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I would never have classified St Lomans as a defensive team. They have too much talent to need that in Westmeath. Kinnegad are just dour to watch and they wont progress with this style. Yes, you can be defensive but when you overturn the ball you need to attack at pace and have the forwards to be able to punish - this is where they fall down.
Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 611 - 03/07/2024 08:51:20
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Replying To Claretandblue: "You're the only poster in the county I'd safely say who thinks that Loman's are as defensive as Kinnegad, there were hundreds in the park on Sunday who'd beg to differ, Last year's county final was defined by Kinnegad having fifteen behind the ball for the majority of the game and then hand passing the ball across the field. Paddy D is entitled to tighten his defence but there's no evidence based on scoreline s that Loman's can be remotely categorised in the same defensive bracket as Kinnegad" There's a difference between a defensive set up when not in possession and how teams approach the game whilst they have the ball. That's the big difference between to two. Loman's will indeed get everyone to retreat when necessary; this is often the case. The difference is when they regain possession, have a kickout or a free in their own half. The focus is to move forward; play the ball through the foot and get players to advanced positions. Kinnegad play a risk adverse style. More possession focused, as was the style of Westmeath during the championship. This is a containment style (the one we all hate) and serves to limit the opposition - almost fearful. The reality is it also limits the attacking team. Wayne Fox (a stylish player) tried a few times on Sunday to deliver ball more directly and was chastised more than once by his management - I did not notice Loman's coaching team discouraging any effort to play direct ball.
fizzygravy (USA) - Posts: 153 - 03/07/2024 09:00:54
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Thoughts for championship winners/ dark horses.
Senior: Lomans winners hard to see past them, unless they have a few injuries and Kinnegad or the Downs play out of there skins.
Top Group interesting, i think Athlone will be relegated they have never kicked on at all, Tang will defo pick up one win from somewhere but dont know if it will be enough to stay in A group.
B Group: Malachys to get relegated, they really ground out an intermediate but i think they will struggle. Downs up easy.
Dark Horses: Shamrocks, they wont have enough to win it but i think Semi-final would be a big stepping stone for them. Moate could also do something, they have a confidence/arrogance which sometimes looks as a negative but they do play without much fear.
Intermediate:
Winners: Cannot call it
1 of 4: Garrycastle of course probably favourites but i think they mightnt have it easy one bit, thats a very tough group/
Milltown playing very well and very dogged but have been very poor in last few semi finals if everyone stays fit they have a big chance, Tubberclare have all the talent to win it but can they get there best 15 on the pitch at the one time, Miltownpass big physical side with Brandon kelly scoring chief, Duncan and Coyne big losses. Castledaly down to B.
B Group: I expect St.Marys and Ballymore to come out of that group.
Ballymore did well in div 2 with Maryland very hot and cold in Div 3 they same as Multy, St.marys had a turbulent league beating Garrycastle but then getting beat by Shamrocks second team and missing Ned Cully/Ajani Badly.
Dark Horses: Maryland to sneak out of group B
Relegation: Kilbeggan, as bad as Bal are going they win that one off game vs Kilbeggan.
Junior:
Winners: St.Lomans there second team is only getting stronger and winning div 3 is a big statement, i dont want to see it but if i was a betting man.
St.Joes i think will go very close but were undone the last 2 years, maybe have a bit more experience now.
CFCW could easily win it if get all the hurlers, They were decent the last 2 years in intermediate, there better than people think its just the unknown. The same goes for Ballycomoyle and Pauls. Buns legs are gone they have enough to maybe reach a final but Lomans would run them off the pitch.
I dont think the Downs 2nd team is what it was but could be wrong, Shamrocks might push also, the rest nowhere near it.
PowellJohn3 (Westmeath) - Posts: 37 - 03/07/2024 12:12:57
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In the Junior I would tip St Lomans. They came very close to winning it last year but for a late goal. In terms of sole junior clubs I think CFCW and St. Joseph's are the pick of the bunch.
CFCW had a very good league campaign albeit at a lower level compared with other clubs.
I think it's only a matter of time before Joes win junior. In the past couple of years they have fallen apart when it really matters. This was on show again in their final league game against bunbrosna where they threw away a 4 point lead with 10 minutes to go, to lose by 4.
I also wouldn't completely write off Bunbrosna just yet. They showed real fight and quality towards the end of the league to retain div 3 status. They have got a couple of lads back this year and for the first time in years they have 4/5 starters under the age of 23 who could provide some much needed legs to the team.
If the Downs get a good run and have the right players available they can cause problems for every team in the competition.
westmeathman99 (Westmeath) - Posts: 107 - 04/07/2024 14:28:37
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Replying To PowellJohn3: "Thoughts for championship winners/ dark horses.
Senior: Lomans winners hard to see past them, unless they have a few injuries and Kinnegad or the Downs play out of there skins.
Top Group interesting, i think Athlone will be relegated they have never kicked on at all, Tang will defo pick up one win from somewhere but dont know if it will be enough to stay in A group.
B Group: Malachys to get relegated, they really ground out an intermediate but i think they will struggle. Downs up easy.
Dark Horses: Shamrocks, they wont have enough to win it but i think Semi-final would be a big stepping stone for them. Moate could also do something, they have a confidence/arrogance which sometimes looks as a negative but they do play without much fear.
Intermediate:
Winners: Cannot call it
1 of 4: Garrycastle of course probably favourites but i think they mightnt have it easy one bit, thats a very tough group/
Milltown playing very well and very dogged but have been very poor in last few semi finals if everyone stays fit they have a big chance, Tubberclare have all the talent to win it but can they get there best 15 on the pitch at the one time, Miltownpass big physical side with Brandon kelly scoring chief, Duncan and Coyne big losses. Castledaly down to B.
B Group: I expect St.Marys and Ballymore to come out of that group.
Ballymore did well in div 2 with Maryland very hot and cold in Div 3 they same as Multy, St.marys had a turbulent league beating Garrycastle but then getting beat by Shamrocks second team and missing Ned Cully/Ajani Badly.
Dark Horses: Maryland to sneak out of group B
Relegation: Kilbeggan, as bad as Bal are going they win that one off game vs Kilbeggan.
Junior:
Winners: St.Lomans there second team is only getting stronger and winning div 3 is a big statement, i dont want to see it but if i was a betting man.
St.Joes i think will go very close but were undone the last 2 years, maybe have a bit more experience now.
CFCW could easily win it if get all the hurlers, They were decent the last 2 years in intermediate, there better than people think its just the unknown. The same goes for Ballycomoyle and Pauls. Buns legs are gone they have enough to maybe reach a final but Lomans would run them off the pitch.
I dont think the Downs 2nd team is what it was but could be wrong, Shamrocks might push also, the rest nowhere near it." Senior
Group A
1/2 Finalists - St. Lomans & Kinnegad
1/4 Finalists - Tyrellspass & Caulry
Demoted - Athlone & Tang
Group B
1/4 Finalists - The Downs & Shamrocks
Winners - St. Lomans
Relegated - St. Malachys
Intermediate
Group A
1/2 Finalists - Garrycastle & Milltown
1/4 Finalists - Tubberclair & Milltownpass
Demoted - Rosemount & Castledaly
Group B
1/4 Finalists - St. Marys & Multyfarnham
Winners - Garrycastle
Relegated - Ballynacargy
Junior
Group A
1/4 Finalists - St. Lomans, The Downs, Mullingar Shamrocks & Killucan
Group B
1/4 Finalists - St. Josephs, CFCW, Bunbrosna & Moate
Winners - CFCW
Relegated - Athlone
JakeWest (Westmeath) - Posts: 6 - 05/07/2024 13:13:49
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