Replying To 2maroonjerseys: "At least the county board is trying to do something. For years people cribbing about not having one and now it's going ahead people are cribbing about paying for it. They can't win. Tis all me me me and nothing about improving Westmeath football as a whole sure as long as the big teams are winning it's the attitude sure we're fine and don't mind anyone else. Yer either supporting the county boards effort to improve hurling and football for all age groups or yer just worried about yer own club . Typical like all the auld lads at clubs down thru the years who wouldn't change anything because we've always done things this way. There's no JP in Westmeath coming to save us. So shoulder to the wheel or we will still be here in 20yrs time."
I'd suggest you do your homework before typing that stuff, there's several reasons why people feel skeptical where the funding will come from. The previous fundraiser for a COE was spent on other stuff that it wasn't advertised for. Now I'm pretty sure people who put their hand in their pocket for a COE were delighted the money was spent on expenses etc. Every club will benefit from it and I'm sure they'll gladly do so but a fundraiser has to be a strategic joint effort not throwing it at the clubs to fund shortfalls if they don't sell X amount of tickets.
Replying To iarmhiabu: "There were no dead rubber games in the Senior A Championship last year, all 6 teams had something to play for going into the last round. Caulry could be effectively eliminated after just 3 games if they lose this weekend, having already lost their opening two rounds. But the Championship structure was a farce before a ball was kicked. The issue isn't simply that a team can be eliminated after 3 defeats, it's the imbalance between Section A and B. If Section A is supposed to be the elite section, how can 50% of its teams progress while 50% of Section B also progress? Historically, Section B teams have an extremely poor record when they come up against the leading Section A sides in the knockout stages. Sending 3 of them into the Quarter Finals (1 will make the Semis) while eliminating the 4th best team in the grade risks producing exactly what nobody wants at that stage of the Championship, one sided games. If there's one thing to take from this farcical Championship structure, it's the importance of Clubs having representation at Committee level. One Section B Club alone has 3 representatives on the Committee. Make of that what you will."
From memory, Round 5 of senior championship last year: Kinnegad Vs. Athlone - both teams needed to win to qualify St. Lomans Vs. Tyrrellspass - St. Lomans needed to win to finish in the top 2, Tyrrellspass needed to win to qualify The Downs Vs. Mullingar Shamrocks - The Downs already qualified for SF, Mullingar needed to win to qualify
St. Malachy's Vs. Killucan - St. Malachy's needed to win to avoid relegation play off. Killucan nothing to play for. Caulry Vs. Moate - both teams needed to win to finish second Tang Vs. Garrycastle - Tang needed to win to force a relegation play off. Garrycastle already qualified.
So in round 5, The Downs, Killucan & Garrycastle had nothing on the line. With Killucan being the only team knocked out.
It is likely that after Round 3 this year Caulry will have nothing to play for with essentially their last 2 games being dead rubbers. The same with Castledaly in intermediate section A. If the format was not changed that would not be the case.
Replying To 2maroonjerseys: "At least the county board is trying to do something. For years people cribbing about not having one and now it's going ahead people are cribbing about paying for it. They can't win. Tis all me me me and nothing about improving Westmeath football as a whole sure as long as the big teams are winning it's the attitude sure we're fine and don't mind anyone else. Yer either supporting the county boards effort to improve hurling and football for all age groups or yer just worried about yer own club . Typical like all the auld lads at clubs down thru the years who wouldn't change anything because we've always done things this way. There's no JP in Westmeath coming to save us. So shoulder to the wheel or we will still be here in 20yrs time."
Do you not remember what went on with Cusack park? Clubs had to come up with cash every year for 10 years. On top of trying to run and improve their own facilities they had to fund what is now one of the poorest county grounds in the country. Do you know how much it costs to run a club?? Have you any clue?? Several clubs including my own almost went out of existence trying to pay for it and stay afloat. We were using jerseys that were 10 years or more on the go and wore out. Clubs were told they'd be put out of championships and not let play in Cusack park if they didn't come up with the cash every year. Clubs like Turin, Crookedwood and Clonkill, all in the same parish going to the same doors looking for money.
Replying To iarmhiabu: "There were no dead rubber games in the Senior A Championship last year, all 6 teams had something to play for going into the last round. Caulry could be effectively eliminated after just 3 games if they lose this weekend, having already lost their opening two rounds. But the Championship structure was a farce before a ball was kicked. The issue isn't simply that a team can be eliminated after 3 defeats, it's the imbalance between Section A and B. If Section A is supposed to be the elite section, how can 50% of its teams progress while 50% of Section B also progress? Historically, Section B teams have an extremely poor record when they come up against the leading Section A sides in the knockout stages. Sending 3 of them into the Quarter Finals (1 will make the Semis) while eliminating the 4th best team in the grade risks producing exactly what nobody wants at that stage of the Championship, one sided games. If there's one thing to take from this farcical Championship structure, it's the importance of Clubs having representation at Committee level. One Section B Club alone has 3 representatives on the Committee. Make of that what you will."
Have to agree wholeheartedly here. It beggars belief that this format made it through and that it is actually underway. Did nobody shout stop? How on earth could any delegate vote for this structure? Every structure has its flaws of course but this is the most ridiculous of any of the possible options. Farcical is indeed the best word for it. Obviously this will change for next years championship as it simply cannot continue. I think we will end up with the best teams in the final but because of this madness anything can happen.