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Westmeath Hurling thread

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Replying To Temple56: "Athlone is the most populated place in Westmeath and they have around 25 hurlers? Real money should be put towards building Southern Gaels a pitch down in Athlone. Yes football is number one in and around Athlone but there is plenty of room for Athlone to have a Senior Hurling team if real investment and thought was put into it by the county board. I believe if Athlone Hurling was improved it would bring the standard of hurling in the county up a peg or two People think that Southern Gaels share their pitch with Athlone GAA where this is untrue. They get treated like 2nd class citizens. They are denied access to the main pitch and the use of lights. There is an on going tension between Athlone GAA and Southern Gaels members." If that's the case the county board should definitely intervene and try and do more to promote the game around Athlone. Southern Gaels should have a grounds of their own, this could make all the difference. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 782 - 18/08/2022 10:04:37 2437848 Link
Replying To Temple56: "Athlone is the most populated place in Westmeath and they have around 25 hurlers? Real money should be put towards building Southern Gaels a pitch down in Athlone. Yes football is number one in and around Athlone but there is plenty of room for Athlone to have a Senior Hurling team if real investment and thought was put into it by the county board. I believe if Athlone Hurling was improved it would bring the standard of hurling in the county up a peg or two People think that Southern Gaels share their pitch with Athlone GAA where this is untrue. They get treated like 2nd class citizens. They are denied access to the main pitch and the use of lights. There is an on going tension between Athlone GAA and Southern Gaels members." In the first round of this years Under 19 football championship both Athlone and Garrycastle gave walkovers as they couldn't field so if they are denying S.Gaels access its not paying off Thechick (Westmeath) - Posts: 232 - 18/08/2022 10:17:54 2437853 Link
No I'm not saying to replace clubs with amalgamated clubs. I was referring to the Kerry championship which has a amalgamation/ regional championship where teams outside senior join together based on area but they still have there normal championship too. It meant the Clifford's play with there club Fossa in intermediate and East Kerry in the amalgamation for example. Yeah schools hurling needs to be pushed way more across the county including places like Athlone aswell because there's nothing coming from there atm. Gaawestmeath (Westmeath) - Posts: 74 - 18/08/2022 10:31:45 2437855 Link
Replying To CleanShoulder: "Amalgamations are going to become inevitable at adult level for a lot of clubs in the near future. You only need to look at underage divisions and there's not many who are able to stand alone, this is a real issue that will inevitably feed into adult level. In another decade there's a real possibility that there may be only 10 stand alone hurling clubs in the county. Hurling is dying slowly in the county unfortunately. The main reason for this is that the hurling factions are all mainly outside the population centres, and ironically the underage football teams within these areas even seem to be a bigger draw at the moment if you study the dynamics of the underage affiliation." Rural and village populations aren't necessarily growing. Family sizes are smaller now and the brain drain for career opportunities all factors in. Less likely to have a gang of Devines, Clarkes, Loughlins, Murtaghs etc propping up a team for a decade. Census figures for the rural club villages/towns would be interesting. Just to see the age demographics and change in population over the last 10-20 years. Crookedwood and Multy is a curious one. They would have fairly similar numbers for years underage but the football has really taken off in the last 10 years or so. There isn't quite a direct overlap anymore. Ultimately things do go in cycles but I'd feel that the county board (& leinster gaa too) need to put more work into supporting and developing the smaller rural clubs. The odd coaching course or GDA visit is of minimal impact. They are definitely under pressure to survive. If you want the county teams to be competitive and progress over long-term, the smaller clubs survival is key - this would keep our playing numbers up. Having three super-clubs and a handful of full-time amalgamations would be a competitive c'ship no doubt. On the flipside, it would reduce our overall playing numbers significantly. gedupoutofit (Westmeath) - Posts: 163 - 18/08/2022 13:25:42 2437885 Link
Investment financially in Athlone hurling is only a fraction of what's needed. It's manpower they're struggling with. Over the years a small cohort of people have kept hurling alive in the area, the likes of Frank Young and Artie Pyle were wonderful servants, money won't solve the manpower issue. The football aspect in Athlone is under pressure as it is, Athlone are contenders in under 17 division 1 but Garrycastle are combined as Western Gaels, at under 15 level Garrycastle are contenders in division 1 but tight on numbers and Athlone are not in division 1, at under 13 level neither side is close to Division 1. The contrast with the Mullingar area at under 13 level is stark where Loman's, Shandonagh and The Downs have all outstanding sides and are considerably ahead of all others. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1489 - 18/08/2022 14:01:13 2437897 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "Investment financially in Athlone hurling is only a fraction of what's needed. It's manpower they're struggling with. Over the years a small cohort of people have kept hurling alive in the area, the likes of Frank Young and Artie Pyle were wonderful servants, money won't solve the manpower issue. The football aspect in Athlone is under pressure as it is, Athlone are contenders in under 17 division 1 but Garrycastle are combined as Western Gaels, at under 15 level Garrycastle are contenders in division 1 but tight on numbers and Athlone are not in division 1, at under 13 level neither side is close to Division 1. The contrast with the Mullingar area at under 13 level is stark where Loman's, Shandonagh and The Downs have all outstanding sides and are considerably ahead of all others." Hurling in Mullingar has definitely got its house in order with Cullion and Plunketts getting a lot stronger at underage now and competing in division 1. We need to see Southern Gaels do something similar, if we can get those 3 clubs producing quality players it'll boost our county team no doubt as we will always get talent from Castletown Geoghegan, Raharney, Clonkill, Pollard and Collinstown. It's important we get the most out of our big towns. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 782 - 18/08/2022 14:33:00 2437901 Link
Replying To Dheen: "Hurling in Mullingar has definitely got its house in order with Cullion and Plunketts getting a lot stronger at underage now and competing in division 1. We need to see Southern Gaels do something similar, if we can get those 3 clubs producing quality players it'll boost our county team no doubt as we will always get talent from Castletown Geoghegan, Raharney, Clonkill, Pollard and Collinstown. It's important we get the most out of our big towns." Is it fair to say that some of these clubs are picking players/talent from a huge area - well outside their base, and squeezing neighbouring small clubs. jfd (Westmeath) - Posts: 240 - 18/08/2022 14:46:52 2437902 Link
Cullion put up a good fight against Clonkill last night particularly in the first half. Clonkill pulling away in the second half as expected. Very interesting and important games over the weekend, Delvin vs Crookedwood in Senior B this evening and then the Senior A double header tomorrow, Lough Lene Gaels vs Castlepollard. A local derby with both teams having a lot to play for. Raharney vs Castletown after that then, a knockout game essentially. Huge stakes. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 782 - 20/08/2022 11:12:24 2438091 Link
Replying To Dheen: "Cullion put up a good fight against Clonkill last night particularly in the first half. Clonkill pulling away in the second half as expected. Very interesting and important games over the weekend, Delvin vs Crookedwood in Senior B this evening and then the Senior A double header tomorrow, Lough Lene Gaels vs Castlepollard. A local derby with both teams having a lot to play for. Raharney vs Castletown after that then, a knockout game essentially. Huge stakes." Indeed, draw at half time and Cullion had a good few wides too. Clonkill didnt look like champions elect for me but did run out comfortable winners. Cullion manager got himself a red card after the final whistle for giving the ref an earful. Other Cullion mentors shouting that a Raharney ref shouldn't have been in charge of that game. All a bit embarrassing if you ask me after an 11 point defeat. As discussed previously, this is a new look young Clonkill team. Mitchell at sweeper is interesting but i wouldn't rule out seeing him on the edge of the square for the final. Will be interesting to see how Raharney react to their new manager, should get a bounce. 2 great games in Cusack tomorrow evening for sure. BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1130 - 20/08/2022 11:56:24 2438095 Link
Good to see Cullion putting a decent showing for 40 mins, their performances have been inconsistent which is to be expected at senior level, the step up from Senior B is considerable, they were too negative in their approach versus Castletown and made life easy for an experimental Castletown side. They still have a slim chance of staying up if they get a result against Raharney and there's a possibility Raharney's season will be over at that stage depending on results tomorrow. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1489 - 20/08/2022 12:10:27 2438096 Link
Surprised with the ruthless reaction from Raharney to ditch their championship winning manager midway through the championship. That's the price of losing to the Gaels by the look of it. They aren't obviously in the position that they were expecting to be in after 3 rounds, especially as they were by far the most impressive team over the first weekend, but a bit extreme maybe? CleanShoulder (Westmeath) - Posts: 270 - 20/08/2022 20:38:21 2438147 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "Good to see Cullion putting a decent showing for 40 mins, their performances have been inconsistent which is to be expected at senior level, the step up from Senior B is considerable, they were too negative in their approach versus Castletown and made life easy for an experimental Castletown side. They still have a slim chance of staying up if they get a result against Raharney and there's a possibility Raharney's season will be over at that stage depending on results tomorrow." 2 huge games in the park really looking forward to Raharney v Castletown should be a cracker. Delvin hammered the Wood this evening and have more potential than Cullion so could make that step up to A.Dont see anyone else troubling them.Plunketts finding the step from intermediate to senior B tough as well. jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1456 - 20/08/2022 20:38:27 2438148 Link
Replying To jobber: "2 huge games in the park really looking forward to Raharney v Castletown should be a cracker. Delvin hammered the Wood this evening and have more potential than Cullion so could make that step up to A.Dont see anyone else troubling them.Plunketts finding the step from intermediate to senior B tough as well." Plunketts dont have a deep panel so really missed injured captain Davy Gavin all season and were down their full back Ahearn and full forward Corroon today. Slevin and Coyne impressive for Brigids today, they probably just about deserved the win but Plunketts only have themselves to blame. They need to beat Crookedwood and hope Brownstown beat Brigids and force a play off as you can't be relegated on head to head. BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1130 - 20/08/2022 21:23:59 2438151 Link
Replying To jobber: "2 huge games in the park really looking forward to Raharney v Castletown should be a cracker. Delvin hammered the Wood this evening and have more potential than Cullion so could make that step up to A.Dont see anyone else troubling them.Plunketts finding the step from intermediate to senior B tough as well." Delvin looking good, Adam Ennis is an excellent defender, Alan Cox has loads of energy in midfield. They are particularly good up front with Josh Coll, Darragh Clinton and Dean Ennis. 6-18 is a huge score to put up but they'll need to tighten up in defence going forward. Difficult to know if they'd have a better chance in Senior A than Cullion, they are both just at the same level, better than the rest in Senior B but just below the teams in Senior A. Cullion showed glimpses of promise, drawing with the Gaels and putting up a decent performance against Clonkill. Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 782 - 21/08/2022 11:04:56 2438160 Link
My information is that Alan Cox is travelling abroad and not available for Delvin this year? 6-18 is a huge score, were Crookedwood short? Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1489 - 21/08/2022 12:15:34 2438162 Link
Speaking of huge scores , I see Southern Gaels scored 5-44 in the Intermediate Jack_Sparrow (Westmeath) - Posts: 1016 - 21/08/2022 16:13:54 2438181 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "My information is that Alan Cox is travelling abroad and not available for Delvin this year? 6-18 is a huge score, were Crookedwood short?" Alan Cox is away, Croookedwood were short of defenders which they have been for some years now. Really is Delvins to lose now, should be a Brownstown/Wood semi but neither will beat Delvin. The Gaels more or less out of the senior after today's results, CTG v Pollard is winner takes all for a semi vs Raharney. stonemadbeany (USA) - Posts: 542 - 21/08/2022 18:51:39 2438191 Link
Surely Fr. Dalton's will be in senior B contention? Delvin look strong favourites. Castlepollard most impressive side in Cusack this afternoon, easily beat the Gaels, could have been 9-10 points in it, they'll be fancied to beat Castletown in what is virtually a quarter final, Pollard are hurling well under Barry Kennedy and Castletown have been average this year, lot of questions about the Castletown side, look to have talent and great club men in charge but Raharney were superior today, final scoreline flattered Castletown. Clonkill in county final but they'll face a wait. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1489 - 21/08/2022 20:04:28 2438200 Link
Decent entertainment in the park today, exciting enough north Westmeath derby in that the result wasn't certain until the last 10 minutes, it was a lot closer than it should have been due to Castlepollards wastefulness, they were 10 or 12 points the better team. Castlepollard were better all around the field, the Gaels had too many passengers on the team, their midfield completely wiped out of it. The second game was something similar albeit a higher standard, Raharney also should also have won by more, Castletown are not firing properly yet. Raharney all but guaranteed second spot now, God knows how they managed to lose to the Gaels looking at both teams today. Third spot between Castletown and Castlepollard, more than likely be Castletown to maintain the trend of the 3 team championship. Collinstown are effectively out of the championship, senior status safe for another year. Delvin red hot favourites to go back senior after the weekend, for all Turin's promise with some strong underage players meant to have come through in recent years they are a club in real trouble. Ringtown and 3 senior second strings left in the 3rd tier. CleanShoulder (Westmeath) - Posts: 270 - 21/08/2022 21:02:09 2438205 Link
The Pollard vs Gaels game was entertaining, young Darragh McCormack was outstanding on Jogger Dheen (Westmeath) - Posts: 782 - 21/08/2022 21:14:16 2438209 Link