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Replying To mickcunningham: "i am happy to say i secured my tickets and i wouldnt say they are sold out . i did hear yesterday that if demand out ran supply tullamore would be the alternative venue but i dont see that being necessary" First home championship game in All Ireland since Galway in 2024. Going into it as Leinster champions for first time in 22 years. There's no way venue should be changed regardless of being sold out.
Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 894 - 19/05/2026 22:36:03
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What a time to be a Westmeath supporter. I rushed home on Sunday and watched the whole game again. Then couldn't wait to get home from work on Monday and Tuesday and watch it twice more. I'm driving my wife nuts! Seeing different things each time. And then I got thinking of the alternative reality if Senan hadn't equalised. Can you imagine?
The alternative -"we threw it away", "John Heslin lost it as he should have shot instead of passing" , "it was a mistake to bring him back". "We were winning until he came on" - but Senan DID equalise and we were able to put in a scintillating performance in extra time to win the game. It's a reminder though how thin the margins are and how close we were to what's unthinkable now. Better to be a lucky general! And that in no way diminishes McHugh in any capacity. He brings something intangible that's hard to describe, a messianic quality that many coaches/managers would kill to have. It's the thing that separates the good from the great. I watched how he commanded the players in their first stop in Kinnegad. His energy and focus and presence is compelling. He just has that something that makes you want to be follow him and be part of it. Even the players he takes off can come back on and look reborn.
I think these are great times. Many of us have watched Westmeath outnumbered by visiting supporters time and time again, but this particular team has attracted great support because of McHugh, the momentum of each win, the style of play, the ability of super players and the personalities of the players on the field. It's even better I think in a different way to 2004 which was special in its own right.
Sometimes losing a main player like Luke Loughlin can empower others to come good and take responsibility. Players are stepping up all over the field. 13 different scorers tells its own tale. That's why the John Heslin role should continue as valuable cameos rather than full on starter. This team is built on collective spirit and responsibility. It's important to keep it this way. He looks in fantastic shape and his two pointer looked effortless. Not many players can do what he does. It must be fantastic for him to be part of it after retirement.
I'm lucky enough to have ticket for the Cavan game
I can't wait.
Iarmhisamhi (Westmeath) - Posts: 57 - 19/05/2026 23:16:14
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The dust has settled... a little! What a few days of WH football.
Agree with the poster above. We were all young, but Derry seemed there for the taking after the last Leinster win. The difference then was that WH team was almost finished and everyone seemed happy they got a Leinster... and of course it was our first Leinster.
This time, our team are mostly very young and just getting started!
I hope they enjoyed the few days well earned celebrations and continue to enjoy being Leinster champs... but lets be greedy and push on. Cavan are decent, must be a bit worried... but are currently doing their homework to do a job on us! WH are absolutely flying ...with scoring ability everywhere and a rock solid one on one defenders and in a packed home game.
Its going to take a massive massive prep and effort over the next 7 or 8 days by players and management to get to Championship pace again for that one.
... lets go!
Laker1500 (Westmeath) - Posts: 23 - 20/05/2026 09:18:51
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How many were there for the first round against Longford in O Byrne Cup
GCCABU (Westmeath) - Posts: 30 - 20/05/2026 10:48:14
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Replying To Laker1500: "The dust has settled... a little! What a few days of WH football.
Agree with the poster above. We were all young, but Derry seemed there for the taking after the last Leinster win. The difference then was that WH team was almost finished and everyone seemed happy they got a Leinster... and of course it was our first Leinster.
This time, our team are mostly very young and just getting started!
I hope they enjoyed the few days well earned celebrations and continue to enjoy being Leinster champs... but lets be greedy and push on. Cavan are decent, must be a bit worried... but are currently doing their homework to do a job on us! WH are absolutely flying ...with scoring ability everywhere and a rock solid one on one defenders and in a packed home game.
Its going to take a massive massive prep and effort over the next 7 or 8 days by players and management to get to Championship pace again for that one.
... lets go!" "The difference then was that WH team was almost finished" - 100% untrue. Damian Healy, Rory and Paul Conway were the older players on that team. None over 30. Heals was on our Div 2 winning team in 2008 The core of that team was the U21 team of 99...Murray, Ennis, Shaugho, Dessie, Willo, Buddah, Derek Heavin ... all mid 20s at most...Denis Glennon was 19...Donal D was 22...John Keane was 24 won his second all star in 2008. Connaughton also won an All star in 2008.
Very unfair comment about that group of players
Dessie15 (Westmeath) - Posts: 223 - 20/05/2026 10:55:43
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Replying To Iarmhisamhi: "What a time to be a Westmeath supporter. I rushed home on Sunday and watched the whole game again. Then couldn't wait to get home from work on Monday and Tuesday and watch it twice more. I'm driving my wife nuts! Seeing different things each time. And then I got thinking of the alternative reality if Senan hadn't equalised. Can you imagine?
The alternative -"we threw it away", "John Heslin lost it as he should have shot instead of passing" , "it was a mistake to bring him back". "We were winning until he came on" - but Senan DID equalise and we were able to put in a scintillating performance in extra time to win the game. It's a reminder though how thin the margins are and how close we were to what's unthinkable now. Better to be a lucky general! And that in no way diminishes McHugh in any capacity. He brings something intangible that's hard to describe, a messianic quality that many coaches/managers would kill to have. It's the thing that separates the good from the great. I watched how he commanded the players in their first stop in Kinnegad. His energy and focus and presence is compelling. He just has that something that makes you want to be follow him and be part of it. Even the players he takes off can come back on and look reborn.
I think these are great times. Many of us have watched Westmeath outnumbered by visiting supporters time and time again, but this particular team has attracted great support because of McHugh, the momentum of each win, the style of play, the ability of super players and the personalities of the players on the field. It's even better I think in a different way to 2004 which was special in its own right.
Sometimes losing a main player like Luke Loughlin can empower others to come good and take responsibility. Players are stepping up all over the field. 13 different scorers tells its own tale. That's why the John Heslin role should continue as valuable cameos rather than full on starter. This team is built on collective spirit and responsibility. It's important to keep it this way. He looks in fantastic shape and his two pointer looked effortless. Not many players can do what he does. It must be fantastic for him to be part of it after retirement.
I'm lucky enough to have ticket for the Cavan game
I can't wait." No change in venue
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1989 - 20/05/2026 13:30:43
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Well done Westmeath. Absolutely delighted for you. Was at a few WH games last yea and was well impressed.
Shearer (Louth) - Posts: 924 - 20/05/2026 13:54:46
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Replying To mickcunningham: "No change in venue" It was never going to be moved. Imagine a full house in Cusack park. Now think about all the money local businesses gave to county board the last few months supporting draws and the sponsorship of prizes. Then a big game comes to town the money that brings back to those businesses. If you took it away you would take away the good will from those businesses. They depend on days like that. There has been enough doom and gloom with family businesses closing in town, they deserve it.
Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 894 - 20/05/2026 13:57:37
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I'm in heaven and I'd like it to continue a while longer.
In 04 we didn't show up v. Derry... hopefully we can progress to the AI quarters and see what happens there.
McHugh is definitely the mastermind behind all this and huge gratitude is due to him and his team.
All the players were immense on Sunday and as a team they looked connected and knew what the plan was throughout. Heslin coming back was a no-brainer for me. We have more games to come and all available hands on deck will be needed to go as far as possible.
The thread here has always been one of the most active on this site.. club and county well discussed despite our fairly lowly status on the GAA pole. Lovely to have posters from other counties popping in with their congrats too.
Fair play to the Dublin team who stayed out on the pitch to the end of the presentation ceremony.
It wasn't the quickest cup presentation and speech ever but I though they showed their class.
I'm sure they wanted to get out of there asap.
Same with the congratulations of all their own supporters who had no difficulty recognising what the day meant to us.
Great sportsmanship from fellow GAA folk.
Just off the back of the minor footballers and hurlers beating Dublin, the 20 footballers beating Dublin and the success of Marys CBS it has been an incredible year to be a Lake County supporter. I think the wins of each are kind of rubbing off on each other and the bandwagon is going full steam in the county now. The support on Sunday was tremendous.
With the hooter rule in place now it was an incredible new experience to see the Hogan and Cusack rise to their feet and cheering for the last minute knowing we couldn't be caught no matter what happened.
Hopefully McHugh and this group of players will give us plenty more to cheer for over the rest of this year and in the years to come. They are a likable and wholly admirable group who represent themselves and their county very well. With luck the injured lads will return too and the group will be able to push on and be contenders on a more consistent basis than we have been in the past.
A last wish would certainly be that the County Board are able to put the infrastructure and pathways in place that will further support this team and the teams that follow in both big ball and small ball.
Oh and massive congrats to the ladies too on a great victory to become Leinster Intermediate champions.
It wasn't long ago they had Meath dead and buried in Croke Park but they escaped somehow and look how they have been doing since. We have great tradition in both codes with both sexes in our county. We give everything a good fair rattle and there's not many counties to be honest that actually do that.
Iarmhí Abú
d7h (Westmeath) - Posts: 35 - 20/05/2026 15:40:34
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Replying To d7h: "I'm in heaven and I'd like it to continue a while longer.
In 04 we didn't show up v. Derry... hopefully we can progress to the AI quarters and see what happens there.
McHugh is definitely the mastermind behind all this and huge gratitude is due to him and his team.
All the players were immense on Sunday and as a team they looked connected and knew what the plan was throughout. Heslin coming back was a no-brainer for me. We have more games to come and all available hands on deck will be needed to go as far as possible.
The thread here has always been one of the most active on this site.. club and county well discussed despite our fairly lowly status on the GAA pole. Lovely to have posters from other counties popping in with their congrats too.
Fair play to the Dublin team who stayed out on the pitch to the end of the presentation ceremony.
It wasn't the quickest cup presentation and speech ever but I though they showed their class.
I'm sure they wanted to get out of there asap.
Same with the congratulations of all their own supporters who had no difficulty recognising what the day meant to us.
Great sportsmanship from fellow GAA folk.
Just off the back of the minor footballers and hurlers beating Dublin, the 20 footballers beating Dublin and the success of Marys CBS it has been an incredible year to be a Lake County supporter. I think the wins of each are kind of rubbing off on each other and the bandwagon is going full steam in the county now. The support on Sunday was tremendous.
With the hooter rule in place now it was an incredible new experience to see the Hogan and Cusack rise to their feet and cheering for the last minute knowing we couldn't be caught no matter what happened.
Hopefully McHugh and this group of players will give us plenty more to cheer for over the rest of this year and in the years to come. They are a likable and wholly admirable group who represent themselves and their county very well. With luck the injured lads will return too and the group will be able to push on and be contenders on a more consistent basis than we have been in the past.
A last wish would certainly be that the County Board are able to put the infrastructure and pathways in place that will further support this team and the teams that follow in both big ball and small ball.
Oh and massive congrats to the ladies too on a great victory to become Leinster Intermediate champions.
It wasn't long ago they had Meath dead and buried in Croke Park but they escaped somehow and look how they have been doing since. We have great tradition in both codes with both sexes in our county. We give everything a good fair rattle and there's not many counties to be honest that actually do that.
Iarmhí Abú" Brilliant post sums up everything very well.
jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1953 - 20/05/2026 16:49:04
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