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Westmeath Football thread

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Intermediate championship has delivered once again this year. Hopefully we get a cracking final with the 2 best teams in the division deservedly there. Awful pity Kavanagh will miss it, he's a huge loss for Shandonagh. Whole county was looking forward to himself and Kiernan going at it again

crispsandwich99 (Westmeath) - Posts: 22 - 28/09/2026 15:36:22    2695362

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Replying To crispsandwich99:  "Intermediate championship has delivered once again this year. Hopefully we get a cracking final with the 2 best teams in the division deservedly there. Awful pity Kavanagh will miss it, he's a huge loss for Shandonagh. Whole county was looking forward to himself and Kiernan going at it again"
Would be only one winner there again

Lakeman93 (Westmeath) - Posts: 32 - 28/09/2026 16:05:44    2695370

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Maybe Kavanagh wasn't!!!!!!!

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2825 - 28/09/2026 16:06:07    2695372

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Answer the question that was asked? It's not that difficult surely."
Why are the players and manager being left to fundraise? They already give an enormous amount of their time to representing the county. Fundraising should be driven and organised by the County Board, with players there to help promote the initiatives, not the other way around. This works for all other Counties. All other Counties have structured fundraising initiatives, commercial partnerships and supporter networks. Why can't we? Can you answer that? Given what this group of players and management has achieved this year, they absolutely deserve a team holiday as a reward for all their efforts, but they shouldn't have to go cap in hand looking for the money to fund it.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 414 - 28/09/2026 16:34:13    2695377

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Replying To Temple56:  "They weren't there on merit. Today showed what people have said over the last few weeks. Massive difference between Group A and Group B. A joke of championship. To say that was semi final of our county championship.
The Downs won't be overall happy with their performance today either. A lot to improve on for the county final.
Lets be fair after today's showing we should all agree that the format should be back to what it was!
Moate deserved to be in QF. No further."
The structure should never have been changed I totally agree and there was a huge gulf in class in that match , but they were there on sporting merit, they can only play the games stipulated by the structure of the competition they play in, how many more hoops do you want them to jump through? Anyway there's no talking to some so I'm wasting my time

MichaelScott (Westmeath) - Posts: 7 - 28/09/2026 16:40:57    2695379

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Answer the question that was asked? It's not that difficult surely."
I did but if you dont like the answer thats not really for me. Players should not have to beg for a holiday. Seems like every question on here lately is someone either defending or having a go at County Board. I have no interest in that argument, I am only thinking of the players who put their bodies and lives on hold

Darragh (Westmeath) - Posts: 384 - 28/09/2026 16:47:40    2695383

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Presumably some county board officials are going which is always the case in any county. You think Kerry team holiday went ahead minus their chairman or secretary going? People talk here about the players giving hours and hours, no player remotely puts in what some people do on county board. The usual whingers here won't like that, Cusack Park was open at 12.15 yesterday morning and didn't close until 6.45, it doesn't close or operate automatically. I would have an issue if paid people linked to team are going, physios, nutritionists, etc get handsomely remunerated for their work, a holiday surely should be paid for by themselves. Paddy Wallace and Keith Quinn must put in 25-35 hours per week voluntarily."
Players allowed bring +1 dont think anyone would complain about Doherty, Quinn, pro or wallace going id imagine

TheWagonWheel-N91Y529 (Westmeath) - Posts: 37 - 28/09/2026 17:32:59    2695391

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Replying To RamblingHen:  "I can agree with a lot of the points being made here, although I think there's another side to it as well. Both Moate and C/K were beaten by better teams, but I also thought both management teams left a lot to be desired.

If C/K and Moate want to improve next year, I honestly think they need a fresh approach. C/K looked very stale against Lomans and, at times, seemed to have run out of ideas. Lomans were supposed to be a team on the decline. But C/K have a problem big matches to bottle it.For me, Jack Cooney may have taken C/K as far as he can.

With Moate, they were fortunate enough to get a favourable quarter-final draw and ultimately reached a senior semi-final from Section B, which, as has been discussed here, was clearly the weaker section. But I don't think you can put everything on the players either. Their management was a major concern for me.

Val Daly seems to favour a very old-school approach, or maybe there just isn't a clear tactical plan - I'm not sure which. There didn't seem to be any real solutions against The Downs, and I thought the some of the same problems was evident against Athlone. They were fortunate to get the goal that got them through that game.

The players obviously deserve credit for getting as far as they did, but if Moate want to take the next step, I think they need to look at the management structure as well.

Sometimes I think there are just too many people involved. You can have the manager, selectors, coaches, backroom staff and everyone else giving their input, but at the end of the day the manager has to make the decisions when the game is being played. You could nearly have the person mowing the grass having an input at this stage!

Both Moate and C/K have plenty of good footballers. I think with a fresh management approach and a clear tactical plan, both could improve next year."
Stupid post , Moate as a team have improved a tonne under Val Daly. Nobody bar maybe Moate themselves believed they were ever going to get near The Downs. Getting to a senior semi for the first time since 1997 and making it out of Section B is a real measuring stick for Moate regardless of what people think of how they got there. I personally know some of the Moate lads and they are very happy with there progress under Val Daly. Youd imagine he will stay on for a third year with a young team that should still have plenty of development in them. For Kinnegad one poor performance doesnt suddenly make you a poor team. Jack Cooney transformed them into genuine title contenders having made two county finals and two semi finals. Most other clubs can only dream of that and hes probably saved them a fortune. Kinnegad just havent been good enough to win one but there is hardly shame in that. Jack will know better than anyone whether hes taken Kinnegad as far as he can. The Downs and Lomans always bring the best out of each other so looking forward to a great battle between them. Milltown and Shandonagh is a tasty intermediate final for obvious reasons. It would be nice to see Josephs finally win the junior as well but couldnt write off any team from the Downs.

A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 396 - 28/09/2026 17:38:39    2695392

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Replying To A_Chairde:  "Stupid post , Moate as a team have improved a tonne under Val Daly. Nobody bar maybe Moate themselves believed they were ever going to get near The Downs. Getting to a senior semi for the first time since 1997 and making it out of Section B is a real measuring stick for Moate regardless of what people think of how they got there. I personally know some of the Moate lads and they are very happy with there progress under Val Daly. Youd imagine he will stay on for a third year with a young team that should still have plenty of development in them. For Kinnegad one poor performance doesnt suddenly make you a poor team. Jack Cooney transformed them into genuine title contenders having made two county finals and two semi finals. Most other clubs can only dream of that and hes probably saved them a fortune. Kinnegad just havent been good enough to win one but there is hardly shame in that. Jack will know better than anyone whether hes taken Kinnegad as far as he can. The Downs and Lomans always bring the best out of each other so looking forward to a great battle between them. Milltown and Shandonagh is a tasty intermediate final for obvious reasons. It would be nice to see Josephs finally win the junior as well but couldnt write off any team from the Downs."
Agreed; how people can turn around and blame the Moate management after reaching a Senior Semi Final is crazy; maybe some agendas at play. Cooney has done very well with Kinnegad they probably just lack that forward in the big games, they've lots of very good forwards but not a Heslin or Luke, any there's a number of teams that don't have them lads.

Very early but you'd imagine there will be some changing to managements for next year. The early rumours are the Caulry manager stepped down. Otherwise you'd imagine a lot will remain the same.

DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 69 - 28/09/2026 18:17:33    2695394

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When are Caulry out in the first round of Leinster? I'm not up to date as things seem to have gone very quiet about them on here

Midlandsman (Westmeath) - Posts: 51 - 28/09/2026 18:30:38    2695397

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Replying To Midlandsman:  "When are Caulry out in the first round of Leinster? I'm not up to date as things seem to have gone very quiet about them on here"
Give it a rest ffs. Not from Caulry myself but that joke is well past its sell by date. Constant re-hashing of it doesn't make it any funnier!

kingfixer1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 13 - 28/09/2026 19:29:40    2695404

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Replying To Iarmhisamhi:  "C/Kinnegad lacked energy for some reason and declined in performance from about the 15th minute on. One wonders did they overdo the preparation as in the earlier rounds they looked so dynamic and fit. Yesterday they had no drive and seemed to accept their fate quite early. The lack of quality two-point shooters and pure scoring forwards came home to roost. Their forward line has too mainly defensive players which worked under the old rules but not now. Semi-finals tend to show up weaknesses. Brian Cooney was their main threat from play but his midfield position meant he had a limited scoring role. On a couple of occasions in the first half you could see some of their players declining to shoot even though the shot was on and they had the benefit of the breeze. Credit to St Lomans here as they started to defend the arc really well. Not sure where C/K go from here as Tubberclair could now overtake them as the next threat.
I give St Loman's a good shot in the final as their forwards are playing well and they are peaking at the right time. Saturday's easy win won't help The Downs as their opponents are now battle hardened. While St Lomans won by 10 points it was still a tough enough game having to come from 9 points behind. It was very different to the other semi-final where the Downs could have had 7 or 8 goals. The different levels of focus of the teams showed when anytime Moate scored they seemed to forget the game had restarted and the Downs marauded through almost at will."
Were you at the same game as everyone else because Brian Cooney definitely was playing inside and not midfield.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 414 - 28/09/2026 23:19:36    2695433

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St Lomans v The Downs should be a cracking final. Best 2 teams in Westmeath over the last few years. Lomans were in 10 finals in a row from 2013-2024, winning 7 and losing 1 each to The Downs, Shamrocks & Garrycastle. The Downs are now in their 3rd final in a row, and 4th in 5 years, beating Coralstown-Kinnegad in 2025, and losing to Lomans after a replay, extra time and penalties in 2024. I'd say The Downs owe Lomans a beating for the loss in 2024. Game in the group stages was a draw. There is very little between the 2 sides. Are Lomans peaking at the right time or is it just their guile to grind out results? Both sides are unbeaten this year - The Downs have 4 wins and 2 draws - Lomans have 3 wins and 4 draws. It's more than Heslin v Luke. Lomans have the additional quarter final game v Tubberclair under their belt, plus a Kinnegad collapse in the semifinal. The Downs won't have learned much about themselves in the semifinal v Moate, no contest, didn't get out of second gear. Verdict: Lomans guile and Heslin's 2 pointer threat gives them slight advantage over The Downs pace, power and Luke.

JoxerDaly (Westmeath) - Posts: 42 - 29/09/2026 10:55:59    2695452

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Who should fund their holiday?"
I dont know, maybe a few quid out of the gate receipts from the 6 Championship games that they played, many of which they sold out?
Maybe a provincial champion county should be at least awarded the cost of a holiday?
Everyone is getting their few quid, from them, from Tom Ryan down to back room staff on each count team.

Having each player on a website showing how much they have raised is a bloody disgrace....

having players sharing their own fundraiser on social media and whats app groups is degrading, after what they did this season....

Do you not think that is the very basic they deserve Claretandblue?

Corofin123 (Westmeath) - Posts: 39 - 29/09/2026 11:12:28    2695457

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Replying To Corofin123:  "I dont know, maybe a few quid out of the gate receipts from the 6 Championship games that they played, many of which they sold out?
Maybe a provincial champion county should be at least awarded the cost of a holiday?
Everyone is getting their few quid, from them, from Tom Ryan down to back room staff on each count team.

Having each player on a website showing how much they have raised is a bloody disgrace....

having players sharing their own fundraiser on social media and whats app groups is degrading, after what they did this season....

Do you not think that is the very basic they deserve Claretandblue?"
Totally agree, having players publicly sharing their own fundraiser and highlighting how much they have raised feels degrading. They have done their part on the pitch. The County Board should be doing its part off it, but there is no proactive effort to improve things, and a serious lack of financial strategy and forward planning. What a mess we are in.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 414 - 29/09/2026 11:57:48    2695469

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Replying To Corofin123:  "I dont know, maybe a few quid out of the gate receipts from the 6 Championship games that they played, many of which they sold out?
Maybe a provincial champion county should be at least awarded the cost of a holiday?
Everyone is getting their few quid, from them, from Tom Ryan down to back room staff on each count team.

Having each player on a website showing how much they have raised is a bloody disgrace....

having players sharing their own fundraiser on social media and whats app groups is degrading, after what they did this season....

Do you not think that is the very basic they deserve Claretandblue?"
It would be great if provincial winners got it but I doubt the other Leinster and Munster counties would have been happy with Dublin and Kerry getting free holidays most years when they win provincials as has been the case for most of the past 20 years. All Ireland finalists get €150k each and they usually have to fundraise or get private backers for the rest as they cost up to €250-300k (Limericks €600k!).

Where are the CB going to get the money for a huge unplanned expense like this? They'd do a fundraiser or push on the clubs to do it so its all the same people being hit, Westmeath club members and fans are going to be funding it whether its via CB or the players themselves. I think everyone accepts the players are more likely to raise the money needed than this CB coming looking for the money again but you're right on having the amounts under each player is unfair and unnessesary.

GPA have floated all teams getting it but highly unlikely to ever happen
https://hoganstand.com/County/Tipperary/Article/Index/341624

martyW (Westmeath) - Posts: 370 - 29/09/2026 12:46:49    2695483

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They have done their part on the pitch.

BarrRst (Westmeath) - Posts: 51 - 29/09/2026 13:04:49    2695488

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Replying To JoxerDaly:  "St Lomans v The Downs should be a cracking final. Best 2 teams in Westmeath over the last few years. Lomans were in 10 finals in a row from 2013-2024, winning 7 and losing 1 each to The Downs, Shamrocks & Garrycastle. The Downs are now in their 3rd final in a row, and 4th in 5 years, beating Coralstown-Kinnegad in 2025, and losing to Lomans after a replay, extra time and penalties in 2024. I'd say The Downs owe Lomans a beating for the loss in 2024. Game in the group stages was a draw. There is very little between the 2 sides. Are Lomans peaking at the right time or is it just their guile to grind out results? Both sides are unbeaten this year - The Downs have 4 wins and 2 draws - Lomans have 3 wins and 4 draws. It's more than Heslin v Luke. Lomans have the additional quarter final game v Tubberclair under their belt, plus a Kinnegad collapse in the semifinal. The Downs won't have learned much about themselves in the semifinal v Moate, no contest, didn't get out of second gear. Verdict: Lomans guile and Heslin's 2 pointer threat gives them slight advantage over The Downs pace, power and Luke."
Ah no, Downs will be huge favourites. Lomans had a lad making his debut, which is great for him, but it's very rare to see that in a semi-final. If Lomans can get O'Toole back, I'd give them a chance, but after watching the Downs on Saturday and seeing the strength they have on the bench with the two Egertons, Moran and Loughlin, they'll be extremely hard to stop. The pace and intensity they play with is something Lomans will struggle big time to defend against. someone said it on the form, the downs barely left 2nd gear and i couldn't agree more.

TheWagonWheel-N91Y529 (Westmeath) - Posts: 37 - 29/09/2026 13:06:45    2695489

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