Westmeath Football thread

Yes Clonguish played well and could've/should've won, but The Downs scored 2-15 from play to Clonguish' 1-9 from play, most of Clonguish 1st have scores came from frees, I was impressed with Clonguish and the amount of chances they created, but the Downs converted most of their chances, that experience counted. I expect to see more of Clonguish in the coming years. The Downs may have taken them for granted and got a wake up call today.

stonemadbeany (USA) - Posts: 661 - 01/11/2026 19:00:53    2699202

Far from convincing once again from The Downs, they have never really hit their stride yet.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 437 - 01/11/2026 20:58:00    2699210

The downs were lucky with a win today and saying that they were missing four starters Joe Moran was a big loss in the half back line Kevin O'Sullivan came on in the last 10 and most of their big names had a poor game the best position for Charlie drum is full back. He plays better football from there.

Mick1234 (Westmeath) - Posts: 62 - 01/11/2026 21:13:56    2699211

Downs over the line which is all that matters. Maybe the complete write off of Clonguish which was very much prevalent all week didn't help. Winning tight games is all that it's about all the same. No game easy on from here on in. Clonguish have always been a proud club. Hard to beat tradition. They wouldn't have took the talk lightly. Outside of Cuala with a new champ in Kildare , is it an open Leinster club champ- if downs can get a few back and with cobwebs hopefully shaken off after that - give it a right crack. I agree with sentiment they just not bouncing yet

Paidi04 (Westmeath) - Posts: 43 - 02/11/2026 01:54:23    2699224

Clonguish were a quality outfit great kick passing and speed. We tend to get ahead of ourselves in Westmeath on the quality we have. How people were condemning Clonguish to a hammering was funny. They played a serious brand of football and had a goal chance at the end to win it. The Downs also showed great fight and skill to get some massive scores as crucial times. They misfired a bit but a lot of that was down to match ups. Great test and should stand to them, improvements needed but this is the Leisnter championship. There's no easy games.

Gaawestmeath (Westmeath) - Posts: 147 - 02/11/2026 07:46:25    2699227

Congratulations to the Downs yesterday and best of luck in the next round. Clonguish will feel they could have as easily won it with some good goal opportunities and large periods of dominance throughout the game. Both teams missing key forwards on the day but it still led to a very entertaining game. The Downs would want to use this game as something to measure where they are at because its a Clonguish team with an average age of about 22 who are only after winning their first county title as a group. On the other side, hopefully Clonguish they can kick on also and use this to their advantage/experience if they find themselves in a Leinster campaign again next year as its great to see a Longford team play well out of the county.

LongfordSham (Longford) - Posts: 165 - 02/11/2026 08:54:30    2699228

The downs underperformed by their standards and still managed to grind out the win. I'd say they will be happy enough. Might also take the pressure off their favourites tag in future games if they progress.

Lakecounty94 (Westmeath) - Posts: 92 - 02/11/2026 09:15:58    2699230

Clonguish deserve a lot of credit for their part in yesterday's game. The first ten minutes they blew The Downs away and were on top. Were unlucky to only be 3-1 up as Duggan was narrowly wide with a 2 pointer and they had another poor wide from close range. There was a crucial period then from 10th to 15th minute where The Downs scored 6 without reply, probably a bit of inexperience from Clonguish not slowing the game down and taking the sting out of it. Both teams were quite sloppy in terms of misplaced passes which was surprising giving conditions were quite good.
Clonguish brought a lot of intensity and huge energy, playing a hard running game that The Downs struggled to keep up with. The Downs just seem to have developed a nack of coming out the right side of tight games. That game will definitely stand to them and they will be favourites going into their next game against the Wexford champions.
Positive for The Downs that they won while not being at their best and some of their key players were well below their best, Mitchell was non existent apart from the 2 pointer and Luke definitely wasn't at full throttle. The Downs will be hoping O'Sullivan can start the next day as he is a massive player for them, he's a real line breaker for them and is a crucial player in terms of transitioning from defence to attack. Moran was a loss too and he'd be a big addition if he's back.

BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 160 - 02/11/2026 10:16:10    2699235

TheWagonWheel-N91Y529 (Westmeath) - Posts: 57 - 02/11/2026 11:14:42    2699242