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Cullion should arguably be considered a "town team" now. They also have a school right beside them and made a massive underage recruitment drive over the previous 10 years in Mullingar. So much so that Plunkett's underage nearly disappeared, though a lot of that was also down to organisational issues in Plunketts (very little help from general membership towards coaching and committee). To be fair to Plunketts they've really got their act together again. A few strong dual athletes from Shamrocks will make a massive difference to their senior team if they're available and they're well able to hurl believe me. Cullion have definitely fielded 3x adult teams at some point in recent years (Intermediate, Junior A and Junior B). I think they're the only club outside the top 3 do have done so. On paper, they 100% had enough registered players for 3x teams but some would have retired or moved away leaving it very tight. Sure we all know that's not exclusive to Cullion and plenty of true Senior/Intermediate players are regularly togging out in Junior with other teams after strategic naming of players. Several Junior games a year are walkovers because playing numbers are not accurate in some smaller clubs. Simply unable to cover for injuries, suspension, holidays etc. Cullion have zero trouble fielding two teams. In the mid to longer-term Plunketts or Cullion realistically have the best chance of all teams (outside the usual 5) to establish at senior. Simply due to being in Mullingar and having a large population base to draw from. I was just thinking about Brownstown and they can't field a 2nd team. For me, there's a big concern for that club's survival in the long term. Potentially looking at a full-time amalgamation. Other smaller rural clubs in the same boat, too close in proximity and larger clubs right in the same parish/catchment area. gedupoutofit (Westmeath) - Posts: 163 - 02/11/2021 11:39:18 2388143 Link 1 |
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A good assesment of where we are at.Clan Na Gael is essential to the survival of two of our most traditional clubs as is Saint Vincents and Na Piarsaigh.The reaching of the minor premier final has to be a boost to Brownstown and Pollard.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1445 - 04/11/2021 12:42:17 2388380 Link 0 |
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Castletown slight favourites for Sunday in my view, traditionally do well in finals vs Raharney and have the extra incentive of last year's disappointment. Prob more experienced side too. Raharney will fancy their chances however and if Cillian Doyle hits his best form then he could easily score 1-9 or more. Aonghus Clarke showed a return to form against Clonkill and Castletown will need a similar display on Sunday. Good to see sides trained by passionate local men in the final. Hopefully weather remains decent for what should be a cracking match. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 05/11/2021 11:00:41 2388450 Link 0 |
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Castletown to win by 4+,raharney have some excellent players in key positions but not as balanced overall as Castletown, killian Doyle on song could hurt Castletown but if Liam Varley performs he will shut him down. James73 (Westmeath) - Posts: 40 - 06/11/2021 10:43:00 2388524 Link 0 |
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Some win for Cullion in the Senior B final, won by 24 points in the end I think. They won't look out of place in Senior A next year if they continue to hurl like that. With Plunketts winning the Intermediate, its been a great couple of weeks for Mullingar hurling. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 770 - 06/11/2021 17:05:05 2388567 Link 2 |
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A surprisingly big win for Cullion and well done to all involved. The same for Plunketts last week. To echo some previous posts, If hurling is to move onto the next level in the county then much of the growth needs to come from the town clubs, in this case Cullion/Oliver Plunketts and Souther Gaels out of Athlone. Nice to see progress. 35OLT (USA) - Posts: 90 - 06/11/2021 19:40:44 2388585 Link 0 |
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Fair play to them. Where have Cullion got the players from? They haven't won anything of any note at underage for years and play division 2 underage across the board. valley84 (Westmeath) - Posts: 1890 - 06/11/2021 20:11:04 2388588 Link 1 |
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Many of their best players are the sons of former Cullion hurlers.
jamsie (Westmeath) - Posts: 443 - 06/11/2021 20:39:39 2388592 Link 1 |
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Well done Cullion. I don't recall that size of a margin in an adult final in some time. I don't think too many saw that coming. gedupoutofit (Westmeath) - Posts: 163 - 06/11/2021 21:28:08 2388594 Link 0 |
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Great to see cullion up senior again however they are in for some hammerings next season I fear. James73 (Westmeath) - Posts: 40 - 07/11/2021 10:33:11 2388609 Link 0 |
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Think Cullion are better placed than other sides to be somewhat competitive in Senior ranks. They'll be favourites for immediate relegation but the key aspect is how competitive they can be. They're a younger, fitter team than Crookedwood were last year, the Wood had lots of players with long service who were too old for Senior. Cullion also have a number of players of definite Senior standard. Damien Golden is a reliable keeper, Conor Regan and Conor Shaw good half backs, Robbie Gillen can hurl, Kevin Regan an excellent midfielder, they also have forwards with real potential, Jack Galvin is athletic and a handful, Jack Gillen powerful and accurate. Shane Broughan has potential at wing forward. It will be a huge challenge for them and they'll need a big effort fitness wise over the winter. The Wood suffered five big defeats this year, Cullion's aim will be to be competitive in at least three matches. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 07/11/2021 12:40:02 2388620 Link 0 |
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Totally deserved Senior title number 14 for Raharney today. Led from pillar to post with Cillian Doyle's first half display crucial. Every player in blue contributed with Eamon Cunneen, Darren Finn, Robbie Greville, Cormac Boyle, David Hickey and Jamie Mulkerrins to the fore. Hugely disappointing for Castletown to lose third final in succession but their performance will really be the most disappointing aspect. Fumbled a lot of ball, too much passing in defence and didn't utilise the breeze. Raharney looked comfortable throughout and a great achievement for Brendan McKeogh in first season as manager. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 07/11/2021 20:26:57 2388676 Link 0 |
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Have to agree, raharney by far the more hungry side. sad day for Castletown, they are almost the Mayo of hurling. 3 finals in a row is a desperate record although they do deserve credit for making the finals. James73 (Westmeath) - Posts: 40 - 08/11/2021 08:22:35 2388698 Link 0 |
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were the dressing rooms open yesterday
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1799 - 08/11/2021 08:57:01 2388707 Link 0 |
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No they were not. A joke.
Leftpeg1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 88 - 08/11/2021 11:16:49 2388733 Link 0 |
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Pods of 6 allowed in dressing rooms only unless all are vaccinated. GAA can't insist on vaccination. Numerous positive cases in panels over the last 4 weeks. Its the right call to keep them closed.
midfield9 (Westmeath) - Posts: 102 - 08/11/2021 12:02:11 2388746 Link 0 |
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Raharney deserved their win yesterday, they were the hungrier side without a doubt. Huge disappointment for Castletown, 3 final losses in a row.. it's going to be hard for them to bounce back but they are definitely capable of it. They have won back to back minor titles now and going for 3 in a row next year so they need to start integrating some of these young lads into that senior team starting next year. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 770 - 08/11/2021 12:04:25 2388747 Link 0 |
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Castletown should never have got rid of E Gallagher
Mattyreilly (Westmeath) - Posts: 153 - 09/11/2021 08:58:51 2388838 Link 0 |
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Eamon Gallagher has had notable successes in the past with teams but he managed Raharney last year and they didn't even get out of group stages so seems a strange comment. Pat O' Brien and his selectors have managed a side to three successive county finals where they lost narrowly on each occasion, not sure management failure was the reason why? The Castletown players certainly have great time for him. His efforts with Castletown at all ages for many years have been fantastic. Other clubs within the county and outside sought his services but he always stayed with Castletown. Last year's defeat was particularly harsh given their excellent performance, they were poor in first half last Sunday and it cost them but they played their part in a superb second half. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 09/11/2021 16:35:34 2388939 Link 0 |
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Some comeback from Kilmacud, going to a tough task for raharney Bigjoe1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 38 - 13/11/2021 20:12:19 2389318 Link 0 |