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If The Downs were to win the junior A they would move up to Intermediate, no reason why not. However St Joseph's will represent the county in Leinster regardless. Kilbeggan will be gutted after such a flat 1st half performance, just never got going. The Downs starting 15 are fit and young, average age probably 23/24 so no auld lads as such. They lost a few to senior early on but have coped. BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1266 - 26/09/2026 08:32:42 2695084 Link 0 |
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Should be a very good Junior final. I was at Joseph's v Lomans game. Two good sides. Joseph's blitzed Lomans in first 15 minutes and again in second half where they established 14 point lead. Very similar to The Downs with 11 or 12 starters under 24 years of age. Games between the two clubs have been close in recent years. Greengrass1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 102 - 26/09/2026 08:57:29 2695085 Link 0 |
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They weren't there on merit. Today showed what people have said over the last few weeks. Massive difference between Group A and Group B. A joke of championship. To say that was semi final of our county championship. The Downs won't be overall happy with their performance today either. A lot to improve on for the county final. Lets be fair after today's showing we should all agree that the format should be back to what it was! Moate deserved to be in QF. No further. Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 669 - 26/09/2026 17:50:35 2695117 Link 0 |
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Totally agree. As a neutral, The Downs were light years ahead of moate today. The county board do really need to have a good look at the format for next year. It was a sad spectacle for a County semi final. That game wouldn't have helped the Downs at all today. The Downs probably need to improve too. I know they were missing a few players too,which if they get those players back will help. But that game today was no contest. Like someone else said on here,moate only played intermediate standard teams in this championship apart from Tubberclair and i would fear for them next year.Hopefully tomorrows game will be better value for money.
RamblingHen (Westmeath) - Posts: 4 - 26/09/2026 19:10:09 2695130 Link 0 |
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All eyes on the other senior semi tomorrow. Hard one to call. Lomans have the 4 or 5 star players while the sum of Kinnegad's parts is probably better. The new rules seem to have forced Jack's hand a bit and CK are playing a much better brand of football. Is there talk of Ronan O'Toole coming home for the game ? The battle between David Giles and Heslin will be interesting. BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1266 - 26/09/2026 20:42:31 2695136 Link 0 |
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Can't disagree with the previous posts, there was a huge gulf in class today. I had hoped that Moate might raise their game and that if the Downs were a little off the boil that it could be closer, but it really was no contest. In fact it could have been much worse! Moate kept going in fairness but the difference in pace, power and skills was huge. Robbie Forde tried hard from scraps but had little support. This daft championship structure really came home to roost today and while the two best teams will reach the final, it hopefully won't paper over the disgrace that this system was allowed to be the structure for this year. Looking forward to tomorrow's game whic will be a huge contest. Iarmhisamhi (Westmeath) - Posts: 79 - 26/09/2026 20:43:21 2695137 Link 0 |
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I wouldn't be too hard on the Moate players after today. I think a lot of the criticism has to be directed towards the management. For me, the Moate management left a lot to be desired and, at times, looked out of their depth. Good players doesn't necessarily make you a good coach or manager, and I think that showed today. Moate were exposed on numerous occasions, particularly in the back line, which was an issue that had already been highlighted. The kick-out strategy was another major concern - there didn't seem to be any clear plan, and The Downs were able to put Moate under pressure from the kick-outs time and time again. I was sitting in the stand today and, from where I was watching, the Moate management looked lost at sea at times. There seemed to be very little response to what was happening on the pitch, and that's a concern when you're playing a team of The Downs' quality. You have to give The Downs credit. They were very slick at times, moved the ball extremely well and punished Moate when opportunities presented themselves. The worrying thing for the teams around them is that they'll probably improve again as the championship progresses. Moate have some very good footballers, and I still think there's plenty of potential there. But today, for me, the difference was as much about the direction from the sideline as it was about the players on the pitch. RamblingHen (Westmeath) - Posts: 4 - 26/09/2026 21:04:35 2695140 Link 0 |
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Malachys werecpoor in final game vs midtown but albeit had qualified they aren't as bad as that and also have hurking so maybe shandonagh should win but be surprised if it as comfortable as you say and I still think malachys could win but we will see tomorrow if you are right
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1369 - 26/09/2026 22:32:11 2695147 Link 0 |
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Attended The Downs v Moate today and it went as I had expected. If the county board need an example of why the current structure needs to go then this game was a great example of that. It can be sugar coated as much as people want but ultimately Moate are miles and miles off competing for a Senior Championship, yet they contested a semi final. As one user pointed out above it definitely could have been a lot worse, The Downs squandered some good chances and let in two sloppy enough goals realistically. First one dropped short over keepers head and second one Forde was allowed dribble it in and finish. The difference alone in conditioning was huge, The Downs were way ahead in terms of all aspects, pace, power and footballing ability. Their running game is a joy to watch when they're in the groove, their intricate hand passing is great to watch and they walked in a couple of their goals. The Downs were slow to get going though, and will need to play for full 60 minutes in the final. BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 77 - 26/09/2026 22:45:35 2695149 Link 0 |
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Another thing I was baffled by today was The Downs on kickouts. It stood out like a sore thumb for me. Moate absolutely destroyed them on breaking ball and it is something they will definitely need to improve for the final. Every time Moate would have 3 or 4 lads under the breaks compared to The Downs 1 lad. I'm not sure were The Downs just very confident that the likes of Mitchell Drumm Lynam and OSullivan would win it clean every time so didn't bother going in for breaks? But there was a lot of breaks and Moate generally came out with the ball. Now there was some kickouts The Downs did win clean but they obviously won't win them all clean and they will need to improve on breaks. BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 77 - 26/09/2026 22:49:21 2695151 Link 0 |
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I'd agree with this, Shandonagh and Malachys was very tight in the group with Malachys winning by 1 so I'd be surprised if Shandonagh won this handy. However, I do think Shandonagh will win but only by a couple of points.
BadgerDog (Westmeath) - Posts: 77 - 26/09/2026 22:53:25 2695152 Link 0 |
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Two good games would be great thats all.
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1369 - 26/09/2026 22:58:53 2695153 Link 0 |