these players need to get to the required level of fitness or fall by the wayside.Its sad to say but its the reality we are facing and Offaly,Kerry and Dublin have shown it clear as day in those games. jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1470 - 06/05/2024 18:27:21 2543371 Link
Replying To jobber: "You have hit the nail on the head.Call a spade a spade the new management for 2025 for that is what it will be, must begin with its 35 man panel all fit athletically for the demands of modern day inter county hurling.We saw it not only in the seniors but also the under 20's where some of our skilful forwards are TOTALLY incapable of competing.So going forward these players need to get to the required level of fitness or fall by the wayside.Its sad to say but its the reality we are facing and Offaly,Kerry and Dublin have shown it clear as day in those games." There's no excuse nowadays not to have elite fitness levels and S&C work done. I know Dublin and Kerry GAA be it in Football and hurling prob want for nothing financially in terms of preparation but everyone has access to a gym now and a S&C coach, the discipline to see it out over a 3 to 4 year period if the key. No Dublin team is ever unprepared physically, they are in the gym from a young age and can pick lads with the best pace. Past hurler (None) - Posts: 745 - 06/05/2024 19:30:25 2543378 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "There's no danger of relegation as Meath are totally the whipping boys in this competition but that in itself is an indictment of how low we've fallen this campaign. Reality check for many especially those who claimed moral victories in meaningless league games. In both codes we're struggling at senior level and likelihood that a number of key players will soon retire in both codes, at least 4-5 for both teams and replacing them will be difficult. The fitness levels of the hurlers today looked questionable, we led by nine and then trailed by seven in a twenty minute spell. Presume management will stay on for the remaining fixtures but Laois game in Cusack could be a long afternoon as we'll have nothing to play for." Theres every danger of relagation. You would swear we were shooting the lights out. Meath actually scored more than us v Offaly 3-16. They wont fear us in the slightest. The firepower isnt there up front. Way too reliant on Doyle. I would try Jogger at wing forward. Start Davy Glennon if fit. Two home games left. overdabar (Westmeath) - Posts: 231 - 06/05/2024 23:27:30 2543418 Link
We've been poor in the championship and last year's stand out success in Wexford Park was a freak result but I cannot see Meath getting within 10-12 points of us, their level is Christy Ring and bad as we are I cannot see us losing that match. The players will realise that to lose it would effectively mean relegation to Christy Ring competition. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1514 - 07/05/2024 00:18:48 2543425 Link
Replying To overdabar: "Theres every danger of relagation. You would swear we were shooting the lights out. Meath actually scored more than us v Offaly 3-16. They wont fear us in the slightest. The firepower isnt there up front. Way too reliant on Doyle. I would try Jogger at wing forward. Start Davy Glennon if fit. Two home games left." David O'Reilly is probably our best forward. 5 from play the last day out, and a goal and a point vs Offaly. He can win his own ball as well which some of our forwards are incapable of doing, I think he more than assists Doyle in the forward department but two forward threats isnt going to cut it. I agree with previous posts that fitness levels were poor across senior and u20 teams with the exception of some players. Clear to see we weren't prepared at all. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 804 - 07/05/2024 07:56:10 2543435 Link
Replying To overdabar: "Theres every danger of relagation. You would swear we were shooting the lights out. Meath actually scored more than us v Offaly 3-16. They wont fear us in the slightest. The firepower isnt there up front. Way too reliant on Doyle. I would try Jogger at wing forward. Start Davy Glennon if fit. Two home games left." i agree we are sleepwalking to Christy Ring if we dont wake up to our reality.Dont doubt that Stephen Clinch knows all about our failings and weakness.Yes we should beat Meath if our mentality is right but was it right v Kerry?Was it right v Down?,where we did marginally better than Meath They will come to Mullingar to play a final to win and make serious progress in their world.If we arent ready get the map out for Omagh and Ballyshannon. jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1470 - 07/05/2024 07:57:46 2543436 Link
Good news story from weekend https://evoke.ie/2024/05/05/entertainment/westmeath-joe-boyle-wedding lakecounty90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 62 - 07/05/2024 10:28:03 2543451 Link