Disaster of a result in Portlaoise. Very disappointing. Why can't we win close games?
Not only does it mean we have to play a pre QF next weekend if we win that we will be away in the QF against one of the group winners. This game was massive and the lads didn't show up!!
Hopefully they can get their act together as I really thought we had a chance of winning this competition with only Kildare to be worried about

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 552 - 31/05/2025 15:45:09    2613757

Awful stuff in Portlaoise. Huge problems in the middle of the field. Right from the warm-ups before the game I was worried. Limerick warming up with intensity 45 mins before the game, while Westmeath strolled out on to the field 15 mins before throw in.

Allowed Limerick to catch about 80% kick outs with almost no pressure on them. After fighting to get level, the last kickout we still allowed them a free catch. Energy levels from most players way below the standard and also look to be playing half fit players. Connellen, McCabe, McCartan, Whittaker and Wallace didn't look to be fully fit, although in fairness to Wallace he came to the fore in the second half and played well.

Also, are our lads being advised not to take the risk of going for goal? All year we have seen players get into great goalscoring positions but opting to tap the ball over. Our first two points were potential goal chances but as usual we go for a point.

westmeathman99 (Westmeath) - Posts: 127 - 31/05/2025 16:39:12    2613763

Second best all over the park today and only for Luke Loughlins scores Limerick would have been out of sight very early.Ronan Wallace dragged us back into it wuth a strong second half showing but when we went ahead in the dying minutes -how could we not keep possession and see it out.From our first movement our passing was way off snd failure to compete for kick outs is killing us.An extra game we didnt want coming up and if we manage to win that one we are away to a group winner.Could have and should have been made a but easier with more effort.

Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 259 - 31/05/2025 17:09:45    2613769

Great point about not going for goals and opting for handy points. The league games featured about five examples and in Newbridge Jamie Gonoud opted for the point when clean through. I accept he's a corner back but surely telling lads to drill low and hard is acceptable. If it's saved or missed so what? Goals are still huge boost despite the introduction of two pointers, goals lift players and supporters, we need to take them on when chances arise

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2174 - 31/05/2025 17:25:26    2613770

First half today was as bad as we played this year, the roaring from mcCabe on sideline seemed a bit much and seemed to effect players confidence. Definitely upped the performance in 2nd half, small margins, a missed shot straight after half time and a fisted effort hit post in end. We are where we are, few great goal opportunities not even attempted. Ray came off injured with hamstring injury which is a worry.. tough run in now to win it but we still capable of winning it

Upforthegame23 (Westmeath) - Posts: 145 - 31/05/2025 18:39:41    2613782

Very very poor performance today in Portlaoise players looked totally unfit only for Wallace in the 2nd half nothing only bad passing players not even going for the kick outs wide open up the middle kicking wides for sport when they could pass it the goalie had some poor kick outs again why does McCabe keep roaring and shouting at players looks bad and also not helping players at all Harte looked to be in real pain heard it broken ribs don't know why they took off McCabe so early was he injured or something

Grandcanal (Westmeath) - Posts: 16 - 31/05/2025 21:01:53    2613818

Mooo (Westmeath) - Posts: 49 - 31/05/2025 22:15:45    2613848

Truly awful performance.Limerick deserved to win while our management played players who clearly were not fit. It's hard to see us winning this now with an unnecessary match next weekend followed by an sway match against one of the top 4.
When was the last time we won a tight game?

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1719 - 31/05/2025 23:35:04    2613869

So the Tailteann Cup won't affect the league finals after all, maybe we all got to ahead of ourselves. Yes, the performance was poor but Limerick are a decent outfit and probably should have bet us in Mullingar in Division 3 last year so maybe not the shock everyone is making it out to be.

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 76 - 01/06/2025 07:55:05    2613896

We were very poor today ,kick out were very bad for the first 10 minutes we had a sweeper then we went men marking Wallace played well Smith and Moran did okay in defence midfield very poor some of our subs had no impact. In saying that we should've had got a penalty missed two goal chances in the second half plenty of room to improve ,

Mick1234 (Westmeath) - Posts: 29 - 01/06/2025 08:43:42    2613905

Winning begins with keeping the opposition from scoring. All through league and in Newbridge our defenders sailed forward and left us wide open at the back. When everyone does retreat back they mark grass and not players. We have not one decent tackler at the back. Giving lads yards of space and opportunities to shoot.

I've said it before and I'll say it again this team lacks any steel. They are soft nice footballers and soft nice footballers win nothing.

Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 818 - 01/06/2025 09:26:11    2613917

With Westmeath losing yesterday, and away quarter final in 2 weeks, there's no reason why all league finals shouldn't be played in Cusack Park.

Wmeath2 (Westmeath) - Posts: 183 - 01/06/2025 09:36:34    2613919

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2174 - 01/06/2025 11:09:02    2613941

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 76 - 01/06/2025 11:47:48    2613953

Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 818 - 01/06/2025 12:51:08    2613970

Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 818 - 01/06/2025 12:54:02    2613971

Would Mark McHugh not be able to teach a few lads how to tackle properly given he worked with one of the best managers around in mcguiness . The whole attitude from minute 1 was a disgrace . If the team had applied themselves properly yesterday we win comfortably. Limerick a decent team, but both at full tilt then westmeath have to be winning. This game either serves as a turning point for the team to change attitude or else season ends next weekend . Hard understand how players could not be fired up for a competition that is winnable. Mccabe needs to earn his salt aswel and turn things around. Jamie gonoud left on and clearly injured late on , connellan subbed off . Bar Baker , little impact off bench and not much kick after half time . Lessons have to be learnt fast

philbrown (Westmeath) - Posts: 239 - 01/06/2025 17:49:15    2614071

Laois in Cusack Park next weekend. Laois a better team than limerick. I fear a very short summer

Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 260 - 01/06/2025 18:24:04    2614088

Standards in this county must be at an all time low. Numerous lads coming on here saying 'ah Limerick aren't that bad' 'we are only a little bit better than limerick'. Limerick are by no means a bad team but losing to Limerick cannot be accepted.

If Westmeath gave a decent showing yesterday and Limerick just happened to play out of their socks and had 10/10 performances all over the field, fair enough. But that wasn't the case at all. Limerick were there to be beaten if we bothered to turn up, but we didn't. We were terrible and there is no point sugarcoating it.

westmeathman99 (Westmeath) - Posts: 127 - 01/06/2025 18:27:43    2614090

OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 76 - 01/06/2025 19:46:13    2614120