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Westmeath Football thread

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Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "It is only June. No reason not to wait 4 or 5 weeks to start Championship."
Exactly, and its the least that can be done for the effort these lads have put in over the last few months.

Corofin123 (Westmeath) - Posts: 20 - 23/06/2026 11:44:00    2681430

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Replying To Monaghan Exile:  "WM people have to be proud of what their team achieved, & also brilliant supporters. Ye just ran outta steam in the last Qtr. But, onwards & upwards for ye, & a memorable Leinster title in the " back pocket"!"
And the very best wishes to you v Louth and hopefully beyond.
A wonderful atmosphere in Clones one of the best grounds in Ireland.
These players have have given Westmeath a wonderful year and I hope they start the hurling on July 18 and the football a week later which would give these lads a well deserved break and still give the 90% plus club players as someone said all of August,September and October to play in decent conditions.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1971 - 23/06/2026 13:26:53    2681469

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We'll probably get 2 - 4 nominations and 1 All Star

personally I think Matty Whitaker will win the All - Star with Any of Drumm, Wally, Ray, Sam and Brandon to be nominated also

Dessie15 (Westmeath) - Posts: 235 - 23/06/2026 14:24:30    2681493

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was having a discussion with a friend about the best westmeath team from 2001/2004/2006/2022/2026 squads

My team would be

1. Gary Connaughton
2. John Keane
3. Kevin Maguire
4.Fergal Murray
5. Ronan Wallace
6.Damian Healy
7. Matthew Whittaker
8. Rory O'Connell
9. Ray Connellan
10.Paul Conway
11. Martin Flanagan
12.John Heslin
13.Ger Heavin
14.Luke Loughlin
15.Dessie Dolan

Dessie15 (Westmeath) - Posts: 235 - 23/06/2026 15:35:48    2681519

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Replying To Dessie15:  "We'll probably get 2 - 4 nominations and 1 All Star

personally I think Matty Whitaker will win the All - Star with Any of Drumm, Wally, Ray, Sam and Brandon to be nominated also"
Matt definitely would get 1 but unfortunately for him he came of in every game due to an injury he carried all championship so highly unlikely for him unfortunately

Mooo (Westmeath) - Posts: 99 - 23/06/2026 16:47:21    2681549

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Replying To Dessie15:  "was having a discussion with a friend about the best westmeath team from 2001/2004/2006/2022/2026 squads

My team would be

1. Gary Connaughton
2. John Keane
3. Kevin Maguire
4.Fergal Murray
5. Ronan Wallace
6.Damian Healy
7. Matthew Whittaker
8. Rory O'Connell
9. Ray Connellan
10.Paul Conway
11. Martin Flanagan
12.John Heslin
13.Ger Heavin
14.Luke Loughlin
15.Dessie Dolan"
Michael Ennis deserves a mention at corner back surely ?

ExiledCuCu (Cavan) - Posts: 300 - 23/06/2026 16:56:02    2681552

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Replying To Dessie15:  "was having a discussion with a friend about the best westmeath team from 2001/2004/2006/2022/2026 squads

My team would be

1. Gary Connaughton
2. John Keane
3. Kevin Maguire
4.Fergal Murray
5. Ronan Wallace
6.Damian Healy
7. Matthew Whittaker
8. Rory O'Connell
9. Ray Connellan
10.Paul Conway
11. Martin Flanagan
12.John Heslin
13.Ger Heavin
14.Luke Loughlin
15.Dessie Dolan"
Michael Ennis has to be in that team.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 298 - 23/06/2026 17:28:40    2681557

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Replying To Dessie15:  "was having a discussion with a friend about the best westmeath team from 2001/2004/2006/2022/2026 squads

My team would be

1. Gary Connaughton
2. John Keane
3. Kevin Maguire
4.Fergal Murray
5. Ronan Wallace
6.Damian Healy
7. Matthew Whittaker
8. Rory O'Connell
9. Ray Connellan
10.Paul Conway
11. Martin Flanagan
12.John Heslin
13.Ger Heavin
14.Luke Loughlin
15.Dessie Dolan"
Imagine leaving out 6 players who have received All Star Nominations and played in those teams.

fizzygravy (USA) - Posts: 178 - 23/06/2026 21:30:06    2681601

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Replying To Mooo:  "Matt definitely would get 1 but unfortunately for him he came of in every game due to an injury he carried all championship so highly unlikely for him unfortunately"
Ronan Wallace will be our one and only allstar with nominations for Sam mcartin mattie whittaker and Brandon Kelly

mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 2014 - 23/06/2026 22:05:46    2681607

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The lads need and deserve a break. They've been on the go since October. They need to be minded. If they "care" about the club player , after they push the start back to the 18th, Give out the fixtures and exact dates for each game. Players can plan things.

Gaawestmeath (Westmeath) - Posts: 136 - 23/06/2026 22:35:35    2681615

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Brandon Kelly probably should get an all star.
Top scorer in Championship football from play. Getting knocked out won't help his chance.
Whitaker next best chance. A lot of other players had a great year.

Joeynyc (Westmeath) - Posts: 24 - 23/06/2026 22:41:14    2681617

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Rumours are circulating that the club championship might be pushed back. I've no issue with that if it gives the county lads a chance to recover, but the county board really needs to communicate with players as soon as possible. Club players were given two possible timelines:

Option 1:
Westmeath knocked out before the All-Ireland semi-final.
Hurling would start on the 4th/5th of July, with football beginning the following week.

Option 2:
Westmeath reach the All-Ireland semi-final.
Hurling would start on the 18th/19th of July, with football the week after.

I'm fully in favour of pushing things back to allow the county players a break, but club players deserve clarity. Many have held off on booking holidays or planning events all summer, and they need to know where they stand.

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 655 - 24/06/2026 09:05:32    2681640

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Replying To mickcunningham:  "Ronan Wallace will be our one and only allstar with nominations for Sam mcartin mattie whittaker and Brandon Kelly"
You are spot on Mick. Wally fully deserving for his leadership and consistency throughout the year.

londoner (UK) - Posts: 132 - 24/06/2026 09:35:16    2681645

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Replying To fizzygravy:  "Imagine leaving out 6 players who have received All Star Nominations and played in those teams."
Its all a matter of opinion...

I should have included Michael Ennis instead of Fergal Murray but outside of that I'd stand by my team.
Mitch was a great full back but I feel Kevin Maguire over a period of time was a better full back.
Dennis Glennon was a terrific footballer and I was a huge fan. Again its all opinions. I think the forward line I picked is the best I've seen..

Donal O'Donaghue like Mitch was a brilliant player, but who do you drop for him?

Kieran Martin was a brilliant player but not better than Heals in my opinion, if you would play him at 6...he was very versitile.

be interested to see your team :-)

Dessie15 (Westmeath) - Posts: 235 - 24/06/2026 09:50:11    2681647

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Replying To Temple56:  "Rumours are circulating that the club championship might be pushed back. I've no issue with that if it gives the county lads a chance to recover, but the county board really needs to communicate with players as soon as possible. Club players were given two possible timelines:

Option 1:
Westmeath knocked out before the All-Ireland semi-final.
Hurling would start on the 4th/5th of July, with football beginning the following week.

Option 2:
Westmeath reach the All-Ireland semi-final.
Hurling would start on the 18th/19th of July, with football the week after.

I'm fully in favour of pushing things back to allow the county players a break, but club players deserve clarity. Many have held off on booking holidays or planning events all summer, and they need to know where they stand."
Any conformation on that?
I believe the CB had a meeting this week but its been radio silence.

Bubbles77 (Longford) - Posts: 2 - 24/06/2026 11:14:43    2681660

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Replying To Temple56:  "Rumours are circulating that the club championship might be pushed back. I've no issue with that if it gives the county lads a chance to recover, but the county board really needs to communicate with players as soon as possible. Club players were given two possible timelines:

Option 1:
Westmeath knocked out before the All-Ireland semi-final.
Hurling would start on the 4th/5th of July, with football beginning the following week.

Option 2:
Westmeath reach the All-Ireland semi-final.
Hurling would start on the 18th/19th of July, with football the week after.

I'm fully in favour of pushing things back to allow the county players a break, but club players deserve clarity. Many have held off on booking holidays or planning events all summer, and they need to know where they stand."
The fact there's a scenario sent out for a Football start date of July 26th would indicate they can facilitate that without jepordising the calendar; so it would seem to make perfect sense to then go with scenario 2. I understand they have three weeks off but I think a lot of them are probably carrying injuries and the extra few weeks certainly is fair enough. You could see a lot of them struggling on the pitch in Clones when signing autographs and chatting supporters, likewise in Salthill a week ago.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 298 - 24/06/2026 14:29:47    2681699

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Replying To londoner:  "You are spot on Mick. Wally fully deserving for his leadership and consistency throughout the year."
For me Matthew Whittaker is the one who is most deserving over the course of the season; I felt Wallace was underwhelming until maybe the Leinster Final and was quiet enough in the Offaly, Meath and Kildare game. McCartan also had a drop off after Dublin.

Wallace also played a lot of his football at wing forward with Baker at wing back. Whittaker was consistent throughout and had 0-04 despite playing only 50 mins or so of the Dublin game. His first half against Monaghan was probably the best individual performance from any player this year also.

DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 1 - 24/06/2026 15:30:53    2681707

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Ronan Wallace,Mattie Whittaker,Sam McCartan,Charlie Drumm and Brandon Kelly should all be nailed on for all star nominations but history will show for the last few years actual all stars are selected from the bigger teams who ho far into the championdhip.All stars should he selected now.Hopefully Ronan and Mattie will get the nod but Sam and Charlie are well in the mix as well.Actually the whole team/squad deserve an award for effort and enjoyment that they gave to the county and us supporters.

Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 336 - 24/06/2026 18:01:05    2681725

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