National Forum

Westmeath Football thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To philbrown:  "This nonsense about "continuity " is pure PR speak and basically code for , "its the easy option" . Forget continuity and let's start talking about ambition in westmeath gaa . Either go outside get a top coach/manager or stay within westmeath"
I get what you're saying. But McHugh is a top class coach and we could see how fit the team were this year probably as a result of his influence. He certainly was very popular with the squad. But perhaps he would be better to stay on as head coach with a top manager coming in also. I see someone mentioned about Des Dolan coming back; I seriously doubt this is being considered. It would be a very backwards step if true.

Matthew (None) - Posts: 1092 - 29/08/2025 20:54:53    2634158

Link

Replying To mintyfresh:  "See Hoganstand saying Mark McHugh is being tipped for the job. That would be a very shrewd appointment if you ask me. Would bring continuity from last year and hopefully he could keep a lot of last years backroom team. He is on the coaching circuit a while and more that deserves a management job."
I'll be supirised if that link/story is true. McHugh has stayed no longer than a year with any team he's been involved with.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3756 - 30/08/2025 02:47:11    2634189

Link

An interesting observation from the Roscommon Senior Football championship : In one of the groups Clan Na Gael, St. Faithleach's and Padraig Pearses finished level on points ( 4 each ) . The score differance was Clan +11, Pearses +9, Faithleach's +7. The final standings have Failtheach's ahead of Pearses . Seemingly due to a head to head . This is not how the rules apply in Westmeath . It would be straight forward score difference . How can the rules on this be different in Roscommon to Westmeath. These rules were directives from Croke Park I thought , so they should apply similar in every county. I would appreciate any comments .

loughree (Westmeath) - Posts: 78 - 30/08/2025 14:31:13    2634239

Link

Replying To loughree:  "An interesting observation from the Roscommon Senior Football championship : In one of the groups Clan Na Gael, St. Faithleach's and Padraig Pearses finished level on points ( 4 each ) . The score differance was Clan +11, Pearses +9, Faithleach's +7. The final standings have Failtheach's ahead of Pearses . Seemingly due to a head to head . This is not how the rules apply in Westmeath . It would be straight forward score difference . How can the rules on this be different in Roscommon to Westmeath. These rules were directives from Croke Park I thought , so they should apply similar in every county. I would appreciate any comments ."
In Westmeath it's not just straight score difference. If 2 teams finish level on points it's head to head between those 2 teams that determines who finishes ahead. If 3 teams finish level, again it's head to head but if the 3 teams all beat each other it then goes to points difference but only the points between those 3 teams are taken into account. It's like a mini league with those 3 teams. Any points difference against other teams are disregarded. I presume this is how it works in Roscommon too and that's why Faithleach's finished ahead of Pearses. Taking the results between those 3 teams against each other they all had 2 points so it goes to score difference. Clann are +4 and Faithleach's and Pearses are both -2. I presume it then goes to points scored (not fully sure though) so Faithleach's finish ahead of Pearses.

Westmeath fan (Westmeath) - Posts: 64 - 31/08/2025 11:53:54    2634311

Link

Replying To loughree:  "An interesting observation from the Roscommon Senior Football championship : In one of the groups Clan Na Gael, St. Faithleach's and Padraig Pearses finished level on points ( 4 each ) . The score differance was Clan +11, Pearses +9, Faithleach's +7. The final standings have Failtheach's ahead of Pearses . Seemingly due to a head to head . This is not how the rules apply in Westmeath . It would be straight forward score difference . How can the rules on this be different in Roscommon to Westmeath. These rules were directives from Croke Park I thought , so they should apply similar in every county. I would appreciate any comments ."
I'd imagine it's gone on results or score difference based on a mini league between the three teams that are level on points. So only the points between the three teams against each other are counted taking out the results against the bottom team

mintyfresh (Westmeath) - Posts: 269 - 31/08/2025 11:54:08    2634312

Link

Replying To Bluelake:  "Rumour has it Dessie himself is back in for the job. I'd be shocked myself if that turned out to be the case ."
So it took McCabe and McHugh to show him there was actual young talent in Westmeath if he had wanted to look for it. Would be a crazy move to re-appoint Dessie.

johnnyh (Westmeath) - Posts: 15 - 31/08/2025 18:26:58    2634363

Link

Replying To johnnyh:  "So it took McCabe and McHugh to show him there was actual young talent in Westmeath if he had wanted to look for it. Would be a crazy move to re-appoint Dessie."
Agreed

CleanShoulder (Westmeath) - Posts: 373 - 31/08/2025 20:28:18    2634397

Link

Not sure why Dessie suddenly getting criticised all of a sudden. We were extremely competitive under him in the All Ireland series last two years and in both years we were in the toughest group. He may not have introduced as many new players as some would like but it's not certain that McCabe would have either except he had to. Maguire, McCormack, O' Toole, Drumm, Heslin, Daly were all unavailable to McCabe so he had to look at youth.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2341 - 31/08/2025 22:28:07    2634409

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "Not sure why Dessie suddenly getting criticised all of a sudden. We were extremely competitive under him in the All Ireland series last two years and in both years we were in the toughest group. He may not have introduced as many new players as some would like but it's not certain that McCabe would have either except he had to. Maguire, McCormack, O' Toole, Drumm, Heslin, Daly were all unavailable to McCabe so he had to look at youth."
I fully agree, Claretandblue. Dessie was loyal to players who had served us well for years, and they didn't let him down. In fact, they performed as well as, if not better than, most Westmeath teams in recent years, and were despeerately unlucky not to progress further in a really tough group. Leinster didn't go well for them, but does anyone seriously believe we should have won Leinster in either of those years? I'd be interested in hearing from those criricising Dessie as to who he should have dropped, and what young players he should have brought in to replace them.

midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 630 - 01/09/2025 12:24:39    2634462

Link

Replying To midlands:  "I fully agree, Claretandblue. Dessie was loyal to players who had served us well for years, and they didn't let him down. In fact, they performed as well as, if not better than, most Westmeath teams in recent years, and were despeerately unlucky not to progress further in a really tough group. Leinster didn't go well for them, but does anyone seriously believe we should have won Leinster in either of those years? I'd be interested in hearing from those criricising Dessie as to who he should have dropped, and what young players he should have brought in to replace them."
Don't worry about expecting a response to valid questions on this forum. The lads here who whinge and moan rarely respond when specifics are required.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2341 - 01/09/2025 15:21:34    2634509

Link

Replying To johnnyh:  "So it took McCabe and McHugh to show him there was actual young talent in Westmeath if he had wanted to look for it. Would be a crazy move to re-appoint Dessie."
Before I start this rant I want to say I don't think Dessie should take the job again I think it would be great for a fresh face but I can't let people bad mouth him on here without the facts.

If John Heslin, Kevin Maguire, Ronan O'Toole, Sam Duncan, David Lynch, Andy McCormack, Charlie Drumm, and Senan Baker had all been available this past year, every one of them would have started. Dessie Dolan always picked the strongest fifteen he had at his disposal, and so did McCabe. The key difference is that McCabe's hand was forced by injuries and retirements within the squad. That's 8 players of this years team not getting game time if the established players were around.

The young players you're referring to never stepped up during Dessie's era to take a jersey from any of these established names. They haven't achieved anything yet neither keeping us in Division 3 nor driving us to a Tailteann Cup semi-final or final. In my opinion, if the players I mentioned above had been available, we would have stayed in Division 3.

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 570 - 01/09/2025 15:22:38    2634510

Link

Replying To Temple56:  "Before I start this rant I want to say I don't think Dessie should take the job again I think it would be great for a fresh face but I can't let people bad mouth him on here without the facts.

If John Heslin, Kevin Maguire, Ronan O'Toole, Sam Duncan, David Lynch, Andy McCormack, Charlie Drumm, and Senan Baker had all been available this past year, every one of them would have started. Dessie Dolan always picked the strongest fifteen he had at his disposal, and so did McCabe. The key difference is that McCabe's hand was forced by injuries and retirements within the squad. That's 8 players of this years team not getting game time if the established players were around.

The young players you're referring to never stepped up during Dessie's era to take a jersey from any of these established names. They haven't achieved anything yet neither keeping us in Division 3 nor driving us to a Tailteann Cup semi-final or final. In my opinion, if the players I mentioned above had been available, we would have stayed in Division 3."
James Dolan is another that wasn't available to McCabe, so that makes it nine. I agree that Dessie shouldn't take the job again, but I don't think he wants it either. I'm not aware that he has put his name forward, but that doesn't seem to stop some people from having a go at him.

midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 630 - 01/09/2025 15:58:37    2634519

Link

Replying To Temple56:  "Before I start this rant I want to say I don't think Dessie should take the job again I think it would be great for a fresh face but I can't let people bad mouth him on here without the facts.

If John Heslin, Kevin Maguire, Ronan O'Toole, Sam Duncan, David Lynch, Andy McCormack, Charlie Drumm, and Senan Baker had all been available this past year, every one of them would have started. Dessie Dolan always picked the strongest fifteen he had at his disposal, and so did McCabe. The key difference is that McCabe's hand was forced by injuries and retirements within the squad. That's 8 players of this years team not getting game time if the established players were around.

The young players you're referring to never stepped up during Dessie's era to take a jersey from any of these established names. They haven't achieved anything yet neither keeping us in Division 3 nor driving us to a Tailteann Cup semi-final or final. In my opinion, if the players I mentioned above had been available, we would have stayed in Division 3."
Dessie inherited a high calibre team from Jack Cooney. His task? Build on the progress of winning the Tailteann Cup. Westmeath had beaten an Ulster Championship winning side. They had earned the right to play in the All-Ireland Series. Dessie had a strong base to start from. In his first year, Westmeath were unlucky not to win a match in what was probably the toughest group. I'm not forgetting the Louth match in Navan. The result? 0 Championship wins from 4 matches. In Dessie's second year, we won Division 3 with our strongest team to scrape into the All Ireland Series. Things went belly up after that, losing to Wicklow was the lowest point in a number of years. The performance levels in the All Ireland Series were so poor. We went all out for the League and the Championship turned into a grind. The result? 0 Championship wins from 4 matches. Dessie never learned to rotate and build depth. Perhaps we would have won a Championship match under him if he used his squad? This has had a detrimental effect on the future of the team. Trusting the same players too much backfired. The younger players never stepped up? There were plenty of younger players brought in this year that showed they were more than good enough. And people want Dessie back!!

iarmhiabu (Westmeath) - Posts: 206 - 02/09/2025 12:55:47    2634602

Link

I see John Divilly has stepped away from Galway. Think he lives in Leixlip, might be contender for Westmeath job ??

BigSur (Westmeath) - Posts: 1188 - 02/09/2025 22:07:58    2634686

Link

Replying To Thechick:  "They could do worse than interview some of the coaching experts on this Forum"
Share with us your expert opinion on who the next manager should be then.

iarmhi_an_mhaith (Westmeath) - Posts: 284 - 03/09/2025 09:58:03    2634709

Link

A lot of names being mentioned here as the potential manager, its unlikely Jack or Dessie will get a second shot, both have given brilliant contributions and it very difficult to reach those highs again as a manager. For me McHugh is the most likely appointment giving continuity from last year and his stated wish not to be involved with an Ulster county.

FrMick (Westmeath) - Posts: 9 - 03/09/2025 11:29:25    2634724

Link

Anyone else think it's strange that Moate VS Malachys and Garrycastle VS Caulry are on in Mullingar. Also Maryland VS Kilbeggan and Miltownpass and Castledaly are on in The Downs?

All these games should really be played in the south of the county. I understand county board try and get all senior teams to play at least once in the park and that could be the reason as I don't think Malachys or Caulry have player their yet.

Does this highlight the lack of good grounds in get south of the county? Do we need to invest more down there? Is probably disagree. I think there's great facility's down here.
My understanding is Athlone not able to host games this year because of works being done to their clubhouse. Tubberclair, Tang and Moate usually get a lot of games. Ballymore gets the odd game. Castletown has got some amount of games this year which is great. Was at the Athlone / T Pass game their 2 weeks ago and the facility's and the stewarding was top notch. Great atmosphere at the game too!

Garrycastle, Castledaly, Caulry and Maryland are grounds that never gets games. Garrycastle got one I think two years ago between Milltown and Castledaly, facilities again were brilliant so was the atmosphere at the game. Castledaly got senior game few years ago between Moate and Athlone . Again there was a great atmosphere that game. Rosemount another venue never gets games anymore, used to host a lot of double headers but lack of dressing rooms was a problem.

Any opinions on this? Some great grounds up the north Cusack Park, The Downs, Kinnegad and Lomans are the best 4 grounds in the county. Lomans never gets games though. Intermediate replay their last year was a great occasion

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 570 - 03/09/2025 12:16:56    2634735

Link

Replying To BigSur:  "I see John Divilly has stepped away from Galway. Think he lives in Leixlip, might be contender for Westmeath job ??"
Great shout, highly rated at university and inter county level.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2341 - 03/09/2025 15:02:29    2634767

Link

Loman's teams themselves sometimes struggle to get access to their main pitch so it's hardly surprising that matches not involving Loman's are rarely scheduled there.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2341 - 03/09/2025 15:12:15    2634769

Link

Replying To Temple56:  "Anyone else think it's strange that Moate VS Malachys and Garrycastle VS Caulry are on in Mullingar. Also Maryland VS Kilbeggan and Miltownpass and Castledaly are on in The Downs?

All these games should really be played in the south of the county. I understand county board try and get all senior teams to play at least once in the park and that could be the reason as I don't think Malachys or Caulry have player their yet.

Does this highlight the lack of good grounds in get south of the county? Do we need to invest more down there? Is probably disagree. I think there's great facility's down here.
My understanding is Athlone not able to host games this year because of works being done to their clubhouse. Tubberclair, Tang and Moate usually get a lot of games. Ballymore gets the odd game. Castletown has got some amount of games this year which is great. Was at the Athlone / T Pass game their 2 weeks ago and the facility's and the stewarding was top notch. Great atmosphere at the game too!

Garrycastle, Castledaly, Caulry and Maryland are grounds that never gets games. Garrycastle got one I think two years ago between Milltown and Castledaly, facilities again were brilliant so was the atmosphere at the game. Castledaly got senior game few years ago between Moate and Athlone . Again there was a great atmosphere that game. Rosemount another venue never gets games anymore, used to host a lot of double headers but lack of dressing rooms was a problem.

Any opinions on this? Some great grounds up the north Cusack Park, The Downs, Kinnegad and Lomans are the best 4 grounds in the county. Lomans never gets games though. Intermediate replay their last year was a great occasion"
Would those 2 fixtures in the park this weekend have anything to do with the matches being streamed on iarmhitv? The only matches that ever seem to be streamed are in Cusack park and with a lot at stake in group b this weekend my thoughts is that the county board wanted these to be the streamed matches.

But even so you've mentioned some great grounds with great facilities that could host this double header but is it possible to stream from them is my question?

Tailteannchamps (Westmeath) - Posts: 45 - 03/09/2025 15:43:11    2634772

Link