National Forum

Westmeath Football thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To A_Chairde:  "Only Will Scahill. Few that were subs for CBS started, the likes of Finn Higgins an d Aaron Connaire. Most of the CBS team are a year or 2 older. I agree that we may have got a little bit of stage fright yesterday. But this has to be said, the fact what we have at least 7 or 8 lads involved in both the football and hurling is a problem straight away. These players are getting no break and should be told to pick one. Meath for example have not one player playing both football and hurling. Were a smaller county and we want the best players playing but also want to get the best out of them."
Sean Byrne started and had a brilliant year. Same as scahill he is only 16.

Upforthegame23 (Westmeath) - Posts: 141 - 30/03/2025 17:30:30    2599494

Link

Replying To A_Chairde:  "Only Will Scahill. Few that were subs for CBS started, the likes of Finn Higgins an d Aaron Connaire. Most of the CBS team are a year or 2 older. I agree that we may have got a little bit of stage fright yesterday. But this has to be said, the fact what we have at least 7 or 8 lads involved in both the football and hurling is a problem straight away. These players are getting no break and should be told to pick one. Meath for example have not one player playing both football and hurling. Were a smaller county and we want the best players playing but also want to get the best out of them."
I also fully agree, we do not have the player pool to be a dual county. On clubber yesterday it was referenced several times. Meath had no dual players, it's probably the biggest issue in westmeath the last 10 years. The best players on each team are dual players. It's just not sustainable

Upforthegame23 (Westmeath) - Posts: 141 - 30/03/2025 17:34:58    2599495

Link

Replying To OverTheHill85:  "That's sort of my point. Most schools who reach an All Ireland A semi final would surely have 4 or 5 earmarked at that age for senior intercounty especially in a county like ourselves; bar Scahill I'm not aware of any on that Mullingar team. If I'm wrong no issue I'd love to know who they are. Hence why I said it was a brilliant team but not particularly full of individual talent. People would rather go on the attack rather than actually read the comments in full."
So the Claremorris team that reached the Colleges final would have four or five earmarked already for Mayo seniors? Maybe McStay didn't use them today as he's holding them for the Sligo match!!! Mullingar bias? Please point out where that's happened? Refer to previous posts, otherwise stop posting nonsense

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2089 - 30/03/2025 17:43:53    2599499

Link

Replying To Upforthegame23:  "I also fully agree, we do not have the player pool to be a dual county. On clubber yesterday it was referenced several times. Meath had no dual players, it's probably the biggest issue in westmeath the last 10 years. The best players on each team are dual players. It's just not sustainable"
What's the solution? It's fine Dublin making players choose, would our hurling fraternity not lose out if players were forced to pick one? Aaron Connaire, Sean Byrne, Cian Fleming, Jack Duignan, Oisin McCauley, Dillon Burke, Ted Aherne, Conor Cleary and Finn Higgins are all dual minors, I'd guess seven of those would choose football if forced to, that would leave our hurlers considerably weaker. Offaly have dual players, Meath don't but they're a footballing county largely, in our case we're prob split fairly evenly, it's a very difficult issue to solve

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2089 - 30/03/2025 17:50:21    2599500

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "So the Claremorris team that reached the Colleges final would have four or five earmarked already for Mayo seniors? Maybe McStay didn't use them today as he's holding them for the Sligo match!!! Mullingar bias? Please point out where that's happened? Refer to previous posts, otherwise stop posting nonsense"
Yeah as a matter of fact they do have 3 or 4 that they believe will make the breakthrough and are part of strong Mayo teams. The fact you are referring to sarcasm rather than actually stating facts shows how strong your argument is.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 46 - 30/03/2025 17:59:23    2599501

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "So the Claremorris team that reached the Colleges final would have four or five earmarked already for Mayo seniors? Maybe McStay didn't use them today as he's holding them for the Sligo match!!! Mullingar bias? Please point out where that's happened? Refer to previous posts, otherwise stop posting nonsense"
And I clearly noted a county our size, a division 3 team should absolutely have 3 or 4 players earmarked for senior intercounty as opposed to Mayo who are a top division 1 team and competing for All Ireland's. If you look beyond your bias you may actually see there's no criticism whatsoever but you've managed to turn it into an argument and sarcasm.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 46 - 30/03/2025 18:01:38    2599504

Link

I noticed over recent weeks many comments regarding perceived bias within Westmeath Gaa towards Mullingar and north Westmeath. While some of these comments are baseless there are times when some decisions have to be questioned. At present there is need for a major drive in south Westmeath to promote the Gaa particularly in urban areas. The decision of Westmeath Gaa to use Kinnegad as a home venue for the u - 20 game v Meath is crazy. If we want to promote the game in the county then make it easily available. It will be a lot easier for many Meath supporters to attend this game than Westmeath supporters. It is a round trip of 128 KM from Athlone to Kinnegad. The last time we played Meath at a Meath venue the game was in Ashbourne. Its these type of decisions that annoys supporters in south Westmeath.

loughree (Westmeath) - Posts: 72 - 30/03/2025 19:35:48    2599538

Link

Replying To Upforthegame23:  "Sean Byrne started and had a brilliant year. Same as scahill he is only 16."
Apologies forgot Sean Byrne, a player with a great future ahead of him

A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 282 - 30/03/2025 19:51:10    2599541

Link

Replying To loughree:  "I noticed over recent weeks many comments regarding perceived bias within Westmeath Gaa towards Mullingar and north Westmeath. While some of these comments are baseless there are times when some decisions have to be questioned. At present there is need for a major drive in south Westmeath to promote the Gaa particularly in urban areas. The decision of Westmeath Gaa to use Kinnegad as a home venue for the u - 20 game v Meath is crazy. If we want to promote the game in the county then make it easily available. It will be a lot easier for many Meath supporters to attend this game than Westmeath supporters. It is a round trip of 128 KM from Athlone to Kinnegad. The last time we played Meath at a Meath venue the game was in Ashbourne. Its these type of decisions that annoys supporters in south Westmeath."
I heard today that the minors next game is at home v Longford and also in Kinnegad, think this is more a reflection on the Kinnegad club helping out then that venue being a choice of the CB, clubs will give out about these things but won't supply when asked.

Thechick (Westmeath) - Posts: 263 - 30/03/2025 20:01:05    2599545

Link

Replying To Thechick:  "I heard today that the minors next game is at home v Longford and also in Kinnegad, think this is more a reflection on the Kinnegad club helping out then that venue being a choice of the CB, clubs will give out about these things but won't supply when asked."
It is absolutely a county board decision to play in Kinnegad. Make no mistake about that. Athlone or TUS could easily be used if they wished. As per the previous poster it'll suit more Meath supporters than our own that it's in Kinnegad.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 46 - 30/03/2025 21:04:01    2599559

Link

Replying To OverTheHill85:  "And I clearly noted a county our size, a division 3 team should absolutely have 3 or 4 players earmarked for senior intercounty as opposed to Mayo who are a top division 1 team and competing for All Ireland's. If you look beyond your bias you may actually see there's no criticism whatsoever but you've managed to turn it into an argument and sarcasm."
I asked you to show how I'm biased but you're unable to.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2089 - 30/03/2025 22:28:21    2599575

Link

Replying To OverTheHill85:  "It is absolutely a county board decision to play in Kinnegad. Make no mistake about that. Athlone or TUS could easily be used if they wished. As per the previous poster it'll suit more Meath supporters than our own that it's in Kinnegad."
It wouldn't be that Kinnegad is the most suitable ground? They've inter county standard floodlights, a sheltered stand fit for purpose and plenty of parking. It is absolutely a county board decision to use Kinnegad. The Downs (no lights though) and St Loman's have good facilities too. Pairc Chiarain has been left behind, the stand needs to be replaced. I'd question whether the floodlights there are up to scratch.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 141 - 30/03/2025 23:23:25    2599585

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "What's the solution? It's fine Dublin making players choose, would our hurling fraternity not lose out if players were forced to pick one? Aaron Connaire, Sean Byrne, Cian Fleming, Jack Duignan, Oisin McCauley, Dillon Burke, Ted Aherne, Conor Cleary and Finn Higgins are all dual minors, I'd guess seven of those would choose football if forced to, that would leave our hurlers considerably weaker. Offaly have dual players, Meath don't but they're a footballing county largely, in our case we're prob split fairly evenly, it's a very difficult issue to solve"
The solution is to make them pick one at this stage. I understand its a very difficult situation to solve. Offaly don't have dual players at minor as far as I know , not this year. This day is gone but why do we continue to ignore player welfare? We need a better culture that puts player welfare ahead of any short term goals.

A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 282 - 31/03/2025 10:10:02    2599620

Link

Replying To A_Chairde:  "The solution is to make them pick one at this stage. I understand its a very difficult situation to solve. Offaly don't have dual players at minor as far as I know , not this year. This day is gone but why do we continue to ignore player welfare? We need a better culture that puts player welfare ahead of any short term goals."
I'm almost sure Cormac Egan was a dual star the whole way up for Offaly. I'm not saying it's right or wrong by the way, I think if possible they should play both codes as long as they can, but I understand it's not a simple situation.

Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 231 - 31/03/2025 10:43:12    2599627

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "I asked you to show how I'm biased but you're unable to."
The original bias comment was towards Mullingar:

"they could field a second team in the competition or in the B championship that would be hard beaten"

"Their preparations have been thoroughly professional, early morning training sessions, sessions during mid term break and over Christmas"

You clearly are an avid CBS supporter; hence why you got heated when I mentioned Scahill being the only potential one that would play senior intercounty; Your second comment is commonplace for almost any school at any level; you seemed to think they were the only ones doing it or you surely wouldn't have bothered stating the obvious; you also had about another dozen CBS posts; no problem backing your team but you should be able to take some alternative commentary on board or at least consider it; you had no problem listing off all the brilliant players during their run so not sure why you can't do so now. I'm sure you'll come back with a smart comment now rather than admitting you've been caught out.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 46 - 31/03/2025 10:51:40    2599633

Link

Replying To OverTheHill85:  "Poor stuff from the minors yesterday, you never want to be overly critical as they are young lads trying their best but it was definitely a case of get it to Scahill and let him do the rest which at that level is never going to be enough, whether or not that's the game plan is a separate issue. A lot of people hyping up the Mullingar CBS team but honestly bar Scahill I don't think there's many that will end up playing senior county on that team. It was a fantastic achievement but I think they were the best team rather than a group filled with individual talent. Off the top of my head I can't think of really anyone of it who you'd say will be near a senior county team within the next three years bar the already mentioned. I'm not sure if any of them are starters for the County U20 team either."
Masterson, playing at full-back, and Weir, positioned at centre-back, both possess the ability and size needed to succeed at inter county level. Importantly, they still have two years remaining with the under-20s after this season, followed by another year of senior football with the school. Although both players may currently be on the extended panel, they are still young and have time to develop. very few players make the starting panel first year out of minor on the 20s anyway

Fighting-Cocks69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 64 - 31/03/2025 10:52:00    2599634

Link

Replying To iarmhiabu:  "It wouldn't be that Kinnegad is the most suitable ground? They've inter county standard floodlights, a sheltered stand fit for purpose and plenty of parking. It is absolutely a county board decision to use Kinnegad. The Downs (no lights though) and St Loman's have good facilities too. Pairc Chiarain has been left behind, the stand needs to be replaced. I'd question whether the floodlights there are up to scratch."
a great venue no doubt; for a game versus Meath you must surely see merit in having it in Athlone for example; it's almost like a home game for Meath; would bringing them an hour down to Athlone really be an issue; Athlone is a great venue, certainly a little dated but more than capable of holding the game. Why isn't the Minor game in Cusack Park; surely our Minors deserve to play in the county ground; I assume it is a weekend game.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 46 - 31/03/2025 10:55:12    2599636

Link

Replying To Fighting-Cocks69:  "Masterson, playing at full-back, and Weir, positioned at centre-back, both possess the ability and size needed to succeed at inter county level. Importantly, they still have two years remaining with the under-20s after this season, followed by another year of senior football with the school. Although both players may currently be on the extended panel, they are still young and have time to develop. very few players make the starting panel first year out of minor on the 20s anyway"
agreed both are very promising players; the poster who took issue with the comment completely ignored what was said; all I suggested was their doesn't seem to be many who will make an early breakthrough in the mould that Baker and Whittaker have in their U20 year; of course this may change. Nice to see a measured repsonse rather than an all out attack as per some posters.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 46 - 31/03/2025 10:58:29    2599639

Link

Replying To OverTheHill85:  "The original bias comment was towards Mullingar:

"they could field a second team in the competition or in the B championship that would be hard beaten"

"Their preparations have been thoroughly professional, early morning training sessions, sessions during mid term break and over Christmas"

You clearly are an avid CBS supporter; hence why you got heated when I mentioned Scahill being the only potential one that would play senior intercounty; Your second comment is commonplace for almost any school at any level; you seemed to think they were the only ones doing it or you surely wouldn't have bothered stating the obvious; you also had about another dozen CBS posts; no problem backing your team but you should be able to take some alternative commentary on board or at least consider it; you had no problem listing off all the brilliant players during their run so not sure why you can't do so now. I'm sure you'll come back with a smart comment now rather than admitting you've been caught out."
no chance do CBS have a second 15 capable of competing at Leinster A level.

TigerWoods90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 156 - 31/03/2025 11:05:17    2599643

Link

Replying To OverTheHill85:  "The original bias comment was towards Mullingar:

"they could field a second team in the competition or in the B championship that would be hard beaten"

"Their preparations have been thoroughly professional, early morning training sessions, sessions during mid term break and over Christmas"

You clearly are an avid CBS supporter; hence why you got heated when I mentioned Scahill being the only potential one that would play senior intercounty; Your second comment is commonplace for almost any school at any level; you seemed to think they were the only ones doing it or you surely wouldn't have bothered stating the obvious; you also had about another dozen CBS posts; no problem backing your team but you should be able to take some alternative commentary on board or at least consider it; you had no problem listing off all the brilliant players during their run so not sure why you can't do so now. I'm sure you'll come back with a smart comment now rather than admitting you've been caught out."
You think majority of secondary schools in the country have teams training at 7.00 in the morning?

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2089 - 31/03/2025 13:02:57    2599692

Link