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Replying To iarmhiabu: "I don't mean to put a damper on today, sitting here in Cusack and the colour and atmosphere around the town is just fantastic to see. The difference is Roscommon, a County of similar population and resources, have a group of people with the expertise, connections and persistence to drive a major development project like a Centre of Excellence. They don't necessarily happen because one County has more money than another, they usually happen because you have people who can navigate government funding schemes, dedicated fundraising structures and a coordinated team of volunteers willing to spend years on a single project. We do not have the right people steering the county / project at the right moment, leadership, capability, long term vision and timing are the real issues. Launching a €100 per ticket draw just days before a Leinster Final so we could just meet the costs of preparing a County team tells you all you need to know, a County reaching a provincial final should ideally have fundraising campaigns planned months in advance, with the final itself being an opportunity to maximise support rather than scramble for it. Winning the Leinster title has brought back people who have not been at a Westmeath match for years, it would be a good time to launch a properly run supporters club. Even €10 or €20 per month from a few thousand supporters would be significant, have monthly lottos etc. Approach businesses with sponsorship packages, there are loads of businesses who would like to be seen supporting the county. The key is turning this success and momentum into something permanent." Congrats to the team on a magnificent win . Everything else is insignificant
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1998 - 30/05/2026 20:47:09
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Replying To iarmhiabu: "I don't mean to put a damper on today, sitting here in Cusack and the colour and atmosphere around the town is just fantastic to see. The difference is Roscommon, a County of similar population and resources, have a group of people with the expertise, connections and persistence to drive a major development project like a Centre of Excellence. They don't necessarily happen because one County has more money than another, they usually happen because you have people who can navigate government funding schemes, dedicated fundraising structures and a coordinated team of volunteers willing to spend years on a single project. We do not have the right people steering the county / project at the right moment, leadership, capability, long term vision and timing are the real issues. Launching a €100 per ticket draw just days before a Leinster Final so we could just meet the costs of preparing a County team tells you all you need to know, a County reaching a provincial final should ideally have fundraising campaigns planned months in advance, with the final itself being an opportunity to maximise support rather than scramble for it. Winning the Leinster title has brought back people who have not been at a Westmeath match for years, it would be a good time to launch a properly run supporters club. Even €10 or €20 per month from a few thousand supporters would be significant, have monthly lottos etc. Approach businesses with sponsorship packages, there are loads of businesses who would like to be seen supporting the county. The key is turning this success and momentum into something permanent." Thankfully not even you with your incessant criticism could put a shadow on one of our greatest days. A credit to all aspects of Westmeath Gaa in terms of organisation but most importantly we have unearthed a team of heroes who display all that's good in terms of character, team work, resilience and skill and managed wonderfully by a team of clear thinkers on the sideline. What an occasion, what a win and what a team.
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2650 - 30/05/2026 21:12:03
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Well done to the westmeath squad. Well done to Harry niall on his championship debut
Mattyreilly (Westmeath) - Posts: 183 - 30/05/2026 21:18:28
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Replying To iarmhiabu: "I don't mean to put a damper on today, sitting here in Cusack and the colour and atmosphere around the town is just fantastic to see. The difference is Roscommon, a County of similar population and resources, have a group of people with the expertise, connections and persistence to drive a major development project like a Centre of Excellence. They don't necessarily happen because one County has more money than another, they usually happen because you have people who can navigate government funding schemes, dedicated fundraising structures and a coordinated team of volunteers willing to spend years on a single project. We do not have the right people steering the county / project at the right moment, leadership, capability, long term vision and timing are the real issues. Launching a €100 per ticket draw just days before a Leinster Final so we could just meet the costs of preparing a County team tells you all you need to know, a County reaching a provincial final should ideally have fundraising campaigns planned months in advance, with the final itself being an opportunity to maximise support rather than scramble for it. Winning the Leinster title has brought back people who have not been at a Westmeath match for years, it would be a good time to launch a properly run supporters club. Even €10 or €20 per month from a few thousand supporters would be significant, have monthly lottos etc. Approach businesses with sponsorship packages, there are loads of businesses who would like to be seen supporting the county. The key is turning this success and momentum into something permanent." Have a day off seriously.
BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1253 - 30/05/2026 21:49:03
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Replying To BigSur: "Have a day off seriously." The players and management have given the supporters plenty to be proud of, their ambition and standards have shown what is possible on the field. The challenge now is for the structures off the field to match that ambition.
iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 344 - 30/05/2026 22:48:02
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Wow what a performance in extra time. Team looked a bit flat at times, particularly in second half. Maybe the weight of expectation of playing a first championship game at home after being crowned Leinster champions was there or a few cobwebs after touring with the cup and all that goes with that. But the turnaround in extra time was incredible.
10 point swing, from 6 down to 4 up. The early 2 pointers from Baker and Wallace in second half of extra time were instrumental in the comeback. Then the battle Heslin put in to wrestle the ball and send on to Kelly who layed to O'Sullivan for the goal was the winning of the game. O'Sullivan was immense again covering every blade of the middle third. He robbed a Cavan ball in first half that set Brandon Kelly up for a brilliant score. The workrate of the team when their backs are to the wall and the calmness of getting out of it are whats impressing me the most. We witnessed history this evening in Cusack park. Five consecutive victories in senior championship for Westmeath. We now have at least 2 more games to look forward to.
Thank you so much to Mark McHugh, his backroom team and this wonderful squad of players for giving us so many new fantastic memories. And may the thousands of kids there today looking up to them aspire to be as good as them in the future.
Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 900 - 30/05/2026 23:22:16
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Replying To iarmhiabu: "The players and management have given the supporters plenty to be proud of, their ambition and standards have shown what is possible on the field. The challenge now is for the structures off the field to match that ambition." Westmeath have proven their mettle beyond all doubt. After 4 straight wins in Leinster and being underdogs in the last 3 games incl the Leinster final they taught us all a lesson. I honestly thought today was going to be a banana skin and it almost turned out to be but Westmeath showed grit and character and dug out a tough victory. They learned more from today than from any of the Leinster games and still won. Whatever happens from now on can never take away from an unbelievable season from the lake county
Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 69 - 30/05/2026 23:51:12
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Well done everyone. Great win. Bring on the next game!
Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 66 - 31/05/2026 00:16:36
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Great result. Great atmosphere. Great team spirit. It was amazing to see Cusack Park packed to the rafters. I was not there when we played meath in 04, but I also remember it being sold out when Dublin played a championship match in the 80's with Barney Rock in his pulp, the dublin fans on top of the nets behind the goals, the old dressing rooms in the corner been used, a streaker and Jimmy McGee doing commentary.
That being said, i admire the patience of fans, who had to watch extra time behind big golf umbrellas been put up in front of them on the terraces.
Maroon Heaven (Westmeath) - Posts: 62 - 31/05/2026 06:37:08
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What a high the second half of extra time was. They don't make it easy do they. Great buzz around the town town yesterday and the lead up to the game. These lads have giving us a great few weeks and I couldn't be more proud. My heart does break for Luke Loughlin, what a player and contributor to Westmeath football. I hope there's plenty more of this to come and he'll be back in flying fit form.
Augustine (Westmeath) - Posts: 15 - 31/05/2026 09:23:03
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hard to sum that up . not much chat today as im hoarse from shouting . we won the game and lost it about 3 differnt times . great first half and looked to be cruising up to half time , the whole mood changed in the stand as we saw the team wilting before our eyes . first period of extra time i thought we had nothing left but how wrong i was . the elements were in our favour and that final ten minutes will live long in my memory 2 pointers and a wonderful kevin o sullivan goal sealed a memorable win . i have no problem picking brandon kelly as my man of the match . the young miltownpass dynamo with the tyrrellspass connections was outstanding . roll on tuesday as we dare to dream . iarmhi abu
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1998 - 31/05/2026 10:12:56
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Fair play to Westmeath on their current run. Brandon Kelly and Senan Baker in unbelievable form would rival Conaty and Turbitt for the form Forwards in the country IMO. Sam McCartan looks like a player who's very used to playing Sam Maguire football.
ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 64 - 31/05/2026 12:07:10
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Massive congratulations to Mark McHugh, his management team & the panel of players on a fantastic performance to dig out the win last evening. The team are a delight to watch, playing front foot football, aggressive when they need to be and no little quality throughout. The really pleasing thing again was the hunger throughout the team, teamwork, spread of scores throughout the team, calmness under pressure, discipline, i could go on. The young players on board have really stepped up. We are now setting standards that others would aspire to. Mark McHugh is a shrewd general, his timing & subsequent impact of the substitutes is class.
We are where we want to be now in with the big dogs for the next round. Whoever we get, they'll know our bark is getting louder and although we'll be massive underdogs anything can happen from here on.
Iarmhi Abu
londoner (UK) - Posts: 126 - 31/05/2026 13:10:51
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Replying To iarmhiabu: "I don't mean to put a damper on today, sitting here in Cusack and the colour and atmosphere around the town is just fantastic to see. The difference is Roscommon, a County of similar population and resources, have a group of people with the expertise, connections and persistence to drive a major development project like a Centre of Excellence. They don't necessarily happen because one County has more money than another, they usually happen because you have people who can navigate government funding schemes, dedicated fundraising structures and a coordinated team of volunteers willing to spend years on a single project. We do not have the right people steering the county / project at the right moment, leadership, capability, long term vision and timing are the real issues. Launching a €100 per ticket draw just days before a Leinster Final so we could just meet the costs of preparing a County team tells you all you need to know, a County reaching a provincial final should ideally have fundraising campaigns planned months in advance, with the final itself being an opportunity to maximise support rather than scramble for it. Winning the Leinster title has brought back people who have not been at a Westmeath match for years, it would be a good time to launch a properly run supporters club. Even €10 or €20 per month from a few thousand supporters would be significant, have monthly lottos etc. Approach businesses with sponsorship packages, there are loads of businesses who would like to be seen supporting the county. The key is turning this success and momentum into something permanent." Bet youre fun at parties
Tightropenet (Westmeath) - Posts: 5 - 31/05/2026 16:00:41
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Replying To Tightropenet: "Bet youre fun at parties" Housebound I'd say. Well done Westmeath. Dreamland at this stage.
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 983 - 31/05/2026 16:15:43
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Westmeath my new favourite 2nd team. Great win.
Said on here before ye were very unlucky against us in Wexford Park in the league. Definitely division 2 team. Some great footballers.
Yellowhelmet (Australia) - Posts: 187 - 31/05/2026 17:54:09
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whos the preference in tuesdays draw. straight off i would like louth home or away . i dont believe they have a home venue so it is possibly in a neutral venue
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1998 - 31/05/2026 20:18:51
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Ok so who do we want Tuesday? No easy draw but what's the best one in your opinion?
45onthe52 (Westmeath) - Posts: 12 - 31/05/2026 20:46:40
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Replying To mickcunningham: "whos the preference in tuesdays draw. straight off i would like louth home or away . i dont believe they have a home venue so it is possibly in a neutral venue" If we do get Louth and they get home venue then likely to be Newbridge. My gut for what its worth which is feck all says Cork away. Doesn't matter, we'll play anyone anywhere.
Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 66 - 31/05/2026 20:55:46
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It going to be a big dog no matter who we get however it would not surprise. me if we get Donegal!
Imagine Mark McHugh v Jim McGuinness - hopefully not!
Home venue would be nice.
londoner (UK) - Posts: 126 - 31/05/2026 21:27:42
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