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The lack of support is a real real issue. It was basically a home game for Meath today. In my opinion it makes a huge difference. It actually got Meath over the line in the end in what was a frantic finish. I was on the terrace and I couldn't hear any Westmeath support. Other than a small ripple from the stand. I thought the lads did very well and probably should have won but for the lack of a right footed free-taker. Meath were quite poor actually. That's why it's so frustrating. We need to research the reasons why supporters are not attending games and figure out incentives and solutions. Iarmhisamhi (Westmeath) - Posts: 3 - 02/03/2025 19:50:06 2594239 Link 1 |
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At one stage Sam McCartan tried to rise the westmeath crowd on the terrace but got nothing back probably because it was all meath supporters there
dec (None) - Posts: 293 - 02/03/2025 19:57:37 2594242 Link 0 |
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There is no hunger and drive within the county to get behind our teams , for various reasons but the county board in this county are a big part of the reason , also our county grounds are probably one of the worst in the country , a huge crowd today and the laziness to even open a shop on the terrace side was crazy, the toilet facilities are a joke , in 20 years or so all that's changed in cusack park was seats that were put in 2 years ago and nets behind the goals , some effort and hunger from the top would be a start in my opinion . TheGaaMan77 (Westmeath) - Posts: 72 - 02/03/2025 20:03:14 2594245 Link 0 |
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The last goal you could say was a height issue as we were outfielded for the winning goal , on that it wasn't a member of the full back line . We did well today breaking kickouts so it's probably an easy one to transfer that issue elsewhere, losing lads out wide on either side of the arch and consistency on frees cost us more Thechick (Westmeath) - Posts: 256 - 02/03/2025 20:37:49 2594257 Link 0 |
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To be fair I'm not blaming any of them they're all in the team on merit. But it hurts not having height in there and it cost us two goals really. I think we can give Kildare a rattle in Leinster
Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 224 - 02/03/2025 20:40:38 2594259 Link 0 |
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This team is going to get only better with every game and definitely no reason to be afraid of Kildare if injuries clear up. Another heartbreaking defeat today. So similar to the Louth, Cork and Cavan games which were left behind. Sam McCartan was absolutely outstanding again today. Ray also had a brilliant first half. Wallace not starting was a massive loss. I thought Conor Dillon did very well again. Credit has to go to these young lads for all these massive performances week after week. Basically a whole new team from last year. This management team have to be kept together for at least 3 years. Can't be easy after losing a few very tight games. They just don't seem to get the rub of the green currently but that will change. One of the fittest Westmeath teams I've seen in a long time! Embarrassing again to be outnumbered by away supporters as others have alluded to. But that will never change and I don't know what the solution is to that & it has always been that way with Westmeath supporters!! They can't say it's too expensive as it was the same story when in D3 when it was only €10 to get in.. as we were similarly out numbered by away fans. Matthew (None) - Posts: 1055 - 02/03/2025 21:24:36 2594280 Link 0 |
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I've posted before here that we're brilliant at finding excuses and blaming the county board for the lack of support is typical. Westmeath people are poor GAA supporters and that's factual. It's embarrassing the levels of our support. Meath clubs had buses in droves there today, clubs organising outings for their players, not one Westmeath club has done that in the five league matches. Incentives and so on, other counties don't need them
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2042 - 02/03/2025 21:33:44 2594282 Link 1 |
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I agree but it shouldn't be left to clubs individually to gather support for our county, some initiatives and dialogue and incentives to get younger people to the games and in fairness cusack park's facilities are possibly the worst in the country
TheGaaMan77 (Westmeath) - Posts: 72 - 02/03/2025 22:15:39 2594296 Link 1 |
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Today's match in Cusack Park. Horrible way to lose the game; very cruel luck on the team. Reading some of the posts about Cusack Park. When it opened in mid 90's it was widely praised as being one of the best compact grounds in the country. It has deteriorated though some works have been carried out so I'll give county board the benefit of the doubt there. Much more needed but to do that much greater support is required and I don't have an answer for that. Re shops at the ground. Two facilities were open and to be honest the people running them were very good. One on the terrace side would be great but you need bodies to run them. Not that easy. Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 15 - 02/03/2025 23:10:31 2594303 Link 0 |
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Announcing a team in time and publisising it would be a start.Unfortunatley County Board does not understand how valuable publicity is and never has.Sick requesting same.
gerry1414 (Dublin) - Posts: 54 - 02/03/2025 23:34:39 2594304 Link 0 |
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Population of meath is 220000. Population of westmeath is 95000. Of course they will bring bigger crowd
Mattyreilly (Westmeath) - Posts: 166 - 03/03/2025 07:16:27 2594317 Link 0 |
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It was the same against Cavan who have a smaller population than us. Louth criminally outnumbered us the first day.
Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 224 - 03/03/2025 09:16:48 2594330 Link 0 |
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Roscommon and Cavan always bring much greater crowds than we do and that's for home games. Attributing the difference in support to population base is another excuse.
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2042 - 03/03/2025 09:22:59 2594336 Link 0 |
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Team trains and have team meetings on friday nights and team is announced and posted after these sessions on the website-can hardly name a team before final training sessions taking into account injury updates etc.
Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 241 - 03/03/2025 11:12:18 2594379 Link 0 |
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i havent posted much about the league as i had anticipted we would struggle without the players who had retired and had gone travelling . this is basically a new and developing squad and to my mind have done remarkably well . they were done by the system yesterday . the hooter is to signify the end of a game but yesterday that did not happen . meath were extremly lucky to get the win . it was as good as a home game for meath . the meath crowd outnumbered us 5 /1. this team will now be relegated . i just hope they and their management stick together as i see a good future ahead
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1892 - 03/03/2025 11:36:21 2594384 Link 0 |
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One thing overlooked in the chaos and excitement of yesterday is that we had three separate one on one chances against the Meath keeper. Firstly, Brandon Kelly, then Briain Cooney and finally Conor Dillon. The three lads opted for points and none of the chances could be described as glaring or odds on but look at what Conor Duke opted to go for when the winning point was on, our players have been superb in every game, extremely fit, play as a team, working hard, they're a breath of fresh air and I'd love to see them decide to be brave rather than sensible when presented with goal opportunities. This year could result in relegation and possibly the Tailteann Cup but they're capable of winning that and with a largely new squad. If we got Drumm, O' Sullivan, Wallace and Harte back we could still have a big year regardless of relegation Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2042 - 03/03/2025 12:04:13 2594394 Link 0 |
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I was quite excited by yesterday's team performance with such an inexperienced team, especially the ability to hoover up breaking ball, turn ball over in the tackle and the movement of the forwards. Desperately unlucky not to get a result out of this league. Iarmhisamhi (Westmeath) - Posts: 3 - 03/03/2025 12:28:28 2594403 Link 0 |
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You keep harping on about Roscommon, they have been operating at a higher level than us for a number of years particularly in Div 1 and making All Ireland quarter finals, and super 8 over the last 5-6 years. I remember standing on the concrete steps at the pitch in Kiltoom for a Div 2 league match and there not 2500 at it. Roscommon supporters have been up and down over the years. But what they do have is far superior facilities. Look at the seated stand in the Hyde, Tullamore, Breffni, we crippled our clubs with paying for a kip back in the early 90's and you wonder why nobody has interest? A pitch dark jacks where you can't see where you're going, hit and miss with tea/coffee/shop facilities, sometimes open sometimes not. You have a county board who threaten to take away home league games from clubs who don't come up with referees? County players banned from playing club league games. The relationship between the top table in Westmeath GAA and the clubs has a lot to do with why nobody bothers with it. Club grounds used for years and wrecked by county teams and no money towards upkeep. The county board are not in tune with what's going on.
Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 779 - 03/03/2025 12:58:42 2594418 Link 0 |
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Westmeath have been extraordinarily unlucky in this league campaign, and not least yesterday. They easily could have 5 points on the board by now. Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1153 - 03/03/2025 13:03:59 2594420 Link 0 |
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Some rant. What would you suggest county board does with clubs who don't supply referees? At a recent county clubs meeting it was mentioned that seven clubs don't have referees and that includes the senior champions in both codes plus Tyrrellspass in those three. Make some suggestions. You think other counties let players play club league games during the national league? If so why did Noel McCaffrey bring forward his recent motion? Westmeath subs at National league games have played for their clubs on the Friday before league games, Joseph Moran, Andrew Kilmartin, Fionn O' Hara and Mark Evers to name four recently. County boards don't stop players playing anything, it's managers. We're in division 2 of the league, should that not entice supporters out to watch?
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2042 - 03/03/2025 15:08:35 2594456 Link 0 |