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Having been at the game I feel we let Meath off the hook; there didn't seem to be any forward plan to break down Meath's defence and we ended up just going long. Not sure if the sweeper is really required; it leaves us down a forward and we still conceded two goals down the middle. Noticable that Tom Bourke from Tubberclair wasn't on the match day squad, possibly injured but if I recall he scored 3 points in the minor final last year from midfield so I assume he's injured or maybe even overage but I seem to recall him playing in the 2021 U15 final also. Louth next who pushed Dublin quite close so bound to be a tough encounter, would be surprised if there isn't at least 2 or 3 changes up front. TigerWoods90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 142 - 07/04/2023 17:16:20 2469455 Link 1 |
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Unfortunately, too many players competing at a high level in other sports. Not ideal circumstances when trying to prepare for county level football. Not the young lads fault of course. Doing their best but it's not easy to do it all at the highest level nowadays Headtheball1 (Louth) - Posts: 66 - 07/04/2023 20:48:46 2469483 Link 0 |
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I see the 24 referees have been named for the Senior provincial/all Ireland Championships coming up.Is it an indication of the standard in Westmeath that we dont have one on the panel or do the county board nominate a ref to go forward.?Anyone any ideas on this?-also Offaly dont have a ref on this panel. Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 163 - 08/04/2023 11:07:52 2469520 Link 0 |
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There are a few good refs around the county but the overall standard of officiating is poor in Westmeath and has been for years.
Midlandsman (Westmeath) - Posts: 20 - 09/04/2023 12:23:24 2469729 Link 1 |
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I don't think its an issue specifically for Westmeath. If anything I think we could be better than other counties. From watching various club matches on TV and a few neighbouring counties, we are not worse. But I agree that lately there is an issue with consistency throughout the National League. If you look at the fixtures there are a lot of older names who are around for years, no specific issue with that just there doesn't seem to be much youth coming through. The county board don't seem to be doing anything for recruitment. We have a few lads on the Leinster panel for both codes which is positive but it is a far cry from a few years ago when we were well represented. WestmeathFan (Westmeath) - Posts: 26 - 10/04/2023 17:08:29 2470068 Link 0 |
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Assume Keith O'Brien not too far away after reffing the O'Byrne cup final this year. Big commitment to step up to Senior inter county that people dont realise with extra training, fitness work and travel
martyW (Westmeath) - Posts: 319 - 11/04/2023 09:27:56 2470133 Link 0 |
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Best of luck to the U20s tonight against Meath-looks like its going to be another horrible night for football.Whitaker and Leech are huge losses for Westmeath but hopefully the squad will get the right result-they are definately good enough. Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 163 - 11/04/2023 17:30:17 2470356 Link 1 |
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Low scoring game likely in these conditions, good to see Cian Lee starting, also Lowry is versatile and pacy, wing forward might suit him, huge losses in forwards but Corcoran and Pierson decent sub options, hard to know where Meath are, strong three years ago at 17s but flat against Laois. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 11/04/2023 18:21:02 2470367 Link 0 |
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Disappointing display by 20s in tough conditions, the losses of Leech and Whittaker were significant but can't be blamed solely, we had sufficient chances and the failure to score with the breeze was worrying. We also missed a couple of goal chances and our goal came with the last kick of the game. Meath looked beatable and Dublin will prob beat them in semi. Kildare through to semi as well. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 12/04/2023 09:08:46 2470412 Link 2 |
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The game never should have went ahead, disgrace to ask players to play in those conditions last night . The pitch was unplayable but not making excuses as it was for both teams and Meath made more of their chances. Hope to see plenty of this group make the step up to senior. Smyth, Daly Murtagh and Quinn showed up well. A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 174 - 12/04/2023 09:27:28 2470417 Link 0 |
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Poor performance/result by the U2os last night but to be fair to both teams that game should never have went ahead in those conditions and with the state of the pitch.Congrats to Meath but it was no advert for football.A lot is being hawked about re player welfare and the likes but player welfare was the last thing on the Leinster councils mind last night-just get the game over and move on!!Both Meath and Westmeath are good footballing sides with some exceptional players on each team but last night football took a batterring.Best of luck to Meath against Dublin and heads up Westmeath lads -ye are much much better than last night. Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 163 - 12/04/2023 13:52:55 2470542 Link 1 |
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U20 Game should not have gone ahead as conditions were terrible, but they were the same for both teams. Why did meath get a home game after finishing second in group, while westmeath won the group. Meath definitely played conditions better and took the opportunities. Basic errors such as handling and shot selection cost westmeath. Losing two of your strongest forwards in leech and whittaker was a huge loss for westmeath. Players tried hard but ultimately meath were better last night. For some of the players, they might not ever wear the maroon Jersey again and some will go on to backbone westmeath for years to come, so best of luck to them all. Upforthegame23 (Westmeath) - Posts: 81 - 12/04/2023 14:06:26 2470549 Link 0 |
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In relation to the game being no advert for football it's not right to blame the conditions for that, the tactics employed by both sides were also at fault, the game was played laterally for most parts, terrible to watch, modern management have a lot to answer for. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 12/04/2023 16:27:36 2470595 Link 2 |
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Couldn't agree more and the emphasis on tactics, defensive sweepers, process, systems etc is suffocating creativity and taking away valuable training time developing fundamental skills. It has permeated underage at club and county level. The fear of losing is ruining the quality of football being played
Headtheball1 (Louth) - Posts: 66 - 12/04/2023 18:31:59 2470645 Link 1 |
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Agree with that. Game should have been postponed. Neither team can take anything from a game like that. We got the win that's all. But honestly I don't think management will know what's going on v dubs. This bunch have consistently beat dubs over last few years but impossible to know where we are at moment as that game was dreadful and unfair on both teams best of luck in the future
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 12/04/2023 18:33:28 2470646 Link 0 |
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Poor result for our U17s in Ardee last night, defeated by 12 points to a Louth team who looked miles ahead in every aspect. Much more was expected from this group and although questions won't be asked of preparation of underage teams they absolutely should be. TigerWoods90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 142 - 13/04/2023 08:38:11 2470691 Link 1 |
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U20s very unlucky with injuries to key players. Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 383 - 13/04/2023 09:57:06 2470708 Link 2 |
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Why was much more expected from our 17s? Based on what? Louth have their best under 17 team in decades according to sources in Louth, a corner forward who is their finest prospect in a long time, our minors looked ok against Meath based on scoreline but we haven't scored a goal in two championship matches and it's extremely difficult to win matches without goals at underage level. The most worrying aspect from recent underage sides in both codes is our lack of physicality, minor hurlers are doing well but lack physical presence, our s and C work lags behind other counties unfortunately. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 13/04/2023 11:27:28 2470763 Link 0 |
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Have you not just answered my question? No goals, lack of s&c, lack of physicality. And I would add lack of a gameplan also. Playing a sweeper when 5 points down, players out of position and if rumours are to be believed 2 or 3 players went playing rugby before the game yesterday. So on the basis of all that yes I would expect much more from our county u17s.
TigerWoods90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 142 - 13/04/2023 12:13:42 2470779 Link 0 |
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Expecting a management team from October to March to significantly improve s and C is pie in the sky, that work takes 3-4 years, that's the issue, you still haven't answered my query as to why much more was expected of this group? Did they win inter county under 15 tournaments two years ago? Talented group?? Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 13/04/2023 12:37:01 2470791 Link 0 |