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Replying To 2maroonjerseys: "Merit is needed to win the championship not just because they're successful in the past means nothing. Championship is designed by nature for the best teams to win. If anything this new system has shown has much coasting was done in the previous format. Do enough to get to the knockout and then go flat out. It's been remarked on here that lomans look flat unfit in games. Probably they haven't adjusted to the new system however flawed it is. 4 draws tells its own story regarding the table. No doubt whichever two don't get through will be clamouring to get the old system back next yr.
If anything I'm surprised they've all been caught napping regarding getting out off the group. Real bite has been added to the group stages and it's only now we can see that. Being the 4th best team in group A and not getting out should be painful and focus the mind on dog eat dog championship football not happy clappy let's all get medals football. Someone will always be unhappy with formats it's up to teams to get to grips with it straight away and play what's in front of you.
Who knows the whole thing might change totally again next yr." The new system is atrocious. As was expected by everyone that had actually thought it through.
If you want to prevent coasting by having 3 from each group, then fair enough. But the groups have to be equally strong in that case. Personally I don't think it would be as good as the format we had, but I can see the argument for it.
This weekend has half the teams in the championship with nothing to play for. Shamrocks, Caulry, Tubberclair, Athlone, Moate, Killucan all know their fate. And barring a bizarre outcome you can add CK to that list too. So more than half the teams, realistically, have nothing on the line in the last game.
anon (None) - Posts: 371 - 31/08/2026 18:27:59
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Replying To dec: "Was at double header in the Bridge, nice setup there now with the new pitches, a PA system and electronic scorebaoard needed. Athlone deserved winners over Kilucan, took control in the last 10-15 mins and won handy enough in the end, Garrycastle fully deserrved winners, they always seem to have the measure of Shamrocks, in my opinion Shamrocks management has been poor and very slow to make changes, Dolan cleaned up around the middle yesterday they tried nothing to stop him, defenders being left on for 60mins when being roasted, Shamrocks have a habit of running into traffic and getting turned over, some of the older players are finished, had no impact yesterday, very poor in the forward line, positives that they have blooded so many young players. Garrycastle will give the Downs a good game but The Downs will have to much. And after seeing a good few championship games The Downs will win it handy enough." Its a 50/50 shoot out with the Downs and Garrycastle.....all on the day.......the big question is , will Caulry bend the knee and allow Lomans to win by 16 point.....cause that will tip the scales to Lomans should the Downs lose.....or does anyone know at this stage what the permutations would be on the final day with results in both games?
ExiledCuCu (Cavan) - Posts: 306 - 31/08/2026 19:55:52
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Replying To ExiledCuCu: "Its a 50/50 shoot out with the Downs and Garrycastle.....all on the day.......the big question is , will Caulry bend the knee and allow Lomans to win by 16 point.....cause that will tip the scales to Lomans should the Downs lose.....or does anyone know at this stage what the permutations would be on the final day with results in both games?" If teams are level then it goes to head to head between all teams on the same points. If it's more than 2 teams on the same points they draw up a mini league table and only the head to head between those teams count, points then score difference. So even if Lomans throw up a big score against Caulry it won't matter in their head to head.
Dennis_Maroon95kg (Westmeath) - Posts: 8 - 31/08/2026 22:35:02
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Replying To anon: "The new system is atrocious. As was expected by everyone that had actually thought it through.
If you want to prevent coasting by having 3 from each group, then fair enough. But the groups have to be equally strong in that case. Personally I don't think it would be as good as the format we had, but I can see the argument for it.
This weekend has half the teams in the championship with nothing to play for. Shamrocks, Caulry, Tubberclair, Athlone, Moate, Killucan all know their fate. And barring a bizarre outcome you can add CK to that list too. So more than half the teams, realistically, have nothing on the line in the last game." I'm not sure the support will be there really to revert; for example, Caulry and Mullingar would be more likely to support the existing structure next year as it suits them more in comparison to this year when it didn't. The Section B teams will all surely vote in their interest. In the A section the top Senior and Intermediate teams can potentially vote to keep as it means a rival can be taken out and an easier route to a final. Really the team's at a disadvantage are those ranked 4-6 in Section A but otherwise it probably helps the cause for a lot of clubs. Off course I don't think this is necessarily right but done be surprised to see it stay. Previous poster mentioned a play off between Section A 4th vs Section B 3rd. I think that would be really interesting and could actually aid the present structure. A midweek preliminary QF between for example Athlone/Tubberclair vs a Garrycastle under lights would be a right occasion. Maybe it's something worth considering and it keeps the jeopardy in Section B as the third place is worth something.
DelaneyCup2026 (Westmeath) - Posts: 39 - 01/09/2026 08:16:33
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Weekend Predicitions
Senior
The Downs v Garrycastle: The Downs to win and guarantee a semi final spot. Garrycastle have done very well so far but this will be a bridge too far.
St Lomans v Caulry: St Lomans should get their first win to see them through to the knockouts, if they can't win this they deserve to be knocked out.
Kinnegad v Mullingar Shamrocks: Shamrocks with nothing to play for here and have fallen off the wagon, Kinnegad moving well and will smell blood here.
Athlone v Tubberclair: Meaningless game for both teams so not going to predict.
Moate v Killucan: Same as above.
Tang v Tyrrellspass: Relegation final so a lot on the line for both teams. Both teams have a lot of injuries so will be interesting to see who is fit to line out here. Going to call a draw in this one.
Inter
Milltown v St Malachys: Top of the table clash here, a draw would actually guarantee but teams a semi final. From what I have seen of the intermediate teams so far Milltown have impressed me most so I will go for them to shade it.
Multy v Castledaly: Meaningless game but if Wallace is back Multy should win.
Shandonagh v Milltownpass: This should be the game of the weekend given what's on the line. Mpass showed improvement the last day albeit Multy were missing Wallace. I think Shandonagh will edge this, Scahill and Kelly will be a great battle.
Ballymore v Rosemount: Ballymore already through and Rosemount need something to secure their knockout place, I think the greater need for points will get Rosemount over the line.
Maryland v CFCW: Another relegation final here and a tough one to call. I think whoever goes down to Junior will stay there for a while, maybe Maryland to just about win this.
St Marys v Ballinagore: Ballinagore have been one of the stories of the championship given they were Junior 2 a couple of years ago, making great progress. Would expect a response from St Marys after the last game and I think they might shade this one.
BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 43 - 01/09/2026 08:51:34
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Replying To anon: "The new system is atrocious. As was expected by everyone that had actually thought it through.
If you want to prevent coasting by having 3 from each group, then fair enough. But the groups have to be equally strong in that case. Personally I don't think it would be as good as the format we had, but I can see the argument for it.
This weekend has half the teams in the championship with nothing to play for. Shamrocks, Caulry, Tubberclair, Athlone, Moate, Killucan all know their fate. And barring a bizarre outcome you can add CK to that list too. So more than half the teams, realistically, have nothing on the line in the last game." Exactly, more bite in a packet of Tayto. What a disaster this Championship format has been. Time for change at the top. Fresh ideas. Fresh voices. Fresh leadership.
iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 378 - 01/09/2026 09:11:04
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Replying To iarmhiabu: "Exactly, more bite in a packet of Tayto. What a disaster this Championship format has been. Time for change at the top. Fresh ideas. Fresh voices. Fresh leadership." All very fine looking for fresh ideas etc but you need people willing to step in to do those jobs. Not too many takers out there. Are you willing to put your name forward with a raft of fresh thinking?
Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 89 - 01/09/2026 12:01:01
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Replying To Dennis_Maroon95kg: "If teams are level then it goes to head to head between all teams on the same points. If it's more than 2 teams on the same points they draw up a mini league table and only the head to head between those teams count, points then score difference. So even if Lomans throw up a big score against Caulry it won't matter in their head to head." If Loman's and the downs both end up on 6pts then scoring difference will matter? Lomans and the downs drew so there would be zero score diff between them, therefore total scoring difference across the 5 games will count. And if Kinnegad end up on 6 pts then a mini league between Downs, Lomans and CK will give a zero score diff as they all drew with each other, total scoring difference again. And if Garrycastle draw and Lomans win, they also drew so total scoring diff will have to be used to separate them.
Open to clarification or correction.
stonemadbeany (USA) - Posts: 656 - 01/09/2026 12:35:10
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Replying To iarmhiabu: "Exactly, more bite in a packet of Tayto. What a disaster this Championship format has been. Time for change at the top. Fresh ideas. Fresh voices. Fresh leadership." Think Mary Lou McDonald is posting here
Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2774 - 01/09/2026 12:39:15
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Replying To Dennis_Maroon95kg: "If teams are level then it goes to head to head between all teams on the same points. If it's more than 2 teams on the same points they draw up a mini league table and only the head to head between those teams count, points then score difference. So even if Lomans throw up a big score against Caulry it won't matter in their head to head." Thank you
ExiledCuCu (Cavan) - Posts: 306 - 01/09/2026 12:41:26
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Replying To dec: "Was at double header in the Bridge, nice setup there now with the new pitches, a PA system and electronic scorebaoard needed. Athlone deserved winners over Kilucan, took control in the last 10-15 mins and won handy enough in the end, Garrycastle fully deserrved winners, they always seem to have the measure of Shamrocks, in my opinion Shamrocks management has been poor and very slow to make changes, Dolan cleaned up around the middle yesterday they tried nothing to stop him, defenders being left on for 60mins when being roasted, Shamrocks have a habit of running into traffic and getting turned over, some of the older players are finished, had no impact yesterday, very poor in the forward line, positives that they have blooded so many young players. Garrycastle will give the Downs a good game but The Downs will have to much. And after seeing a good few championship games The Downs will win it handy enough." Shamrocks have a impressive junior side could've easily put 5 or 6 goals past Balnacarrigy at the weekend. Strong subs coming in too also big numbers. Can't understand how they were so bad against Garrycastle. Feel like Garrycastle just have them mentally mastered, Between the sending off and knowing how to tip the older lads they always seem to have them on the big championship days.
TheWagonWheel-N91Y529 (Westmeath) - Posts: 17 - 01/09/2026 12:46:30
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Replying To TheWagonWheel-N91Y529: "Shamrocks have a impressive junior side could've easily put 5 or 6 goals past Balnacarrigy at the weekend. Strong subs coming in too also big numbers. Can't understand how they were so bad against Garrycastle. Feel like Garrycastle just have them mentally mastered, Between the sending off and knowing how to tip the older lads they always seem to have them on the big championship days." So Shamrocks beat Garrycastle last year In a quarter final , I dont think Garrycastle have them mentally mastered. If you add in Shane Ormsby Donnacha Maguire and Adam Glynn who were all missing through in injury, would that have made the difference surely it would.
Moorehead (Westmeath) - Posts: 154 - 01/09/2026 13:35:45
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Replying To Moorehead: "So Shamrocks beat Garrycastle last year In a quarter final , I dont think Garrycastle have them mentally mastered. If you add in Shane Ormsby Donnacha Maguire and Adam Glynn who were all missing through in injury, would that have made the difference surely it would." going off word of mouth Your own fb page said they've knocked yous out 6 times since 2010 Didn't ye get a last-minute goal to win it last year too, Didn't realise ye had that many missing though. Looking at the U20 results I'd say yeah will win it or go fairly far in that grade anyway.
TheWagonWheel-N91Y529 (Westmeath) - Posts: 17 - 01/09/2026 14:14:43
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Most likely positions in the tables after the weekend games:
Senior
1a. Kinnegard
2a. The Downs
3a. St Lomans
1b. Tubberclair
2b. MAW
3b. Athlone
I can't see beyond a Downs Vs Kgad final. Lomans will be vunerable in the Q/F, could see Tubberclair in a S/F especially if Matty is back. Shamrocks and Caulry to drop down to Section B for 2027
Intermediate
1a. Milltown
2a. St Malachys
3a. Shandonagh
1b. Ballymore
2b. Ballinagore
3b. Rosemount
Milltown looking good to make the final, think Shandonagh will regroup and also make the final. Be some year for Ballinagore if they can make it to Section A for next year. Think Maryland will squeeze out Finea in the relegation battle.
Overall the format this year has added a lot more jeopardy, however there are still a lot of dead rubber games in the last round, hard to argue the format this year is any improvement on last year.
Squareball.Squareball (Westmeath) - Posts: 6 - 01/09/2026 14:55:05
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Replying To Squareball.Squareball: "Most likely positions in the tables after the weekend games:
Senior
1a. Kinnegard
2a. The Downs
3a. St Lomans
1b. Tubberclair
2b. MAW
3b. Athlone
I can't see beyond a Downs Vs Kgad final. Lomans will be vunerable in the Q/F, could see Tubberclair in a S/F especially if Matty is back. Shamrocks and Caulry to drop down to Section B for 2027
Intermediate
1a. Milltown
2a. St Malachys
3a. Shandonagh
1b. Ballymore
2b. Ballinagore
3b. Rosemount
Milltown looking good to make the final, think Shandonagh will regroup and also make the final. Be some year for Ballinagore if they can make it to Section A for next year. Think Maryland will squeeze out Finea in the relegation battle.
Overall the format this year has added a lot more jeopardy, however there are still a lot of dead rubber games in the last round, hard to argue the format this year is any improvement on last year." 'a lot more jeopardy'? 6 teams from 12 qualify; 1 team is relegated to the lower grade.
That in fact is exactly the same 'jeopardy'. The balance of 'jeopardy' was change so 3 from six qualify from each group.
The slip up was not balancing the quality within the groups.
The real jeopardy is external; a dissatisfied Westmeath GAA public.
fizzygravy (USA) - Posts: 185 - 01/09/2026 16:06:07
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