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National Forum

Westmeath Hurling thread

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Replying To Dheen:  "I dont think we are blowing them up, just giving them a little credit. They are doing their best to prepare for it, they would be forgiven if they didnt give it much focus especially after winning a first county title since 2002, there's been huge celebrations however they having knuckled down and are putting in the work. Hopefully they give Shelmaliers a good game."
Anyone down here that Ive been talking to expects it to be close. Shels won their 3rd title in the last decade and a bit, but have been unlucky after that, which is probably why they arent as well known outside the county as some of our other clubs. They lost to KK from Offaly AET the 1st time in 2014, who then went on to lose the Leinster final narrowly to Ballyhale that year, then there was no Leinster club Championship the 2nd time on account of covid.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20941 - 05/11/2026 11:43:57    2699481

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Replying To Squareball.Squareball:  "Best of luck to the Gaels on Sunday, I would give them a good chance. Disappointing to hear that the combined schools senior A team have withdrawn from the competition, they were due to play Meath schools this weekend. Excluding CBS surely there are 15 players in the rest of the schools to represent the county."
That's disappointing to hear but when you see CBS Mullingar fielding two Senior teams, one at A level and the other at B level maybe they have the majority of quality hurlers now in the county. I know this year lad's are starting to leave other schools to move to CBS for the hurling. Having said that, we should be able to put out 15 decent hurlers from the likes of Kilbeggan, Rochfortbridge and Castlepollard etc

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 1184 - 05/11/2026 12:27:09    2699487

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Replying To Viking66:  "Anyone down here that Ive been talking to expects it to be close. Shels won their 3rd title in the last decade and a bit, but have been unlucky after that, which is probably why they arent as well known outside the county as some of our other clubs. They lost to KK from Offaly AET the 1st time in 2014, who then went on to lose the Leinster final narrowly to Ballyhale that year, then there was no Leinster club Championship the 2nd time on account of covid."
They have to be a quality side to make it out of Wexford and they performed well in the county final, probably should have won by more in the end. I expect it to be a tight game, hopefully a quality game. The Gaels didn't perform to their usual level in the county final and were lucky to scrape by Raharney in the end but they beat Castletown Geoghegan, Clonkill and then Raharney twice to secure the county title so they fully deserve to be where they are.

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 1184 - 05/11/2026 12:37:27    2699489

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Replying To Dheen:  "They have to be a quality side to make it out of Wexford and they performed well in the county final, probably should have won by more in the end. I expect it to be a tight game, hopefully a quality game. The Gaels didn't perform to their usual level in the county final and were lucky to scrape by Raharney in the end but they beat Castletown Geoghegan, Clonkill and then Raharney twice to secure the county title so they fully deserve to be where they are."
They absolutely deserve to be where they are and will put in a good effort but I'll be very surprised if they get within 10 points. To me they are not of the quality of Castletown 2 years ago. Castletown were ravaged by injuries and lads away. To me the standard of Westmeath hurling has dropped a step (hopefully temporarily). Hopefully the gaels do better than they played in the county final and can out and express themselves with the monkey off their backs

CasKD (Westmeath) - Posts: 66 - 05/11/2026 15:25:10    2699502

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Replying To Dheen:  "They have to be a quality side to make it out of Wexford and they performed well in the county final, probably should have won by more in the end. I expect it to be a tight game, hopefully a quality game. The Gaels didn't perform to their usual level in the county final and were lucky to scrape by Raharney in the end but they beat Castletown Geoghegan, Clonkill and then Raharney twice to secure the county title so they fully deserve to be where they are."
This confidence i find amazing. The Gaels havent won a championship in 22 years and are playing a team who have won 3 Wexford titles in a decade.
On the county scene minor and senior total silence which is perhaps even more amazing.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 2051 - 05/11/2026 15:35:11    2699503

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Kevin OBrien gone. Very abrupt. What's happening?

CleanShoulder (Westmeath) - Posts: 431 - 05/11/2026 16:12:47    2699507

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Replying To CasKD:  "They absolutely deserve to be where they are and will put in a good effort but I'll be very surprised if they get within 10 points. To me they are not of the quality of Castletown 2 years ago. Castletown were ravaged by injuries and lads away. To me the standard of Westmeath hurling has dropped a step (hopefully temporarily). Hopefully the gaels do better than they played in the county final and can out and express themselves with the monkey off their backs"
If it's any consolation to you, I doubt Shels are of the same quality as the Martin's the last two years

I think they will probably win if they have a full hand to pick from and they should be suited by winter hurling, big problem for them has always been competing for the football title in Wexford alongside hurling, don't have football to worry about right now so that should help them

If they do win though, I don't think they'll win by much and an LLG win would be a mild surprise at most for me, certainly wouldn't be a massive shock

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1605 - 05/11/2026 16:13:22    2699508

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Kevin o'Brien gone…

TheSkyNavy (Westmeath) - Posts: 4 - 05/11/2026 16:15:57    2699509

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Replying To jobber:  "This confidence i find amazing. The Gaels havent won a championship in 22 years and are playing a team who have won 3 Wexford titles in a decade.
On the county scene minor and senior total silence which is perhaps even more amazing."
Kevin O'Brien gone

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 1184 - 05/11/2026 16:18:01    2699510

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Kevin O'Brien is gone..

Yellow&Green (Westmeath) - Posts: 55 - 05/11/2026 16:24:29    2699511

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This managerial situation has become a farce, it's embarrassing at this stage.

Bonner (Westmeath) - Posts: 3 - 05/11/2026 16:26:47    2699513

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What is going on in Westmeath hurling? Surely heads need to roll after this calamity of events.

As someone who cares deeply about hurling in this county, I am hugely disappointed with the goings-on at county board level. Players, clubs, volunteers and supporters deserve clear answers, proper leadership and accountability.

There needs to be a full, independent, root-and-branch review of all things Westmeath hurling from governance and decision-making to coaching, player development and the support given to our county teams. That review must include meaningful input from the people doing the work on the ground.

Where standards have fallen short, those responsible must be held accountable. Any review must lead to published findings, clear actions and deadlines not another report left sitting on a shelf.

There are too many people giving their time and energy to Westmeath hurling for this to be accepted. They deserve better. The players deserve better. Westmeath hurling deserves better.

deelsider (Westmeath) - Posts: 33 - 05/11/2026 16:57:40    2699517

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O Brien gone you couldn't make it up.

2maroonjerseys (Galway) - Posts: 208 - 05/11/2026 17:01:53    2699518

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I think it's a real he had good momentum behind him and that's all gone now reckon dark times are on the horizon but can't say I'm surprised

macshearraigh (Westmeath) - Posts: 2 - 05/11/2026 17:04:40    2699519

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Disappointed with this in all honesty seemed like the right man to bring Westmeath into the modern era of hurling which was badly needed will take 2-3 years more in limbo to even begin to compete again

macshearraigh (Westmeath) - Posts: 2 - 05/11/2026 17:07:47    2699520

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