National Forum

Westmeath Football thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To iarmhiabu:  "I agree with you, Mark McHugh has nailed it again. The revelation of Luke Loughlin's injury before the Kildare game became a massive talking point in the media and among supporters. Instead of "can Westmeath back up the Meath win?" the conversation became "how can they cope without Luke". Good managers know how to control the narrative before a big game and McHugh would have flipped this into motivation to show they are not reliant on Luke. Now the John Heslin story has a similar effect, the potential return of a Westmeath legend after two years dominates the headlines (he has been with them a number of weeks actually). That is all people are talking about in the county and whether he'll play or not, taking the spotlight off the team as you put it but it create a feel good atmosphere around the place too."
I'd agree it takes the spotlight off the team but is this a good thing? If I was playing on the team and everybody was talking about someone who is fond of the spotlight and media work rather than focused on the team who has earned their place there I wouldn't be happy. These players deserve the spotlight now. Matty, Ray, Sam should be the names everyone is talking about

CasKD (Westmeath) - Posts: 40 - 14/05/2026 11:08:07    2672921

Link

Replying To CasKD:  "I'd agree it takes the spotlight off the team but is this a good thing? If I was playing on the team and everybody was talking about someone who is fond of the spotlight and media work rather than focused on the team who has earned their place there I wouldn't be happy. These players deserve the spotlight now. Matty, Ray, Sam should be the names everyone is talking about"
The only spotlight them Westmeath players are worried about is the one at the top of the steps of the Hogan Stand at 3.45pm on Sunday afternoon.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1599 - 14/05/2026 11:26:14    2672925

Link

Replying To CasKD:  "I'd agree it takes the spotlight off the team but is this a good thing? If I was playing on the team and everybody was talking about someone who is fond of the spotlight and media work rather than focused on the team who has earned their place there I wouldn't be happy. These players deserve the spotlight now. Matty, Ray, Sam should be the names everyone is talking about"
I take by your comments that you are one of those fly by night or as is commonly used bandwagon merchants. Mattie sam and Ray you say . Just to inform you we have 2 players of higher renowned than those 3 fine gentlemen. One is the unfortunate luke loughlin and the other is the red haired warrior who hopefully will lead his men up the hogan stand for the bill delaney cup. I'm referring of course to ronsn wally Wallace. Once this great man stays on the field the others will follow him

mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1982 - 14/05/2026 12:34:19    2672940

Link

Replying To CasKD:  "I'd agree it takes the spotlight off the team but is this a good thing? If I was playing on the team and everybody was talking about someone who is fond of the spotlight and media work rather than focused on the team who has earned their place there I wouldn't be happy. These players deserve the spotlight now. Matty, Ray, Sam should be the names everyone is talking about"
Those players and the rest of the team I'm sure are not worried about what's being said in the build up and we all know how good all those players are. They would be all stars on any team. The only thing they should be worried about is winning on Sunday which makes them heroes in Westmeath folklore and talked about forever never mind in this build up.

Westmeath25 (Westmeath) - Posts: 20 - 14/05/2026 13:16:27    2672956

Link