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It's great to see the young lads doing well, and a manager and management team coming up with a scheme to suit the players strengths, not trying to force them to fit his own idea of a gameplan. It's still early days yet, and I'm fairly old fashioned I don't really care whether we win Leagues or not, it's all down to how we'll we go in Championship. But even so it's encouraging that what would've been considered largely our 2nd string has been able to beat the 2nd teams of Galway, Kilkenny and Waterford, and drawn with Clares. While it won't mean anything come championship it's nice to see we have some depth developing, which being honest we probably haven't had much of since the early noughties, if not the early 90s. I hope Westmeath win the Joe Mac, for you lads and for Joe Fortune. It would be great if we could go back to a proper Leinster Championship in the years to come with Westmeath, Laois, and Offaly back in it. Kildare too. Meath and Wicklow also have good hurling men in them. The game as a whole badly needs more top competitive counties! Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14249 - 11/03/2024 14:00:59 2530750 Link 2 |
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We would all like to go back to that but lets be honest Joe Mcdonagh is a great competition and thats where the three midland counties are at and we will have to fight our way out of it like we did in 2021 after losing the 2018 and 19 finals. I beieve that our underage is getting better so am hopeful for the future jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1618 - 11/03/2024 15:47:32 2530766 Link 0 |
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Well by all accounts there is consistently starting to build if you look from the u14 development squad up to this years u20s. As you said before Jobber, this was something we struggled with in the past. We would produce a strong team in underage every so often and we'd live off that team for awhile. Whereas now there's very competitive teams all the way up. I hear the Westmeath u15 feile was very competitive over the weekend also. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 971 - 11/03/2024 16:18:55 2530770 Link 0 |
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Yup, we also lost 3 Dunloy lads who have gone to Australia. Neil is a massive loss to us and we will move on without him. We have 9 players from our panel out with injury at the moment. Our under 20 team played on Saturday so we couldn't use any of those lads for yesterday's game and we only had 21 players fit to travel. We have no complaints about yesterday's result. Westmeath were fully deserved of the points. I was just happy we were competitive and didn't get a trimming. We always have a good battle with Westmeath and I would be happy to meet them later in the year if results work out. Youse had a cracking result yesterday, tremendous second half though the nerves must have been frayed in those last few minutes Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 315 - 11/03/2024 19:35:53 2530810 Link 0 |
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its going to very interesting to follow these teams over the next number of years and watch them develop.Its going to be important that the currently weaker clubs up their game and get the neccesary help to do it.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1618 - 11/03/2024 20:28:20 2530815 Link 0 |
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Is Jamie Mulkearns sub keeper now? Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 971 - 12/03/2024 17:36:17 2530939 Link 0 |
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He was listed 16 on Saturday.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1618 - 12/03/2024 19:18:23 2530949 Link 0 |
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Yes, Conor Lynch from Plunketts is injured. Mulkerrins is an option long term as keeper if he commits to it. His long puck out is particularly good but he needs to work on the accuracy of his 50-60 metre ones, modern keepers need this Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1968 - 12/03/2024 20:08:10 2530956 Link 0 |
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Good to see Joe Fortune in his interview demanding a better performance against Dublin this weekend. Despite winning by 6 points vs Antrim he wasn't happy with the performance. He's a passionate about it and it's great to see him demanding a higher standard from our players all the time. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 971 - 12/03/2024 20:35:28 2530964 Link 1 |
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I think there's a likelihood of a good performance against a stuttering Dublin team coming up. That would be a great league return for Westmeath with the possibility of 2 wins and 2 competitive performances against top teams. Although on the flip side, as some Scouser Everton mates of mine reminded me recently "!it's the hope that kills you"! 35OLT (USA) - Posts: 99 - 13/03/2024 00:19:53 2530977 Link 0 |
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The thing is there could be a mighty backlash from Dublin, they were within 8 points of Galway and hurled pretty good. I'd love to see us winning up there, but I'd rather see a better performance than the Antrim game, and then a win would be a bonus, but we need to be competitive against them.
stonemadbeany (USA) - Posts: 596 - 13/03/2024 11:28:18 2531011 Link 0 |
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Totally agree and get minutes into Kilian Doyle,Aonghus Clarke,Davy Glennon and Cormac Boyle. Performance and minutes.Win a big bonus, but Kerry,Offaly,Down,Meath and Laois followed by a final thats whats important. Any word on Shane Clavin or Conor Shaw both at their best have lots to offer.Shaw last year one of our best players and Clavin too before he had that bad injury in 2022. jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1618 - 13/03/2024 12:02:58 2531017 Link 0 |
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Clavin was doing the drills before the game the other day
Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 971 - 13/03/2024 12:59:35 2531025 Link 0 |
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Thanks didnt spot him.Another important addition if hes 100%.Id say we will have the biggest team in Mcdonagh.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1618 - 13/03/2024 15:43:31 2531047 Link 1 |
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I think you will win it.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14249 - 14/03/2024 10:20:32 2531104 Link 0 |
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It doesnt begin for a month so injuries will be important as for me at least there is very little between the three midland counties.I think Westmeath has more experience, and physique,Offaly a winning mentality and speed with Laois as dark horses.If they win 2a they will come in full of confidence.Against us is our easy going culture which leads to bad results when least expected.Fortune will have to be on his game big time for the Kerry,Meath and Down games. jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1618 - 14/03/2024 11:42:50 2531113 Link 0 |
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Strong panel named for tomorrow Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 971 - 15/03/2024 16:02:00 2531277 Link 1 |
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Aaron Craig has to be considered a liability in these games and not because of his ability. He gets sent off quiet a bit. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 971 - 16/03/2024 15:35:28 2531378 Link 2 |
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How many times has Craig got sent off now in massive games which has cost Westmeath dearly… very disheartening for the rest of the team!
Matthew (None) - Posts: 1042 - 16/03/2024 16:16:58 2531401 Link 2 |
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Absolutely, I wouldn't be starting him in the Joe Mcdonagh to be honest. I don't want to slate any player but we haven't much chance of being competitive at Division 1 level with 14 players, discipline is key.
Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 971 - 16/03/2024 16:28:57 2531404 Link 2 |