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Armagh Overrated - 3 Like(s)
Replying To hlynch12: "Just like Donegal a lot of hype about Armagh. Lucky avoid relegation, won a Ulster championship, nobody took serious. Hammered the gap last year against Kerry having won soft All Ireland year before. IS this Armagh team overrated?" I think it's more your dislike for them that's obvious.
eoinog (National) - 18/06/2026 12:47:28
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Westmeath Football thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Westmeath25: "Totally agree. I just can't believe anyone would give out about any of our players after the year we've had. We're meant to be supporters, if you want go give out about players go on some United forum." I've observed this for years without ever signing up. This topic has prompted me to post.
Sam, Ray, Luke, Wally, Mattie, Jason, Johnny H, Tadhg, ……etc., etc., have given us the summer of our lives.
We've played six matches and been favourites in two of them. They have run themselves into the ground, flung their bodies into challenges and held their nerve in pressure moments. We've had almost everybody scoring, superb defensive running', sixteen goals, sixteen two pointers, three clean sheets and memories for the rest of our lives.
There have been mistakes. Lessons will be learned and we'll be better for it. It's best to leave the reviews to Mark McHugh. He'll be well able to instruct the players.
The players owe us nothing. We should enjoy the journey while it lasts. Be mindful of player's friends and family reading these sites. If Westmeath 2026 isn't enough for anybody, there's always the World Cup.
GerryHeavincorner (National) - 17/06/2026 22:39:07
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Westmeath Football thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Westmeath25: "Totally agree. I just can't believe anyone would give out about any of our players after the year we've had. We're meant to be supporters, if you want go give out about players go on some United forum." Rarely post here but also totally agree. Mind-boggling stuff. This is all major bonus territory. We must be honest, the final 3 point margin hugely flattered Westmeath and some here are reading way too much into that goal concession on half time. This team deserve huge credit for the guts we all know they have but Galway always appeared to know they were never losing despite several missed easy goal opportunities in the second half especially.
fogonthetyne (National) - 18/06/2026 03:05:17
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Injuries-Due To Condensed Season? - 1 Like(s)
Replying To TheFlaker: "Nothing to do with condensed season. There's more injuries at club level now than ever before as well. It's the increased training load all around. More and more being asked of players at all levels. Underage is gone way OTT. Any teenagers involved in county at underage are doing way, way too much now. That also carries through to senior level." The pre-season in GAA is just way too much.
Professional footballers train for 6-7 weeks before the season. GAA players start in November for "serious" matches in April.
Nobody needs that much training.
I played Aussie Rules for the last few years and yes it was equivalent to club level GAA but we trained for 5 weeks before the season started and I had all my metrics from GAA days and I was FITTER than I ever was playing GAA. I keep myself in good shape, train well all year, gym work etc but the training ratio in GAA is completely out of whack.
But as long as managers are on a nightly rate, it will continue.
StoreysTash (National) - 18/06/2026 10:55:29
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Monaghan GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
A lot of talk in print media and podcasts today about how tired Westmeath must be, miles up, injuries, content with a great season etc. Dangerous, dangerous thinking if it creeps into the Monaghan mindset. Watching the Roscommon game back, it was no more than a glorified challenge game - they had zero interest after 50 mins. Monaghan were actually terrible for 50 mins and a better opponent would have punished them hard. Westmeath are a better, motivated opponent.
Eddie the Exile (National) - 18/06/2026 10:28:43
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To jobber: "Are you for real. Galway were slightly the better team no more no less. But any criticism against WH players on here is seen as sacrilige but thats a losers viewpoint and this team with huge potential will never reach that of we live in this delusion." Galway had seven clear goal scoring opportunities, they're operating on a different level to us and that's fine. They're potential All Ireland winners. Our next target after Sunday is division 2 and to stay there for 2-3 years. We hopefully will get close to Galway's level in 3-4 years time with the necessary strength work and talented prospects coming through who fulfill potential.
Claretandblue (National) - 18/06/2026 11:31:41
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Monaghan GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Eddie the Exile: "A lot of talk in print media and podcasts today about how tired Westmeath must be, miles up, injuries, content with a great season etc. Dangerous, dangerous thinking if it creeps into the Monaghan mindset. Watching the Roscommon game back, it was no more than a glorified challenge game - they had zero interest after 50 mins. Monaghan were actually terrible for 50 mins and a better opponent would have punished them hard. Westmeath are a better, motivated opponent." We have been here before over the years Longford 2016 Down 2017 Fermanagh 2018 Cavan 2020. Westmeath are Leinster champions and anyone who watched their display in that leinster final would be a complete idiot to take them lightly. Actually dont think we will as that monaghan side of mid 2010s was probably one of our best ever teams but suffered from complacency when favourites got away with some bad displays Carlow 2017 springs to mind. This team is not as good as that side players wise and they'll know they cant afford to slacken off or will be punished. Its a good chance for both teams to get to a quarter final and am hoping clones factor swings it our way nothing more. Be nothing in it either way and westmeath unlike roscommon will travel well am sure of that. After Armagh were beaten last sunday westmeath for a couple of hours were the only unbeaten side left in the country and you gotta respect that. They knocked the favourites for leinster meath out and put dublin to the sword in emphatic fashion in extra time in leinster final even after looking like they'd blown it in normal time. McHugh is a former disciple of Jimmy's and his old man who knows football inside out.
seanie08 (National) - 18/06/2026 12:08:14
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Dublin GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To BarneyGrant: "Too many things need to go right for Dublin as opposed to Donegal. Not impossible that they will. A day on which the backs tighten up, Ó Cofaigh Byrne has a stormer, and Costello, Con and Paddy Small click and PASS the jaysus ball!, and they are match for most.
Not optimistic about our chances in Thurles or CP." Rumours that Costello has done the hamstring and won't be available on Sunday too.
One thing that has driven me mad is the amount of times we have gotten in for a goal chance but the final pass has been lacking for the easy tap in! We saw countless palmed goals under Jim Gavin in particular as we always went for the jugular when we got a sniff. I just feel that edge has been missing...so far! Hopefully we can find it on Sunday as Donegal have proven they are not exactly water tight at the back when run at.
Hoping for a close game and that we can at least ask all the right questions of Donegal. And if they answer them and see it out then fair play to them.
TrueBlue35 (National) - 18/06/2026 12:09:57
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Championship Attendances - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Seanfan: "Only saw 2 exact reported attendances
Tyrone v Mayo 11,921
Cavan v Dublin 14,486.
Other reports
Monaghan v Ros 10k or 12k depending on the paper.
Cork v Donegal 16k sell out
Galway v Westmeath 25k sell out
Kildare v Kerry almost 10k
Armagh v Louth capacity 7k
Derry v Meath didn't see anything. Looked like 8k???" Offical attendance in Clones was 12,494.
ORIELMAN85 (National) - 18/06/2026 12:15:01
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Armagh Overrated - 1 Like(s)
Replying To hlynch12: "Just like Donegal a lot of hype about Armagh. Lucky avoid relegation, won a Ulster championship, nobody took serious. Hammered the gap last year against Kerry having won soft All Ireland year before. IS this Armagh team overrated?" I don't think they are overrated tbh.
I personally think whoever prevails in Killarney, will win Sam.
Fionn (National) - 18/06/2026 12:23:02
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Injuries-Due To Condensed Season? - 1 Like(s)
Replying To StoreysTash: "The pre-season in GAA is just way too much.
Professional footballers train for 6-7 weeks before the season. GAA players start in November for "serious" matches in April.
Nobody needs that much training.
I played Aussie Rules for the last few years and yes it was equivalent to club level GAA but we trained for 5 weeks before the season started and I had all my metrics from GAA days and I was FITTER than I ever was playing GAA. I keep myself in good shape, train well all year, gym work etc but the training ratio in GAA is completely out of whack.
But as long as managers are on a nightly rate, it will continue." Far too much training these days.
Club players are dropping like flies with injuries also.
It will only shorten the Gaa players playing career imo.
Fionn (National) - 18/06/2026 12:28:32
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Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Tiger1: "There also capable of falling flat on their faces like they did u20 this year against Clare just dont know what Galway will turn up." If those u20 teams met 10 time Clare would win every time.they were simply better..as they were as minors..
Pepper1 (National) - 18/06/2026 13:37:51
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Claretandblue: "Galway had seven clear goal scoring opportunities, they're operating on a different level to us and that's fine. They're potential All Ireland winners. Our next target after Sunday is division 2 and to stay there for 2-3 years. We hopefully will get close to Galway's level in 3-4 years time with the necessary strength work and talented prospects coming through who fulfill potential." While I agree with that target . I think at the earliest opportunity the county board should ratify mark mchugh and his management team
mickcunningham (National) - 18/06/2026 14:03:09
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Haven't been on in awhile and OMG.... some people calling themselves supporters. No doubt galway were a better team Sunday, they are physically bigger and a few years ahead of us in both development and structures within the county. Westmeath senior football team have been nothing less than unbelievable this year, would you you just look at the flags and jerseys everywhere. To think no mistakes will be made in games and there have been in every game is also showing a poor level of knowledge of the game.
Westmeath have stars all over the pitch, 20 of them in fact all year. Mark mcHugh deserves great credit, having lost players from last year, having picked up so many season ending injuries, NOT once have I heard him complain.
The players believe in what he is doing and following him.
If any of those negative voices and those criticising players were in o'moore park or wexford pk in the league, you will see the work this team has done and what they have sacrificed for the supporters and county, please god ya wouldn't criticise them.
My only worry is the impact of the last number of weeks on the players bodies and minds, they have to be on the last legs. Going to the well week after week.
Best of luck Sunday to the entire panel, 1 game away from an all-ireland quarter final, its just the stuff of dreams and is achievable. Iarmhi abu
Upforthegame23 (National) - 18/06/2026 14:27:38
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Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Scenicparish: "You are complicating a system for the sake of it. What is wrong with the way it is now?
Kerry got caught this year with tough draws. I'd say that's your problem? Kerry have to beat Armagh just to make it to a quarterfinal." I welcome the tough draws. It is great for Killarney to get 3 big games this year - win, lose or draw. Championship is championship. Results going the other way are taken on the chin.
An All Ireland playoff would be great. The extra hurdles in Ulster and Leinster do need recognition in a fair playoff around that.
legendzxix (National) - 18/06/2026 14:37:43
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Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Armchairreporter: "Not just a shortage of defensive players at minor and U20. Where are the forwards disappearing to when they meet the Munster teams???" Seem to have pulled Rabbitte, Burke, Neary and Niland from the wreckage of the last few u20 campaigns, so it'll be interesting to see if any of them go well in July v Cork.............or Offaly.
Pope_Benedict (National) - 18/06/2026 14:41:46
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6 Teams Left In A Hurling May 24Th - 1 Like(s)
Replying To tirawleybaron: "One thing is for sure - hurling only reaches 10-12 counties - half of them stop playing intercounty hurling by Mid May.
The lack of big games all summer, combined with the move behind a paywall - means hurling will be of less interest year on year in the 10-12 who do care and wont every reach the other 20.
No big games, no big names, no social media presence = a sport that wont reach the public over the next few years.
The sport is destined for decline now football has got its act together.
We are in mid June in football and 12 counties are still playing - "weaker counties" are toppling the big guns. There are so many matches even the paywall of GAA+ has to allow RTE show some. Tailteann cup matches are good to watch.
Sunday game had highlights last week of 24 football counties in action.
What will we get in Hurling - Sunday game highlights of the same game they showed earlier in the day.
There is also little or no tactical discussion around hurling - it doesn't even have blood and guts anymore as everyone just pucks the ball over from halfway.
Rural Ireland is facing a massive demographic problem at underage level in the next few years - and hurling is worst placed to compete with rugby, Soccer and football. Even basketball is growing quicker than hurling.
By all means change nothing and focus on the Munster Hurling championship - watch the rest of the sport die out everywhere at the same time.
For any sport to grow these days - kids have their phones and need to see their hero's. Hurling doesn't even have 1 big name anymore." 'The sport is destined for decline now football has got its act together'. Are you having a laugh?
bloodandbandage (National) - 18/06/2026 15:09:20
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To GerryHeavincorner: "I've observed this for years without ever signing up. This topic has prompted me to post.
Sam, Ray, Luke, Wally, Mattie, Jason, Johnny H, Tadhg, ……etc., etc., have given us the summer of our lives.
We've played six matches and been favourites in two of them. They have run themselves into the ground, flung their bodies into challenges and held their nerve in pressure moments. We've had almost everybody scoring, superb defensive running', sixteen goals, sixteen two pointers, three clean sheets and memories for the rest of our lives.
There have been mistakes. Lessons will be learned and we'll be better for it. It's best to leave the reviews to Mark McHugh. He'll be well able to instruct the players.
The players owe us nothing. We should enjoy the journey while it lasts. Be mindful of player's friends and family reading these sites. If Westmeath 2026 isn't enough for anybody, there's always the World Cup." Anyone with a problem with any of the Westmeath performances this year is a clown who probably has only jumped on the Westmeath bandwagon around Leinster Final time. We have them in every county. No matter what happens from now on, it has been a year that all Westmeath players and supporters should be proud of. What a stroke of luck, getting McHugh to take the managers job. The players were there for a while but he has pushed them on to a new level. As regards Sunday, I see it as a 50/50 game. I dont go along with this idea that Clones is a safe haven for us. If you have big injury worries that could factor in, but I think there is a bit of Kerry style "cute hoorism" going on at the moment in Westmeath. Anyway safe travels to all and I am looking forward to a good open game of a high quality.
ORIELMAN85 (National) - 18/06/2026 15:12:37
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Dublin GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Lockjaw: "I'd be very wary of this game as well. Quite simply because we son't know if we're going to see the Donegal that blitzed Kerry twice, or the Donegal that looked flat as a pancake against Down and Cork.
Dublin are not what they were, but they still have elite players who can decide games. It will be interesting to see who is tasked with picking up Con. Costello is another very dangerous player whe he's in the mood.
Dublin have had trouble with their kickouts. I'd be hoping we adopt an aggressive press, force them long and trust that the likes of McGee, McFadden, Langan and McGonagle can dominate the skies. I'd also like to see a marked improvement in our attacking. We were very lethargic and predictable against Cork. In fairness to Cork though, they were extremely disciplined and set up well tactically." Too many things need to go right for Dublin as opposed to Donegal. Not impossible that they will. A day on which the backs tighten up, Ó Cofaigh Byrne has a stormer, and Costello, Con and Paddy Small click and PASS the jaysus ball!, and they are match for most.
Not optimistic about our chances in Thurles or CP.
BarneyGrant (National) - 18/06/2026 10:40:12
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Roscommon GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To dave1988: "Westmeath seem to have that never say die attitude and that bit between their teeth. Monaghan won't get it as easy this weekend but you can tell by Mark McHughs interviews that he's a very intense in your face lad who you would go to war for on the pitch." Yes and I think we saw that influence on Roscommon the one year he was with us. He's doing a good job with Westmeath who win or lose, will give it a real go in Clones.
endgame (National) - 17/06/2026 17:42:34
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