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Best of luck this evening from a westmeath hurling supporter for a while now, hopefully a big performance and I'm waiting 10 years now for a big scalp because I know there's talent and potential there to do it in that time but a bit of luck needed and westmeath haven't had much of that in the decade both in county and club. preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 734 - 16/04/2022 13:46:40 2411102 Link 2 |
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Fair play Preddan, always following Westmeath hurling and posting on here.
Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 770 - 16/04/2022 14:25:29 2411110 Link 1 |
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Brave performance from Westmeath. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 770 - 16/04/2022 19:15:16 2411174 Link 0 |
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To be fair it was a second yellow.Aonghus Clarke a huge loss.For almost fifty minutes nothing in it but Kilkenny have a much stronger panel.Some great performances si lets learn and improve
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1445 - 16/04/2022 19:59:32 2411190 Link 0 |
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The sending off killed it for us, but some great performances.. Tommy Doyle, Jack Galvin, Killian Doyle, Darragh Egerton, Aaron Craig, Robbie Greville and Bracken in goals. Others too but those come to mind. Well taken goal by young McCabe at the end. Aonghus Clarke definitely a massive loss, and hopefully he will be available next week. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 770 - 16/04/2022 20:19:36 2411203 Link 0 |
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Thought it was a second yellow allright, 20 years ago probably not but now....... always going to be hard when it was 1 r 2 against 3 r 4 at times up front, Deegan had the handiest game he will ever get. Bigjoe1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 38 - 16/04/2022 20:19:37 2411204 Link 0 |
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How was the referee poor? We got easily 4-5 scoreable frees compared to Kilkenny, red card totally warranted, blatant yellow card and he was on one already. We hurled well in first half, Bracken in goals was outstanding as was Jogger, Cillian and Darragh Egerton. Fitness and conditioning took its toll and they're areas we can improve on. Good crowd in fairness. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 16/04/2022 20:44:51 2411218 Link 0 |
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Poor because I was right in front of the Cormac Boyle incident and it didn't warrant a sending off, the ball was there to be won. Definitely fitness wise we need to improve because as you said it took its toll at the end for sure. Hurling wise, we matched and even bettered Kilkenny at spells in the first 55 minutes. Plenty of encouragement to take in my opinion. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 770 - 16/04/2022 21:08:48 2411231 Link 1 |
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He didn't win the ball though, was easily 4-5 inches off and that's yellow. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 16/04/2022 21:15:12 2411235 Link 0 |
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Bracken should hold his place for Galway game, he was faultless for goals and made 4 outstanding saves. Kilkenny struggled for long periods and I'd imagine Cody was going wild on line. Making two changes by start of second half says it all. We need to look at our conditioning longer term as Kilkenny were superior in this crucial regard. Darragh Egerton will be in contention for All star nominee with four more similar performances. Ultra consistent. Cillian's three first half points were sublime. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 16/04/2022 21:31:53 2411242 Link 1 |
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I didn't see the yellow being brandished, so wasn't aware Boyle was already on a yellow. Some Kilkenny supporters where I was felt it was a bit harsh too, but look can't be changed now. He won't miss the next game at least, since it wasn't a straight red. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 770 - 16/04/2022 21:40:16 2411245 Link 0 |
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We have to be clever and prioritise what is doable.May 1 in Mullingar is doable especially after Dublin v Wexford next week.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1445 - 17/04/2022 10:09:18 2411273 Link 1 |
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Yeah spot on Jobber. Next week it will be damage limitation down in Pearse stadium, but going off what I seen yesterday for 55 minutes if we can keep 15 players on the pitch for the full duration of the game we can definitely put it to Dublin and Wexford in Cusack Park, especially if we play to our level like we did yesterday up until the sending off. Another thing I noted yesterday, some of our more experienced/big players didn't look fit enough, most likely because of coming back from injuries etc. Those players need to be introduced towards the end of a game until they get up to speed because at this level you won't get away with it unfortunately. We need more strength in depth and hopefully we can maintain Liam Mccarthy Cup status this year because that's what it's all about for us, if we do that I feel we may be in a better position next year if we can get Gary Greville, Shane Clavin, Josh Coll, Liam Varley and Eoin Daly to rejoin the panel along with a couple of the promising u20s being integrated in. Delighted with the passion and hunger the lads showed yesterday though, they definitely can't be faulted and showed they have the skill and ability to play at this level if they want to. That's my reflection of where we are at currently. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 770 - 17/04/2022 11:08:26 2411284 Link 1 |
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Conor Whelan could be gone for galways leinster campaign and at this stage he's one of their main players, I dunno are Galway going that well either with the potential and players they got. The scoreline definitely flattered kilkenny yesterday, westmeath have the skill and touch to match most teams it's just to keep the momentum going for a full game that's the main issue. I wonder how many westmeath players would you have on the top county teams/panels, Clarke, Mitchell, Tommy Doyle, doyles, Egerton, Glennon, Robbie greville, I'm probably missing more, the team probably has never had as many talented players available to them. preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 734 - 17/04/2022 13:31:27 2411301 Link 1 |
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We have a good few talented players no doubt but as Dheen pointed out we need the players he mentioned back plus some of the younger players coming through.We are slowly improving but must improve the conveyor belt.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1445 - 17/04/2022 16:31:52 2411340 Link 1 |
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Niall O'Brien.
keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 19/04/2022 13:34:27 2411562 Link 0 |
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The other big difference I've noticed about the Liam Mccarthy teams is years of top level S and C put in. Certainly Westmeath have plenty of talent as have Laois and Antrim to name a few.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 19/04/2022 14:16:03 2411580 Link 0 |
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Well done to Killian Doyle on deservedly making it into the team of the week for his top class performance against Kilkenny at the weekend. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 770 - 19/04/2022 16:34:33 2411629 Link 2 |
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yep completley forgot him , and mcnicholas too, class hurlers and good free takers, westmeath have 3 good free takers starting usually, o brien, doyle, mcnicholas, not many counties can boast that
preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 734 - 19/04/2022 20:00:34 2411658 Link 0 |
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This has always been the case. It's partly culture which has been getting better over time. However, the key difference is resources. Top teams have been getting high-level coaches in on contract as well as having access to fantastic facilities. There are budget considerations for staff and the fact that we don't have a dedicated gym/centre of excellence. That said it is a lot easier to be motivated when your team has a chance at winning a provincial, D1 or All Ireland. There's often talk of a lack of "ball-winners" when facing top teams who physically dominate us. Or Westmeath being considered a small team save for one or two outliers. I hate to pick on one of our lads but I remember one of our better players marking Lee Chin a few years back. Chin was easily out-jumping and out-running every time the ball was near. This was one of our stalwarts who'd torment any club player he'd face but could barely touch Lee Chin. Granted Chin is a phenomenal athlete, even amongst the top players he sticks out but that's the level you are aspiring to reach. gedupoutofit (Westmeath) - Posts: 163 - 20/04/2022 16:53:15 2411892 Link 1 |