Topics

[If you have no intention of voting, still not sure which way you will vote or are outside the jurisdiction, PLEASE DO NOT VOTE.]

Mostly excellent posts on the other thread, raised some good points for the Yes and No camps, more enlightening than any of the varied media broadcasts, well done to all concerned. Thought I'd run an Exit Poll to give us a good idea of what result we can expect tomorrow. If you have no intention of voting, still not sure which way you will vote or are outside the jurisdiction, PLEASE DO NOT VOTE. Would like this poll to give an accurate indication.

Might as well get this one started, even though there's two plus weeks to go. Injuries seem to be clearing up on the Westmeath end which is good to see, hopefully everyone gets through the Championship weekend ahead.

Will only be a kick of the ball in this due to the fact it's in Tullamore and the feel good factor in Biffoland at present. Drove through Tullamore on my way to the Longford game and you'd swear it was the third Monday in September 1982 with the amount of flags and bunting around the place. That coupled with the fact that Offaly are coming good now as witnessed by them putting Derry to the sword recently and our poor display against the Slashers gives real cause for concern. Gary's wedding being on de day of the match won't help matters either but hopefully we'll be focussed, put in a much better performance than the last day and scrape a win. The team I'd select if all fit would be:

       Conaughton
Boyle Gavin Keane
Nachie Heavin Heals
     Duffy Flanagan
Willo Smyth O'Donoghue
Budda Dennis Dessie


Duffy boost for Westmeath
22 May 2008

Westmeath are set to welcome back David Duffy for their Leinster SFC quarter-final clash with Offaly on June 7 after he made his return from injury in a club game last weekend.

The rising midfield star played his first game since damaging ankle ligaments in the NFL win over Monaghan last month when he lined out for Shandonagh in their intermediate championship victory over Milltownpass at St. Loman's last Sunday.

Duffy, who missed the NFL Division 2 final against Dublin and the Leinster SFC first round meeting with Longford, came through the game
unscathed and looks set to renew his midfield partnership with Martin Flanagan against the Faithful County with Donal O'Donoghue likely to return to the half forward line where he featured for much of the league.

Meanwhile, Dessie Dolan, who made a surprise appearance against Longford after a hamstring injury lay-off, will get further match practice under his belt when he lines out for Garrycastle against Bunbrosna in Saturday's senior championship clash.

Saw in another thread that it's not advisable to buy electrical goods on eBay (which makes sense) so where do people recommend to get a good price that's legit, i.e. u can send it back if it goes belly up?

Wasn't at the game as was up in Clones but well done to the Lakers down in Limerick, Div 2 trophy to add to the 2 Ring Cups in de trophy room. Full steam ahead for the Dubs now...

This is probably the longest shot of long shots but has anyone ever removed the pin from their steering wheel? Basically the steering wheel is locked and can't unlock it. Apparently this problem happened to previous owner and they eventually got it free by wiggling it and they never locked the steering wheel after. They neglected to tell me this and I had successfully locked and unlocked it about five times before it seized up at the weekend. Have tried four different keys including one that was cut this week to no avail. Have also tried to lubricate the keyhole ignition. Any other suggestions? How would I go about removing the pin itself? It's a 97 Nissan Primera...

All quiet in the Lake County since our last outing, hope that means we're focussed on Saturdays match as it will give us a fair idea of where we are headed this year. Webels are back the guts of a month, fitness will have improved since the Roscommon game (in which they put up a decent score), they need to get points on the board so they'll be going all out for this one. A win here and we're in with a serious chance of promotion...

Anyone any directions for Páirc Úi Rínn coming from Kinsale???

Anyone have the draw for this? Not to be found in cyberspace, never mind on gaa.ie... 

Got this off hoganstand...

Leinster U21FC fixtures
13 February 2008

The fixtures for the first round of the Leinster U21 FC set for the 23rd and 24th February.

Saturday 23rd February 2008

Leinster Under 21 F.C.

Navan (2.30p.m.), Meath v Kildare, S. Carroll (Iarmhi)

Sunday 24th February 2008

Leinster Under 21 F.C.

Portlaoise (2.30p.m.), Laois v Louth, E. Craul (Cill Mhantain)

Kilkenny (2.30p.m.), Kilkenny v Westmeath, F. Barry (Cill Dara)

Carlow (2.30p.m.), Carlow v Longford, G. McCormack (Ath Cliath)

Extra time must be played in all games if sides finish level.

Expect a tough game in KK anyway... 

Have been watching it from the start on More 4 for the past couple of weeks, have to say, it is one quality program. Caught episodes here and there before but didn't fully understand/appreciate the relationships between the characters. Brilliantly put together and the dream sequences are as good as the ones in The Big Lebowski. Must put the box set on Santas list...

There yous go...

What with the recent weather and the annual cabin fever that sets in after Stephens Day want to head away for New Years this year. Herself wants sun, I wouldn't mind shit to see and do, anyone have any recommendations, places they've been to before??? Bout a week away, thinking of Morocco...

Folks,

I'm looking for help from current/past referees and those with a good knowledge of the rulebook (no Paddy Collins jibes please). I'd like to know what help is currently available in an interactive format to help referees with the rules of the game (if there's any at all), e.g. is there a DVD available with TV footage of what is and isn't a foul? Is there any animation of legal and illegal play currently out there? Is any of this stuff available online? I see that GAA.ie has some videos on its new site but these deal with the skills rather than demonstrate what is a foul and what isn't.

I should clarify that I'm nearing the end of an MA in Digital Media and wish to design an artifact to help referees (new and old) make consistent, correct decisions. I'm thinking of using 3D animation to illustrate what is a foul and what isn't. I'm thinking more along the lines of the greyer areas of the rules and not the likes of you can't hop the ball twice. The primary "grey area" I had in mind for example is the rolling ball, do you have to stick your toe underneath it, can you lift it straight off the ground, does anyone even know? What other "grey areas" would you like addressed?

Would this proposed application help prospective/current referees, players and the general public? (If the players and the general public have a better understanding of the rules hopefully it would lead to a reduction in the grief referees get). Would this idea be better implemented in another way? I'm sure there's questions I've forgotten to ask and points that need clarified so don't hold back.

Feel free to PM me if you don't wish to disclose your secret life as a referee etc.,  everything will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. I know a few here perform the role of the man in the middle and I would be very interested in hearing your views/opinions. Once approved (fingers crossed) I'll be getting a questionaire together so even if you'd only like to be included in that drop me a line and I'll send it out to you when ready.

Croí.

[Must win]

Three changes for Westmeath

Westmeath manager Tomas O Flatharta has drafted three under 21 players into his side for Sunday's crunch NFL Division 1B meeting with Kildare at Mullingar.

Mullingar Shamrocks' Kieran Gavin replaces Alan Rigney at wing back, David Duffy takes over from John Smyth at wing forward, while John Connellan comes in for fellow Athlone clubman Paul Bannon in the full forward line.

Both Gavin and Connellan are just out of the minor ranks and were introduced during the second half of last Sunday's defeat to Galway.

Westmeath (SF v Kildare): G Connaughton; F Boyle, M Ennis, J Keane; K Gavin, D O'Donoghue, D Heavin; M Flanagan, D O'Shaughnessy; F Wilson, D Dolan, D Duffy; A Mangan, J Connellan, D Glennon.

Thank fcuk Smyth isn't starting is the first reaction, will be interesting to see how Duffy gets on at half forward. He hasn't impressed at any level this year, wheras last year he looked very promising. Needs to win the ball coming in and lay quick ball off to one of the other five forwards. Don't think Connellan will remain on the edge of the square, would expect to see him in one of the corners. Rigney is unlucky to lose out, didn't do too much wrong the last day but there's really only one spot in the backs up for grabs and only fair I suppose to give Gavin a starting chance to claim it. I know Budda was sick the last day but we need him, Glennon and Willo to start getting into the game, all three were brutal the last day.

Must win game for Westmeath, Flan and Shaugho have to at least match their efforts in the middle the last day and John Doyle mustn't be given a sniff, sweeper put in front of him if necessary.

Big guns return for Westmeath
09 March 2007

John Keane and Martin Flanagan return to the Westmeath team for Sunday's NFL Division 1B clash with Louth in Dundalk.

Former All-Star Keane returns from injury to replace teenager Kieran Gavin at left corner back. Tyrrellspass clubman Flanagan, who missed the win over Down because of a pre-arranged holiday, slots back into midfield in place of under 21 player David Duffy.

Dessie Dolan continues at centre forward while Paul Bannon, who produced a man of the match performance against Down, is again named at full forward.

Westmeath (SF v Louth): G Connaughton; F Boyle, M Ennis, J Keane; A Rigney, D O'Donoghue, D Heavin; D Healy, M Flanagan; F Wilson, D Dolan, J Smyth; A Mangan, P Bannon, Denis Glennon.

Surprised to see Flan back starting, I'd have preferred to have seen him starting on the bench since he was unavailable two weeks ago. Kieran Gavin can count himself unlucky too to lose out but it's great to see JK back. Healy didn't spend too much time around the middle last time out, will be interesting to see if he stays in the middle this time. Team has a nice look about it and it's fairly settled at this stage. One change I'd like to see is someone else tried out at half-forward, Smyth hasn't impressed so far.

Anyways tickets got for Sunday and looking forward to the game. Anyone got directions to the ground coming from Dublin? Past Dundalk as I understand it... And where the hell is midLouth these days???

[Two new faces for Westmeath]

From Hoganstand...

Two new faces for Westmeath

The Westmeath team to play Laois in the National Football League Division 1B match in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Sunday, February 4th has two newcomers at this level.

18 year old Mullingar Shamrocks clubman, Kieran Gavin starts at Left Full Back while Alan Rigney, who captained Tyrrellspass to their county Senior title last year plays at Right Half Back. Fergal Wilson returns to the team after a self-imposed, through exam commitments, absence.

Ruled out through injury are David O'Shaughnessy, James Davitt, Gary Dolan, John Keane and John Connellan.

The team is: Gary Connaughton (Tubberclair), Francis Boyle (Killucan), Michael Ennis (Ballinagore), Kieran Gavin (Mullingar Shamrocks), Alan Rigney (Tyrrellspass), Donal O'Donoghue (Mullingar Shamrocks), Derek Heavin (Castledaly), David Duffy (Shandonagh), Paul Bannon (Athlone), Fergal Wilson (Tubberclair), Alan Mangan (St. Malachys), John Smyth (The Downs), Dessie Dolan (Capt) (Garrycastle), Paddy Martin (Ballymore), Denis Glennon (Tyrrellspass)

Young enough team, will be up against it if Laois produce a performance like they did last Sun. Good to see Boyle back but where is Flan and what's the story with Healy this year??? The two new lads will have to do a hell of a lot better than they did against Dublin, Keane is a big loss. Have to be winning our home games if we want to get into Division 1 next year...

[Westmeath stadium plan gets go-ahead]

Lakers get new stadium not too far from the town and Flan's back...

Westmeath stadium plan gets go-ahead

Westmeath GAA has been given the green light to sell their county headquarters Cusack Park and replace it with a new 26,000 all-seater stadium on the outskirts of Mullingar.

Westmeath chairman Seamus Whelan confirmed the proposal to sell Cusack Park – believed to be worth over €30 million – was given the go-ahead by the county's clubs at a meeting last Thursday.

Developers are to provide the board with a new stadium in Robinstown on the Castlepollard Road in exchange for Cusack Park, which is located in the centre of Mullingar. The project would incorporate two full-size training pitches, both of which would be floodlit with a synthetic, sand-based surface.

"We have met with the clubs and received their full backing," Whelan said.

"A number of developers have expressed an interest in Cusack Park and our message has been the same, that it's not for sale. We would have to be convinced to move.

"We would require the greatest of facilities, including a state-of-the-art stadium, gymnasium and an administration block. A number of all-weather training pitches would be required also. We are exploring the possibility with developers and will report back to our Management Committee, and if we have a recommendation for the clubs, we will make it to them."

Cusack Park, which underwent a major redevelopment 10 years ago, has been the home of Westmeath GAA since 1933 and is renowned as the venue where legendary commentator Micheal O'Hehir made his first broadcast from.

Will be interesting to see the location for the stadium, as I understand it Robinstoen is the area beside/at the back of the hospital so it's not that far out of the town, parking could be very problematic though. Capacity on the news last night was 28,000 which seems about right, should be aiming to hold inter county U21 finals, camogie finals, etc. as if done right it will be the no.1 venue in the midlands. Surprised there'll be no terracing as some people like the cheaper tickets and remaining vertical watching a game.

Flanagan returns to Westmeath set-up

Westmeath's 2007 hopes have received a major boost with the return of Martin Flanagan to the football squad after an almost two-year absence.

The highly talented Tyrrellspass player has had an often difficult relationship with the Westmeath management over the past few years, though he has been troubled by ankle problems for most of that time.

He left the panel in controversial circumstances in early 2004, and wasn't involved when Westmeath won the Leinster title later that year. He made a brief return during last year's league but had once again drifted from the scene by time the championship came around and didn't feature at all in 2006.

Flanagan's return to the Tyrrellspass team in the latter stages of this year's county championship was a huge factor in their county final win and he was very much to the fore as they beat Abbeylara and Arles/Killeen before losing to eventual winners Moorefield by a point in the Leinster club semi-final.

The former St. Mel's College star will be 31 in January, but Westmeath fans feel he still has plenty to offer, especially in attack where there has been an over-reliance on Dessie Dolan for scores over the past couple of seasons.

The return of the Flan could be bittersweet, will he still be there at championship time??? Expect to see him in full forward and dragged out to midfield if needed. This could be his year to show the rest of the country what he's all about.