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National Forum

Westmeath Hurling thread

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Replying To martyW:  "Would amalgamation teams like used in Keery football bring any benefits to Westmeath hurling? For example, Have 4 Senior teams playoff a group and final for Leinster championship and then combine Senior B/Intermediate teams into 4 district teams and have them in an expanded 8 team Senior championship?"
There is certainly merit to it but senior B and internediate would have fixtures issues

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 2015 - 16/09/2026 19:05:52    2694033

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Replying To jobber:  "There is certainly merit to it but senior B and internediate would have fixtures issues"
Would something like this work.
Senior 2 groups of 4.
Group 1
Raharney
LLG
Plunkett's
Fr.Dalton's
Group 2
Castletown
Clonkill
Fr.Dalton's
Castlepollard
Semi Finals top 2 in each group
Bottom 4
Relegation Play-off's
It might prevent the yo yo club's bouncing between Senior and give teams more time to adjust at a higher level. Very few dead rubbers as well.
Something similar could be done at the next level down and the run proper Junior A and B competitions.

Yellow&Green (Westmeath) - Posts: 54 - 18/09/2026 10:10:07    2694169

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The first two clubs in those divisions would win a semi final spot without breaking sweat. The only match of consequence would be between teams 3 and 4 to see which plays relegation playoff. The championship would essentially comprise of 3 relevant matches.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2804 - 18/09/2026 16:48:45    2694247

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Replying To Yellow&Green:  "Would something like this work.
Senior 2 groups of 4.
Group 1
Raharney
LLG
Plunkett's
Fr.Dalton's
Group 2
Castletown
Clonkill
Fr.Dalton's
Castlepollard
Semi Finals top 2 in each group
Bottom 4
Relegation Play-off's
It might prevent the yo yo club's bouncing between Senior and give teams more time to adjust at a higher level. Very few dead rubbers as well.
Something similar could be done at the next level down and the run proper Junior A and B competitions."
Its certainly worth considering but the Senior B and intermediate clubs need to up their game as well.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 2015 - 18/09/2026 20:42:31    2694268

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I seen on the football thread that the cruciate curse has hit Castletown. Are these new injuries?

westmeathgaa11 (Westmeath) - Posts: 383 - 19/09/2026 15:23:28    2694309

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Replying To jobber:  "Its certainly worth considering but the Senior B and intermediate clubs need to up their game as well."
To compete at senior A divisional sides are needed.
Oliver Plunketts and Cullion together.
Pollard,Brownstown, Ringtown together
Delvin Turin the Wood
Brigids Fr Daltons S Gaels.
They wont all opt in so maybe three divisional sides in Senior A.
No relegation from Senior A for 3 years. Play the games Friday Saturday on a hurling week and the Clubs own Intermediate or Senior B Tuesday Wednesday......
Derogation from official rules needed from Croke Park to allow lads play for 2 teams.... it works elsewhere.

midfield9 (Westmeath) - Posts: 122 - 19/09/2026 16:09:41    2694313

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Replying To midfield9:  "To compete at senior A divisional sides are needed.
Oliver Plunketts and Cullion together.
Pollard,Brownstown, Ringtown together
Delvin Turin the Wood
Brigids Fr Daltons S Gaels.
They wont all opt in so maybe three divisional sides in Senior A.
No relegation from Senior A for 3 years. Play the games Friday Saturday on a hurling week and the Clubs own Intermediate or Senior B Tuesday Wednesday......
Derogation from official rules needed from Croke Park to allow lads play for 2 teams.... it works elsewhere."
All good it works in Kerry football but do you really think a CCC who has given football 3 weeks in a row are going to look kindly at organising senior b and intermediate hurling championships at different times?

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 2015 - 20/09/2026 00:07:06    2694361

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Anyone know the pairings for the Intermediate semi finals?

Bigjoe1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 98 - 20/09/2026 11:47:15    2694370

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Replying To Bigjoe1:  "Anyone know the pairings for the Intermediate semi finals?"
Shan v Malachys
Milltown v Rosemount

TheWagonWheel-N91Y529 (Westmeath) - Posts: 31 - 20/09/2026 12:42:00    2694374

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Replying To TheWagonWheel-N91Y529:  "Shan v Malachys
Milltown v Rosemount"
Sorry I meant the Intermediate hurling semi finals

Bigjoe1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 98 - 20/09/2026 13:02:28    2694378

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IHC semi final
Clonkill vs Turin
Cullion vs Raharney
Think they on the weekend of 03/04 October most likely the Saturday

Squareball.Squareball (Westmeath) - Posts: 9 - 20/09/2026 13:38:04    2694382

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Clonkill vs Cullion Turin vs Raharney

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2804 - 20/09/2026 13:46:58    2694384

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Couldn't make the games today. Game for my own club where I'm mentor now. Interested to hear what the thought were on Gaels Raharney. Lot of opinion recently was favouring Raharney. Are the Gaels on a mission to finally win one with this team or how do ye see it. It will be a tough one for both Raharney and Castletown in Semi.

Iveagh (Westmeath) - Posts: 30 - 20/09/2026 19:16:35    2694407

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Replying To jobber:  "All good it works in Kerry football but do you really think a CCC who has given football 3 weeks in a row are going to look kindly at organising senior b and intermediate hurling championships at different times?"
The County Board is seeking the change proposals..... I don't buy the football bias argument..it's chip on the shoulder stuff and the reality is that 50% of the available game time is given to 25% of the gaa players..ie the hurlers. If the hurling clubs want change then they'll have to persuade the football clubs to agree as this change will need full board approval.

midfield9 (Westmeath) - Posts: 122 - 20/09/2026 19:27:35    2694408

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Replying To midfield9:  "The County Board is seeking the change proposals..... I don't buy the football bias argument..it's chip on the shoulder stuff and the reality is that 50% of the available game time is given to 25% of the gaa players..ie the hurlers. If the hurling clubs want change then they'll have to persuade the football clubs to agree as this change will need full board approval."
True vut convince yes but what hapoens they can there are people that unfortubateky thi k hurling doesnt deserve the same air time etc or near it.

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1361 - 20/09/2026 21:43:45    2694425

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Replying To Iveagh:  "Couldn't make the games today. Game for my own club where I'm mentor now. Interested to hear what the thought were on Gaels Raharney. Lot of opinion recently was favouring Raharney. Are the Gaels on a mission to finally win one with this team or how do ye see it. It will be a tough one for both Raharney and Castletown in Semi."
Castletown coukd still win it in my opinion yes some injuriy worries but i still tip them onviously many say gaels or rahrney.

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1361 - 20/09/2026 21:44:53    2694426

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Castletown coukd still win it in my opinion yes some injuriy worries but i still tip them onviously many say gaels or rahrney."
Brilliant game yesterday. Great players on view. Westmeaths hurling still has plenty of life in it and the time has come for the county manager to out all of these many resources to use. With the talent in the Gaels,Raharney,Clonkill and Castletown allied to the best of the rest its winning Joe Mcdonagh we should be thinking off as the talent is there.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 2015 - 21/09/2026 09:23:22    2694450

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Replying To jobber:  "Brilliant game yesterday. Great players on view. Westmeaths hurling still has plenty of life in it and the time has come for the county manager to out all of these many resources to use. With the talent in the Gaels,Raharney,Clonkill and Castletown allied to the best of the rest its winning Joe Mcdonagh we should be thinking off as the talent is there."
Absolutely and we have strong u20 teams for the next three years at least if they are looked after properly as well. I would say there be quiet a few u20s on the senior panel next year

Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 1156 - 21/09/2026 11:49:18    2694479

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Replying To jobber:  "Brilliant game yesterday. Great players on view. Westmeaths hurling still has plenty of life in it and the time has come for the county manager to out all of these many resources to use. With the talent in the Gaels,Raharney,Clonkill and Castletown allied to the best of the rest its winning Joe Mcdonagh we should be thinking off as the talent is there."
Absolutely superb game yesterday. Anyone watching club hurling in Westmeath can see the standard is there. There are quality players right across the county and enough talent to be seriously challenging for the Joe McDonagh.

There seems to be a huge gap between the potential in the county and what's being delivered. The management setup simply isn't getting enough from the resources at its disposal.

I said before a ball was even struck that this setup looked like the third choice from the four candidates interviewed. Last season only reinforced that view. We were possibly the only county team across the four codes that consistently regressed as the year went on. Instead of seeing improvement, structure and momentum, performances deteriorated.

That's what makes it all the more frustrating. The talent is there, and the club game continues to prove it. The question isn't whether Westmeath has the players to compete for a Joe McDonagh title; it's whether the current management team is capable of getting the best out of them. Based on what we've seen so far, there are serious grounds for doubt.

Loughlenegale (Westmeath) - Posts: 68 - 21/09/2026 12:44:02    2694486

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Replying To Loughlenegale:  "Absolutely superb game yesterday. Anyone watching club hurling in Westmeath can see the standard is there. There are quality players right across the county and enough talent to be seriously challenging for the Joe McDonagh.

There seems to be a huge gap between the potential in the county and what's being delivered. The management setup simply isn't getting enough from the resources at its disposal.

I said before a ball was even struck that this setup looked like the third choice from the four candidates interviewed. Last season only reinforced that view. We were possibly the only county team across the four codes that consistently regressed as the year went on. Instead of seeing improvement, structure and momentum, performances deteriorated.

That's what makes it all the more frustrating. The talent is there, and the club game continues to prove it. The question isn't whether Westmeath has the players to compete for a Joe McDonagh title; it's whether the current management team is capable of getting the best out of them. Based on what we've seen so far, there are serious grounds for doubt."
While it was a nice game to watch I'm not sure the standard was actually that high. One of the main forwards is in his 40's. While raharney brought on a lad just out of minor (albeit a good hurler) and he scored 1-6 without a glove laid on him. Lots of route one stuff on display too. Both teams along with Castletown are the top 3 in the county alright but maybe a slight sign of the reduced standard of the county team in the last couple of years

CasKD (Westmeath) - Posts: 56 - 21/09/2026 14:30:12    2694501

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