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Westmeath Football thread

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Lomans edged it and finished the game out like county champions which I had a feeling they would do. Fola with an incredible goal, you'd have to be there to witness it to understand it. It was incredible. That gave Lomans the cushion. Disappointed with Kinnegad in the second half, lacked ideas, fitness looked an
Issue too, as Lomans got stronger. Lomans could have had another few goals from Kelvin Reilly and Tj Cox, two fine saves keeping those efforts out. It must be said that Peter Foys contribution was immense, probably the man of the match but it's goes to Fola for a moment of brilliance. Heslin, O Toole and the McCartans were of sorts but understandable after a long year. David Whelan also very prominent in defence. Congratulations St. Lomans, championship will be a really high quality affair across the board this year.

WmeathWarrior (Westmeath) - Posts: 65 - 30/06/2024 21:28:45    2556072

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Agree with you re Peter Foy but to describe Heslin as being out of sorts is completely wrong, he was the dominant midfielder on show, ran the game, caught kickouts, tackled, scored difficult frees and his kick passing distribution in the second half was sublime. His legs might be not as good as they were as an inside forward but his skill and game management were immense, Loman's have pacy forwards who will avail of his vision and accuracy and on tonight's display Loman's are odds on to retain the championship. Fola is an enigma, he wasn't named on Loman's Division 1 or 3 teams for the league but easily one of the best 10 players in the county, hardly a better goal scored in Cusack in last twenty years, seventy yard solo past opponents and a pike driver from 20 metres to the top corner.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1972 - 30/06/2024 23:23:11    2556106

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Watched Folas wonder goal back on Colm Parkinsons twitter. Reminds me of Flans goal v Laois all those years ago. Phenomenal achievement by Lomans to win Division 1 & 3 titles with two totally different teams and while missing 6 or 7. Kinnegad are an improving team but not sure if any of the rest are making any in roads on Lomans. They seem stronger than ever. The Downs will be back in a quarter final Im sure. Delighted for Garrycastle after a tough couple of years for the club. Jack Donohue dedicating the win to the late Enda Mulvihill was a nice moment yesterday .

A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 262 - 01/07/2024 10:14:07    2556146

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Div.1 final was a cagey affair yesterday but the experience of St.Lomans shaded it in the end.Lack of real finishing power will hamper Kinnegad again -defencesively sound but weak up top.Thought John Heslin was very influencial out around the middle yesterday and Folas goal was a fitting way to win any final.Lomans will be top team again this year in championship.
Div 2 final was more open and Garrycastle were most deserving winners and should be favourites to win out the intermediate and make a quick return to senior level.Caulry on the other hand were awful.At full strength with all their senior and u20 county players starting -they were out of sorts completely and Garrycastle were dominant all over the park.Garrycastle will go into the championship in confident mood but lots of work needed to be done by Caulry for senior opener against Tryellspass
2 good divisional league titles for St.Lomans and they really are the dominant club in Westmeath.

Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 220 - 01/07/2024 11:30:37    2556172

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Replying To WmeathWarrior:  "Lomans edged it and finished the game out like county champions which I had a feeling they would do. Fola with an incredible goal, you'd have to be there to witness it to understand it. It was incredible. That gave Lomans the cushion. Disappointed with Kinnegad in the second half, lacked ideas, fitness looked an
Issue too, as Lomans got stronger. Lomans could have had another few goals from Kelvin Reilly and Tj Cox, two fine saves keeping those efforts out. It must be said that Peter Foys contribution was immense, probably the man of the match but it's goes to Fola for a moment of brilliance. Heslin, O Toole and the McCartans were of sorts but understandable after a long year. David Whelan also very prominent in defence. Congratulations St. Lomans, championship will be a really high quality affair across the board this year."
Youre telling me a 37 year old was man of the match. The 5/6 for Lomans wont be around long more as Im going up to Paddy Power on Patrick st now at lunchtime to smash them, should be 1/10

lakecounty90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 118 - 01/07/2024 11:57:48    2556190

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "The two teams heading in very different directions was correct but think you got the teams mixed up!!!!!!! Seriously, Garrycastle minus John Gaffey, Mark McCallon, Eoin Monaghan and Tom O' Halloran were deserving winners, totally dominated the second half despite playing against the breeze, worrying defensively for Caulry, conceded 3-3 in second half and they were at full strength. Garrycastle looked impressive and the team to beat in the Intermediate championship, In the division 1 final a goal for the ages by Fola was the highlight, incredible finish, Loman's minus Jason Daly, Kevin Regan, Shane Dempsey, Darragh O' Keefe, Jack Geoghan and others deservedly beat a full strength Coralstown Kinnegad side, John Heslin was majestic at midfield with Danny McCartan and Sam McCartan also good. Kinnegad's defensive style is getting them to finals but not winning trophies. Great weekend for Loman's winning Division 1 and 3 league titles."
I hold my hands up and admit I got division 2 prediction wrong, fully expected Caulry to win and lay down a marker.
Garrycastle looked the fitter team and will take lot of beating in intermediate.

lakecounty90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 118 - 01/07/2024 12:05:29    2556192

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Replying To lakecounty90:  "Youre telling me a 37 year old was man of the match. The 5/6 for Lomans wont be around long more as Im going up to Paddy Power on Patrick st now at lunchtime to smash them, should be 1/10"
TJ Reid is often man of the match for Kilkenny and he's 37, Cluxton 41, Foy is in great shape, if he wasn't man of the match then John Heslin at 33 was.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1972 - 01/07/2024 13:00:54    2556225

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Garrycastle were impressive and took goals well but Caulry looked poor. Possibly trained hard last week as promotion secured

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1972 - 01/07/2024 13:02:25    2556226

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "TJ Reid is often man of the match for Kilkenny and he's 37, Cluxton 41, Foy is in great shape, if he wasn't man of the match then John Heslin at 33 was."
32, and only just. We'll be watching him dominate games with Lomans for a long time yet.

jamsie (Westmeath) - Posts: 466 - 01/07/2024 13:31:34    2556237

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Garrycastle were impressive and took goals well but Caulry looked poor. Possibly trained hard last week as promotion secured"
Or maybe Caulry not as good as people think!!

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 523 - 01/07/2024 13:45:42    2556243

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Replying To lakecounty90:  "Youre telling me a 37 year old was man of the match. The 5/6 for Lomans wont be around long more as Im going up to Paddy Power on Patrick st now at lunchtime to smash them, should be 1/10"
Ridiculous how can 37 not be man match so are you saying no man match can be given to older player because of age. That is ridiculous

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 547 - 01/07/2024 19:18:36    2556364

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StLomans really impressed me …. I am hoping kinnegad go one step further but the old dog for the hard road as it goes … StLomans are riddled with quality and they won't be going anywhere for a very long time …. That goal by the boy fola was unbelievable and if my memory serves me correct didn't he score a goal for the county v down in cusack park similar ….kinnegad lacking a killer forward but are a great team and maybe if the handbrake is loosened they will thrive …. A great championship in store but hard to luck past st lomans

TheGaaMan77 (Westmeath) - Posts: 70 - 01/07/2024 23:00:12    2556408

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Replying To CleanShoulder:  "Now the leagues are practically at an end, it's always interesting to take stock of where all contenders in the different grades appear to be with the championships just around the corner.

No surprise to see Lomans and Kinnegad in div 1 final and this has to be the early runner for a repeat in the championship final, they have been the 2 standout teams in the last 18 months. Shamrocks and Downs also with decent leagues and should secure the 2 quarter final spots from section b, but are a bit off the pace set by the other 2, the Downs a long way off what they were when winning in 2022. Caulry had a good run in div 2, bit of recent hype around them but not going to win a senior championship from there and a lot of ground to make up still. Tang and Athlone showed where they are with poor leagues and will drop to section b for next year. Malachys abysmal run in the league shows they're not near ready for senior football, granted they lose a good few hurlers for the league but they will be relegated straight away unless something drastic happens.

Milltownpass were the only intermediate side in div 1 and although relegated the exposure will stand to them later in the year. Garrycastle with a statement of intent topping div 2, and they could be stopping the rot and will be hoping to bounce back quickly. Milltown also had a great league and were unbelievably unlucky not to get promoted to div1, any other team that reached 14 points in the league made it to a final, and some got there with less. The intermediate is always the most open and competitive grade but I think the winner will come from this trio. Tubberclair could be a dark horse, a young team that's improving fast in the last couple of years. Multyfarnham were another team unlucky not to get promoted in the league with 13 points and that would have been a huge step for their development, I think they'll make the quarters with Rochfortbridge from section b and that will be as far as either team goes, winners definitely coming out of section a this year. Ballynacargy look a side in serious decline and will need to do something big to halt this after a whitewash and relegation from div 3 in the league. No intermediate team is currently playing below div 3 and their first round with kilbeggan could double as a relegation playoff for championship. They also appear to have very little coming through their underage which must be a concern, Inny Shamrocks sides are in the lower leagues which is a far cry from Ballynacargy underage teams of memory competing in the top division and winning titles. Rosemount and Castledaly always peak round championship time and capable of winning a game or 2 but don't see either in the running.

St Josephs are looking the strongest of the sole junior clubs after the league, almost getting promotion from div 3 to div 2, they only lost a couple of matches late on, promotion would have been a huge achievement for them. CFCW are well poised after winning div 5 without any apparent bother, and they've shown over the last couple of years that they are capable of winning games at intermediate level when they have their act together, they're a hard team to read. Bunbrosna to their credit have hung on in div 3 again for another year, with 2 wins and a walkover in their last 4 games, ironically scuppering Joseph's promotion in the last one, but they are an aging team on borrowed time and won't be in the running, and like the other half of their underage amalgamation don't have enough coming through. Ballycomoyles recent form of the last couple of years has deserted them, they also look like a team in decline after finishing bottom of div 5 and struggling to get any result, and are another junior club whose sides are really struggling at underage, it's a common theme with any of the clubs struggling in the other grades as well.
In the junior section with the second string teams, Lomans and Downs obviously going very well after winning divisions 3 and 4, Kinnegad also getting promoted from div 4. You could see a team from this section in the mix, particularly Lomans or Shamrocks second string who held their own in div 2, but ultimately these sides will lose players to senior as the competition progresses which usually scuppers them. I think the winner will come from CFCW, Josephs or a senior clubs second string, maybe Lomans or Downs best placed of them."
Mainly close to the junior section.
St Joseph's definitely the stand out team from league form in junior. CFCW are a funny team, could easily compete well at intermediate when they have their ducks in a row. They are a bit of a yo yo team and I'd fancy them to go straight back up. They know how to grind out junior championships.
Balycomoyle are also a funny team, they can have a large turnover of players from year to year depending on hurling commitments for the year. A long year last year for both Ballycomoyle & Lough lene gaels coupled with how the Gaels lost the senior final might spell trouble for Ballycomoyle this year with all focus being on the small ball.
Bunbrosna another team that are battle hardened but surely their legs are starting to get slower. At Paul's showed some decent form in the league at times and it's hard to know with moate.
Lomans and shamrocks look strongest the other side with both junior teams now operating in D2 in the league. Largely the Lomans junior team beating Killucans senior side.
Surely Ballinagore must win Junior 2 now

westmeathgaa11 (Westmeath) - Posts: 299 - 02/07/2024 09:43:26    2556438

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Everyone's fawning over St Loman's yet their much vaunted attack only managed to score 1 point in the opening 25 minutes. I doubt Paddy Dowdall would be happy with how Kinnegad shut them down in the first half. Loman's were always going to get a strong purple patch that effectively won the game; mind you outside of the first 10 minutes of the second half I thought they looked lacklustre. The quality they have in the middle and final third sets them apart from the rest of the teams in Westmeath. Still, their fullback line is substandard and opposing teams should be doing more to exploit them here. Dowdall knows this is their weakest point otherwise he wouldn't be getting David Whelan to sweep/double up or playing 13 (sometimes 15) behind the ball. Watch Sam Mc Cartan against Athlone in a few weeks time and he will again probably spend more time on the ball between his own 13m/45m line shoring up space etc. If you put a quality inside forward like Darragh Kirwan in on top of Darragh O Keeffe then St Loman's are unsettled. Kirwan destroyed them in the Leinster semi final last year. Opposing teams need to be working more on playing with their heads up, breaking with pace and creating opportunities for 1 v. 1s. St Loman's are no world beaters!!

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 112 - 02/07/2024 10:03:02    2556442

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Replying To iarmhiabu:  "Everyone's fawning over St Loman's yet their much vaunted attack only managed to score 1 point in the opening 25 minutes. I doubt Paddy Dowdall would be happy with how Kinnegad shut them down in the first half. Loman's were always going to get a strong purple patch that effectively won the game; mind you outside of the first 10 minutes of the second half I thought they looked lacklustre. The quality they have in the middle and final third sets them apart from the rest of the teams in Westmeath. Still, their fullback line is substandard and opposing teams should be doing more to exploit them here. Dowdall knows this is their weakest point otherwise he wouldn't be getting David Whelan to sweep/double up or playing 13 (sometimes 15) behind the ball. Watch Sam Mc Cartan against Athlone in a few weeks time and he will again probably spend more time on the ball between his own 13m/45m line shoring up space etc. If you put a quality inside forward like Darragh Kirwan in on top of Darragh O Keeffe then St Loman's are unsettled. Kirwan destroyed them in the Leinster semi final last year. Opposing teams need to be working more on playing with their heads up, breaking with pace and creating opportunities for 1 v. 1s. St Loman's are no world beaters!!"
I seen enough on Sunday to say that Lomans will walk the Senior championship. They are good but as you said no world beaters but unfortunately the chasing pack are very poor.

In Group A we have Athlone, Tang, T Pass and Caulry 4 poor teams in my opinion. Kinnegad have a game plan that will frustrated teams but they do not have the forward line to win a championship.

Shamrocks and The Downs the only teams that Lomans will fear but I hear The Downs won't be at full strength until the latter stages of the championship so they will find it hard to get out of group B. Shamrocks are a coming team and have a good mix of youth and experience it will be interesting to see how they get on. I fancy them to top group B but might be too soon for them to compete with Lomans

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 523 - 02/07/2024 11:51:19    2556465

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Replying To Temple56:  "I seen enough on Sunday to say that Lomans will walk the Senior championship. They are good but as you said no world beaters but unfortunately the chasing pack are very poor.

In Group A we have Athlone, Tang, T Pass and Caulry 4 poor teams in my opinion. Kinnegad have a game plan that will frustrated teams but they do not have the forward line to win a championship.

Shamrocks and The Downs the only teams that Lomans will fear but I hear The Downs won't be at full strength until the latter stages of the championship so they will find it hard to get out of group B. Shamrocks are a coming team and have a good mix of youth and experience it will be interesting to see how they get on. I fancy them to top group B but might be too soon for them to compete with Lomans"
Outside of Kinnegad, it's the Downs who would be Lomans only real test in terms of winning the championship. If Lomans played Shamrocks, it would take on a life of it's own as derby games do but no guarantee they'll even get out of the second group. Very few Shamrocks players would get into the Lomans team outside Dennis Corroon, maybe Paddy Fagan or Efe on a good day, Ormsby a good prospect too. It's more likely for Shamrocks to not reach the knockouts than beat Lomans.

Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 193 - 02/07/2024 12:36:16    2556482

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Replying To Temple56:  "I seen enough on Sunday to say that Lomans will walk the Senior championship. They are good but as you said no world beaters but unfortunately the chasing pack are very poor.

In Group A we have Athlone, Tang, T Pass and Caulry 4 poor teams in my opinion. Kinnegad have a game plan that will frustrated teams but they do not have the forward line to win a championship.

Shamrocks and The Downs the only teams that Lomans will fear but I hear The Downs won't be at full strength until the latter stages of the championship so they will find it hard to get out of group B. Shamrocks are a coming team and have a good mix of youth and experience it will be interesting to see how they get on. I fancy them to top group B but might be too soon for them to compete with Lomans"
Shamrocks are at least 3 years off competing with Lomans. And that's only if their 16-18 yr old group of players turn out as good as they seem like they could. No guarantees. They are way off being contenders right now. Kinnegad will win the championship in the next few years if they stick together, but I think Lomans will do it again this year. It's impressive how they have managed to replace more than half of their 2017 Leinster final team and still remain the team to beat throughout. The Downs really should be at the business end. You'd imagine they'll have the hunger back.

jamsie (Westmeath) - Posts: 466 - 02/07/2024 12:58:47    2556495

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Replying To iarmhiabu:  "Everyone's fawning over St Loman's yet their much vaunted attack only managed to score 1 point in the opening 25 minutes. I doubt Paddy Dowdall would be happy with how Kinnegad shut them down in the first half. Loman's were always going to get a strong purple patch that effectively won the game; mind you outside of the first 10 minutes of the second half I thought they looked lacklustre. The quality they have in the middle and final third sets them apart from the rest of the teams in Westmeath. Still, their fullback line is substandard and opposing teams should be doing more to exploit them here. Dowdall knows this is their weakest point otherwise he wouldn't be getting David Whelan to sweep/double up or playing 13 (sometimes 15) behind the ball. Watch Sam Mc Cartan against Athlone in a few weeks time and he will again probably spend more time on the ball between his own 13m/45m line shoring up space etc. If you put a quality inside forward like Darragh Kirwan in on top of Darragh O Keeffe then St Loman's are unsettled. Kirwan destroyed them in the Leinster semi final last year. Opposing teams need to be working more on playing with their heads up, breaking with pace and creating opportunities for 1 v. 1s. St Loman's are no world beaters!!"
Seems simple from a keyboard and yet teams haven't managed to do it too often in the last ten years. Darragh Kirwan is a top provincial forward, unfortunately for you his calibre attacker in Westmeath all play with Loman's. Not sure about him destroying Loman's either in a match that went to extra time. To suggest that Loman's play defensively is nonsense, they've been a great side to watch under a variety of managers, sometimes teams react to opponents like Kerry vs Derry last Sunday, everyone knows how Kinnegad will set up and that's not a criticism of their approach, Pascal and Jack feel that's their best approach and it has brought them to finals.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1972 - 02/07/2024 14:22:51    2556533

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Seems simple from a keyboard and yet teams haven't managed to do it too often in the last ten years. Darragh Kirwan is a top provincial forward, unfortunately for you his calibre attacker in Westmeath all play with Loman's. Not sure about him destroying Loman's either in a match that went to extra time. To suggest that Loman's play defensively is nonsense, they've been a great side to watch under a variety of managers, sometimes teams react to opponents like Kerry vs Derry last Sunday, everyone knows how Kinnegad will set up and that's not a criticism of their approach, Pascal and Jack feel that's their best approach and it has brought them to finals."
I watch a lot of football in Westmeath and I'm sure you do yourself going by your number of posts. St Loman's do have David Whelan sitting behind the half back line in front of the fullback so it's not a nonsensical suggestion. At present, St Loman's are as defence minded as Kinnegad in terms of playing a sweeper or getting numbers behind the ball. They mightn't do it to a greater degree but they do!! Paddy Dowdall being a former member of the St Loman's fullback line is well aware they're vulnerable at the back without protection. He himself played in the 22 final when Niall Mitchell gave them all sorts of bother. Darragh O Keeffe wasn't good enough to start the 22 final while Mitchell brought a young Jack Geoghegan on a tour of the town. Dowdall was then appointed manager, the first job was to get the defence organised and no better man do that. He has been around long enough. To hurt St Loman's you have to get at Whelan and O Keeffe. Yes, it's not so simple as you're already trying to mind their abundant attacking threat!!

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 112 - 02/07/2024 18:11:03    2556583

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You're the only poster in the county I'd safely say who thinks that Loman's are as defensive as Kinnegad, there were hundreds in the park on Sunday who'd beg to differ, Last year's county final was defined by Kinnegad having fifteen behind the ball for the majority of the game and then hand passing the ball across the field. Paddy D is entitled to tighten his defence but there's no evidence based on scoreline s that Loman's can be remotely categorised in the same defensive bracket as Kinnegad

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1972 - 02/07/2024 22:07:49    2556619

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