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Westmeath Football thread

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Tipp sunday represents a good opportunity for Dessie to give fringe players and players coming back from Injury a run out to see where they are. Few of the u20s could be tested also prior to championship. The league was disappointing, in that we didn't gain promotion, but all focus now on Louth. A few players have stood up and been identified in the league so far, so that's a positive. From the games I have seen, Heslin is alot more effective closer to the goal than chasing full backs around the pitch, same with o'toole. Upforthegame23 (Westmeath) - Posts: 19 - 24/03/2023 17:42:56 2466339 Link
Good to get a win today without a number of key players , albeit the game was a dead rubber! No Heslin, Duncan, connellan or Harte togged . O'Toole, and McCartan the standouts for me . O'Toole in particular worked incredibly hard . Luke Loughlin was also lively and got some nice scores . Hopefully we can catch Louth on the hop who you'd think Will go into the championship game hot favourites . Lakecounty94 (Westmeath) - Posts: 37 - 26/03/2023 20:05:37 2466888 Link
Challenge game intensity today, Tipp were very poor, Power has a job on his hands to make them competitive. Cannot understand Trevor Martin sitting in the stand for seven league games without seeing a minutes action, surely such a key position needs competition, an injury to Jason Daly and we have a keeper whose untried at this level. Hurling manager played the sub keeper last week in a dead rubber game, Andy McCormack subbed at half time, harshly in my view. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 941 - 26/03/2023 21:06:02 2466912 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "Challenge game intensity today, Tipp were very poor, Power has a job on his hands to make them competitive. Cannot understand Trevor Martin sitting in the stand for seven league games without seeing a minutes action, surely such a key position needs competition, an injury to Jason Daly and we have a keeper whose untried at this level. Hurling manager played the sub keeper last week in a dead rubber game, Andy McCormack subbed at half time, harshly in my view." the best entertainment i had in a long time . oh sorry im not talking about the so called league game . oh no the interval match with the young children . the determination and intensity was a joy to behold . well done to all involved. as for the league game no comment needed mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1642 - 27/03/2023 09:13:33 2466973 Link
Very poor from both sides in the first half yesterday-no intensity-20 yards forward then 10 backwards-30 yards sideways then backwards again-how they even managed to score 3 pts each was a wonder.Much better second half from Westmeath but still a bit sluggish but a win is a win whoever the opposition.Agree I thought more squad players would get a full game and Martin should definately have played in goal-hard on him.Andy McCormack going off at half time was harsh unless he was injured but he was on a yellow card.I would give us a fair chance against Louth if we play a fast open game-all Mickey Hartes teams are set up defencesively -we just need to find a way to open them up-we have the players to do it. [email protected] (Westmeath) - Posts: 78 - 27/03/2023 10:32:00 2466990 Link
Very poor league, Lost 3 games to Ulster teams when the going gets tough this team seem to hide. Its not the end of the world yet, I am still banking on a good run in the summer. I believe we are a summer football team with a lot of classy ballers we showed this last summer. Robbie Forde, Stephen Smith, Shane Dempsey, Etc. are all summer players and I except them to get more game time in the championship. Hope to see Dessie allow players play with their clubs this weekend to let players refresh after the league. Then three weeks of hard training for a tough round 1 game against the 'Second best team in Leinster' Louth Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 257 - 28/03/2023 09:33:07 2467223 Link
Replying To Temple56: "Very poor league, Lost 3 games to Ulster teams when the going gets tough this team seem to hide. Its not the end of the world yet, I am still banking on a good run in the summer. I believe we are a summer football team with a lot of classy ballers we showed this last summer. Robbie Forde, Stephen Smith, Shane Dempsey, Etc. are all summer players and I except them to get more game time in the championship. Hope to see Dessie allow players play with their clubs this weekend to let players refresh after the league. Then three weeks of hard training for a tough round 1 game against the 'Second best team in Leinster' Louth" sorry whats a summer footballer mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1642 - 28/03/2023 10:43:50 2467244 Link
Replying To Temple56: "Very poor league, Lost 3 games to Ulster teams when the going gets tough this team seem to hide. Its not the end of the world yet, I am still banking on a good run in the summer. I believe we are a summer football team with a lot of classy ballers we showed this last summer. Robbie Forde, Stephen Smith, Shane Dempsey, Etc. are all summer players and I except them to get more game time in the championship. Hope to see Dessie allow players play with their clubs this weekend to let players refresh after the league. Then three weeks of hard training for a tough round 1 game against the 'Second best team in Leinster' Louth" Would have to agree. To still be stuck in div 3 is a backward step dont see any of the summer footballers mentioned above having that much of an impact that it will over turn a well drilled louth team. Hopefully heslin injury isnt too serious and can make championship. Dazzler30 (Westmeath) - Posts: 6 - 29/03/2023 11:50:33 2467535 Link
Replying To Dazzler30: "Would have to agree. To still be stuck in div 3 is a backward step dont see any of the summer footballers mentioned above having that much of an impact that it will over turn a well drilled louth team. Hopefully heslin injury isnt too serious and can make championship." By all accounts Heslin picked up a very significant injury in training game last week and will miss the next 6-8 weeks. Now I hope this isn't the case personally and we will see him against Louth in 4 weeks. ear2ground (Westmeath) - Posts: 101 - 29/03/2023 12:08:40 2467540 Link
Replying To mickcunningham: "sorry whats a summer footballer" A player most seen as suited to summer playing conditions. Hard ground, fast paced games. Probably more of a thing in hurling but still relevant in football.. Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1334 - 29/03/2023 13:24:42 2467562 Link
Replying To Ban: "A player most seen as suited to summer playing conditions. Hard ground, fast paced games. Probably more of a thing in hurling but still relevant in football.." ...i am not sure there isn't a county footballer (or proper club footballer) that would like to be know as a 'summer player'. WH have had mixed result in Div 3 again. They have louth coming up, but are no world beaters and the all irl series. Heslin is a worry with Louth a little over 3 weeks away. Laker1500 (Westmeath) - Posts: 11 - 29/03/2023 15:39:07 2467617 Link
Replying To ear2ground: "By all accounts Heslin picked up a very significant injury in training game last week and will miss the next 6-8 weeks. Now I hope this isn't the case personally and we will see him against Louth in 4 weeks." Not good ,what injury has John? Dessie says the lads need time to recuperate before championship but not a lot of time between now and Louth . Who are the other players carrying knocks? A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 59 - 31/03/2023 12:03:49 2467954 Link
Replying To Ban: "A player most seen as suited to summer playing conditions. Hard ground, fast paced games. Probably more of a thing in hurling but still relevant in football.." Could be to do with breeding , like a lot of racehorses would prefer good to firm ground over soft . A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 59 - 31/03/2023 12:07:11 2467956 Link
Replying To A_Chairde: "Could be to do with breeding , like a lot of racehorses would prefer good to firm ground over soft ." Don't know much about horses. I always preferred summer conditions as I was light and fast, and short. Struggled in the heavy ground during the winter. Maybe that helps! Hopefully Heslin is OK for Louth game. This is a very tough game even if we have a full team to pick from.. Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1334 - 31/03/2023 13:38:52 2467979 Link