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Replying To Blackandamber25: "Any players stand out in the r1 fixtures so far???" My top five players from the weekend that aren't on county panels would be Morgan Gavigan (Malachy's), Seán Leech and Sami Clarke (Killucan), Dan Leech (Kinnegad) and Jordan McDonnell (Streamstown). They're all forwards but I thought they were the standout lads over the weekend. On the other side of it, I have to say I was disappointed with Multy. I expected a lot more from McGivney, Wallace and Thornton, and their backs really struggled as well. Even a few of the Malachy's lads on the podcasts were saying themselves they weren't great, which says a lot. For me, Milltown, Shandonagh and Milltownpass (I think we will see Monday) are a good bit ahead of everyone else in intermediate. I honestly can't see any of the other teams getting near them or making a final unless something mad happens. The Bridge v Rosemount was another poor enough game. There were a few very soft goals and The Bridge will be sick looking back at them. Fighting-Cocks69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 204 - 25/07/2026 23:14:45 2687128 Link
Great win for Loughnavalley. Jack_Sparrow (Westmeath) - Posts: 1087 - 26/07/2026 09:52:01 2687145 Link
The groups having 3 come out of each group, even though one is weaker makes no sense but I wouldn't bring league tables into it. Finea and Killucan are two examples over the years of being notoriously bad in the league due to lads on county panels. Tang used to be the other way and were in D1 while being intermediate. Saying it's a mini junior group is very disrespectful to the teams in it. They are all above junior standard. They might not be at the level of the top few in group A but that's the same in the senior championship too. Tubberclare just won their first game aswell which shows the strength of the competition they won. Gaawestmeath (Westmeath) - Posts: 138 - 26/07/2026 11:27:50 2687153 Link
Replying To Gaawestmeath: "The groups having 3 come out of each group, even though one is weaker makes no sense but I wouldn't bring league tables into it. Finea and Killucan are two examples over the years of being notoriously bad in the league due to lads on county panels. Tang used to be the other way and were in D1 while being intermediate. Saying it's a mini junior group is very disrespectful to the teams in it. They are all above junior standard. They might not be at the level of the top few in group A but that's the same in the senior championship too. Tubberclare just won their first game aswell which shows the strength of the competition they won." I think at senior level the gap isn't as big, Garrycastle, Caulry and Shamrocks could all be in the B section and they'd be competitive games. However I think there's a huge gap developing at intermediate level. Finea, Ballinagore, Maryland and Ballinagore wouldn't be within 10 points of Shandonagh, Miltown, Malachys, or Milltownpass. I'm not even sure Rochfortbridge would be either. So the fact there are three coming out is a mishap the county board need to fix and revert back to the original structure next year. Or even have a preliminary QF between Section A team 4 vs Section B team 3. DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 10 - 26/07/2026 13:17:22 2687164 Link
In relation to three teams from each section qualifying which has been discussed at length here is that one noticeable feature of the games I attended over the weekend was that there was far more intensity and urgency as a first day defeat means sides are almost into knockout matches. Loman's vs The Downs last year in the group stages was like a challenge match, there was zero euphoria or disappointment among supporters afterwards as both knew they'd qualify, that wasn't the case this weekend, Caulry against Garrycastle in next round is basically a must win match for both sides, that makes for very interesting matches. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2713 - 26/07/2026 14:55:17 2687177 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "In relation to three teams from each section qualifying which has been discussed at length here is that one noticeable feature of the games I attended over the weekend was that there was far more intensity and urgency as a first day defeat means sides are almost into knockout matches. Loman's vs The Downs last year in the group stages was like a challenge match, there was zero euphoria or disappointment among supporters afterwards as both knew they'd qualify, that wasn't the case this weekend, Caulry against Garrycastle in next round is basically a must win match for both sides, that makes for very interesting matches." I think most people would agree with that but the solution should not be supporting mediocrity. Three teams should qualify from section A and 1 from section B to semi finals. Throw in a relegation final between the bottom two in B and the intensity would be even higher and quality maintained jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1990 - 26/07/2026 19:46:28 2687284 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "In relation to three teams from each section qualifying which has been discussed at length here is that one noticeable feature of the games I attended over the weekend was that there was far more intensity and urgency as a first day defeat means sides are almost into knockout matches. Loman's vs The Downs last year in the group stages was like a challenge match, there was zero euphoria or disappointment among supporters afterwards as both knew they'd qualify, that wasn't the case this weekend, Caulry against Garrycastle in next round is basically a must win match for both sides, that makes for very interesting matches." Any system where the 4th ranked team is knocked out yet the 9th ranked team qualifies is not fair. Wmeath2 (Westmeath) - Posts: 213 - 26/07/2026 20:01:22 2687294 Link
Replying To Wmeath2: "Any system where the 4th ranked team is knocked out yet the 9th ranked team qualifies is not fair." The county board are looking for a change of format, the idea was thrown out by the clubs this year so they made a slight change to annoy everyone. Some of the options put forward were farcical. Can anyone confirm truth in the rumors delegates haven't had a meeting since the planning in February? ManBallAndAll (Westmeath) - Posts: 24 - 26/07/2026 23:35:46 2687381 Link
Replying To Wmeath2: "Any system where the 4th ranked team is knocked out yet the 9th ranked team qualifies is not fair." Those rankings are based on last year is the only thing. Would caulry be ranked 6th in this years championship minus Senan and Conor McCormack? With that in mind you would have 4 of the other 5 qualifying. At the end of the day the best team will win the championship CasKD (Westmeath) - Posts: 49 - 26/07/2026 23:42:15 2687385 Link
Congrats to Mayo, and congrats to Mattie Whittaker on making the team of the season on The Sunday Game. Corofin123 (Westmeath) - Posts: 23 - 27/07/2026 09:20:35 2687416 Link
Well done to Mattie Whitaker making Sunday game team if the year. Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 944 - 27/07/2026 10:03:31 2687426 Link
Replying To Corofin123: "Congrats to Mayo, and congrats to Mattie Whittaker on making the team of the season on The Sunday Game." Was always the standout performer for Westmeath this year, some other contenders but anyone who went to all the games recognise he was slightly ahead of the rest. DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 10 - 27/07/2026 10:06:20 2687427 Link
Replying To ManBallAndAll: "The county board are looking for a change of format, the idea was thrown out by the clubs this year so they made a slight change to annoy everyone. Some of the options put forward were farcical. Can anyone confirm truth in the rumors delegates haven't had a meeting since the planning in February?" The structure that needed no changing and had everyone happy bar a few dual clubs who need to come up with a hurling revamp rather than trying to take from the football majority in the county. DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 10 - 27/07/2026 10:07:57 2687431 Link
I was in Cusack Park Saturday evening. Kinnegad looked very strong & fit, Garrycastle had no answer for them & their match v Caulry is pretty much a knock out game now. If Kinnegad can keep at this level they will be hard beaten. The second match was very poor quality in the first half although quite intense. Lomans have to be kicking themselves for not winning it, 7 points up at one stage & a crazy decision by Sam McCartan to kick the ball away in injury time which cost his team the match. The Downs will be happy with a point, Luke Loughlin was a huge loss but I hear he is back for the next round. Round 2 should be very interesting. Left Full (Westmeath) - Posts: 284 - 27/07/2026 10:36:29 2687446 Link
Replying To Left Full: "I was in Cusack Park Saturday evening. Kinnegad looked very strong & fit, Garrycastle had no answer for them & their match v Caulry is pretty much a knock out game now. If Kinnegad can keep at this level they will be hard beaten. The second match was very poor quality in the first half although quite intense. Lomans have to be kicking themselves for not winning it, 7 points up at one stage & a crazy decision by Sam McCartan to kick the ball away in injury time which cost his team the match. The Downs will be happy with a point, Luke Loughlin was a huge loss but I hear he is back for the next round. Round 2 should be very interesting." Anywhere with Information about the next round of games, and the rest of the championship going forward? I live away and try and get down for games. A bit of planning needed. Corofin123 (Westmeath) - Posts: 23 - 27/07/2026 14:10:36 2687521 Link
Replying To Corofin123: "Anywhere with Information about the next round of games, and the rest of the championship going forward? I live away and try and get down for games. A bit of planning needed." All on the website Moorehead (Westmeath) - Posts: 146 - 27/07/2026 15:20:12 2687543 Link