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Replying To iarmhiabu: "The only well McHugh should be going to is the Well in Moate. Moate have taken this Championship by storm, sweeping all before them to reach the Semi Final. On this kind of form they will dethrone The Downs and I would imagine they have the resources to improve the County squad." Maybe Shane Lowry.
jacktheboy (Donegal) - Posts: 550 - 17/09/2026 16:07:16
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Replying To TheWagonWheel-N91Y529: "Wing backs from Kgad Gahan and Cole
Buckley and Masterson Shamrocks
Gavigan - Malachys
Slevin, Connell, 2 kellehers, and Moody - Tubberclair
Leech - Killucan
Mulvihill - Gcastle
Scully - Shan
Mitchell and Moran - Downs
Think we will see a good few of 20s make league match day panels, watched the minor semi-final and Scahill will 100% play Westmeath senior football before playing club senior football with Shan" It would be interesting to see some of those names in. I guess the thing would be to integrate them in an O Byrne Cup otherwise it's hard to see them get the exposure to make an impact.
DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 57 - 17/09/2026 16:17:45
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Will Scahill Shandonagh will also be involved. LC student and on CM team plus 20s but prodigious talent if nurtured properly. In a ten minute spell other night he destroyed Kinnegad in minor semi final.
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2801 - 17/09/2026 16:32:19
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Replying To martyW: "If a Junior team cant beat a senior second team they'll struggle badly in Intermediate, similar in Junior 2. Removing 2nd teams wont improve the standards of Junior teams going forward. Only Mullingar and Garrycastle have won it in the past 20 years" To some extent I agree but and it is a big but. Most of the stand alone Junior clubs are in their position due to the following reasons; Numbers-Most of them have a ten year period where they will thrive or perhaps for a bit longer however when the numbers dry up as with Bunbrosna now, they drop sharply and very rapidly. Geography; Majority of them are either close to a county boundary or hemmed in by other clubs with greater catchment areas. St Pauls will always be hemmed in by the Meath border as St Josephs with Offaly and Bunbrosna and Ballynacargy with Longford. Delvin with Meath and of course Hurling is the main draw there while Loughnavally are also badly squeezed in by a number of clubs. Kilbeggan are a bit of an enigma in that they have a reasonable population to draw from but they are gone into a yo yo between Junior and Intermediate. 20 years ago they were similar but it was between Senior & Intermediate at the time. Ballycomoyle the most hemmed in of all being wedged into a portion of Westmeath bounded by Cavan & Meath. The fear I have is that four of five of those clubs will not exist in ten years time. The same has happened in Longford in recent years where Junior clubs have disappeared or been absorbed. I dont have a crystal ball but if any of the eight sole clubs graded as Junior are to manage long term, then they may well be as amalgamated units in some shape or form.
Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 99 - 17/09/2026 18:20:36
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Replying To Greengrass1: "To some extent I agree but and it is a big but. Most of the stand alone Junior clubs are in their position due to the following reasons; Numbers-Most of them have a ten year period where they will thrive or perhaps for a bit longer however when the numbers dry up as with Bunbrosna now, they drop sharply and very rapidly. Geography; Majority of them are either close to a county boundary or hemmed in by other clubs with greater catchment areas. St Pauls will always be hemmed in by the Meath border as St Josephs with Offaly and Bunbrosna and Ballynacargy with Longford. Delvin with Meath and of course Hurling is the main draw there while Loughnavally are also badly squeezed in by a number of clubs. Kilbeggan are a bit of an enigma in that they have a reasonable population to draw from but they are gone into a yo yo between Junior and Intermediate. 20 years ago they were similar but it was between Senior & Intermediate at the time. Ballycomoyle the most hemmed in of all being wedged into a portion of Westmeath bounded by Cavan & Meath. The fear I have is that four of five of those clubs will not exist in ten years time. The same has happened in Longford in recent years where Junior clubs have disappeared or been absorbed. I dont have a crystal ball but if any of the eight sole clubs graded as Junior are to manage long term, then they may well be as amalgamated units in some shape or form." Fair points and it's not just at that level. There are some intermediate clubs struggling results wise and numbers wise. It's not easy for clubs and especially older members to countenance the idea of joining forces permanently especially with neighbours who are traditionally their greatest rivals.
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2801 - 17/09/2026 20:01:09
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Could we eventually see a delvin St Paul's and Ballycomoyle CFCW amalgamation at adult level also?
westmeathgaa11 (Westmeath) - Posts: 381 - 17/09/2026 20:45:32
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Replying To TheWagonWheel-N91Y529: "Wing backs from Kgad Gahan and Cole
Buckley and Masterson Shamrocks
Gavigan - Malachys
Slevin, Connell, 2 kellehers, and Moody - Tubberclair
Leech - Killucan
Mulvihill - Gcastle
Scully - Shan
Mitchell and Moran - Downs
Think we will see a good few of 20s make league match day panels, watched the minor semi-final and Scahill will 100% play Westmeath senior football before playing club senior football with Shan" He was in the stands for the Moate and Athlone game anyways, although some people were saying he was also in looking at Reilly and McCabe in the match before hand. Would be a blow to the hurlers if they were to switch codes
WestmeathGael1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 9 - 18/09/2026 08:56:02
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Replying To Greengrass1: "To some extent I agree but and it is a big but. Most of the stand alone Junior clubs are in their position due to the following reasons; Numbers-Most of them have a ten year period where they will thrive or perhaps for a bit longer however when the numbers dry up as with Bunbrosna now, they drop sharply and very rapidly. Geography; Majority of them are either close to a county boundary or hemmed in by other clubs with greater catchment areas. St Pauls will always be hemmed in by the Meath border as St Josephs with Offaly and Bunbrosna and Ballynacargy with Longford. Delvin with Meath and of course Hurling is the main draw there while Loughnavally are also badly squeezed in by a number of clubs. Kilbeggan are a bit of an enigma in that they have a reasonable population to draw from but they are gone into a yo yo between Junior and Intermediate. 20 years ago they were similar but it was between Senior & Intermediate at the time. Ballycomoyle the most hemmed in of all being wedged into a portion of Westmeath bounded by Cavan & Meath. The fear I have is that four of five of those clubs will not exist in ten years time. The same has happened in Longford in recent years where Junior clubs have disappeared or been absorbed. I dont have a crystal ball but if any of the eight sole clubs graded as Junior are to manage long term, then they may well be as amalgamated units in some shape or form." Which 4 or 5 current Junior clubs will not exist in ten years time do you think?
Darragh (Westmeath) - Posts: 377 - 18/09/2026 09:01:14
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Replying To Greengrass1: "To some extent I agree but and it is a big but. Most of the stand alone Junior clubs are in their position due to the following reasons; Numbers-Most of them have a ten year period where they will thrive or perhaps for a bit longer however when the numbers dry up as with Bunbrosna now, they drop sharply and very rapidly. Geography; Majority of them are either close to a county boundary or hemmed in by other clubs with greater catchment areas. St Pauls will always be hemmed in by the Meath border as St Josephs with Offaly and Bunbrosna and Ballynacargy with Longford. Delvin with Meath and of course Hurling is the main draw there while Loughnavally are also badly squeezed in by a number of clubs. Kilbeggan are a bit of an enigma in that they have a reasonable population to draw from but they are gone into a yo yo between Junior and Intermediate. 20 years ago they were similar but it was between Senior & Intermediate at the time. Ballycomoyle the most hemmed in of all being wedged into a portion of Westmeath bounded by Cavan & Meath. The fear I have is that four of five of those clubs will not exist in ten years time. The same has happened in Longford in recent years where Junior clubs have disappeared or been absorbed. I dont have a crystal ball but if any of the eight sole clubs graded as Junior are to manage long term, then they may well be as amalgamated units in some shape or form." Some of these Junior clubs must face reality, they have to amalgamate, pride will stop them in most cases, Ballynacargy and Bunbrosna are a prme example of an amalgamation that makes sense, they are already amalgamated at underage level. They havent got the numbers to make an impact at Junior level currently, if they have any ambition of moving up the ladder they must consider joining together...
dec (None) - Posts: 320 - 18/09/2026 10:15:25
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The demographics document published by the GAA last year basically shows this is inevitable. Clubs are going to go. 3 clubs went in Longford , one was bordered with Westmeath and many of them ended up in Milltown. Another swallowed up by greed with the town and another amalgamated with a bigger club and they've been going ok since. The worrying thing about those other two clubs going is that it happened without much intervention or support. Westmeath gaa is duty bound to give these clubs any support they need and help them to stay alive
Paidi04 (Westmeath) - Posts: 29 - 18/09/2026 10:54:09
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Replying To Claretandblue: "Fair points and it's not just at that level. There are some intermediate clubs struggling results wise and numbers wise. It's not easy for clubs and especially older members to countenance the idea of joining forces permanently especially with neighbours who are traditionally their greatest rivals." Rosemount had some teamsheet last day
jfd (Westmeath) - Posts: 261 - 18/09/2026 10:58:48
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Replying To TheWagonWheel-N91Y529: "Wing backs from Kgad Gahan and Cole
Buckley and Masterson Shamrocks
Gavigan - Malachys
Slevin, Connell, 2 kellehers, and Moody - Tubberclair
Leech - Killucan
Mulvihill - Gcastle
Scully - Shan
Mitchell and Moran - Downs
Think we will see a good few of 20s make league match day panels, watched the minor semi-final and Scahill will 100% play Westmeath senior football before playing club senior football with Shan" Some players in fine form it would be great if they actually want to play for westmeath if asked i think 5-6 club players are stronger than what westmeath had on bench last year but if they dont want to go in then fair enough.
for me i think who deserves a look.
CK- Gahan, Bracken, Obrien, Dan Leech, Giles and mcnevin for his long kickouts
Malachys- Gavigan, Lynch still offers a bit
Tubberclair- Slevin,Fred kelleher,Moody,Tighe,Kev Fagan i think over looked last few years
Garrycastle- Mulvihill, Gardiner, Donoghue possibly Nugent ?
Killucan - Leech, get Sam Smyth back
Mullingar- Masterson i think was in the squad, younger ormsby and mould him a bit.
Athlone- Mitchell, Stephen O'Connor
Caulry- Doyle, Clinton
Moate- Lowry, Not sure on Conteh
St.Lomans- Flanagan, Whelan still playing well, Dempsey still has it
The Downs- Joe Moran, Nolan, Moffatt, Mitchell was tryed maybe another look
Shandonagh- Scully, Kavanagh scoring all around him
Ballinagore- Darragh Seery
Tpass- Joe Hyland
Miltownpass- Gorman
Rosemount- Mccormack, someone mentioned O'reilly i dont think so or Mccabe from Ballymore
you could make a great 15 there with 7-8 good subs
PowellJohn3 (Westmeath) - Posts: 107 - 18/09/2026 11:34:43
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Replying To Paidi04: "The demographics document published by the GAA last year basically shows this is inevitable. Clubs are going to go. 3 clubs went in Longford , one was bordered with Westmeath and many of them ended up in Milltown. Another swallowed up by greed with the town and another amalgamated with a bigger club and they've been going ok since. The worrying thing about those other two clubs going is that it happened without much intervention or support. Westmeath gaa is duty bound to give these clubs any support they need and help them to stay alive" what supports can they give if the numbers arent there? This is the biggest issue for all teams across rural Ireland, theres very little county coards or the GAA can do about it
martyW (Westmeath) - Posts: 369 - 18/09/2026 12:08:05
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Replying To PowellJohn3: "Some players in fine form it would be great if they actually want to play for westmeath if asked i think 5-6 club players are stronger than what westmeath had on bench last year but if they dont want to go in then fair enough.
for me i think who deserves a look.
CK- Gahan, Bracken, Obrien, Dan Leech, Giles and mcnevin for his long kickouts
Malachys- Gavigan, Lynch still offers a bit
Tubberclair- Slevin,Fred kelleher,Moody,Tighe,Kev Fagan i think over looked last few years
Garrycastle- Mulvihill, Gardiner, Donoghue possibly Nugent ?
Killucan - Leech, get Sam Smyth back
Mullingar- Masterson i think was in the squad, younger ormsby and mould him a bit.
Athlone- Mitchell, Stephen O'Connor
Caulry- Doyle, Clinton
Moate- Lowry, Not sure on Conteh
St.Lomans- Flanagan, Whelan still playing well, Dempsey still has it
The Downs- Joe Moran, Nolan, Moffatt, Mitchell was tryed maybe another look
Shandonagh- Scully, Kavanagh scoring all around him
Ballinagore- Darragh Seery
Tpass- Joe Hyland
Miltownpass- Gorman
Rosemount- Mccormack, someone mentioned O'reilly i dont think so or Mccabe from Ballymore
you could make a great 15 there with 7-8 good subs" Agree with most of these. CK need more in the squad.
CK- Bracken, O'Brien, Dan Leech, Giles, Daly's, McNevin
Malachys- Gavigan, Lynch
Tubberclair- Slevin, To & Fred kelleher, both the midfielders
Garrycastle- Mulvihill, Gardiner, Nugent
Killucan - Leech, Sam Smyth
Mullingar- Buckley, Masterson, Christoir Ormsby
Athlone- Mitchell, Stephen O'Connor
Moate- Lowry
St.Lomans- Dempsey
The Downs- Mitchell
Shandonagh- Kavanagh, Will Scahill
Ballinagore- Darragh Seery
Tpass- Joe Hyland
Rosemount- Mccormack, O'Reilly
Ballymore- McCabe
Milltown Rathconrath - also have a few to offer.
Lots of good players above, have definetly missed a few too, could really bolster what is already a few strong Westmeath squad for a couple of years to come.
Lakeman93 (Westmeath) - Posts: 30 - 18/09/2026 12:44:52
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Replying To martyW: "what supports can they give if the numbers arent there? This is the biggest issue for all teams across rural Ireland, theres very little county coards or the GAA can do about it" Lobby the government to relax planning laws in rural areas, people from the rural villlages and areas being forced into big towns for housing is the real demographics issue at play
westmeathgaa11 (Westmeath) - Posts: 381 - 18/09/2026 12:48:13
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Assuming most of the panel will be returning, the players that have impressed me most this year and certainly McHugh should be considering are
Maitiu Scully & Brian Kavanagh Shandonagh
David Lynch & Morgan Gavigan St Malachys
Josh Gahan & Dan Leech Kgad
Kellihers x 2 & O'Meara Tubberclair
Adam Buckley & Ty Masterson Mullingar Shamrocks
Stephen O'Connor Athlone
Darragh Seery Balinagore
David O'Reilly Rosemount
Joe Moran The Downs
Conor Gibney Milltown
Squareball.Squareball (Westmeath) - Posts: 8 - 18/09/2026 13:24:54
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Replying To Lakeman93: "Agree with most of these. CK need more in the squad.
CK- Bracken, O'Brien, Dan Leech, Giles, Daly's, McNevin
Malachys- Gavigan, Lynch
Tubberclair- Slevin, To & Fred kelleher, both the midfielders
Garrycastle- Mulvihill, Gardiner, Nugent
Killucan - Leech, Sam Smyth
Mullingar- Buckley, Masterson, Christoir Ormsby
Athlone- Mitchell, Stephen O'Connor
Moate- Lowry
St.Lomans- Dempsey
The Downs- Mitchell
Shandonagh- Kavanagh, Will Scahill
Ballinagore- Darragh Seery
Tpass- Joe Hyland
Rosemount- Mccormack, O'Reilly
Ballymore- McCabe
Milltown Rathconrath - also have a few to offer.
Lots of good players above, have definetly missed a few too, could really bolster what is already a few strong Westmeath squad for a couple of years to come." All well and good listing off loads of players but realistically a lot of them aren't actually good enough to play at senior county level. Not going to single lads out and name them but from that list at least 8 or 9 not good enough.
You have to think as well are these lads actually going to be as good as or better than what is currently there and there aren't many from that list that are, maybe 5 or 6.
BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 62 - 18/09/2026 14:15:00
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Replying To Squareball.Squareball: "Assuming most of the panel will be returning, the players that have impressed me most this year and certainly McHugh should be considering are
Maitiu Scully & Brian Kavanagh Shandonagh
David Lynch & Morgan Gavigan St Malachys
Josh Gahan & Dan Leech Kgad
Kellihers x 2 & O'Meara Tubberclair
Adam Buckley & Ty Masterson Mullingar Shamrocks
Stephen O'Connor Athlone
Darragh Seery Balinagore
David O'Reilly Rosemount
Joe Moran The Downs
Conor Gibney Milltown" Nigel harte
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 2023 - 18/09/2026 14:48:54
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Replying To Darragh: "Which 4 or 5 current Junior clubs will not exist in ten years time do you think?" Probably, Ballycomoyle,Delvin,Loughnavalley and Bunbrosna
Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 99 - 18/09/2026 15:20:08
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Replying To mickcunningham: "Nigel harte" If the current crop of Lough lene Gaels hurlers win a senior hurling then Ballycomoyle will be back stronger
westmeathgaa11 (Westmeath) - Posts: 381 - 18/09/2026 15:51:58
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