National Forum

Westmeath Hurling thread

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Replying To gedupoutofit:  "Interesting article about Bulfin receiving no backing and plenty of abuse. I think that the Mescal is mistaken in saying that he never got a fair crack of the whip. Unless there is an argument to say he was undermined by CB, players or lack of resources etc. Perhaps there was more abuse elsewhere being directed his way. There will always be hurlers on the ditch. It comes with the job.

It didn't work out in what was always going to be a transition year. Fair enough, this happens, and it can't go right every year. In fairness to Bulfin, he took it on the chin and resigned. Best of luck to him wherever he goes next."
Thoughts on the championship this year?

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 769 - 26/06/2025 22:29:18    2621383

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Replying To gedupoutofit:  "Interesting article about Bulfin receiving no backing and plenty of abuse. I think that the Mescal is mistaken in saying that he never got a fair crack of the whip. Unless there is an argument to say he was undermined by CB, players or lack of resources etc. Perhaps there was more abuse elsewhere being directed his way. There will always be hurlers on the ditch. It comes with the job.

It didn't work out in what was always going to be a transition year. Fair enough, this happens, and it can't go right every year. In fairness to Bulfin, he took it on the chin and resigned. Best of luck to him wherever he goes next."
The article on the main page is a diluted version of the full interview with Mescall. The full dialogue is available via the Westmeath examiner.

Mescall made some very pointed comments at Westmeath hurling people.

dakid (Australia) - Posts: 329 - 27/06/2025 10:04:23    2621422

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Replying To dakid:  "The article on the main page is a diluted version of the full interview with Mescall. The full dialogue is available via the Westmeath examiner.

Mescall made some very pointed comments at Westmeath hurling people."
Ah that's fair enough, I hadn't read the full piece in that case. Will catch it over the weekend. Just thinking back again about some of the podcast stuff, there weren't many punches pulled.

gedupoutofit (Westmeath) - Posts: 188 - 27/06/2025 13:25:28    2621507

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Thoughts on the championship this year?"
I've only one genuine thought, which is actually a question. Do we consider the big three have now become a big four with LLG stepping up a level?

Hopefully, we have a very competitive championship and some lads put their hands up for the new manager to pick.

gedupoutofit (Westmeath) - Posts: 188 - 27/06/2025 13:30:17    2621510

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Replying To gedupoutofit:  "I've only one genuine thought, which is actually a question. Do we consider the big three have now become a big four with LLG stepping up a level?

Hopefully, we have a very competitive championship and some lads put their hands up for the new manager to pick."
I would say so, Lough Lene Gaels have been better than Clonkill over the last couple of years. Hopefully it will be competitive, I think Clonkill will have improved again.

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 1043 - 27/06/2025 15:04:50    2621540

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Castletown & Raharney are a good bit ahead of the rest in my opinion. Hard to know how LLG will go, they blamed the ref two years ago & the weather last year so maybe they will step up this year but i can't see it. Clonkill are at number 4 out of the top four.

Left Full (Westmeath) - Posts: 258 - 27/06/2025 15:30:23    2621555

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Replying To Left Full:  "Castletown & Raharney are a good bit ahead of the rest in my opinion. Hard to know how LLG will go, they blamed the ref two years ago & the weather last year so maybe they will step up this year but i can't see it. Clonkill are at number 4 out of the top four."
I can see Lough Lene Gaels struggling this year. Two horse race between Raharney & Castletown this year

westmeathgaa11 (Westmeath) - Posts: 316 - 29/06/2025 22:54:07    2622398

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Replying To westmeathgaa11:  "I can see Lough Lene Gaels struggling this year. Two horse race between Raharney & Castletown this year"
I don't think there's much between them on any given day. Raharney and Ctg have an extra gear that Llg don't have but Llg have been performing to a good consistent standard the last 2/3 years .
Surely will be a kick in Clonkill this year too.

Gaawestmeath (Westmeath) - Posts: 103 - 30/06/2025 09:42:25    2622495

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Replying To Gaawestmeath:  "I don't think there's much between them on any given day. Raharney and Ctg have an extra gear that Llg don't have but Llg have been performing to a good consistent standard the last 2/3 years .
Surely will be a kick in Clonkill this year too."
What about Senior B and Intermediate.Can Delvin get over the line this year or will Plunketts go straight back up or is there a surprise.
Can Southern Gals recover from last years final drubbing or could Brigids or Turin do something in intermediate.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1744 - 03/07/2025 21:12:09    2623514

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Replying To Gaawestmeath:  "I don't think it matters who we get in place unfortunately. We've no S&C coach in place for our minor-senior Squads. We've no gym for our players, no pitches , no base. We are a small county with very little going in our favour. Until that's rectified we will fall behind Laois, Offaly , Kildare.

The seniors have been fit over the years. I'd disagree strongly with that comment, but they were less fit than club teams this year.

The county has no structure, no plan and the players can't cover those cracks anymore.

We need a revamp like Offaly because there is plenty of good hurlers in Westmeath."
A centre for teams to train is crucial.
Offaly got their centre in Kilcormac built and put the systems in place
Louth have done the same with Darver.

valley84 (Westmeath) - Posts: 1904 - 04/07/2025 08:58:35    2623542

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Replying To valley84:  "A centre for teams to train is crucial.
Offaly got their centre in Kilcormac built and put the systems in place
Louth have done the same with Darver."
100%, we've cleared €500k profit from the fundraiser. Time to look forward and see some progress on building a facility that the county can put to good use.

I've seen arguments about the location from people in the southern part of the county. They have to remember there is a North and East side of the county, too. The geographic centre of the county is outside of Mullingar. Probably between Shandonagh and Castletown if you were to be specific.

Location always comes down to land pricing and availability. So the location near St Loman's, Mullingar area, isn't that far away from the "centre". It links well with the N4 and N52 as a result. We're not a big county, and no one wants to drive 45 minutes from Athlone, but it is far from a doom scenario.

I'm running out of things to complain about for a brief moment. What are we going to have to complain about next?

gedupoutofit (Westmeath) - Posts: 188 - 04/07/2025 12:49:07    2623586

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Don't worry, there's plenty of lads here will find lots to whinge about. Championships starting soon so admission prices, venues, times of matches, double headers, single headers, refereeing, umpiring, the weather will be on the agenda and prob a few more

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2240 - 04/07/2025 13:39:38    2623604

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