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Replying To Onion Breath: "You're talking Carlow up all the time !!! but we only beat Leix with three very late points. Game could have gone either way. We lost to Westmeath.
I think Westmeath will win their games between now and Carlow at home in second last round. That puts them well in it in going into a home game v Carlow. Beat us and we then need to beat Leix in our final game just to make the final. We don't have a good record in mullingar. I'd be worried if Westmeath need to win they could well turn us over. I think there's very little between Carlow, Leix and Westmeath so it's all to play for. And we'll see next Sunday whether Kerry are there in the mix as well." Pity this 'Leix' of whom you speak, old boy, don't have any games against King's County in the horlinge this year.
CeachtPeile (Cavan) - Posts: 135 - 21/04/2025 13:19:31
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Replying To legendzxix: "A tough start for Westmeath. While it was only round 1 - Westmeath have lost their semi final." Disagree. On form, Carlow at home should turn out to be their semi final. Win it and they'll be in the final.
Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1551 - 21/04/2025 13:55:12
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Replying To Onion Breath: "You're talking Carlow up all the time !!! but we only beat Leix with three very late points. Game could have gone either way. We lost to Westmeath.
I think Westmeath will win their games between now and Carlow at home in second last round. That puts them well in it in going into a home game v Carlow. Beat us and we then need to beat Leix in our final game just to make the final. We don't have a good record in mullingar. I'd be worried if Westmeath need to win they could well turn us over. I think there's very little between Carlow, Leix and Westmeath so it's all to play for. And we'll see next Sunday whether Kerry are there in the mix as well." I am afraid I have to disagree.Westmeath were desperately poor in O Moore Park and in truth we will struggle to survive in Mcdonagh if we don't improve.I hope you are right when you predict we will beat Kildare and Down but the reality is our experienced players who have given us so much for a decade are not what they were whilst our promising young players need more time.I would be thrilled if we can get 4 points and stay up.
To be it's Carlow v Laois all the way.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1689 - 21/04/2025 14:38:30
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Replying To legendzxix: "Kerry and Carlow have had some good battles down through the years. 2020 to 2022 saw Kerry nudge ahead. Even though we drew in 2023, Offaly thought it was favourable to avoid Laois in the final. Carlow didn't look a gift horse in the mouth! Poor Offaly beaten by the finalists they wanted!
It was evident in last year's league that Carlow had opened a gap. Enough signs from Carlow's opening day victory that that gap hasn't closed.
Westmeath and Kildare were the big losers on the opening day. Westmeath are on the back foot. Tough to make the final from here. Kildare would have seen yesterday as a big opportunity for getting a strong foothold in the McDonagh at the third attempt. They have no margin for error." Did Offaly cut a stick to beat themselves in the 2023 J Mc competition by dismissing Carlow as a possible threat.? Red rag to a bull and all that, should Offaly not have brought the red rag into play would Carlow have reached and won the final.?
Carlow then saw themselves getting promoted but unfortunately for them it only lasted one season, they are now back in the J Mc Donagh tournament to start all over again. You say It was evident in last year's league that Carlow had opened a gap, should that be the case the gap was short lived as the relegation has proved. Westmeath and Kildare were not big losers on the opening day they were however unfortunate losers on the score board only, they have the ability to bounce back as do Down, the competition is very well balanced in its entirety, Laois and Kerry included.
supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3166 - 21/04/2025 16:53:25
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Replying To supersub15: "Did Offaly cut a stick to beat themselves in the 2023 J Mc competition by dismissing Carlow as a possible threat.? Red rag to a bull and all that, should Offaly not have brought the red rag into play would Carlow have reached and won the final.?
Carlow then saw themselves getting promoted but unfortunately for them it only lasted one season, they are now back in the J Mc Donagh tournament to start all over again. You say It was evident in last year's league that Carlow had opened a gap, should that be the case the gap was short lived as the relegation has proved. Westmeath and Kildare were not big losers on the opening day they were however unfortunate losers on the score board only, they have the ability to bounce back as do Down, the competition is very well balanced in its entirety, Laois and Kerry included." Offaly were already in the final and chose to rest their first team. As the Joe Mc fixtures were played off without breaks I think most teams in the same situation, including Laois or Carlow, would have taken the opportunity to rest their players.
The only talk of choosing which team to play seems to come from the Kerry poster above and a few others who put 2 and 2 together and got 5.
Firceall (Offaly) - Posts: 35 - 21/04/2025 20:11:17
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Replying To supersub15: "Did Offaly cut a stick to beat themselves in the 2023 J Mc competition by dismissing Carlow as a possible threat.? Red rag to a bull and all that, should Offaly not have brought the red rag into play would Carlow have reached and won the final.?
Carlow then saw themselves getting promoted but unfortunately for them it only lasted one season, they are now back in the J Mc Donagh tournament to start all over again. You say It was evident in last year's league that Carlow had opened a gap, should that be the case the gap was short lived as the relegation has proved. Westmeath and Kildare were not big losers on the opening day they were however unfortunate losers on the score board only, they have the ability to bounce back as do Down, the competition is very well balanced in its entirety, Laois and Kerry included." In fact Westmeath WERE big losers, and even by more than the scoreboard indicated. Laois missed a penalty, and Westmeath only got their goal with virtually the last puck. Once Laois clicked into gear after 15 or so minutes, Westmeath simply were not at the races. I would be amazed if it wasn't a Carlow v Laois final, and even as an ever-pessimistic Laoisman, I would see that as being a 50/50 game.
Kildare's loss must be heart-breaking for them - they've been striving to get up a tier for quite a while now, and the success of Naas suggests they ought to be an established McDonagh team by now. On a side-note - any Kildare posters here know why no Naas player was on their minor team this year? A row, I presume?
Westmeath shouldn't be relegated. However, morale is low, I'd imagine, and a bad run could spiral. They need to get a result - soon.
burdizzo (Laois) - Posts: 3 - 21/04/2025 20:19:17
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"Unfortunate losers on the score board only"?! Maybe so for Kildare, but Westmeath were well beaten. In fact, the final score-line was deceptive as, after 15 minutes or so, when they clicked into gear, Laois were cruisin', before they went a-snoozin' in the last fifteen. In that last period, they missed a penalty, and Westmeath got a consolation goal with more of less the last puck. I don't think Westmeath will be relegated, but they looked low on morale, and if they got into a bad spiral, you never know what would happen. Still, expect them to beat Kildare.
Kildare WERE unfortunate. Should have been able to see it out. They've been trying to become an established McDonagh side for quite a while now, never quite making it. It's strange, with the success of Naas, and all - but they're not too far off staying up. Whether they can or not, remains to be seen. Probably not. As an aside - does anyone know why the Kildare minor team had no one from Naas on it this year? A row, I assume?
I'd be amazed if it wasn't a Carlow-Laois final, and if it wasn't confirmed before the last game. It would take a woeful run of injuries or some sort of collapse for that not to be. Even as an ever-pessimistic Laoisman, I'd consider that a 50/50 final.
burdizzo (Laois) - Posts: 3 - 21/04/2025 21:22:39
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Replying To supersub15: "I suppose in fairness anyone can post what they think at the time and can change their minds as they go along, all I'm saying is I fancy Kerry to reach the final, and any one of the remaining teams to claim the other final spot, at this point I have no idea who will win the final on the day." The nature of the Joc McDonagh is the "favorite" can change from one round to the next. A team could be on course to be relagated going into the final round but one result could see them in the final.
oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1578 - 21/04/2025 22:10:48
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Replying To burdizzo: ""Unfortunate losers on the score board only"?! Maybe so for Kildare, but Westmeath were well beaten. In fact, the final score-line was deceptive as, after 15 minutes or so, when they clicked into gear, Laois were cruisin', before they went a-snoozin' in the last fifteen. In that last period, they missed a penalty, and Westmeath got a consolation goal with more of less the last puck. I don't think Westmeath will be relegated, but they looked low on morale, and if they got into a bad spiral, you never know what would happen. Still, expect them to beat Kildare.
Kildare WERE unfortunate. Should have been able to see it out. They've been trying to become an established McDonagh side for quite a while now, never quite making it. It's strange, with the success of Naas, and all - but they're not too far off staying up. Whether they can or not, remains to be seen. Probably not. As an aside - does anyone know why the Kildare minor team had no one from Naas on it this year? A row, I assume?
I'd be amazed if it wasn't a Carlow-Laois final, and if it wasn't confirmed before the last game. It would take a woeful run of injuries or some sort of collapse for that not to be. Even as an ever-pessimistic Laoisman, I'd consider that a 50/50 final." I agree with you the result flattered us.If we don't improve we are contenders for Christy Ring.On all known form this has to be a Laois v Carlow final.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1689 - 21/04/2025 22:29:28
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Westmeath could be under a bit of pressure after today.
Big win for Laois. Down don't in recent times seem to be able to turn league from into championship form.
oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1578 - 26/04/2025 18:53:11
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Replying To oneoff: "Westmeath could be under a bit of pressure after today.
Big win for Laois. Down don't in recent times seem to be able to turn league from into championship form." I think that's Kildare's first win in the McDonagh Cup ever! Sets the cat amongst the pigeons. Kildare are back in the race to retain McDonagh status. Down have been put to the sword by the expected McDonagh finalists. Westmeath for now are in the battle to stay in the McDonagh. The battle for staying in the McDonagh might be more intense than the battle to qualify for the final this year.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8758 - 26/04/2025 20:39:54
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Replying To burdizzo: ""Unfortunate losers on the score board only"?! Maybe so for Kildare, but Westmeath were well beaten. In fact, the final score-line was deceptive as, after 15 minutes or so, when they clicked into gear, Laois were cruisin', before they went a-snoozin' in the last fifteen. In that last period, they missed a penalty, and Westmeath got a consolation goal with more of less the last puck. I don't think Westmeath will be relegated, but they looked low on morale, and if they got into a bad spiral, you never know what would happen. Still, expect them to beat Kildare.
Kildare WERE unfortunate. Should have been able to see it out. They've been trying to become an established McDonagh side for quite a while now, never quite making it. It's strange, with the success of Naas, and all - but they're not too far off staying up. Whether they can or not, remains to be seen. Probably not. As an aside - does anyone know why the Kildare minor team had no one from Naas on it this year? A row, I assume?
I'd be amazed if it wasn't a Carlow-Laois final, and if it wasn't confirmed before the last game. It would take a woeful run of injuries or some sort of collapse for that not to be. Even as an ever-pessimistic Laoisman, I'd consider that a 50/50 final." I've seen someone say the minor team was picked on merit without any Naas players. I simply find that hard to believe. They compete in Kilkenny until minor anyways, I'd say it's a vendetta by someone, or perhaps a strategic method of exposing more players from outside Naas to that high level of competition.
Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 347 - 26/04/2025 20:56:43
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Replying To legendzxix: "I think that's Kildare's first win in the McDonagh Cup ever! Sets the cat amongst the pigeons. Kildare are back in the race to retain McDonagh status. Down have been put to the sword by the expected McDonagh finalists. Westmeath for now are in the battle to stay in the McDonagh. The battle for staying in the McDonagh might be more intense than the battle to qualify for the final this year." any 1 of four could still go down (Kerry,westmeath,kildare,down) i wouldnt think kildare are totally safe yet
preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 798 - 26/04/2025 21:13:44
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Replying To Sweetspot: "I've seen someone say the minor team was picked on merit without any Naas players. I simply find that hard to believe. They compete in Kilkenny until minor anyways, I'd say it's a vendetta by someone, or perhaps a strategic method of exposing more players from outside Naas to that high level of competition." Maybe also they chose not to bother with it. Some underage county hurling setups at times in Kildare can be poorer than some existing club setups. I'm not saying that is the case but it has happened before.
Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2282 - 26/04/2025 22:06:45
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Replying To preddan: "any 1 of four could still go down (Kerry,westmeath,kildare,down) i wouldnt think kildare are totally safe yet" I'd say Kildare are most likely safe now barring a bizarre set of results. It's looking like whoever loses between Westmeath and Down in the next round will go down to me. Down have to pick themselves up after a pretty big trimming in their own patch and Westmeath's form has been abysmal all year. As things stand, I can't see the loser of that game managing to avoid the drop, whichever team it is.
RadioactiveTan (UK) - Posts: 32 - 27/04/2025 08:18:21
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Replying To RadioactiveTan: "I'd say Kildare are most likely safe now barring a bizarre set of results. It's looking like whoever loses between Westmeath and Down in the next round will go down to me. Down have to pick themselves up after a pretty big trimming in their own patch and Westmeath's form has been abysmal all year. As things stand, I can't see the loser of that game managing to avoid the drop, whichever team it is." Down still have to play Kerry and Kildare. Retaining McDonagh status is becoming the battle line this year. The Christy Ring seems to have more of a battle to make the final.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8758 - 27/04/2025 09:50:40
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Looking more like a Laois v Carlow final.
Carlow East enough win over Kerry today.
As some one has already said , the real dogfight will be to maintain status in Joe Mac
I think Laois play Carlow in last group game.
Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 754 - 27/04/2025 15:53:49
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The overall standard has dropped..every year we would be looking at how many teams in contention to win it..this year it looks to be only two after only two rounds...
preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 798 - 27/04/2025 16:22:14
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Westmeath and Kerry both seem to have fallen back that they are now in the relegation battle. Down's results against Carlow and Laois show they haven't majorly improved. Any of 4 could drop to the Ring. Kerry despite a good opening day win could be in most danger.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8758 - 27/04/2025 17:31:46
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Replying To legendzxix: "Westmeath and Kerry both seem to have fallen back that they are now in the relegation battle. Down's results against Carlow and Laois show they haven't majorly improved. Any of 4 could drop to the Ring. Kerry despite a good opening day win could be in most danger." I'd be very surprised if Kerry don't get a result against either Down or Westmeath and that should be enough to keep them up.
oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1578 - 27/04/2025 18:13:30
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