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Westmeath Football thread

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Looks like Lomans and Kinnegad for the semis with Caulry and behind them in group A. Winner of Downs and Tyrellspass following them, I can see the Downs getting it together by then.

Tang looking good in group B, Keith Higgins has done a great job there. Winner of Moate and Shamrocks for 2nd then, youth vs experience in that one. Hard to see Garrycastle staying up after yesterdays result, 6 points up and only a single point in 2nd half is very poor.

Intermediate shaping up nicely, Tubberclaire made to work but should finish in top 2 now and St Marys looking likely to finish bottom. If Ballymore beat Rosemount next round they look good for 2nd but a win for Rosemount leaves it all very tight. I'll go with Castledaly to finish 2nd, Ballymore and Rosemount into the QF and Milltown to miss out.

Winners of tonights game between Malachys and Ball will be assured of top 2 but I think both will still finish top 2 anyways with Milltownpass and Maryland missing out. Hard to see where CFCW pull a win from.

Junior very interesting, Josephs struggled to best Moates junior team which isn't a great sign. Still enough to progress and comes down to Bunbrosna needing to beat Ballycomoyle and St Pauls

martyW (Westmeath) - Posts: 308 - 24/07/2023 14:20:26    2496555

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Some very close results at the weekend, all to play for in rd 4+5 at all grades. Conditions probably didn't help make any fixture a spectacle but entertaining none the less.... there is some amount of timewasting creeping into game, it must be a new tactic. Between subs taking ages to come on and off and players pretending to be injured to wind down the clock. It is a joke in some instances

WestmeathFan (Westmeath) - Posts: 26 - 24/07/2023 14:21:20    2496556

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Watched the two games in the park yesterday evening. Athlone did deserve the win I think. They created a few goal chances, and took none. Apparently they had the same issue against Tang. They still have an outside chance of qualifying. So do Shandonagh, but realistically they'll be just happy to stay up, and will be hoping Tang and Athlone both beat Garrycastle. Garrycastle controlled the first half of their game, and fully deserved their 6 point lead. Second half they struggled to even get past the halfway line. Shamrocks pinned them in, won everything at midfield, and seemed to be able to strip them of possession any time they tried to carry. Not sure what they can fix ahead of next round. They look like they'd struggle at intermediate right now.

jamsie (Westmeath) - Posts: 425 - 24/07/2023 15:23:40    2496573

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Two enjoyable games in TEG on Sunday for different reasons. Thought Athlone and Shandonagh had a draw written all over it. Athlone winning by one is a huge result for them. Garrycastle and Mullingar Shamrocks was the classic game of two halves. Garrycastle looked like they'd gain their first win but their second half performance showed where they really are at the moment. Shamrocks opened up and we're more attacking in the second half and they were comfortable in the end.

Saw the below post on Mullingars Facebook page and it explains their permutations really well.


It's Not That Simple (after a recount) ...

On a more mature reflection (as Brian Lenihan once said) we do need to beat Athlone in our next match to be certain of playin Moate All Whites for a place in the knockout stages of the championship.

If Athlone beat us and Garrycastle they end the league campaign with 6 points. If we beat Moate All Whites we also end up with 6 points and would be eliminated on the head-to-head with Athlone.

The crucial result then would be the Shandonagh-Moate All-Whites result as a win for Moate would give a league table with MAW, MS and Athlone tied on 6 which would bring scoring difference into play.

So to be certain of going forward we need to win our next two matches.

Numerous permutations are still possible: Shandonagh can finish with 6 by winning their next two matches; Tang can remain on six by losing their next two.

It's all to play for yet!

One more point: According to the Planning Report a play off shall take place between teams 5 and 6 with the loser relegated to intermediate ranks for 2024. MIght be better to move off those 4 points as soon as possible!

Mountlin (Westmeath) - Posts: 46 - 25/07/2023 12:56:22    2496775

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Fixtures are out. Its really a crucial round.
St Lomans are in the park again... Is this their 4th straight game this year in Headquarters?

gti (Westmeath) - Posts: 236 - 26/07/2023 08:56:54    2496959

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What's new about Lomans! Where can fixtures be viewed…they are not on website.

Baldy1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 83 - 26/07/2023 09:59:09    2496978

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Replying To gti:  "Fixtures are out. Its really a crucial round.
St Lomans are in the park again... Is this their 4th straight game this year in Headquarters?"
A very Dublin and Croke Park feel to it. Surely they can be fixed to play elsewhere in a couple of the rounds.

Moate only getting their first game in Cusack Park against Shandonagh and we are into Round 4.

Tang playing Garrycastle in Athlone meaning they still haven't got a senior championship game in Cusack Park since they won Intermediate two years ago.

mintyfresh (Westmeath) - Posts: 199 - 26/07/2023 10:25:07    2496983

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Is it a rule that St.Lomans have to play all their games in Mullingar/Cusack Pk.??Surely this is a huge advantage to them similiar to the Dubs in Croke Pk!! Im sure Tang would love to get a run out there

Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 120 - 26/07/2023 13:10:20    2497053

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Below is a breakdown of each senior teams amount of games in Cusack Park in the championship this year by the time round 4 is played

Lomans, The Downs, Kinnegad
- 4
Tyrellspass, Killucan - 3
Caulry, Shandonagh - 2
Shamrocks, Garrycastle, Athlone, Moate - 1
Tang - 0

Comparing only Lomans to the Dublin/Croke Pk was probably unfair when you see The Downs and Kinnegad have played the same amount of games. All three teams could be made play games elsewhere in the county

Caulry v Lomans could be played in Moate
Tyrrellspass v The Downs could be played in Kinnegad
Killucan v Kinnegad could be played in The Downs

This frees up Cusack Park for those who aren't getting games there.

mintyfresh (Westmeath) - Posts: 199 - 26/07/2023 15:56:17    2497106

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Replying To Bruno@1:  "Is it a rule that St.Lomans have to play all their games in Mullingar/Cusack Pk.??Surely this is a huge advantage to them similiar to the Dubs in Croke Pk!! Im sure Tang would love to get a run out there"
Caulry to give Lomans a good rattle but wont beat them.
Lomans will be a proper test of Caulrys credentials, McCormack has to start after his impact off bench in Killucan game.

lakecounty90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 54 - 26/07/2023 16:03:57    2497111

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Replying To mintyfresh:  "Below is a breakdown of each senior teams amount of games in Cusack Park in the championship this year by the time round 4 is played

Lomans, The Downs, Kinnegad
- 4
Tyrellspass, Killucan - 3
Caulry, Shandonagh - 2
Shamrocks, Garrycastle, Athlone, Moate - 1
Tang - 0

Comparing only Lomans to the Dublin/Croke Pk was probably unfair when you see The Downs and Kinnegad have played the same amount of games. All three teams could be made play games elsewhere in the county

Caulry v Lomans could be played in Moate
Tyrrellspass v The Downs could be played in Kinnegad
Killucan v Kinnegad could be played in The Downs

This frees up Cusack Park for those who aren't getting games there."
Great update, very fair breakdown. Many seem to jump at St. Lomans without having the research to back it up. The big teams seem to be getting the rub of the green with playing in the park. And I don't agree with this myself but it's 3 teams and not just one.

Edman78 (Westmeath) - Posts: 100 - 26/07/2023 17:17:32    2497144

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Replying To mintyfresh:  "Below is a breakdown of each senior teams amount of games in Cusack Park in the championship this year by the time round 4 is played

Lomans, The Downs, Kinnegad
- 4
Tyrellspass, Killucan - 3
Caulry, Shandonagh - 2
Shamrocks, Garrycastle, Athlone, Moate - 1
Tang - 0

Comparing only Lomans to the Dublin/Croke Pk was probably unfair when you see The Downs and Kinnegad have played the same amount of games. All three teams could be made play games elsewhere in the county

Caulry v Lomans could be played in Moate
Tyrrellspass v The Downs could be played in Kinnegad
Killucan v Kinnegad could be played in The Downs

This frees up Cusack Park for those who aren't getting games there."
Very good analysis/breakdown of matches to date and its not only St.Lomans -it seems the "bigger teams" have priority on game time on Cusack Park.

Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 120 - 26/07/2023 20:49:18    2497175

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Some strange venue decisions in general among the fixtures I think, bringing one or even both teams involved way out of the way. Have seen a few examples. Thought games were supposed to be "neutral".

TheLineKing (Westmeath) - Posts: 18 - 26/07/2023 22:39:50    2497185

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Replying To Edman78:  "Great update, very fair breakdown. Many seem to jump at St. Lomans without having the research to back it up. The big teams seem to be getting the rub of the green with playing in the park. And I don't agree with this myself but it's 3 teams and not just one."
In fairness geography does help too. County board need to try maximise crowds at games too.
But agreed that Lomans Caulry should be in shandonagh or somewhere halfway.

CasKD (Westmeath) - Posts: 36 - 27/07/2023 08:06:12    2497203

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Replying To Bruno@1:  "Very good analysis/breakdown of matches to date and its not only St.Lomans -it seems the "bigger teams" have priority on game time on Cusack Park."
Strange that Shamrocks have just one game in Cusack while Lomans have four.

midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 512 - 27/07/2023 10:12:19    2497221

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Replying To midlands:  "Strange that Shamrocks have just one game in Cusack while Lomans have four."
Bottom group with a lot of South based teams.

Also the top 6 teams clashing are maybe considered more the big clashes?

CasKD (Westmeath) - Posts: 36 - 27/07/2023 11:19:32    2497246

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Replying To midlands:  "Strange that Shamrocks have just one game in Cusack while Lomans have four."
Its not really strange given that Shamrocks are lower down than Lomans this year. All counties will try increase revenues where they can and it makes perfect sense to have their biggest club fixtures as part of double headers in main grounds. Naturally enough then most Senior A matches will be played in Cusack with some from Section B and small number from intermediate. Of course certain clubs have 'a pull' too. When things heat up youll see Clonkill/Downs and Raharney/Killucan will always get the extra days rest between hurling and football weekends. Some other clubs with cross over dont though.

A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 102 - 27/07/2023 13:03:11    2497276

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Wouldn't read too much into it. Four teams based in the south of the county in Group B. In terms of attendance it makes sense that Athlone, Garrycastle, Moate, Tang games against each other are played in the south of the county. Same way it makes sense that Lomans, Killucan, The Downs, play their games around Mullingar to attract a larger attendance. Naturally Senior A games are the ones that would attract larger audience for Iarmhi TV as well as another revenue stream and I imagine Cusack Park is the best venue for setting up cameras etc.

Wmeath2 (Westmeath) - Posts: 168 - 27/07/2023 14:17:00    2497303

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Replying To A_Chairde:  "Its not really strange given that Shamrocks are lower down than Lomans this year. All counties will try increase revenues where they can and it makes perfect sense to have their biggest club fixtures as part of double headers in main grounds. Naturally enough then most Senior A matches will be played in Cusack with some from Section B and small number from intermediate. Of course certain clubs have 'a pull' too. When things heat up youll see Clonkill/Downs and Raharney/Killucan will always get the extra days rest between hurling and football weekends. Some other clubs with cross over dont though."
This is not a new phenomenon. For instance, over the years I recall Shamrocks playing Garrycastle in venues such as Moate, Rosemount, Rochfortbridge and Ballymore, when both were considered top senior teams. I can recall Loman's playing Garrycastle just once outside of Cusack Park.

midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 512 - 27/07/2023 14:41:00    2497308

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Replying To midlands:  "This is not a new phenomenon. For instance, over the years I recall Shamrocks playing Garrycastle in venues such as Moate, Rosemount, Rochfortbridge and Ballymore, when both were considered top senior teams. I can recall Loman's playing Garrycastle just once outside of Cusack Park."
Lomans played Garrycastle in Moate in 2021, in Tubberclair in 2019 and in Rosemount in 2018.

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 332 - 27/07/2023 15:41:42    2497320

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