National Forum

Westmeath Football thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To Augustine:  "Another draw for Lomans. I didn't attend the game but they were 6 behind at half time. Lucky to get the draw I'd image."
Not really. Kinnegad were 7/8 up with 12 minutes to go but indiscipline, some poor decision making and bad wides gave Lomans the sniff of a chance they needed. They looked out of it as c/k looked the faster fitter team. It looked like they would win easily. Cue Danny mc Cartan with two 2 pointers and Heslin with 3 which actually put them ahead and St Lomans looked like winning the game. Well into injury time, Kinnegad snatched a draw with a last gasp attack. St Lomans definitely back in it now with one group game against the weakest team to go. Great chance missed for C/K to bury a key rival but couldn't do it. Lomans now with new impetus, despite another draw, while Kinnegad are definitely wounded. The 2 point threat that St Lomans have make up for many of their shortcomings.

Iarmhisamhi (Westmeath) - Posts: 71 - 29/08/2026 20:17:07    2691872

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "Loman's fully deserved the draw if only for the fact that they have players capable of kicking two pointers, Danny McCartan kicked two sublime two pointers and John Heslin kicked four two pointers from frees, all scored in second half, both players made it look easy but it's certainly not. Shane Dempsey was their main threat from play. Kinnegad prob have qualified with 6 points, incredible that Loman's have drawn four successive championship matches, they should get to six points by beating Caulry and Garrycastle and Shamrocks won't both get to six points."
I'm sorry but as a neutral who attended the game, Lomans absolutely did not deserve a draw - they were poor and the referee really did bail them out with some strange decisions. The standard of refereeing at both games left a lot to be desired but the second game in particular was scandalous. Numerous missed hits off the ball, baffling decisions and just no consistency whatsoever. Incredibly harsh on Kinnegad, I couldn't make sense of it at all.

RebelAlliance (Cork) - Posts: 43 - 29/08/2026 20:31:52    2691874

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "Loman's fully deserved the draw if only for the fact that they have players capable of kicking two pointers, Danny McCartan kicked two sublime two pointers and John Heslin kicked four two pointers from frees, all scored in second half, both players made it look easy but it's certainly not. Shane Dempsey was their main threat from play. Kinnegad prob have qualified with 6 points, incredible that Loman's have drawn four successive championship matches, they should get to six points by beating Caulry and Garrycastle and Shamrocks won't both get to six points."
If Garrycastle & Shamrocks draw tomorrow both would be on 4 points. In round 5 wins for Lomans over Caulry, Garrycastle win against the Downs and Shamrocks beating Coralstown Kinnegad would leave five teams on 6 points!

WHLeinster2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 13 - 29/08/2026 20:35:34    2691875

Link

Replying To Iarmhisamhi:  "Not really. Kinnegad were 7/8 up with 12 minutes to go but indiscipline, some poor decision making and bad wides gave Lomans the sniff of a chance they needed. They looked out of it as c/k looked the faster fitter team. It looked like they would win easily. Cue Danny mc Cartan with two 2 pointers and Heslin with 3 which actually put them ahead and St Lomans looked like winning the game. Well into injury time, Kinnegad snatched a draw with a last gasp attack. St Lomans definitely back in it now with one group game against the weakest team to go. Great chance missed for C/K to bury a key rival but couldn't do it. Lomans now with new impetus, despite another draw, while Kinnegad are definitely wounded. The 2 point threat that St Lomans have make up for many of their shortcomings."
Loman's with impetus? Not sure about that, they're way behind other teams fitness wise, that's not going to improve in next two weeks, relying on moments of magic from certain players, they've led in four successive championship matches in the closing stages and couldn't manage the games. Their panel strength looks very limited, likes of Oisin Hogan, Enda Gaffney, Seanie Bracken all missing, expecting them to suddenly improve is hard to see.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2770 - 29/08/2026 21:24:15    2691880

Link

I was a neutral at the Lomans Kgad game. I was very impressed by Kgad. Hard to believe; but Kgad nearly lost that match. It would have been an absolute robbery if Lomans! Two unbelievable 2 pointers by Danny in the closing stages. The movement of Kgad was so good and they look a lot more threatening up front. They're super fit also. It's hard to see anyone other than Kgad or the Downs winning it out. Super facilities also in the Downs which is a credit to them and great to see such large crowds all club games!

Matthew (None) - Posts: 1123 - 29/08/2026 23:52:49    2691891

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "Loman's fully deserved the draw if only for the fact that they have players capable of kicking two pointers, Danny McCartan kicked two sublime two pointers and John Heslin kicked four two pointers from frees, all scored in second half, both players made it look easy but it's certainly not. Shane Dempsey was their main threat from play. Kinnegad prob have qualified with 6 points, incredible that Loman's have drawn four successive championship matches, they should get to six points by beating Caulry and Garrycastle and Shamrocks won't both get to six points."
St Loman's fully deserved nothing, they were chasing shadows for most of the game. The only area they had the edge was in their free taking and Barry Nea. Kinnegad were by far the better team, first to every ball and dominated both sets of kickouts. Father Time looks to be catching up with a few of the St Loman's boys, nothing says you are beaten quite like resorting to hitting off the ball after barely laying a glove on them in the first half. I mean bringing on a 34/35 year old to change the game? The conveyor belt behind seems to have stopped or perhaps too much loyalty is being shown to the old guard. Kinnegad are a serious outfit, and have obviously improved since last year. It is now a two horse rave between Kinnegad and The Downs.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 376 - 30/08/2026 09:36:49    2691907

Link

Replying To iarmhiabu:  "St Loman's fully deserved nothing, they were chasing shadows for most of the game. The only area they had the edge was in their free taking and Barry Nea. Kinnegad were by far the better team, first to every ball and dominated both sets of kickouts. Father Time looks to be catching up with a few of the St Loman's boys, nothing says you are beaten quite like resorting to hitting off the ball after barely laying a glove on them in the first half. I mean bringing on a 34/35 year old to change the game? The conveyor belt behind seems to have stopped or perhaps too much loyalty is being shown to the old guard. Kinnegad are a serious outfit, and have obviously improved since last year. It is now a two horse rave between Kinnegad and The Downs."
I agree with most of this and I've said it a few times on this forum about the decline of Lomans. They were well beaten in most positions yesterday. That's why, when Kinnegad had the chance to deliver the fatal blow they will be very disappointed that they didn't do it. Having a two point threat always keeps you in the game as we saw yesterday. It keeps Lomans still with a chance. This is the game now. Kinnegad played most of the football but if Lomans scrape through, they might be still a threat to Kinnegad in a semi final if suddenly Ronan o Toole returns. Kinnegad have weaknesses and they were evident in the last 10 minutes

Iarmhisamhi (Westmeath) - Posts: 71 - 30/08/2026 17:06:15    2691977

Link

Tubberclair Athlone and Moate through in Section B but important games to decide which two get to Section A. Tang vs Tyrrellspass a relegation play off essentially as is Finea vs Maryland. Milltownpass vs Shandonagh a knockout game too as is Ballinagore vs The Bridge. Garrycastle need to beat The Downs which would jeopardise The Downs qualifying.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2770 - 30/08/2026 19:46:22    2692007

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "Tubberclair Athlone and Moate through in Section B but important games to decide which two get to Section A. Tang vs Tyrrellspass a relegation play off essentially as is Finea vs Maryland. Milltownpass vs Shandonagh a knockout game too as is Ballinagore vs The Bridge. Garrycastle need to beat The Downs which would jeopardise The Downs qualifying."
Tubberclair, Athlone, Moate all likely to rest players ahead of quarterfinal the following weekend. Not exactly 'jeopardy' when teams can pick & choose who they play and rest lads in the last round, this wouldn't have been the case under the old format. If the current system is retained, all 3 would be better off in Section B again next year. Tang V Tyrrellspass and Finea V Maryland would have been relegation play offs under the old system too.

WHLeinster2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 13 - 30/08/2026 21:16:52    2692023

Link

Bunbrosna could be in real danger after losing to St Paul's.

It would be a shame to see them go to junior B

westmeathgaa11 (Westmeath) - Posts: 374 - 30/08/2026 21:22:48    2692025

Link

Replying To westmeathgaa11:  "Bunbrosna could be in real danger after losing to St Paul's.

It would be a shame to see them go to junior B"
Bun will be in relegation play off with bottom team in section B. Even if they win their final game and Pauls lose theirs, Pauls stay above on head to head. It happened to Ballinagore and they got rejuvenated winning two successive championships

Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 88 - 30/08/2026 22:13:59    2692028

Link

The Downs v Garrycastle is a 1/4 in its self. Winner into semi final loser out. Don't underestimate the under dog.

CHAMPS (Westmeath) - Posts: 52 - 30/08/2026 22:52:21    2692037

Link

Late drama in the Championship structure, with Killucan pushing through further changes which will come into immediate effect and will see an increase in the number of teams qualifying from Senior Section B from three to four.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 376 - 30/08/2026 23:18:56    2692042

Link

So am I right in saying from senior all the way to junior 1 , there are only the following games that have anything to play for ?
The Downs v Garrycastle
Tyrellspass v Tang Relegation
Milltownpass v Shandonagh
Ballinagore v Rochfortbridge
Maryland v Finea Relegation
Out of 12 games only 5 have any real meaning. All other games involve teams that are already qualified or have exited the championship. Our county board have made some mess of 2026.

Moorehead (Westmeath) - Posts: 153 - 31/08/2026 08:16:59    2692053

Link

Replying To Greengrass1:  "Bun will be in relegation play off with bottom team in section B. Even if they win their final game and Pauls lose theirs, Pauls stay above on head to head. It happened to Ballinagore and they got rejuvenated winning two successive championships"
Would I be correct that you can't be relegated on head to head so a Bun win could force a playoff?

DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 36 - 31/08/2026 08:22:35    2692054

Link

I am sorry but this new format is terrible, nobody can say either Ballinagore/St Mary Rochfortbridge (who were awful against Ballymore and bet out the gate) deserve to make a quarter over Shandonagh/MTP both would put 15 point wins on them. To be fair to Ballinagore they've been super impressive for a promoted team. Saying that both CCFW and Maryland are now junior standard, wouldn't be confident either team would make it out of junior back to inter next year either.

Lakeman93 (Westmeath) - Posts: 25 - 31/08/2026 08:46:24    2692058

Link

Replying To iarmhiabu:  "Late drama in the Championship structure, with Killucan pushing through further changes which will come into immediate effect and will see an increase in the number of teams qualifying from Senior Section B from three to four."
Don't be giving them ideas!!

BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 37 - 31/08/2026 10:05:30    2692063

Link

Replying To RebelAlliance:  "I'm sorry but as a neutral who attended the game, Lomans absolutely did not deserve a draw - they were poor and the referee really did bail them out with some strange decisions. The standard of refereeing at both games left a lot to be desired but the second game in particular was scandalous. Numerous missed hits off the ball, baffling decisions and just no consistency whatsoever. Incredibly harsh on Kinnegad, I couldn't make sense of it at all."
If you were refereeing a Championship game and one of the managers was your club mate who needed a result or his team were going to be knocked out wouldn't you try help him out?

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 376 - 31/08/2026 10:06:31    2692064

Link

Replying To Moorehead:  "So am I right in saying from senior all the way to junior 1 , there are only the following games that have anything to play for ?
The Downs v Garrycastle
Tyrellspass v Tang Relegation
Milltownpass v Shandonagh
Ballinagore v Rochfortbridge
Maryland v Finea Relegation
Out of 12 games only 5 have any real meaning. All other games involve teams that are already qualified or have exited the championship. Our county board have made some mess of 2026."
@Claretandblue

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 376 - 31/08/2026 10:12:48    2692065

Link

We are getting to the crucial stage of the championships now but i have to say when you see it in the cold light of day that two out of Lomans,Shamrocks and Garrycastle will go out of the senior football championship is in terms of quality a disaster. Maybe Athlone and Moate might surprise me but surely in terms of merit the board have got it totally wrong.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 2002 - 31/08/2026 10:27:33    2692068

Link