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Replying To iarmhiabu: "I agree with you, Mark McHugh has nailed it again. The revelation of Luke Loughlin's injury before the Kildare game became a massive talking point in the media and among supporters. Instead of "can Westmeath back up the Meath win?" the conversation became "how can they cope without Luke". Good managers know how to control the narrative before a big game and McHugh would have flipped this into motivation to show they are not reliant on Luke. Now the John Heslin story has a similar effect, the potential return of a Westmeath legend after two years dominates the headlines (he has been with them a number of weeks actually). That is all people are talking about in the county and whether he'll play or not, taking the spotlight off the team as you put it but it create a feel good atmosphere around the place too." I'd agree it takes the spotlight off the team but is this a good thing? If I was playing on the team and everybody was talking about someone who is fond of the spotlight and media work rather than focused on the team who has earned their place there I wouldn't be happy. These players deserve the spotlight now. Matty, Ray, Sam should be the names everyone is talking about
CasKD (Westmeath) - Posts: 40 - 14/05/2026 11:08:07
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Replying To CasKD: "I'd agree it takes the spotlight off the team but is this a good thing? If I was playing on the team and everybody was talking about someone who is fond of the spotlight and media work rather than focused on the team who has earned their place there I wouldn't be happy. These players deserve the spotlight now. Matty, Ray, Sam should be the names everyone is talking about" The only spotlight them Westmeath players are worried about is the one at the top of the steps of the Hogan Stand at 3.45pm on Sunday afternoon.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1599 - 14/05/2026 11:26:14
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Replying To CasKD: "I'd agree it takes the spotlight off the team but is this a good thing? If I was playing on the team and everybody was talking about someone who is fond of the spotlight and media work rather than focused on the team who has earned their place there I wouldn't be happy. These players deserve the spotlight now. Matty, Ray, Sam should be the names everyone is talking about" I take by your comments that you are one of those fly by night or as is commonly used bandwagon merchants. Mattie sam and Ray you say . Just to inform you we have 2 players of higher renowned than those 3 fine gentlemen. One is the unfortunate luke loughlin and the other is the red haired warrior who hopefully will lead his men up the hogan stand for the bill delaney cup. I'm referring of course to ronsn wally Wallace. Once this great man stays on the field the others will follow him
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1984 - 14/05/2026 12:34:19
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Replying To CasKD: "I'd agree it takes the spotlight off the team but is this a good thing? If I was playing on the team and everybody was talking about someone who is fond of the spotlight and media work rather than focused on the team who has earned their place there I wouldn't be happy. These players deserve the spotlight now. Matty, Ray, Sam should be the names everyone is talking about" Those players and the rest of the team I'm sure are not worried about what's being said in the build up and we all know how good all those players are. They would be all stars on any team. The only thing they should be worried about is winning on Sunday which makes them heroes in Westmeath folklore and talked about forever never mind in this build up.
Westmeath25 (Westmeath) - Posts: 20 - 14/05/2026 13:16:27
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Brining Heslin back is a no brainer for many reasons:
- Hes our all time top scorer in the championship and has continued to play well for his club since stepping back.
- He provides a senior voice and experienced head to this young squad for the build up and day off the final.
- With the culture McHugh has created, I would imagine Heslins return would have current squad members upping the ante at training to fight for their places.
- Free taking - Heslin would probably be the best free taker in that squad upon rejoining.
I see reports that other players were brought into the squad? If so, who?
What an exciting week of build up. I hope to god we can do it on Sunday. It would be our biggest ever triumph - ahead of '04 considering the caliber of teams we have bet along with the way and where this team came from.
Enjoy the remaining days and Sunday lads, these big days dont come around for Westmeath too often.
TractorTom4 (Australia) - Posts: 15 - 14/05/2026 16:31:43
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Good luck to the lads on Sunday. Only our 7th ever appearance in a Leinster Senior final in either code (6 Football and 1 Hurling) so it's a brilliant achievement to have made it this far. We don't get here too often, so enjoy the moment I say.
The pressure of ensuring Sam Maguire football probably made that Kildare match a little more nervy than it should have been, but ye got the job done and made it into the Sam Maguire. Westmeath have been relentlessly banging in the goals all year (23 goals in all by my count between league and championship so far this year.)
I think if we are to have a chance of winning on Sunday we'll need to approach it with that same attitude of going for goal when it's on, and then putting in the die hard blocking, hassling and tackling that you've put in every championship game so far. I hope the lads play with that same intent and free scoring spirit on Sunday. You're in bonus territory now considering where we came from after the league and you never know what might happen if you go out and play with no fear of the occasion. You might just find that you'll be rubbing shoulders with some of the greats like Dessie, Buddah, Dennis Glennon, Rory O'Connell, John Keane etc. come 3:30pm on Sunday.
RadioactiveTan (UK) - Posts: 47 - 14/05/2026 18:51:01
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Here is my team for sunday
Jason daly
Danny scahill Charlie drumm. Tadgh. Baker
Ronan Wallace Shane Allen. Mattie whittaker
Brian cooney. Ray connelly
Kevin sullivan Sam mcartin. Conor dillon
Shane corcoran senan baker. Brandon Kelly
May I wish mark mchugh his management team and our players the best of good luck. I was proud to see David o shaughnessy lift the cup in 2004 and hopefully will see ronan Wallace do likewise on Sunday. Go neiri on bothar libh
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1984 - 14/05/2026 19:05:06
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Replying To mickcunningham: "Here is my team for sunday
Jason daly
Danny scahill Charlie drumm. Tadgh. Baker
Ronan Wallace Shane Allen. Mattie whittaker
Brian cooney. Ray connelly
Kevin sullivan Sam mcartin. Conor dillon
Shane corcoran senan baker. Brandon Kelly
May I wish mark mchugh his management team and our players the best of good luck. I was proud to see David o shaughnessy lift the cup in 2004 and hopefully will see ronan Wallace do likewise on Sunday. Go neiri on bothar libh" Apologies to Ray connelan
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1984 - 14/05/2026 20:21:04
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Replying To RadioactiveTan: "Good luck to the lads on Sunday. Only our 7th ever appearance in a Leinster Senior final in either code (6 Football and 1 Hurling) so it's a brilliant achievement to have made it this far. We don't get here too often, so enjoy the moment I say.
The pressure of ensuring Sam Maguire football probably made that Kildare match a little more nervy than it should have been, but ye got the job done and made it into the Sam Maguire. Westmeath have been relentlessly banging in the goals all year (23 goals in all by my count between league and championship so far this year.)
I think if we are to have a chance of winning on Sunday we'll need to approach it with that same attitude of going for goal when it's on, and then putting in the die hard blocking, hassling and tackling that you've put in every championship game so far. I hope the lads play with that same intent and free scoring spirit on Sunday. You're in bonus territory now considering where we came from after the league and you never know what might happen if you go out and play with no fear of the occasion. You might just find that you'll be rubbing shoulders with some of the greats like Dessie, Buddah, Dennis Glennon, Rory O'Connell, John Keane etc. come 3:30pm on Sunday." Agree. I think we have 2 goals scored in total in 6 previous Leinster football finals and none in our last 4 appearance, didn't matter thankfully in 2004 but the game has obviously changed massively in last 15 months. 23-24 points total would seem necessary to win on Sunday and very hard to achieve that without goals, 2 minimum needed, stopping Dublin scoring more than 2 also vital. The Dubs in Croker get a huge lift from goals, matching their goal tally would be a huge step towards giving us a great chance.
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2638 - 14/05/2026 22:11:18
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Replying To mickcunningham: "Here is my team for sunday
Jason daly
Danny scahill Charlie drumm. Tadgh. Baker
Ronan Wallace Shane Allen. Mattie whittaker
Brian cooney. Ray connelly
Kevin sullivan Sam mcartin. Conor dillon
Shane corcoran senan baker. Brandon Kelly
May I wish mark mchugh his management team and our players the best of good luck. I was proud to see David o shaughnessy lift the cup in 2004 and hopefully will see ronan Wallace do likewise on Sunday. Go neiri on bothar libh" A few curveballs thrown in their mick really pushing the boat out
lakecounty76 (Westmeath) - Posts: 10 - 14/05/2026 22:22:40
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