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Westmeath Football thread

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Any word of any friendlies coming up ? Given the new rules would interested to see how the team is setting up for the year ahead. Lakecounty94 (Westmeath) - Posts: 68 - 07/01/2025 18:18:30 2584961 Link
Replying To Temple56: "Not sure if all these players are in with the panel this year but I can see a team like this in the league. Am I missing anyone that you might think will push for gametime this year? J Daly J Gonoud C Drumm D Scahill C Dillon N Harte Joe Moran R Connellan S McCartan M Whittkar C McCormack S Baker L Dolan L Loughlin R Forde Subs: Danny McCartan Darragh Lowry Kieran Martin" Jason Daly will not be playing due to injury. I believe Conor McCormack has been tried in goal for the past two challenge games. It seems unlikely that Charlie Drumm will be playing as he is reportedly heading to the United States for college, although this may not be true. I also don't see Jamie Gonoud starting this year as the new management might prefer to introduce new players but will gladly use him as an impact sub with his experience of plying. I would love to see Sam Smyth, Marc Eivers, or Adam Treanor compete for the corner-back position, which is currently open. On a positive note, there's a rumor that Fionn O'Hara may be introduced to the panel. However, I've also heard that some players were initially dropped by the management but were brought back due to injuries and others leaving the panel. I reckon Brian Geurin will get an early chance in the league, possibly playing wing or half-forward, but I'm not sure if he will be able to retain his position long-term. Players such as Kevin O'Sullivan, Shane Fleming, and Brandon Kelly should be seriously considered for the panel. They are key forwards for their clubs and definitely up to the standard of inter-county football. Kevin, Brandon and Shane have both represented their colleges, Maynooth and AIT, at a high level over the past two years. Overall, I feel we have a strong management team that won't shy away from trying new things and taking risks when necessary. However, according to reports from kilcar two weeks ago, they did suffer a significant defeat against the Donegal men. Fighting-Cocks69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 29 - 07/01/2025 23:15:25 2584980 Link
Replying To Lakecounty94: "Any word of any friendlies coming up ? Given the new rules would interested to see how the team is setting up for the year ahead." Played Donegal and lost, Fermanagh game cancelled, playing Laois tomorrow night but doubtful it's on, playing Clare in Castledaly on Saturday Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1962 - 08/01/2025 15:45:07 2585046 Link
How could Jamie Gonoud not be a starter with his experience and we've already lost 6-7 experienced players. Fionn O' Hara's inclusion would raise eyebrows considering he hasn't played a Gaelic football match in approx 3 years and didn't even tog for any Loman's side in 2024. A talented prospect but surely there's a pathway back to inter county via club performances? Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1962 - 08/01/2025 15:50:13 2585047 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "How could Jamie Gonoud not be a starter with his experience and we've already lost 6-7 experienced players. Fionn O' Hara's inclusion would raise eyebrows considering he hasn't played a Gaelic football match in approx 3 years and didn't even tog for any Loman's side in 2024. A talented prospect but surely there's a pathway back to inter county via club performances?" I highly doubt they'll be raising eyebrows. We have a significant shortage of inter-county midfielders in Westmeath, with S. Duncan and A. McCormack not returning to the panel and John Heslin retiring, who could have been a huge asset around the middle of the park. Ray will need another solid midfielder beside him. Currently, besides Shane Romsby and Jack Murtagh, there aren't many other midfielders in the panel. Fionn O'Hara is playing with the Sigerson team at Queens, but he was out for the past few months due to a collarbone injury. I imagine our Ulster-based management has connections within the Queens Sigerson management panel and they are likely informing Dermot or McHugh that he is doing well and worth considering. Fighting-Cocks69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 29 - 08/01/2025 19:20:25 2585078 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "Played Donegal and lost, Fermanagh game cancelled, playing Laois tomorrow night but doubtful it's on, playing Clare in Castledaly on Saturday" Played Sligo away as well and won by a few pts.Wont be long before the first league game against Louth so hopefully we can get of to a winning start. Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 215 - 08/01/2025 19:46:08 2585082 Link
I'd try the following and think westmeath have a great chance in div 2 with a little bit of luck along the way, Daly Scahill, drumm, smyth Wallace, gonoude, mcCartan Connellan, + mcCabe/Harte/moran Guiren whittaker dillon McCartan, luke, forde/baker Gonoude at 6 I think will give good protection to to the back 3. Plenty of pace on wings 5,7,10,12. Pace in full back line and Jamie to cover and dictate. A reliable free taker is vital to step up in place of heslin, not that easy to find Upforthegame23 (Westmeath) - Posts: 115 - 08/01/2025 22:20:10 2585099 Link
Picking players who haven't played club football in 3 years, the phrase clutching at straws springs to mind. iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 110 - 09/01/2025 08:53:42 2585123 Link
Replying To Upforthegame23: "I'd try the following and think westmeath have a great chance in div 2 with a little bit of luck along the way, Daly Scahill, drumm, smyth Wallace, gonoude, mcCartan Connellan, + mcCabe/Harte/moran Guiren whittaker dillon McCartan, luke, forde/baker Gonoude at 6 I think will give good protection to to the back 3. Plenty of pace on wings 5,7,10,12. Pace in full back line and Jamie to cover and dictate. A reliable free taker is vital to step up in place of heslin, not that easy to find" nice look to the team . i would piut sam at midfield and nigel harte wing back . that would do for a start mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1879 - 09/01/2025 10:50:42 2585143 Link
Replying To iarmhiabu: " Replying To mickcunningham: "[quote=iarmhiabu: "John Heslin rose above the rest. He had huge physical strength and shovels for hands for winning his own primary possession and holding off opposition players. Heslin dictated the next move. He has to be Westmeath's greatest all rounder. The Senior Footballers are on a hiding to nothing in Division 2 this year. Too many players gone at once, too many starters gone at once. The new manager has inherited a squad that has been stripped down to the bare bones. Ronan O'Toole doing sprints out the Castlepollard Rd in an *Antrim* shirt on New Years Eve, I slowed down and was prepared to stop." i dont agree i think a very strong management team has been assembled , and i would be confident of us remaining in division 2 . looking forward to it all" I'd be more concerned about the hemorrhaging within the team itself. Kevin Maguire, Jimmy Dolan, Andy McCormack, David Lynch and John Heslin, 5 starters from the Derry game that have either retired or gone travelling. There are question marks over 3 other starters, Ronan Wallace, Ronan O'Toole and Jonny Lynam. Hopefully Wallace, O'Toole and Lynam commit but try picking the team without those 8 players and things very quickly look bleak. I suppose Dessie saw what was coming down the line, a massive rebuild job. J Daly J Gonoud C Drumm _________ _________ _________ _________ R Connellan _________ _________ _________ S McCartan L Loughlin _________ S Baker"]Any concrete news on Wallace, Lynam and O' Toole? Redzer99 (Waterford) - Posts: 86 - 09/01/2025 20:34:31 2585254 Link
Replying To Redzer99: " Replying To iarmhiabu: "[quote=mickcunningham: "[quote=iarmhiabu: "John Heslin rose above the rest. He had huge physical strength and shovels for hands for winning his own primary possession and holding off opposition players. Heslin dictated the next move. He has to be Westmeath's greatest all rounder. The Senior Footballers are on a hiding to nothing in Division 2 this year. Too many players gone at once, too many starters gone at once. The new manager has inherited a squad that has been stripped down to the bare bones. Ronan O'Toole doing sprints out the Castlepollard Rd in an *Antrim* shirt on New Years Eve, I slowed down and was prepared to stop." i dont agree i think a very strong management team has been assembled , and i would be confident of us remaining in division 2 . looking forward to it all" I'd be more concerned about the hemorrhaging within the team itself. Kevin Maguire, Jimmy Dolan, Andy McCormack, David Lynch and John Heslin, 5 starters from the Derry game that have either retired or gone travelling. There are question marks over 3 other starters, Ronan Wallace, Ronan O'Toole and Jonny Lynam. Hopefully Wallace, O'Toole and Lynam commit but try picking the team without those 8 players and things very quickly look bleak. I suppose Dessie saw what was coming down the line, a massive rebuild job. J Daly J Gonoud C Drumm _________ _________ _________ _________ R Connellan _________ _________ _________ S McCartan L Loughlin _________ S Baker"]Any concrete news on Wallace, Lynam and O' Toole?"]Wallace available, Otoole travelling CleanShoulder (Westmeath) - Posts: 335 - 09/01/2025 23:48:45 2585279 Link
Replying To iarmhiabu: "John Heslin rose above the rest. He had huge physical strength and shovels for hands for winning his own primary possession and holding off opposition players. Heslin dictated the next move. He has to be Westmeath's greatest all rounder. The Senior Footballers are on a hiding to nothing in Division 2 this year. Too many players gone at once, too many starters gone at once. The new manager has inherited a squad that has been stripped down to the bare bones. Ronan O'Toole doing sprints out the Castlepollard Rd in an *Antrim* shirt on New Years Eve, I slowed down and was prepared to stop." Not sure what the comment about the antrim shirt is all about. The man is entitled to wear what he likes and who are you to tell him otherwise? Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 664 - 10/01/2025 12:25:33 2585338 Link
Are the Smith brothers still involved? Jack well worth his place on the team. iarmhi_an_mhaith (Westmeath) - Posts: 276 - 10/01/2025 12:48:20 2585341 Link
Replying To iarmhi_an_mhaith: "Are the Smith brothers still involved? Jack well worth his place on the team." I understand just Stephen. Matthew (None) - Posts: 1042 - 10/01/2025 14:09:34 2585359 Link
Replying To Upforthegame23: "I'd try the following and think westmeath have a great chance in div 2 with a little bit of luck along the way, Daly Scahill, drumm, smyth Wallace, gonoude, mcCartan Connellan, + mcCabe/Harte/moran Guiren whittaker dillon McCartan, luke, forde/baker Gonoude at 6 I think will give good protection to to the back 3. Plenty of pace on wings 5,7,10,12. Pace in full back line and Jamie to cover and dictate. A reliable free taker is vital to step up in place of heslin, not that easy to find" Protection ? There will be no protection with the way they will set up your either marking you man or your not, with the new rules there will be no sitting back. Plus another comment Jamie Gonoud wont start as hes done about 2 weeks of training and usually winters fairly well and had a wedding. PowellJohn3 (Westmeath) - Posts: 65 - 10/01/2025 14:55:05 2585368 Link