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Replying To Claretandblue: "The Downs have loads of players at underage and adult level who are living in housing estates throughout the town and indeed further afield. Unfortunately parents as well as clubs at fault with chasing medals and glory more important than playing with local club. County board have ignored this" The Downs always had a wide catchment area. Their successful teams of the 70s had players from Clonmellon but this was no fault through their own as they were the nearest football club. A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 190 - 11/10/2023 16:44:58 2507925 Link
Everyone is blinded by there hatred for lomans , we're shamrocks not notorious for this going back years , Bernard Flynn for instance might be wrong but don't think he was born in the so called catchment area , or do these kind of things only apply to St Lomans , I have never fully understood the whole hatred towards themwhen this is happening for years in this county yet people only seem to care about it now ? TheGaaMan77 (Westmeath) - Posts: 27 - 11/10/2023 17:56:21 2507937 Link
Replying To westmeathgaa11: "Lomans have had players playing in senior county finals living in Delvin and Castlepollard in recent years" Not sure where he's living now but John heslin grew up and went to school in loughnavalley ns DanGer966 (Westmeath) - Posts: 22 - 11/10/2023 21:57:46 2507963 Link
Replying To TheGaaMan77: "Everyone is blinded by there hatred for lomans , we're shamrocks not notorious for this going back years , Bernard Flynn for instance might be wrong but don't think he was born in the so called catchment area , or do these kind of things only apply to St Lomans , I have never fully understood the whole hatred towards themwhen this is happening for years in this county yet people only seem to care about it now ?" If a guy from another county moves to a new place, and opens a business in that place, I don't think there is anything sinister about him transferring to a club in his new place of residence. If Shamrocks had turned Flynn away I'm sure he would have gone out to The Downs. We may not have a parish rule in Westmeath, like in most counties. So underage can be a bit messy. Especially around the towns. But it's rare to see adults transferring from one club to another within the county. Especially players of note. It is rife in other counties, and is far more corrosive. The last intercounty standard adult player I recall transferring within the county was Dermot Brady from Delvin to Lomans, more than 20 years ago. And regarding the post about Heslin. It's my understanding that he was already playing for Lomans before they moved to Loughnavalley. He was also hurling with Cullion. And had actually been with Shamrocks before going to Lomans, but moved as Shamrocks didn't have a team for his sisters. All detailed here: https://www.gaa.ie/football/news/club-john-heslin-loman-mullingar/ jamsie (Westmeath) - Posts: 446 - 12/10/2023 09:53:34 2507981 Link
Not a hatred of Lomans at all, just an observation. They are already a big club with a big pick at underage grades. They are certainly not lacking in kids playing for them. Why then are parents and kids from rurals areas miles outside Mullingar being approached by Lomans to convince them to bring their kids to Lomans when their own local rural clubs are trying hard to have the club represented and Lomans are certainly not struggling. I'm not talking about instances where the parents make the choice on their own. I'm talking about the club approaching parents. As for adult players, there is nothing wrong with it as such but if I had kids involved in the club I would be concerned with my kids chances of going on to represent the club at senior when the club is regularly recruiting inter county standard players that didn't go through the underage system. It is a strategy that could come back to bite them and there seems to be a total focus on achieving success whatever it takes. lady_gaagaa (Westmeath) - Posts: 97 - 12/10/2023 14:01:40 2508037 Link
Replying To lady_gaagaa: "Not a hatred of Lomans at all, just an observation. They are already a big club with a big pick at underage grades. They are certainly not lacking in kids playing for them. Why then are parents and kids from rurals areas miles outside Mullingar being approached by Lomans to convince them to bring their kids to Lomans when their own local rural clubs are trying hard to have the club represented and Lomans are certainly not struggling. I'm not talking about instances where the parents make the choice on their own. I'm talking about the club approaching parents. As for adult players, there is nothing wrong with it as such but if I had kids involved in the club I would be concerned with my kids chances of going on to represent the club at senior when the club is regularly recruiting inter county standard players that didn't go through the underage system. It is a strategy that could come back to bite them and there seems to be a total focus on achieving success whatever it takes." It's an absolute myth that Lomans club members directly approach parents in rural areas in Westmeath and ask them to send their kids in to play with Lomans, there is absolutely no evidence that this takes place, that is just a myth started out of jealousy of Lomans recent success. Lomans target the schools in and around Mullingar in the same way that Shamrocks, The Downs and Shandonagh do. There is nothing wrong or under hand about that. lakers2004 (Westmeath) - Posts: 5 - 13/10/2023 09:59:56 2508116 Link
Replying To Meridian: "I think most would have no issue with the Loman's players but how the Club has conducted itself over the years in acquiring players from everywhere and anywhere would have annoyed many. Most Clubs over the years would have had a catchment area and stuck to that. Loman's changed all that." In their hay day's Rosemount and The Downs were masters at poaching ,top players from other clubs. Athlone to a lesser extent. Icehouse (Westmeath) - Posts: 79 - 13/10/2023 11:18:47 2508140 Link
Replying To lakers2004: "It's an absolute myth that Lomans club members directly approach parents in rural areas in Westmeath and ask them to send their kids in to play with Lomans, there is absolutely no evidence that this takes place, that is just a myth started out of jealousy of Lomans recent success. Lomans target the schools in and around Mullingar in the same way that Shamrocks, The Downs and Shandonagh do. There is nothing wrong or under hand about that." Not a myth at all. I have witnessed it outside a school miles outside Mullingar so I am certainly open minded to other rumours of a similar nature floating around about it. No need for evidence, Loman's are not on trial here and there doesn't seem to be a rule against it. I am also open minded enough to give them plenty of credit too. They have been doing great work at underage level for a few decades now and are currently reaping the rewards of that work. Their success has been well earned and I think most GAA people in Westmeath can acknowledge that. They are representing Westmeath now in Leinster and I hope they can achieve some success there now. I think most neutrals would have the same opinion and would wish them well. But judging from some posts here I can only conclude that some Loman's people believe it is them against the rest, and that the rest are just jealous and want them to fail. There seems to be a bit of a siege mentality which seems a common theme with successful sporting teams. I can only speak for myself but I like to think most people share this opinion, that opinion being that people want a competitive championship, very few neutrals want to see the same winner each year no matter what sport it is and will typically shout for the underdog, which let's face it has been any team facing Loman's in a final the past 10 years or so. It's not personal, it's just some people don't want to see the same team winning it, as having different winners is symbolic of a very competitive championship which is what everyone wants to see. A Loman's success in Leinster would also symbolize a strong local championship so I think you will find many neutrals wishing them success. lady_gaagaa (Westmeath) - Posts: 97 - 13/10/2023 12:08:00 2508156 Link
Replying To lakers2004: "It's an absolute myth that Lomans club members directly approach parents in rural areas in Westmeath and ask them to send their kids in to play with Lomans, there is absolutely no evidence that this takes place, that is just a myth started out of jealousy of Lomans recent success. Lomans target the schools in and around Mullingar in the same way that Shamrocks, The Downs and Shandonagh do. There is nothing wrong or under hand about that." Would Loughagar (Clonkill) school be considered a Mullingar school. Its a known fact that Lomans approach parents in this area. Left Full (Westmeath) - Posts: 245 - 13/10/2023 14:04:07 2508180 Link
St Lomans are now representing Westmeath GAA and I wish them well in their Leinster Club campaign. There is no doubting the talent and depth of their squad, and their talisman John Heslin. However, some perspective is needed. They have been the most successful senior club in Westmeath over the last 10 years, but without any success in Leinster. In 2017 they were beaten by Moorefield in the Leinster Club Final in Portlaoise by 1 point, 1-14 to 2-10, a game St Lomans should have won by all accounts. This is the closest they have come. Perhaps they are a big fish in a small pond. High achievers in Westmeath, under achievers in Leinster. Last year, they were completely dominated by The Downs, who won the double of both the ACFL Division 1 and Senior Championship Final v St Lomans by 4 points, without losing a game, going on to play twice in Croke Park, beating Rathoath (Meath Champions) in the Leinster semifinal, before succumbing to the eventual Leinster and All-Ireland Club Champions, Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin Champions), again in Croke Park. Kilmacud Crokes had brought in a certain Shane Walsh to win the All-Ireland Club title which they had missed out on the previous year by a late goal. This year Coralstown-Kinnegad won the ACFL Division 1 title, beating St Lomans in the final. Kilbeggan Shamrocks won the Junior Championship Final beating St Lomans in the final. So, in the last 2 years St Lomans have won 1 of 6 trophies contested. Not exactly overwhelming dominance. This year's Senior Final was poor in comparison to last years. It had its drama, for 10 minutes in the second half I thought Coralstown-Kinnegad could pull off the upset of the year. St Lomans showed they were vulnerable, and then closed the game out. My feeling is that if The Downs had their full squad, the rumour is that they were missing 7 players this year from the Leinster Club Final due to injury and emigration (not sure if that number is correct) , they would have put together back to back titles. Difficult to defend your title missing half a team. Back to today. Some people are raving about the talent and depth of the St Lomans squad, and the number of Westmeath county players they have in their squad. Then the pressure is on them now to achieve and go one better then The Downs last year (2022), and win the Leinster Club Championship. Leinster Club Championship Fixtures: St Lomans v Castletown/Shelmaliers, TEG Cusack Park, 22-Oct-2023 at 2pm. Winner v Longford Champions on 5-Nov Semifinal on 18 or 19-Nov Final on 2-Dec in Croke Park JoxerDaly (Westmeath) - Posts: 22 - 13/10/2023 14:10:20 2508182 Link
Replying To lady_gaagaa: "Not a myth at all. I have witnessed it outside a school miles outside Mullingar so I am certainly open minded to other rumours of a similar nature floating around about it. No need for evidence, Loman's are not on trial here and there doesn't seem to be a rule against it. I am also open minded enough to give them plenty of credit too. They have been doing great work at underage level for a few decades now and are currently reaping the rewards of that work. Their success has been well earned and I think most GAA people in Westmeath can acknowledge that. They are representing Westmeath now in Leinster and I hope they can achieve some success there now. I think most neutrals would have the same opinion and would wish them well. But judging from some posts here I can only conclude that some Loman's people believe it is them against the rest, and that the rest are just jealous and want them to fail. There seems to be a bit of a siege mentality which seems a common theme with successful sporting teams. I can only speak for myself but I like to think most people share this opinion, that opinion being that people want a competitive championship, very few neutrals want to see the same winner each year no matter what sport it is and will typically shout for the underdog, which let's face it has been any team facing Loman's in a final the past 10 years or so. It's not personal, it's just some people don't want to see the same team winning it, as having different winners is symbolic of a very competitive championship which is what everyone wants to see. A Loman's success in Leinster would also symbolize a strong local championship so I think you will find many neutrals wishing them success." What exactly did you witness outside a school miles from Mullingar ?. Like what are the actual facts of this example that you have ? lakers2004 (Westmeath) - Posts: 5 - 13/10/2023 14:17:44 2508189 Link
Replying To lakers2004: "What exactly did you witness outside a school miles from Mullingar ?. Like what are the actual facts of this example that you have ?" There is no point without naming the individual which is something I won't be doing here. It is the same person who I have heard mentioned in other instances, so it is quite possible he is on a bit of a solo run doing it. lady_gaagaa (Westmeath) - Posts: 97 - 13/10/2023 14:50:40 2508202 Link
Replying To lakers2004: "What exactly did you witness outside a school miles from Mullingar ?. Like what are the actual facts of this example that you have ?" I see the Black and Amber flag flying at the Holy Family School (formally Curraghmore N.S). The can take the school out of The Downs but they will never take The Downs out of that school :) ExiledCuCu (Cavan) - Posts: 229 - 13/10/2023 16:52:55 2508240 Link
Replying To ExiledCuCu: "I see the Black and Amber flag flying at the Holy Family School (formally Curraghmore N.S). The can take the school out of The Downs but they will never take The Downs out of that school :)" So what sense can you make of The Downs flag flying side by side with the St Lomans flag in St Colmans Ns Mullingar for the 2022 final !! They can take ..... Iarmhigo (Westmeath) - Posts: 13 - 14/10/2023 00:06:15 2508292 Link
Replying To Iarmhigo: " Replying To ExiledCuCu: "I see the Black and Amber flag flying at the Holy Family School (formally Curraghmore N.S). The can take the school out of The Downs but they will never take The Downs out of that school :)" So what sense can you make of The Downs flag flying side by side with the St Lomans flag in St Colmans Ns Mullingar for the 2022 final !! They can take ....." Eh, one of the St. Coleman teachers is from Kilkenny? ExiledCuCu (Cavan) - Posts: 229 - 15/10/2023 18:15:39 2508495 Link
Replying To ExiledCuCu: "I see the Black and Amber flag flying at the Holy Family School (formally Curraghmore N.S). The can take the school out of The Downs but they will never take The Downs out of that school :)" That's actually for Castletown Goeghegan… mad for hurling in that school they are CleanShoulder (Westmeath) - Posts: 291 - 16/10/2023 13:35:16 2508634 Link
Curraghmore Principal is a Downs man. Eoiny Price also teaches in the school. Concerned_Supp (Westmeath) - Posts: 71 - 16/10/2023 15:10:33 2508673 Link
Congratulations to Shamrocks on winning their first Division 1 minor championship title in 15 years. A long time coming for them. Under 15 final is between St Lomans As and Shandonagh. St Lomans had three under 15 teams competing in the top two divisions in under 15, no other club had a second team. Lomans also beat Shamrocks to win the under 13 championship. The blue moon keeps rising over the town but nice to see Shamrocks winning the minor for a change. A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 190 - 16/10/2023 16:07:09 2508682 Link
Replying To A_Chairde: "Congratulations to Shamrocks on winning their first Division 1 minor championship title in 15 years. A long time coming for them. Under 15 final is between St Lomans As and Shandonagh. St Lomans had three under 15 teams competing in the top two divisions in under 15, no other club had a second team. Lomans also beat Shamrocks to win the under 13 championship. The blue moon keeps rising over the town but nice to see Shamrocks winning the minor for a change." Were they not in the U15 Div 2 semi final also? TigerWoods90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 146 - 16/10/2023 16:38:20 2508692 Link
Replying To Concerned_Supp: "Curraghmore Principal is a Downs man. Eoiny Price also teaches in the school." Curraghmore principal about as far from a Downs man as it's possible to be Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1664 - 16/10/2023 18:45:14 2508722 Link