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Westmeath Football thread

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Replying To Left Full:  "Huge missed opportunity for Lomans, I don't think they'll have had a better chance of winning a Leinster & you could see they were shocked on the sideline at the end of the game. I cant understand why Heslin didn't step up & take the free at the end.
Ardee are a decent side, they have improved, The Downs beat them convincingly 2 years ago in Cusack Park, can't remember the score but it was very one sided. It would be great to see Ardee go & win it now."
The Ardee manager in his interview referenced the Downs game in 2022, he said it was the first of their three in a row and they weren't ready and were caught on the hop , he said they are a much more experienced outfit now.

Thechick (Westmeath) - Posts: 250 - 26/11/2024 10:03:10    2581277

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Replying To Thechick:  "The Ardee manager in his interview referenced the Downs game in 2022, he said it was the first of their three in a row and they weren't ready and were caught on the hop , he said they are a much more experienced outfit now."
The Downs beat St Marys Ardee by 1-17 to 0-12 in 2022. It was the same for The Downs in 2022, they had won their first SFC in 17 years, and it was also their first Leinster campaign in 17 years.

Both Ardee and Lomans on the weaker side of the draw to get to Leinster Final v Cuala. Expect Cuala to win it out.

JoxerDaly (Westmeath) - Posts: 25 - 26/11/2024 12:40:08    2581295

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Replying To Thechick:  "The Ardee manager in his interview referenced the Downs game in 2022, he said it was the first of their three in a row and they weren't ready and were caught on the hop , he said they are a much more experienced outfit now."
Any news on the Westmeath team or how the new management is doing? I've heard there are a lot of young and new players, which is usually a good sign.

Fighting-Cocks69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 25 - 26/11/2024 12:41:35    2581297

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Replying To Left Full:  "Huge missed opportunity for Lomans, I don't think they'll have had a better chance of winning a Leinster & you could see they were shocked on the sideline at the end of the game. I cant understand why Heslin didn't step up & take the free at the end.
Ardee are a decent side, they have improved, The Downs beat them convincingly 2 years ago in Cusack Park, can't remember the score but it was very one sided. It would be great to see Ardee go & win it now."
100% agree that there'll never be a better opportunity in Leinster and really kicking themselves. On the free though it was outside the 45 there's no way heslin would have had the distance against that wind.

Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 185 - 26/11/2024 12:55:00    2581299

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Replying To jfd:  "Wasn't at the game but a few posters have mentioned that Ardee had their homework done ....how did they cancel out Lomans?"
Ok, this won't go down well but here goes. Ardee effectively took John Heslin and Ronan O'Toole out of the game, they assigned their number 11 to track John Heslin. Heslin spent most of the game out around the middle where he was no threat but there was always an Ardee player waiting to check his runs. Gerry Buckley mentioned "The influential John Heslin", but really he had absolutely no influence on the game. I don't think Heslin had a single shot during play. Ardee clearly set out to limit his ability to do what he's best at; win primary possession. They consistently tried to keep their kickouts away from him. The Louth All Star made O'Toole uncomfortable all day, denying him time on the ball, forcing him onto his weaker foot etc. Ardee got 3 points in the second half from his mistakes or poor finishing. One thing Ardee may have looked at is that St Loman's very often sit too deep, as they took most of their scores from outside the D. St Loman's are defensively found wanting when faced with 2 or more quality forwards. Taking David Whelan out of the sweeper role to man mark Ardee's best forward was a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 106 - 26/11/2024 16:08:42    2581335

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St Lomans have being found wanting in Leinster long before 2024. They were never going to do it this year even despite the favourable draw. They are a long way off the Garrycastle side.

Captainfantastic (Westmeath) - Posts: 49 - 26/11/2024 19:16:31    2581364

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Tosh Cleary, Gary Connaughton and Mick Dillon in with Kenny Mc Kinley. Enda Sheridan is the new Ballynacargy manager

A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 251 - 27/11/2024 11:10:43    2581440

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Replying To coffey:  "Shamrocks Michàel Burke
Rosemount Dermody staying
Kinnegad Lads staying on
The Downs I hear John Murray gone
Killucan no word
Milltownpass David Martin back in
Rochfortbridge Eddie Bouabse back in
Tyrellspass no word
Kilbeggan Niall OBrien gone
Moate no word
Malachys Tom Browne back in
Maryland same again
Tang no word
Josephs presume same again
Ballynacargy no manager
Shandonagh no word
Multy same again"
Any updates to this list? Hearing Milltown are looking for new manager. Still nothing from Moate

mintyfresh (Westmeath) - Posts: 251 - 27/11/2024 11:35:28    2581444

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Milltown changing can only be because Pete Ballesty has decided to not go back, their best ever championship season, a whisker from senior status for first time, if it's linked to player power like The Downs it's a pretty bad state, more like the Premiership soccer. Ballynacargy have a new manager, Dags Maher didn't want to continue, Shandonagh is 50-50, Kilbeggan a tough ask to follow Niall O' Brien and Kevin Smith and co, possibly overachieved this year, staying up would be a success, not guaranteed, Paschal K gone from C-K, not sure about Jack C though, he'd like one more crack at championship and they're not far away, Tyrrellspass definitely keen on retaining Eddie Kinsella, very popular with players, he possibly could be tempted by inter county like Lar Wall was though.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1945 - 27/11/2024 11:55:26    2581448

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Milltown changing can only be because Pete Ballesty has decided to not go back, their best ever championship season, a whisker from senior status for first time, if it's linked to player power like The Downs it's a pretty bad state, more like the Premiership soccer. Ballynacargy have a new manager, Dags Maher didn't want to continue, Shandonagh is 50-50, Kilbeggan a tough ask to follow Niall O' Brien and Kevin Smith and co, possibly overachieved this year, staying up would be a success, not guaranteed, Paschal K gone from C-K, not sure about Jack C though, he'd like one more crack at championship and they're not far away, Tyrrellspass definitely keen on retaining Eddie Kinsella, very popular with players, he possibly could be tempted by inter county like Lar Wall was though."
Yes I heard Ballesty stepped away. A great job put in by him there. Very unlucky not to win final in drawn game. Enda Sheridan gone in with Ballynacargy alright. They'd be hoping for a quick bounce back to intermediate but it will be a tough championship with a youthful St Joseph's another year on in their development

mintyfresh (Westmeath) - Posts: 251 - 27/11/2024 14:58:07    2581481

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What Managers are currently out there in Westmeath who have good CV's the same names come up time and time again but some of these names haven't done anything of any great measure. Over the last 15-20 years what inside managers have done well and warrant county jobs or bigger club jobs? Paddy Dowdall has 2 seniors, Gary Dolan has a senior and intermediate now I believe, Martin McCabe has 3 seniors,1 Junior,U21 & now Minor as of this year, Alan Mangan 2 x senior hurling titles, probably leaving someone obvious out here, i know there is people coaching who are doing well but some lads get jobs off the back of what? . There's Multiple men with 1 junior or 1 Intermediate or possibly 1 senior from Westmeath that are 1 club men and thats also fair enough.
Should the county now look to those who have won things inside the county to take over the minors and U20s and try to bring in younger coaches who are more tuned in to the current game like Ger Egan or Denis Coroon or other people who are involved with development squads and give them some Incentive to get involved and look after them.

PowellJohn3 (Westmeath) - Posts: 62 - 27/11/2024 16:58:33    2581500

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Replying To PowellJohn3:  "What Managers are currently out there in Westmeath who have good CV's the same names come up time and time again but some of these names haven't done anything of any great measure. Over the last 15-20 years what inside managers have done well and warrant county jobs or bigger club jobs? Paddy Dowdall has 2 seniors, Gary Dolan has a senior and intermediate now I believe, Martin McCabe has 3 seniors,1 Junior,U21 & now Minor as of this year, Alan Mangan 2 x senior hurling titles, probably leaving someone obvious out here, i know there is people coaching who are doing well but some lads get jobs off the back of what? . There's Multiple men with 1 junior or 1 Intermediate or possibly 1 senior from Westmeath that are 1 club men and thats also fair enough.
Should the county now look to those who have won things inside the county to take over the minors and U20s and try to bring in younger coaches who are more tuned in to the current game like Ger Egan or Denis Coroon or other people who are involved with development squads and give them some Incentive to get involved and look after them."
Emmet McDonnell from Kinnegad would have a good CV but is not currently coaching adult level, Enda Monaghan from Shamrocks, Stephen Cleary from The Downs, Louis Ennis from Balinagore, Peter Tormey from Bun, Joe Fallon from Athlone. I'm not saying these guys warrant county jobs but most have had success with youth & adult teams. Theres plenty more lads inside the county with good CVs.

Left Full (Westmeath) - Posts: 253 - 27/11/2024 17:44:13    2581502

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Replying To PowellJohn3:  "What Managers are currently out there in Westmeath who have good CV's the same names come up time and time again but some of these names haven't done anything of any great measure. Over the last 15-20 years what inside managers have done well and warrant county jobs or bigger club jobs? Paddy Dowdall has 2 seniors, Gary Dolan has a senior and intermediate now I believe, Martin McCabe has 3 seniors,1 Junior,U21 & now Minor as of this year, Alan Mangan 2 x senior hurling titles, probably leaving someone obvious out here, i know there is people coaching who are doing well but some lads get jobs off the back of what? . There's Multiple men with 1 junior or 1 Intermediate or possibly 1 senior from Westmeath that are 1 club men and thats also fair enough.
Should the county now look to those who have won things inside the county to take over the minors and U20s and try to bring in younger coaches who are more tuned in to the current game like Ger Egan or Denis Coroon or other people who are involved with development squads and give them some Incentive to get involved and look after them."
Is that not what we have done with our u20s this year? Kenny McKinley won an intermediate with St Malachys and has plenty of experience managing clubs down through the years, I think we should have done similar with our minors

coffey (Westmeath) - Posts: 16 - 28/11/2024 08:18:11    2581542

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Milltown changing can only be because Pete Ballesty has decided to not go back, their best ever championship season, a whisker from senior status for first time, if it's linked to player power like The Downs it's a pretty bad state, more like the Premiership soccer. Ballynacargy have a new manager, Dags Maher didn't want to continue, Shandonagh is 50-50, Kilbeggan a tough ask to follow Niall O' Brien and Kevin Smith and co, possibly overachieved this year, staying up would be a success, not guaranteed, Paschal K gone from C-K, not sure about Jack C though, he'd like one more crack at championship and they're not far away, Tyrrellspass definitely keen on retaining Eddie Kinsella, very popular with players, he possibly could be tempted by inter county like Lar Wall was though."
Very surprised Pete Ballesty is gone from Milltown. A great servant to them and a great fella too so i wouldn't say it was anything to do with player power. Speaking of which, was that ever confirmed if that manager had left the Downs?

Dags Maher, another great servant who has probably put this shoulder to the wheel a few times now. Bal need a reset and a fresh pair of eyes i think that doesn't have skin in the game.

What does Shandonagh 50-50 mean? That they are considering a change? They had a very poor year and it looked like something was very wrong in that setup so surely a change is coming there.

I would say Jack will go again in Kinnegad. The man is addicted to the game.

Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 663 - 28/11/2024 09:18:35    2581549

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Replying To iarmhiabu:  "Ok, this won't go down well but here goes. Ardee effectively took John Heslin and Ronan O'Toole out of the game, they assigned their number 11 to track John Heslin. Heslin spent most of the game out around the middle where he was no threat but there was always an Ardee player waiting to check his runs. Gerry Buckley mentioned "The influential John Heslin", but really he had absolutely no influence on the game. I don't think Heslin had a single shot during play. Ardee clearly set out to limit his ability to do what he's best at; win primary possession. They consistently tried to keep their kickouts away from him. The Louth All Star made O'Toole uncomfortable all day, denying him time on the ball, forcing him onto his weaker foot etc. Ardee got 3 points in the second half from his mistakes or poor finishing. One thing Ardee may have looked at is that St Loman's very often sit too deep, as they took most of their scores from outside the D. St Loman's are defensively found wanting when faced with 2 or more quality forwards. Taking David Whelan out of the sweeper role to man mark Ardee's best forward was a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul."
I dont think there is anything in that message that many could argue with. Ardee did their homework and nobody could begrudge them their win and in fairness nobody has. Its on days like that that your big players need to show up and lead their team and unfortunately for St Lomans a few of their big names lads were nullified by Ardee which put them on the road for their win. More luck to them.....

Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 663 - 28/11/2024 09:27:32    2581550

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Replying To Meridian:  "Very surprised Pete Ballesty is gone from Milltown. A great servant to them and a great fella too so i wouldn't say it was anything to do with player power. Speaking of which, was that ever confirmed if that manager had left the Downs?

Dags Maher, another great servant who has probably put this shoulder to the wheel a few times now. Bal need a reset and a fresh pair of eyes i think that doesn't have skin in the game.

What does Shandonagh 50-50 mean? That they are considering a change? They had a very poor year and it looked like something was very wrong in that setup so surely a change is coming there.

I would say Jack will go again in Kinnegad. The man is addicted to the game."
Johnny Murray is definitely gone. Everything points to Lar Wall although hasn't been confirmed by them themselves

Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 185 - 28/11/2024 09:35:36    2581551

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Replying To Bluelake:  "Johnny Murray is definitely gone. Everything points to Lar Wall although hasn't been confirmed by them themselves"
Johnny Murray turfed out? A disgrace by TheDowns.

Moates Aodhan Curran played wing back for UCD Freshers last night in league final win.

A_Chairde (Westmeath) - Posts: 251 - 28/11/2024 10:34:02    2581565

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Replying To Bluelake:  "Johnny Murray is definitely gone. Everything points to Lar Wall although hasn't been confirmed by them themselves"
Lar is gone to St Jude's in Dublin.

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 106 - 28/11/2024 10:57:40    2581570

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Replying To A_Chairde:  "Johnny Murray turfed out? A disgrace by TheDowns.

Moates Aodhan Curran played wing back for UCD Freshers last night in league final win."
Yeah, word is a couple of rogue players and committee members. Still can't get over it, think it's incredibly harsh.

Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 185 - 28/11/2024 11:11:09    2581571

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Replying To Bluelake:  "Johnny Murray is definitely gone. Everything points to Lar Wall although hasn't been confirmed by them themselves"
100% won't be Lar Wall.

Matthew (None) - Posts: 1038 - 28/11/2024 11:46:42    2581574

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