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Westmeath Football thread

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Replying To joej: "Aside from the match today which was plated under terrible conditions, your pitch was in very bad knicj, but your facilities were absolutely abysmal. Not toilets on canal siďe, even though there was a decent crowd over there. The toilets on the stand side, had no lights at all and no hand dryer working. In this day and age is this acceptable, maybe in Mullingar!!! A bloody disgrace" Must have been tough for you Joe putting up with The Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda all those years. Maroon Heaven (Westmeath) - Posts: 39 - 27/01/2025 05:43:17 2587814 Link
Replying To Maroon Heaven: "Must have been tough for you Joe putting up with The Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda all those years." Gaelic grounds in Drogheda is my hone club ORaghallaighs. We have clean toilets on both sides of the pitch, with working lights, hand dryers and we even have bog roll. We also have coffee, tea facilities. joej (Louth) - Posts: 1608 - 27/01/2025 10:33:46 2587841 Link
Replying To westmeathman99: "People in Westmeath have been crying out for improvement in facilities for years. But a little bit of respect wouldn't go astray. I wouldn't dream of going onto the forum of another county and slating their ground. Given the weather the last week or two I thought the pitch wasn't too bad at all, all things considered." Are ye kidding me, I saw 2 old men walking out of your toilets because they could not see a thing Cop yourself on, read the posts, even your own county men admit the facilities are Cat joej (Louth) - Posts: 1608 - 27/01/2025 10:37:32 2587842 Link
First of all i really enjoyed the match for the first time in a while. A much better spectacle than any of the games i went to in the last 3 years maybe bar 1 or 2. The team looked very well set up under Mccabe and to think if we had those who stepped away i think we win that game by 5 or 6 points but anyway we dont have them and this is a big transition period for Westmeath. Who did well: Loughlin best player on the pitch. Wallace superb Mccartan Superb Guerin did well but not big enough the way the kickouts are gone, Connellan will need to up it big time big in the air but looked tired. Backs all done pretty good, Whiitaker played wing back and got through an awful lot of work A few under performed, Smith was too small and got turned over, Forde was turned over too much, Conor dillon maybe was marking somone but dont rememeber him doing anything. Gaffney and O'hara didnt really offer anything and looked out of there depth but only first game will learn a lot from that experience, Kevin O'sullivan didnt bring any impact off the bench. I was expecting more from Mccormack in attack, didnt look to penetrate but conditions were poor some wayward kickouts and i think a natural goalkeeper takes man and ball for there goal. Overall a good performance but need to pick up a result the next day. Other point: comment from Louth person he/she is not wrong toilets were a joke and it was baltic. Other thing was the westmeath crowd and supporters were very quiet, the team probably would have won if Cusack was a place where the crowd really got together id say crowd was 50/50 PowellJohn3 (Westmeath) - Posts: 69 - 27/01/2025 11:46:33 2587860 Link
Replying To PowellJohn3: "First of all i really enjoyed the match for the first time in a while. A much better spectacle than any of the games i went to in the last 3 years maybe bar 1 or 2. The team looked very well set up under Mccabe and to think if we had those who stepped away i think we win that game by 5 or 6 points but anyway we dont have them and this is a big transition period for Westmeath. Who did well: Loughlin best player on the pitch. Wallace superb Mccartan Superb Guerin did well but not big enough the way the kickouts are gone, Connellan will need to up it big time big in the air but looked tired. Backs all done pretty good, Whiitaker played wing back and got through an awful lot of work A few under performed, Smith was too small and got turned over, Forde was turned over too much, Conor dillon maybe was marking somone but dont rememeber him doing anything. Gaffney and O'hara didnt really offer anything and looked out of there depth but only first game will learn a lot from that experience, Kevin O'sullivan didnt bring any impact off the bench. I was expecting more from Mccormack in attack, didnt look to penetrate but conditions were poor some wayward kickouts and i think a natural goalkeeper takes man and ball for there goal. Overall a good performance but need to pick up a result the next day. Other point: comment from Louth person he/she is not wrong toilets were a joke and it was baltic. Other thing was the westmeath crowd and supporters were very quiet, the team probably would have won if Cusack was a place where the crowd really got together id say crowd was 50/50" O'Sullivan didn't bring anything from the bench… you were clearly looking at a different match! He will start the next day. Matthew (None) - Posts: 1047 - 27/01/2025 12:41:35 2587873 Link
A really good display from Westmeath. It would have been great to get the win, and I felt they deserved it, but they can take a lot from the performance. Luke Loughlin was unplayable, looks really really sharp and keeping him fit will be vital if westmeath are to stay up. The lads gave it their all yesterday and I feel were let down by the lack of Westmeath support. Louth seemed to have a larger section of the crowd and definitely made more noise with scores etc. getting much more of a reaction. Supporters need to make more of an effort but I also think there needs to be more of an effort made to encourage people to come to games. Granted the weather was awful yesterday but have noticed in recent years that we are always less supported compared to the team we are playing. Obviously an upgrade to facilities at cusack park to make it more family friendly would help but overall I think More promotion/hype for upcoming games is needed. This is an issue across all counties not just Westmeath. larry3.16 (Westmeath) - Posts: 4 - 27/01/2025 12:49:53 2587878 Link
The Westmeath support was as usual lamentable, easily outnumbered by the Louth supporters, its very rare that we ever have greater support than any visiting county, it must be demoralising for players and puzzling for new management teams, no idea why? Likes of Roscommon, Offaly, Longford, always have great home support. People always have an excuse, weather, matches on tv. The fair weather supporters from 2004 etc have gone back into hiding. Any solutions? Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1982 - 27/01/2025 12:59:01 2587883 Link
We were definitely outnumbered yesterday. It felt like 90% of supporters were Louth. Maybe it was a bit less and we just aren't as loud but we always seem to be out numbered Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 200 - 27/01/2025 13:11:17 2587889 Link
Replying To PowellJohn3: "First of all i really enjoyed the match for the first time in a while. A much better spectacle than any of the games i went to in the last 3 years maybe bar 1 or 2. The team looked very well set up under Mccabe and to think if we had those who stepped away i think we win that game by 5 or 6 points but anyway we dont have them and this is a big transition period for Westmeath. Who did well: Loughlin best player on the pitch. Wallace superb Mccartan Superb Guerin did well but not big enough the way the kickouts are gone, Connellan will need to up it big time big in the air but looked tired. Backs all done pretty good, Whiitaker played wing back and got through an awful lot of work A few under performed, Smith was too small and got turned over, Forde was turned over too much, Conor dillon maybe was marking somone but dont rememeber him doing anything. Gaffney and O'hara didnt really offer anything and looked out of there depth but only first game will learn a lot from that experience, Kevin O'sullivan didnt bring any impact off the bench. I was expecting more from Mccormack in attack, didnt look to penetrate but conditions were poor some wayward kickouts and i think a natural goalkeeper takes man and ball for there goal. Overall a good performance but need to pick up a result the next day. Other point: comment from Louth person he/she is not wrong toilets were a joke and it was baltic. Other thing was the westmeath crowd and supporters were very quiet, the team probably would have won if Cusack was a place where the crowd really got together id say crowd was 50/50" What game where you watching Kevin o sullivan made a big difference coming on for o hara Mooo (Westmeath) - Posts: 45 - 27/01/2025 13:29:25 2587896 Link
Agree about the support or lack of in Mullingar yesterday for our lads(Westmeath).Louth definately outnumbered the home support and were more vocal when Louth scores went over.A lot of comments from people who didnt even go to the game to support our new set up.Where are all the "fans" who packed the streets of Mullingar to welcome out Tailteann cup winners not so long ago.This group need support more than ever and this "club rivalry "mentallity needs to stop. Bruno@1 (Westmeath) - Posts: 224 - 27/01/2025 13:35:40 2587898 Link
On the subject of the facilities in Cusack Park i can confirm that the hand dryer in the toilet to the left of the entrance gate was in working order. I used it twice! Though in fairness the toilets were that dark you'd nearly wet yourself. Plenty of tea/coffee available. I'd no problem with the pitch. Sure what else would you expect this time of year? Pubs a short walk from the ground is handy too. All the best to Westmeath gaels for the remainder of the League campaign. moresthepity (Louth) - Posts: 238 - 27/01/2025 13:46:54 2587910 Link
We definitely seem to have difficulties in getting supporters to the games. I remember in particular when we played Armagh some years ago in Cusack Park and we lost a close game. They outnumbered us about 6/1. I felt at the time their support was crucial in a game where small margins count, and things haven't really improved since then. This is happening while we have been very competitive over the past number of years -Losing close games to teams that have contested and won all Ireland finals. The support issue has to be demotivating for the players. I think if we had bigger crowds we would not see players opt out as we have seen happening recently. Iarmhisamhi (Westmeath) - Posts: 1 - 27/01/2025 13:46:59 2587911 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "The Westmeath support was as usual lamentable, easily outnumbered by the Louth supporters, its very rare that we ever have greater support than any visiting county, it must be demoralising for players and puzzling for new management teams, no idea why? Likes of Roscommon, Offaly, Longford, always have great home support. People always have an excuse, weather, matches on tv. The fair weather supporters from 2004 etc have gone back into hiding. Any solutions?" To be honest, I don't know any solution. You'd much rather sit at home and pay a tenner to watch it on Clubber or some streaming website than pay 20 euros to go into Cusack Park and watch, as it's far less hassle. The facilities in Cusack Park are bad-it's laughable. The queue for the Cuppa Hut at half-time was a joke; people were waiting for ages. We have a tiny stall that sells sweets and soft drinks. The county board complained that ticket sales were down in 2024. Louth had brought a great crowd, but there need to be more services for drinks and refreshments within Cusack Park. That'll bring in some money or at least give the supporters what they want. You are far better off going over to Dunnes at half-time to get a tea or coffee, and it'll probably be a quicker service too. The whole canal side of Cusack Park was closed, including the Cuppa Hut/shop and all the toilets. Fighting-Cocks69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 41 - 27/01/2025 13:56:43 2587918 Link
Replying To larry3.16: "A really good display from Westmeath. It would have been great to get the win, and I felt they deserved it, but they can take a lot from the performance. Luke Loughlin was unplayable, looks really really sharp and keeping him fit will be vital if westmeath are to stay up. The lads gave it their all yesterday and I feel were let down by the lack of Westmeath support. Louth seemed to have a larger section of the crowd and definitely made more noise with scores etc. getting much more of a reaction. Supporters need to make more of an effort but I also think there needs to be more of an effort made to encourage people to come to games. Granted the weather was awful yesterday but have noticed in recent years that we are always less supported compared to the team we are playing. Obviously an upgrade to facilities at cusack park to make it more family friendly would help but overall I think More promotion/hype for upcoming games is needed. This is an issue across all counties not just Westmeath." Another problem is the expense. I know the Leinster board or Croke Park control the prices, but if you're a family of five, it'll be 20 euros each for the adults. If all your three kids are students, that would be 15 euros for each of them. That adds up to 85 euros for a family of five to watch a game in Cusack Park. Imagine if they were to go to every game-it would be a total of 595 euros over the seven league games. I know there are loopholes in buying season passes and such, but whichever way you look at it, it's going to be very costly. Fighting-Cocks69 (Westmeath) - Posts: 41 - 27/01/2025 14:01:44 2587919 Link
Replying To Fighting-Cocks69: "Another problem is the expense. I know the Leinster board or Croke Park control the prices, but if you're a family of five, it'll be 20 euros each for the adults. If all your three kids are students, that would be 15 euros for each of them. That adds up to 85 euros for a family of five to watch a game in Cusack Park. Imagine if they were to go to every game-it would be a total of 595 euros over the seven league games. I know there are loopholes in buying season passes and such, but whichever way you look at it, it's going to be very costly." Can't hide behind the expense thing. It's the same price for Louth Bluelake (Westmeath) - Posts: 200 - 27/01/2025 15:45:01 2587960 Link
Regarding the attendance, I just wonder do the county board make it difficult for people to really get behind the team. During the year they had games clashing with the All Ireland Final, for years the seats in Cusack were soaked at the front on a wet day, the toilets on the terrace side leave a lot to be desired, fundraisers have been iffy to say the least and now they are asking clubs to sell €10,000 worth of tickets or they could be left to foot the difference, our u20s are still playing in last year's jerseys, there has been delays in players expenses in the past also. €20 entry is very very steep and I know that's probably a GAA decision so fair enough but on top of fuel and food it's a very expensive family day out. Not being guaranteed that the coffee hut will even be open is another ongoing issue and if you are at the back of the queue you'll probably miss some of the second half, no food facilities if you are in the terrace. Luckily the players put on a showing but the men behind the scenes need to up their game. OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 15 - 27/01/2025 16:46:15 2587986 Link
Replying To Mooo: "What game where you watching Kevin o sullivan made a big difference coming on for o hara" Wouldnt be hard without sounding bad, but he didnt contribute in an shape or form i didnt think, initially made an impact for 5 mins when came on for Drumm then was ineffective. PowellJohn3 (Westmeath) - Posts: 69 - 27/01/2025 16:53:45 2587988 Link
In my earlier post regarding the abject home support I mentioned that people will always have an excuse and some of the replies bear that out. The game yesterday wasn't on Clubber so that's not an argument, prices are fixed by Croke Park so as Bluelake pointed out it's the same for every county, blaming matches being fixed for All Ireland final day hardly fair, supporters are supposed to be cheering the players, not Frank Mescall and Keith Quinn, the tea and coffee facilities could be better but there's plenty of coffee shops nearby to buy coffee beforehand, we're certainly All Ireland champions at making excuses, Louth supporters had far greater expense yesterday with diesel, food etc, it's not as if we'll fill half the Clones stand on Sunday next, yesterday a very inexperienced side produced a stirring display that deserved audible support, the Louth supporters outshouted us throughout. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1982 - 27/01/2025 17:13:35 2587996 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "In my earlier post regarding the abject home support I mentioned that people will always have an excuse and some of the replies bear that out. The game yesterday wasn't on Clubber so that's not an argument, prices are fixed by Croke Park so as Bluelake pointed out it's the same for every county, blaming matches being fixed for All Ireland final day hardly fair, supporters are supposed to be cheering the players, not Frank Mescall and Keith Quinn, the tea and coffee facilities could be better but there's plenty of coffee shops nearby to buy coffee beforehand, we're certainly All Ireland champions at making excuses, Louth supporters had far greater expense yesterday with diesel, food etc, it's not as if we'll fill half the Clones stand on Sunday next, yesterday a very inexperienced side produced a stirring display that deserved audible support, the Louth supporters outshouted us throughout." The facilities aren't good enough in Cusack and tea and coffee facilities should be a minimum theres alot of simple things Westmeath could improve on starting with lights in the toilets . Alot of club teams in Westmeath do a much better job at hosting games. jiminycricket (Offaly) - Posts: 31 - 27/01/2025 17:40:58 2588004 Link
Replying To Claretandblue: "In my earlier post regarding the abject home support I mentioned that people will always have an excuse and some of the replies bear that out. The game yesterday wasn't on Clubber so that's not an argument, prices are fixed by Croke Park so as Bluelake pointed out it's the same for every county, blaming matches being fixed for All Ireland final day hardly fair, supporters are supposed to be cheering the players, not Frank Mescall and Keith Quinn, the tea and coffee facilities could be better but there's plenty of coffee shops nearby to buy coffee beforehand, we're certainly All Ireland champions at making excuses, Louth supporters had far greater expense yesterday with diesel, food etc, it's not as if we'll fill half the Clones stand on Sunday next, yesterday a very inexperienced side produced a stirring display that deserved audible support, the Louth supporters outshouted us throughout." You are entitled to your opinion, the above reasons certainly influence how I feel so that would make them valid. Stating there's other coffee shops around is surely not a good enough argument for the lack of facilities in Cusack, parking around the ground isn't easy without having to go in and buy food before queuing. The fixtures secretary largely does a brilliant job. But when all the above are added to the pot you can become a little disillusioned with our own county scene. If this is not the case then where is everyone? OverTheHill85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 15 - 27/01/2025 18:22:41 2588014 Link