"Definitely a bit of goading towards McCabe at the final whistle from a couple of players that didnt feature last season. Heat of moment stuff but understandably some of the Cavan players and 1 selector (not McCabe) took exception to. Could have got nasty but enough peace makers intervened"
Replying To Chops: "Wow what a performance in extra time. Team looked a bit flat at times, particularly in second half. Maybe the weight of expectation of playing a first championship game at home after being crowned Leinster champions was there or a few cobwebs after touring with the cup and all that goes with that. But the turnaround in extra time was incredible.
10 point swing, from 6 down to 4 up. The early 2 pointers from Baker and Wallace in second half of extra time were instrumental in the comeback. Then the battle Heslin put in to wrestle the ball and send on to Kelly who layed to O'Sullivan for the goal was the winning of the game. O'Sullivan was immense again covering every blade of the middle third. He robbed a Cavan ball in first half that set Brandon Kelly up for a brilliant score. The workrate of the team when their backs are to the wall and the calmness of getting out of it are whats impressing me the most. We witnessed history this evening in Cusack park. Five consecutive victories in senior championship for Westmeath. We now have at least 2 more games to look forward to.
Thank you so much to Mark McHugh, his backroom team and this wonderful squad of players for giving us so many new fantastic memories. And may the thousands of kids there today looking up to them aspire to be as good as them in the future."
great summary def won it and lost it a few times my heart! fair play to cavan too they gave it their all two teams trying their best to win fair and square
Replying To londoner: "Massive congratulations to Mark McHugh, his management team & the panel of players on a fantastic performance to dig out the win last evening. The team are a delight to watch, playing front foot football, aggressive when they need to be and no little quality throughout. The really pleasing thing again was the hunger throughout the team, teamwork, spread of scores throughout the team, calmness under pressure, discipline, i could go on. The young players on board have really stepped up. We are now setting standards that others would aspire to. Mark McHugh is a shrewd general, his timing & subsequent impact of the substitutes is class.
We are where we want to be now in with the big dogs for the next round. Whoever we get, they'll know our bark is getting louder and although we'll be massive underdogs anything can happen from here on.
Replying To Roscavan: "As an avid Gaa follower from Cavan living in roscommon. Enjoyed the match on Saturday great atmosphere and pleased with the cavan comeback. Go to a lot of games following roscommon and Cavan. Had an issue with which I wasn't gonna to bring up until I saw another poster mention it. Very disappointed with the booing and noise from the very first cavan free kick and throughout the game. haven't come across it at this level before and probably not a good example for the new young fans. Best of luck and we might meet again"
Agree that its not a nice aspect of the game, but its been there for over 25 years. Many long term Westmeath fans will remember the Hill and Dublin fans in general booing a 17 year old PJ Ward kicking frees during the 2000 Leinster Minor final. Remember when he kicked the insurance point that day, running towards the Hill cupping his ear.
It's been part of Ulster football for years.
You must be going to very few games if Saturday was the first time you noticed it
Replying To Roscavan: "As an avid Gaa follower from Cavan living in roscommon. Enjoyed the match on Saturday great atmosphere and pleased with the cavan comeback. Go to a lot of games following roscommon and Cavan. Had an issue with which I wasn't gonna to bring up until I saw another poster mention it. Very disappointed with the booing and noise from the very first cavan free kick and throughout the game. haven't come across it at this level before and probably not a good example for the new young fans. Best of luck and we might meet again"
kids and people blowing the horns at every free kick was doing the same a child in the 90s hardly new to the game its evident in every game.