It's looking unlikely that we'll progress to the final and attain promotion at this point. Laois are almost certainly in the final and promoted barring they lose twice to both Meath and London, which is very unlikely. So really there's only the runner up spot in the group that's left up for grabs and us, Meath and Kerry are all vying for it.

Kerry and us are tied on points at 5 a piece. The main thing is Westmeath have to win against Mayo and Derry in the last 2 games. The problem is our scoring difference is awful compared to Kerry who absolutely annihilated Derry in one of the early league games by 26 points. Kerry play Mayo next and will likely win that one well too, but you'd hope Mayo keep the score a bit tighter than Derry did. That probably means that we have to put up an absolute cricket score in both our last games to have the any shot of reaching the final ahead of Kerry.

Meath are still in the mix on 6 points, but they have the other two top teams to play in Laois and Kerry in their final two games, which you would think might be a tough ask for them to win both. If they did win both it actually would make it mathematically impossible for us to reach the final as they'd end up on 10 points and the max we could get right now is 9 points by the end of the league.

Ideally, what Westmeath would want to see is Meath losing to Laois and then they bate Kerry which would allow us to sneak ahead of both Meath and Kerry on 9 points without the scoring difference coming into play. Anyway the main thing is go out and win the games against Derry and Mayo, get to 9 points and then if possible do a demolition job and win both by about 20 points.

RadioactiveTan (UK) - Posts: 37 - 05/03/2026 18:10:18    2660191

We need to focus on beating Derry by 1 point.
Have been in 5 successive Christy Ring finals.
We are not good enough to play division 1B.
Win last 2 matches and it's been a thoroughly decent league campaign. Building nicely and blooding youth and get promoted next year and stay up.

Blackjack (Westmeath) - Posts: 57 - 06/03/2026 14:05:34    2660311

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1895 - 06/03/2026 15:45:00    2660329

Sloweddie (Kilkenny) - Posts: 11 - 07/03/2026 22:02:01    2660479

We are better off staying in this division for another year, the current team are not ready for 1B. We just need to be patient during this transitional period.

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 1096 - 08/03/2026 15:36:51    2660527

CleanShoulder (Westmeath) - Posts: 412 - 08/03/2026 17:16:44    2660538

I don't think we'll be stuck here. A one point swing v Kerry and we're promoted. I personally feel we need another year in this division to blood players rather than going up and straight back down. We are doing ok, good while having 2/3 key players out each game.

Gaawestmeath (Westmeath) - Posts: 130 - 09/03/2026 16:27:37    2660695

Yesterday was very poor. We have fallen a long way back. I don't see many green shoots in the horizon. If anything we appear to be going backwards at an alarming rate especially going on other results in the group. Let's not forget it was a 14 man Kerry team for most of the game you appear anchoring your ideas to.

Sloweddie (Kilkenny) - Posts: 11 - 09/03/2026 18:17:47    2660720

Kerry are flying it at the minute and should have bet Laois and that is without their two best hurlers, Fionan Mackessey (with Kilkenny but playing with Kerry in 2027) and Shane Conway (who took a year out).

Meath and Kerry should be a cracker this weekend in Trim but I think Kerrys will be too good for Meath.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 1024 - 10/03/2026 09:28:09    2660767

Extremally disappointing performance again yesterday. Nothing positive leaving the park again. Very Very concerning times.

Loughlenegale (Westmeath) - Posts: 19 - 10/03/2026 09:35:22    2660768

Out From 2025 not all unavoidable Tommy Doyle Gary Greville Robbie Greville David Hickey Joey Boyle Niall O Brien Ciaran O Brien David O Reilly Jack Gallagher Oisin Loughlin Niall Mitchell Conor Gaffney Aaron Craig Owen McCabe Darragh Clinton Adam Ennis Davy Glennon Abbottstown grass pitch and Wolfhound.
In for 2026 Conor Shaw Sean Jackson Naoise McKenna Peter Murphy Andrew Shaw Adam Bate Conor Regan Josh Coll Brian McCabe Callum McKeogh Conor McKeogh Charles Flynn Jonathan Keogh Chris Daly John Fry Thomas Meehan Eoin Aughey Darragh Smith Lomans Astro Clonkill Gym
I Just can't believe we let so many of the top group go so easily. Some excellent players in for 2026 but too much was allowed to change too soon and that needs to be recognised, we are paying the price for it now.

Loughlenegale (Westmeath) - Posts: 19 - 10/03/2026 09:36:03    2660769

I can absolutely understand the concerns and lack of positives, everyone shares those thoughts. We are definitely better off staying in this division for another year, we are nowhere near ready for the level of 1B with the current group, they need to be given the rest of the season to gel together. We need to get our injuries sorted and get our best 15 on the field for the Joe Mcdonagh. If we get Killian Doyle, Darragh Egerton and David O'Reilly fit, that makes things look very different for us. Long term I have hope as well because we have quality minor and u20 teams coming, lots of talent on the way. Short term, its about the current group gelling together, building up an understanding and hopefully showing improvement come the Joe Mcdonagh when the weather is better and suits our smaller skilful hurlers.
Its certainly a 3 year project for Kevin O'Brien. Patience will be required.

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 1096 - 10/03/2026 10:35:06    2660779

Dazzler30 (Westmeath) - Posts: 77 - 10/03/2026 10:59:06    2660780

Loughlenegale (Westmeath) - Posts: 19 - 10/03/2026 12:06:19    2660793