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National Forum

Westmeath Football thread

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Replying To PowellJohn3:  "Controversial one but which team benefits the most in westmeath from not having Parish Rule, i hear a lot of this when a team wins a championship and then there is an awful lot of over and back on it, but an interesting topic all the same. My club i know has roughly 2 lads whos outside the parish but entire family are from the parish so it was never really disputed or talked about much. I know towns are a free for all that makes sense."
A Loughnavalley man wo several senior championships for Lomans.

keepinaneye (Westmeath) - Posts: 6 - 23/10/2026 14:54:43    2698348

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Knockbeg College unquestionably the biggest side physically I've ever seen in Colleges football. They had lads 6' 4 at 6, 8, 9 and 14 and lots of other physically imposing players in other positions. Moate played really well to combat that disadvantage, young Tooher kicked 3-4 two pointers, Anthony King Carroll, Billy Stenson, Alex Mullen Adamson, Harry Hughes all very decent for Peter Tormey and Niall Daly's side. Knockbeg will be a tough nut for any side considering this competition is played in mainly winter conditions. St. Pat's Navan considered competition favourites based on Junior two years ago, their display on Tuesday was obviously impressive as Rochfortbridge have fine players in Dean Kelly, Jack Duignan, Cian Fleming, Cian McKeogh, McGuaran and lads from Rhode and Clonard."
The Pats Navans teams of the 2000s were the biggest I have ever seen. The Sheridans and O'Rourkes used to lord it.

RebelAlliance (Cork) - Posts: 44 - 23/10/2026 16:19:21    2698365

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Westmeath is unique in having separate football club and hurling clubs across the county
Only one dual club and even that club is split into two

Maybe it's to do with how sparsely populated rural Westmeath was back in the 30s and 40s due to the big estates

Anyway, the lack of a parish rule definitely benefits the big clubs in both football and hurling

valley84 (Westmeath) - Posts: 1944 - 23/10/2026 21:33:21    2698390

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I wonder can Cusack Park pitch handle the two games tomorrow with the rain that's falling today. Is there a contingency plan?

Iarmhisamhi (Westmeath) - Posts: 86 - 24/10/2026 11:42:25    2698410

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Replying To keepinaneye:  "A Loughnavalley man wo several senior championships for Lomans."
Always about us, no mention of the Delvin from the downs or the Bal lad from shamrocks. Parish rule is nonsense, why are we even discussing it

Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 382 - 24/10/2026 11:56:42    2698412

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Replying To westmeathgaa11:  "A LLG hurler plays football with Shandonagh…
Castlepollard hurler played football with Lomans…"
Congratulations to caurly on junior 2 title.

Mattyreilly (Westmeath) - Posts: 188 - 24/10/2026 17:56:53    2698455

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Replying To Iarmhisamhi:  "I wonder can Cusack Park pitch handle the two games tomorrow with the rain that's falling today. Is there a contingency plan?"
Junior 2 switched to The Downs earlier today. No way they agreed to that without ensuring the junior A doesn't get moved. More wind than rain tomorrow so should be ok. Cusack generally has good drainage.

BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1277 - 24/10/2026 21:03:55    2698464

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Delighted for both Milltown and Joseph's. Both have come so near in recent years and great to see them both get over the line. Clinical by both but in particular Milltown. What a way to win a championship, beating your neighbours like that. They won't be out of place in section b of senior next year either.

mintyfresh (Westmeath) - Posts: 305 - 25/10/2026 17:07:49    2698512

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Replying To mintyfresh:  "Delighted for both Milltown and Joseph's. Both have come so near in recent years and great to see them both get over the line. Clinical by both but in particular Milltown. What a way to win a championship, beating your neighbours like that. They won't be out of place in section b of senior next year either."
Agreed and this was maybe the year it looked beyond both with Kilbeggan dropping down and Milltown losing some key players. Shandonagh will be at a low for a while after that and the minor.

DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 79 - 25/10/2026 17:52:25    2698515

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Replying To DelaneyCup2026:  "Agreed and this was maybe the year it looked beyond both with Kilbeggan dropping down and Milltown losing some key players. Shandonagh will be at a low for a while after that and the minor."
Last time Joseph's won was in 2004. Westmeath won Leinster and again this year.
Nice coincidence

Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 109 - 25/10/2026 18:28:46    2698520

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Replying To DelaneyCup2026:  "Agreed and this was maybe the year it looked beyond both with Kilbeggan dropping down and Milltown losing some key players. Shandonagh will be at a low for a while after that and the minor."
Not sure who Milltown lost player wise but likes of Henry Duncan, Ja Boyce returning from Canada and their new management team were huge pluses for them. Theirs was the best display by a team in a final this year, they totally controlled the game bar a few mins before half time and dominated the second half. Shandonagh possibly distracted by Brian Kavanagh saga and Luke Tynan was a big loss as he's a key man to win possession. They just never got going at any stage. Great to see lads like Bert Kiernan, Paddy Somers, Alan Geraghty, Damien Byrne and Frank McLoughlin winning an intermediate championship after many years of service.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2850 - 25/10/2026 18:41:54    2698521

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Replying To DelaneyCup2026:  "Agreed and this was maybe the year it looked beyond both with Kilbeggan dropping down and Milltown losing some key players. Shandonagh will be at a low for a while after that and the minor."
Great achievement especially as I believe they lost a couple of players who were starting last year to emigration

DanGer966 (Westmeath) - Posts: 68 - 25/10/2026 18:43:49    2698522

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Not sure who Milltown lost player wise but likes of Henry Duncan, Ja Boyce returning from Canada and their new management team were huge pluses for them. Theirs was the best display by a team in a final this year, they totally controlled the game bar a few mins before half time and dominated the second half. Shandonagh possibly distracted by Brian Kavanagh saga and Luke Tynan was a big loss as he's a key man to win possession. They just never got going at any stage. Great to see lads like Bert Kiernan, Paddy Somers, Alan Geraghty, Damien Byrne and Frank McLoughlin winning an intermediate championship after many years of service."
Conor Mccrossan was a loss also

westmeathgaa11 (Westmeath) - Posts: 394 - 25/10/2026 18:59:24    2698526

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Not sure who Milltown lost player wise but likes of Henry Duncan, Ja Boyce returning from Canada and their new management team were huge pluses for them. Theirs was the best display by a team in a final this year, they totally controlled the game bar a few mins before half time and dominated the second half. Shandonagh possibly distracted by Brian Kavanagh saga and Luke Tynan was a big loss as he's a key man to win possession. They just never got going at any stage. Great to see lads like Bert Kiernan, Paddy Somers, Alan Geraghty, Damien Byrne and Frank McLoughlin winning an intermediate championship after many years of service."
They lost Jack Murtagh and Daire Hynes, two of their best players over the last number of years even though I believe Murtagh was togged today I don't believe he featured this year.

You'd think they will have enough to survive and push on next year also. For Shandonagh it'll be a long winter on the back of that loss, I know the younger Scahill can play next year but not sure will they have much more than that, Malachys and Tang the only ones who realistically can challenge them in my opinion and not sure either of those would have enough either.

DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 79 - 25/10/2026 19:48:15    2698533

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Replying To DelaneyCup2026:  "They lost Jack Murtagh and Daire Hynes, two of their best players over the last number of years even though I believe Murtagh was togged today I don't believe he featured this year.

You'd think they will have enough to survive and push on next year also. For Shandonagh it'll be a long winter on the back of that loss, I know the younger Scahill can play next year but not sure will they have much more than that, Malachys and Tang the only ones who realistically can challenge them in my opinion and not sure either of those would have enough either."
From what I seen of Shandonagh this year and especially after today I'd have no doubt Malachys and Tang will be well able for Shandonagh. If Miltownpass can get their act together you could throw them in that category too. Malachys always a tough side to beat and if they get a couple of hurlers back playing football they'll be stronger again. Tang coming down from Senior will be hard bet and they'll be stronger next year, had a lot of injuries this year. Miltownpass have really good individuals but it didn't come together for them this year. After that can't see anyone competing in intermediate.

BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 148 - 25/10/2026 20:07:24    2698536

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Replying To DelaneyCup2026:  "They lost Jack Murtagh and Daire Hynes, two of their best players over the last number of years even though I believe Murtagh was togged today I don't believe he featured this year.

You'd think they will have enough to survive and push on next year also. For Shandonagh it'll be a long winter on the back of that loss, I know the younger Scahill can play next year but not sure will they have much more than that, Malachys and Tang the only ones who realistically can challenge them in my opinion and not sure either of those would have enough either."
Shandonagh's performances just vary too much. Last year they were annihilated by Tubberclair in group stage and while it wasn't a knockout game it didn't look good for their prospects. This year they scraped over Multy when they should easily be beating Multy, they also lost to Malachy's before then hammering Milltownpass and Ballinagore. Today was mystifying as they never got to the pitch of the game. The breeze was worth 5-6 points and yet they trailed by 6 midway through first half. They performed far better in last year's final, size wise they had a light team and today's conditions were suited to strong physical players.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2850 - 25/10/2026 22:09:21    2698545

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Great win for the Joeys but The Downs will be kicking themselves that they didn't bring on Andrew shaw sooner.

Dennis_Maroon95kg (Westmeath) - Posts: 13 - 26/10/2026 08:56:59    2698566

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Shandonagh's performances just vary too much. Last year they were annihilated by Tubberclair in group stage and while it wasn't a knockout game it didn't look good for their prospects. This year they scraped over Multy when they should easily be beating Multy, they also lost to Malachy's before then hammering Milltownpass and Ballinagore. Today was mystifying as they never got to the pitch of the game. The breeze was worth 5-6 points and yet they trailed by 6 midway through first half. They performed far better in last year's final, size wise they had a light team and today's conditions were suited to strong physical players."
I disagree that they had a light team. They have some huge men, the full back and midfielders in particular, and were definitely as big if not bigger than Milltown - whose most physical player Gibney wasn't brought on until the game was well over

crispsandwich99 (Westmeath) - Posts: 25 - 26/10/2026 11:41:32    2698577

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Fair play to Milltown, you could tell from the minute the ball was thrown in that they wanted it more and were that bit hungrier. Shandonagh looked all over the place at times
Milltown were very impressive. If you told me two years ago they'd win a championship without Gibney, Murtagh and Hynes playing, I'd have laughed at you. But in fairness, a lot of their younger and older lads stood up big time. Duncan was huge for them, as were the two Dillons, and I thought McGauran was their real playmaker. He dictated the whole game and probably doesn't get enough credit at times.
Shandonagh will be hurting after this one. Between injuries, suspensions and losing the minor final as well, they'll be kicking themselves. The one positive is they've a strong minor team coming through, so they'll be ready to go again next year and have a great chance to blood a few younger lads

TheWagonWheel-N91Y529 (Westmeath) - Posts: 53 - 26/10/2026 13:29:35    2698587

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Shandonagh's performances just vary too much. Last year they were annihilated by Tubberclair in group stage and while it wasn't a knockout game it didn't look good for their prospects. This year they scraped over Multy when they should easily be beating Multy, they also lost to Malachy's before then hammering Milltownpass and Ballinagore. Today was mystifying as they never got to the pitch of the game. The breeze was worth 5-6 points and yet they trailed by 6 midway through first half. They performed far better in last year's final, size wise they had a light team and today's conditions were suited to strong physical players."
Don't think my last message posted. I'd have to disagree about Shandonagh being light and that the conditions suited Milltown more . Milltown won because they had far more desire and determination. From the minute the ball was thrown in Milltown were far hungrier and wanted it way more. They were relentless for the full game and never took their foot off the pedal. Shandonagh looked very lacklustre and disinterested at times. Milltown were tackling and running off the ball in packs all the time whereas Shandonagh lads were looking for someone else to step up. I hope Milltown go on a run in Leinster now because they have a strong team. Playing Offaly finalists first in a game I would expect them to win as long as the celebrations aren't prolonged.

BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 148 - 26/10/2026 14:12:35    2698591

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