Best draw we could have hoped for, both counties will fancy their chances, we have nothing to fear and it will be very much a 50/50 game. Hopefully we bring the same crowd to Clones

dec (None) - Posts: 310 - 15/06/2026 09:36:52    2679736

Not the worst draw this morning. Home draw be perfect but Monaghan are similar to us, they're punching consistently above their presumed level year in year out, not sure we've ever played in Clones before or in a long long time. A trip to Killarney or Croker to play Meath would have been a tougher assignment.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2672 - 15/06/2026 09:40:56    2679737

We showed outstanding character to come from eight behind and then again to come from nine behind late on. There is great resilience in this team. But the game seemed to pass us by at times, we were unable to reach the same levels as previous games. The demands of a 6th Championship game may have been a factor, as we lacked energy and intensity and injuries are taking their toll. The defence appeared unsettled, Galway repeatedly found space down the middle and looked to be going through the motions themselves at times. An overemphasis on man marking may have had an impact on our defensive structure. The game was really lost around the middle where Galway dominated the kickouts and loose possession. We lost 14 out of 26 of our own restarts, and yet we were only beaten by 3 in the end. Even before Ray was taken off we were treading water. Not sure if Cooney was injured but his work rate was missed. For big lads, Niall and Ormsby never imposed themselves on the game, Duncan and Forde should have been brought on earlier. Whittaker is clearly carrying an injury, give him a break. Galway identified and exploited physical mismatches around their kickouts, Brandon was jumping with Darcy in the second half. Monaghan isn't a bad draw but we are in bonus territory, with a Leinster title in the bag and to be a game away from a All Ireland Quarter Final is the stuff of dreams from where we came from at the start of the year. Nice to see the lads enjoying a swim in the sea after the game, they deserve another big support in Clones.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 350 - 15/06/2026 09:41:18    2679738

Going to be a difficult few days for this team to pick themselves up. That was an energy sapping game higher intensity in warm humid conditions. Looking like Ray Connellan could be out with groin. Whittaker still in bother with his injury, these games are taking there toll. Fair play to them for battling right to the end. While a few mistakes gave Galway cheap scores they were not the losing of the game. Galway always had that bit more. There must have been 3-4 goal chances in second half where they took points. The team now know where they need to be at to compete at this level. Good luck to them in the coming days and hopefully they will give us another right battle next weekend.

Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 918 - 15/06/2026 09:49:42    2679742

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 2007 - 15/06/2026 10:09:55    2679752

The progress this young team has made this year is phenomenal. To go from losing against Laois, Wexford & Down in the league to winning 5 championship games on the spin, including only Westmeath's second ever provincial title is remarkable.
It's testament to the hard work of Mark McHugh, the management & players. McHugh talked about being in Cusack park into midnight before the Meath game.

Galway were in All Ireland finals in 22 & 24, were going for 5 Connachts in a row this year and are consistently a strong Division 1 team. Westmeath didn't look out of place yesterday and I'm sure they'll have regrets over some things from yesterday's game. All this without the injured Luke Loughlin, Nigel Harte, Danny McCartan & Johnny Lynam. This means the depth of the panel has been tested, on top of losing our two midfielders to injury yesterday, Matthew Whittaker playing through an injury, and Tadhg Baker was clearly not 100% getting sick on the pitch at the start of the second half but he kept going to the end and was exceptional throughout. The heart & spirit on this team in inspirational and you'd be proud to follow them.

The players have been incredible role models throughout this run, signing autographs & getting pictures with young fans, the way they carry themselves is a credit to themselves, their clubs, families and Westmeath. Hopefully this is the catalyst for a long run of success over the coming years. The long term goal now is to win Division 3 league next year.

All eyes on Monaghan next weekend now, no reason we can't win that and get to a QF. Hopefully another 15,000 Westmeath supporters will travel to Clones.

WHLeinster2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 1 - 15/06/2026 10:15:59    2679757

Let's turn Clones maroon. It's the least these lads deserve after the year they've given us. Yesterday was disappointing but the way they fought to the end showed the character within this team. There was one score in it and we have to take all the positives we can from that. Galway were a seriously impressive outfit both physically and in attack and we very nearly got something out of it. Although they deserve great respect we should not fear Monaghan. There isn't very much between us and them and there is no reason we can't go up there with the belief of getting a win and a place in the All Ireland quarter final.

mintyfresh (Westmeath) - Posts: 295 - 15/06/2026 10:40:22    2679777

Dessie15 (Westmeath) - Posts: 228 - 15/06/2026 10:47:13    2679779

Good draw for both teams, all can agree on that! As mentioned there is a fair degree of similarity in the trajectories of both counties. It's a brilliant outcome of the new format that this relatively novel pairing are now playing for a Q/F place. The fitness of Ray Connellan will be a major factor in the balance of the game but that is for later in the week.

It's a good outcome for the overall draw too- forcing Armagh/Kerry and Donegal/Dublin up against each other much earlier than they would have liked.

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1354 - 15/06/2026 10:52:57    2679780

Before we move on to the next one... well done to players and management v Galway. Salthill on a sunny day in a packed stadium was unreal. WH players and management dont know when to lie down... its great to see. Chasing the game after 3x slopping goals, but never backed down.

The goal before ht was a killer. One of those...

We lost our way a little around the middle from kickouts for 15/20 mins in the second half but got to grips coming down the stretch. Ormsby for one of the young guns, tbf really got into it with 10 to go...

To a man they never gave up. Unbelievable never say die attitude.
Fair play to players and management.
No team will want to play is in coming games ….

Laker1500 (Westmeath) - Posts: 25 - 15/06/2026 11:14:24    2679789

Was hoping for Monaghan at home. Away… in Clones, Will take it.
I give us a real chance.

Monaghan are a great footballing county and play great football. Clones away should be a cracker.

Monaghan don't have the inside line Galway has.
Monaghan are (in some games) very reliant on dead ball. Mc Carron unreal but 33 and they can't keep relying on him as much as they are. Dessie ward is 32 I think. Conor mc carty is very good tbf.
I think our full back line will do a job on their inside line …
Mooney also looks to be out inj and he is a real goal threat.
Learn from the messy goals v Galway and Monaghan could be under real pressure from play...

Monaghan have had 2x extra time games. They were 12 pts down v Derry and looking very average in parts. Tbf, some come back. They lost extra time looking tired in the Ulster final. They lost to mayo. Good against the Rossies...

I was hopeful going into galway but thought Galway to shade it ...

We will beat Monaghan.

Laker1500 (Westmeath) - Posts: 25 - 15/06/2026 11:20:26    2679792

Mighty craic in the stands yesterday, fair play - great to see a full stadium of Maroon and White. Might craic around Salthill with ye and best of luck next weekend.

The_DOC (Galway) - Posts: 852 - 15/06/2026 11:20:33    2679793

While Monaghan is not a bad draw allow me a little rant . The only 2 provincial champions left Westmeath and armagh both have tough away fixtures . So while im delighted that the delaney Cup is in westmeath in my opinion and im sure I'll be slated the 2 of westmeath and armagh should have had a home draw as some kind of reward

mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 2005 - 15/06/2026 12:13:01    2679832

Lakeman93 (Westmeath) - Posts: 15 - 15/06/2026 13:09:46    2679874

Lakeman93 (Westmeath) - Posts: 15 - 15/06/2026 13:18:40    2679881

Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 918 - 15/06/2026 13:31:28    2679886