(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post
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He's young it's a serious injury but he'll recover well. Onionbagger (Westmeath) - Posts: 77 - 11/01/2023 11:47:01 2452013 Link 1 |
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When did he have surgery ? Circa 9 months from operation I would have thought. BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1130 - 11/01/2023 13:01:21 2452029 Link 0 |
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Why are you surprised that no Delvin player played a part, they're no ballyhale, couldn't get out of intermediate last 2 years shouldn't be anywhere near county
Bunbros11 (Westmeath) - Posts: 67 - 11/01/2023 21:53:46 2452107 Link 0 |
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Id agree with most of what you say onionbagger but to keep progressing we need a scalp
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1456 - 12/01/2023 08:22:35 2452110 Link 0 |
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They're no Ballyhale, but Darragh Clinton Josh Coll and Adam Ennis are all county standard hurlers that would improve the squad.
Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 782 - 12/01/2023 09:36:06 2452117 Link 1 |
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Clinton is in but currently injured. Josh Coll who was the best U20 a couple of years back has opted not to join.
Onionbagger (Westmeath) - Posts: 77 - 12/01/2023 09:51:25 2452126 Link 0 |
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We won't Jobber. Wexford will be wise to us this year and can't see it coming from any other team. Antrim will be the two fixtures that will define our season. We need to maintain div 1 for next year
Onionbagger (Westmeath) - Posts: 77 - 12/01/2023 09:53:43 2452127 Link 1 |
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Thats disappointing if true, very skillful young forward who I'm sure Joe Fortune was hoping to get on board.
Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 782 - 12/01/2023 11:54:49 2452159 Link 0 |
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Yes maintaining Div1 and Liam Mccarthy status has to be the primary goal for you this year for future developmentof the game up there. But at some stage or another the next step has to be beating one of the more established counties.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11847 - 12/01/2023 12:49:08 2452170 Link 0 |
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Coll is very young and hopefully will deliver on his early promise.Aaron Ennis is county standard but has had lots of injuries.Westmeath need him ready for the league to make sure we have back up for our backs.Clinton has promised so much ((remember the U21 Kilkenny performance) but has not delivered now under three managers. He has had injuries but never looks fit enough at this level. 2023 maybe is make or break for him.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1456 - 12/01/2023 14:22:32 2452193 Link 0 |
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Is there anyone from Delvin involved this year? Adam Ennis?
A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 175 - 12/01/2023 14:29:27 2452195 Link 0 |
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I think 2023 is make or break for him and a few other lads as well, we've some talented forwards coming through out of minor like David O'Reilly, Davy Williams, Darragh McCormack and Peter Clarke who'll all hopefully come into that attack in the next year or two so it'll make it more difficult for the likes of Clinton and Co to nail down a position on the team. Glad to see Eoin Daly involved this year, a skillful forward and a good aerial threat as well.. he has impressed me for the Gaels the last couple of seasons and only about 20 as well. Great to be at division 1 and Liam mcCarthy level when these lads are coming through, it's the exposure to that level that they'll need. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 782 - 12/01/2023 15:28:43 2452215 Link 0 |
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Our strength and conditioning work needs to improve dramatically if we're to even be vaguely competitive at the level we aspire to. The difference in physicality last Sunday in Ballinasloe was staggering, the top teams have clearly bought in to this kind of work over a number of years. Our hurlers traditionally would not have been renowned for their fitness levels, certainly compared to the footballers, but that conditioning gap has certainly decreased in recent years and it needs to narrow further. Our under 20s especially needs a couple of winters of excellent work in this area. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1489 - 12/01/2023 19:59:58 2452256 Link 0 |
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S&C has been better in recent years for sure. We still have a small pool of players/clubs and a few new players every couple of years. There's no dedicated facility yet and funding/resources would need to be in place. Our county grounds are also in need of remedial work - particularly toilets and dressing rooms. Galway/Limerick/Cork/Tipp would have bigger numbers and the necessary resources in the background. While KK is a small county it's completely hurling focused so not comparable to Westmeath. Offaly on the other hand is comparable to us, a small dual county. However, they are ahead on the facilities and background development work. Their recent u20 footballers for example. They have the right structures and investment in place but it'll take a little time to show its full potential. Given the playing pool and facilities we have in place, I'd say we're meeting our current potential. Personally, I'd see it possible to scare or catch a big team every so often but not regularly challenge them. Bridging the gap in S&C will help but that's not a simple train harder/longer discussion. S&C does require a broader, structured approach and investment in proper county facilities would be a massive help. gedupoutofit (Westmeath) - Posts: 163 - 13/01/2023 12:37:36 2452303 Link 0 |
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Cork have over 200 adult hurling teams. Followed then by Galway and Tipp. Then Dublin. Kilkenny come next. Then Limerick, Wexford, Clare and Waterford. I think Kildare and Meath have as many hurlers as the last group. More than Offaly, Antrim Laois and yourselves . Down, Kerry and Carlow operate from a really small playing pool too.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11847 - 13/01/2023 13:22:43 2452312 Link 0 |
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Cork have over 200 adult hurling teams. Followed then by Galway and Tipp. Then Dublin. Kilkenny come next. Then Limerick, Wexford, Clare and Waterford. I think Kildare and Meath have as many hurlers as the last group. More than Offaly, Antrim Laois and yourselves . Down, Kerry and Carlow operate from a really small playing pool too.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11847 - 13/01/2023 13:23:24 2452313 Link 0 |
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Please Viking don't be deconstructing arguments, while equipping yourself with the facts - its jolly unsporting. Our two counties plus Clare and Waterford all draw from a fairly equal pool. Cork have about times the hurlers of any of them four counties. Galway have a huge pool also as you again rightly point out.
Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 13/01/2023 14:32:29 2452325 Link 0 |
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Hear there are a few players with flu so a weaker team out tomorrow.Anyone with more info jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1456 - 13/01/2023 18:43:34 2452363 Link 0 |
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The team is out, it's a good team, but a few missing so that must be legit.
Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 782 - 13/01/2023 21:43:44 2452374 Link 0 |
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I think that team will struggle against Antrim today. Our half forward line strong enough but quite a few deficiencies elsewhere. While there have been a few new additions to the panel, I don't see them adding any extra real depth to what's already there. We are still struggling quite badly with the goalkeeper's position and need a solution here, the new additions don't bring the extra physicality that we require, young McCormack would have helped in this respect if not injured. Couple of obvious good experienced options on the bench, but some that would struggle to make an impact at this level. Some cite Gallagher and Clinton's absence as a loss but I think both have had plenty of chances and not been at the standard required for some time now. CleanShoulder (Westmeath) - Posts: 270 - 14/01/2023 13:02:46 2452394 Link 0 |