Most Popular Posts in the last 24hrs

Replying To MayoDan:  "Not sure what point you're trying to make.. Mayo won Connacht and reached an all Ireland final in 2021 so were obviously challenging at the top table."

Replying To DanGer966:  "He never really fancied daly as his no 1, I'd say that's a big reason for his retirement"

Replying To Drax_the_destroyer:  "All your life is not true as Mayo weren't challenging in 2022 2023 2024, 2025 and not even winning a quarter final before winning it this year so I'd suggest that's why many counties that haven't challenged in recent years will feel they can should things fall in place for themselves as they did with Mayo in 2026.

Dublin dominating era was ended a 5 years ago."

Replying To yew_tree:  "Not sure I buy this "floodgates are open" theory and that just because Mayo finally won the all Ireland now everybody can. Mayo been challenging all my life. It was only a matter of when and not if we eventually got over the line (Only Kerry have been in more finals than Mayo in the last 35 years). For us it will now be about improving that final strike rate which I think we can do. Nothing guaranteed obviously looking towards the future.

I've seen counties been mentioned as possible winners now who I've never even seen win a quarter final. One commentator on a midlands radio station wrote in August, "the era of Kerry and Dublin dominating is over." I'm not buying this."

Replying To yew_tree:  "Not sure I buy this "floodgates are open" theory and that just because Mayo finally won the all Ireland now everybody can. Mayo been challenging all my life. It was only a matter of when and not if we eventually got over the line (Only Kerry have been in more finals than Mayo in the last 35 years). For us it will now be about improving that final strike rate which I think we can do. Nothing guaranteed obviously looking towards the future.

I've seen counties been mentioned as possible winners now who I've never even seen win a quarter final. One commentator on a midlands radio station wrote in August, "the era of Kerry and Dublin dominating is over." I'm not buying this."

Replying To MayoDan:  "Even in those 4 'down' years Mayo reached 3 division one league finals, winning one of them against Galway. Although we didn't go deep into the championship there were numerous narrow/heartbreaking losses which showed we weren't very far away.

2022 narrow defeat to Galway who went on to nearly beat Kerry in final.
2024 lost Connacht final by a last minute point, Galway then went on to AI final. Dublin got a last second equaliser to stop us topping the all Ireland group. Lost to Derry on penalties the following week.
2025 another narrow Connacht final defeat to Galway. Could and should have beaten Donegal which would have meant topping the all Ireland group or a draw would have got us a prelim game. However conceded a last second point to lose and get knocked out.

If some of those narrow defeats went differently the seasons could have been very different.

I think Mayo have shown over the last 30+ years that it doesn't take much for us to get run of momentum and go deep into the championship. Aside from Dublin, Kerry and maybe Tyrone I don't think many other counties have shown that consistently."

Replying To MonaghanMan44life:  "He was training tuesday night I've heard."

Replying To Paidi04:  "As a Westmeath man growing up in the 60s, Clonguish is a GAA club synonymous with Longford GAA. A proud footballing stronghold which claimed a 4 in a row in the 60s in the pomp of Longford football. With that, the club was a superb feeder to the county teams at underage and senior level with
No one more emphatic than the Barden family, a cross generational mammoth of our games, recognised countrywide. I was disappointed in the discourse between my own county and your once proud home with regards to today's game. Numerous people saying they will not get within 10/15. I understand Clomguish have become a marmite club with their underage success but they have always been a wonderful ambassador for Longford football. Paul Barden is one of the very best I've ever seen, to rival anything across na tíre. I remember his darting runs and insane skill when Clonguish rattled a mighty Garycastle in 2009. Dessie Dolan and Paul Barden both schooled in Longford were the shining stars at the time for both counties and probably the best midlands ever produced. I always respected Dessie for how he spoke about Paul on the Sunday game etc; game respects game. The younger brother though, and current selector David Barden was the star on show. After collecting the man of the match in the co final replay and performing admirably alongside his brother Paul in the first round victory over Horeswood, he was once again on form. The maverick forward scored 5 from play as Garrycastle won after extra time in a game that went to extra time. It's amazing to see David back as a selector, a question for ye Longford heads - have Clonguish ever won a championship without a Barden on a team between Brendan, Pat, Oliver, Tom, Enda, Paul & David, some history, pure legacy.

That era was more my time but it was sad to see so many writing off Clonguish ahead of this weekend. I personally don't see them as Leinster contenders. The result of Mostrim yesterday now wouldn't help optics but Clomguish proved today Longford football isn't that far behind. I thought they were excellent today and easily could've got over the line. But with such a cohort of an amazingly youthful age profile, hopefully that performance will give them confidence to compete again. After 6 minor champs in a row, no doubt they will be back in Leinster soon.


So much young talent from that Leinster winning team of 2024, a competition Westmeath haven't won since 2000. These young boys can definitely play and I loved to see them kicking the ball lots today. One thing I will note, and I wonder do clubber viewers in Longford note this , as they do not have the Westmeath contract; the clubber camera today was doing serious jumping from cameras to different angles which I personally found discombobulating. Let me know your thoughts?

Good encouragement for Andy McEntee and I wish the blue and gold well for the coming year. From talking to my friends, a major problem in Longford has been the reluctance of the best talent to commit to the county teams. Though, Clonguish to me from keeping a close eye on programmes and reports always seemed to be represented well. You can't beat that culture and that success will come hand in hand because their players will be pushing themselves to their best capability at the top level.

Another big day for Longford Slashers ladies team and according to your excellent stats site , this is the first Longford ladies team to compete for a senior club title. Will the county get behind these girls considering they do not represent themselves well on the county team. I have to say the Milltown girls in Westmeath have been outstanding ambassadors for club and county. To me, this is the ethos of the GAA and must come hand in hand.

I see Clodagh Logan got 2-9 today. I was involved with Leinster ladies and seen her action with Grattans in a Leinster Intermediate clash a few years ago where she must've got a hat trick. Sensationally skilful player with a balance and electrifying pace to match. Clodagh and her sister Caoimhe have obviously been a major part in making that jump from All Ireland Intermediate champs to senior contenders. What's the sense of this in Longford.

To conclude , best of luck to Slashers in a Leinster final they'll need everything behind them to get over the line against the superpower Kilmacud Crokes. Maybe they can enlist some of that Mullinalaghta magic which seized Longford's only other Leinster senior success at club level. Best of luck girls. Well done to the Green and White of Clonguish, you made it clear; Longford is here to compete and won't be made little of. Hope the county is proud of you all as they were when they got behind the Laurels club in 2018."

Replying To yew_tree:  "Most years then you know well what I mean. Mayo only been out of division 1 for one year in the last 20 odd years. My point it Mayo winning an All Ireland while a shock it happened this year, is not a shock in terms of a minnow coming out of nowhere.

Counties thinking they can now win Sam because Mayo did yet those same counties never challenge or reach the latter stages is a big fat fetched for me just yet. I may be proved wrong but let's just see. If anyone outside of the usual 5-7 contenders win it it would be an even bigger "shock" than this year."

Replying To Bruno@1:  "Without doubt Jason Daly has been the best goalkeeper for Westmeath for a long time now but another way of looking at things in the Meath game was McCormack made a huge save from Cian McBride -saved a certain goal at a time when Meath were totally on top.The old saying "goals wins games"might have applied here-would Westmeath have come back.?McCormacks double leg break caused a long delay which stopped Meath's momemtum ."