Westmeath V Wicklow

[Iarmhí Abú.]

Its more a case of "Welcome Back" Ros. I first appeared here when AZ Offalywas probably still in the US and people like FirstTouchJoeCooney and KerryMike were opinion leaders.  You're obviously fairly new yourself as it's only 18 months since I ceased to be a regular contributor.  Had to re register but only added a full stop to the name.

As regards a bandwagon, it's a bit late hopping on when the wagon appears to be runnining out of steam

[AZOffaly]

I was going to defend your honour, but you beat me to it

I was bemoaning the lack of a Daithi vs Fogarty spat there, that would have livened things up

[Iarmhí Abú.]

Good man AZ.  Daithi was there yesterday but the old fire is dwindling I think he's been sated somewhat by the relative success of recent times (massive success if you consider where we used to be at) and domestic duties - a recent heir has meant that he missed some O'Byrne Cup and League fixtures this year.  Unthinkable in the past.  It would probably take a derby with the auld enemy to the south to get his dander up properly.  He won't like me to say it but he actually had good craic with some of our biffo mates leading up to last years match and was magnanimous afterwards. This is far removed from his old fire and brimstone tirades in his youth.  I guess maturity comes if we wait
Had a wry smile when I read your post about things we never thought we'd see. There's more of us were in that boat than just yourself. These things come in cycles however, so we'll always peer anxiously over the border.

[Croí na hÉireann]

Didn't enjoy much of that apart from the display by the full back line, right up there with Cork's as the best in the country, only reason we were still in the game at the end of normal time. We were destroyed at midfield & only started to compete when Shaugho came on. I don't think Duffy brought one ball out of the sky & Flan needs to cut out shooting from ridiculous distances and angles. Half back like was very suspect, Murtagh was probably the best of the bunch & I can't even remember him doing much positive. Donal O'D didn't have the pace to stick with Glynn & couldn't believe he wasn't moved off him.

Smyth & Harte in the half forwards got through some amount of work, Harte is a great man for winning breaking ball and getting the hand in to dispose. Smyth had a couple of last minute full length block downs as well. Scally tried, took his point well but I wouldn't expect to see him start the next day. FF line did well, the problem was getting the ball into them. Lynam looked dangerous anytime he got the ball and took his points well, especially the score where he sold two dummies, one off either foot, one of the few highlights of the day as well as his last point in extra time to go 2 up. The number 2 had a hold on Glennons jersey the whole game & not once was it spotted by the ref, umpires or linesman. Did well when he got the ball for someone who was supposed to be carrying an injury. Willo saw a good bit of the ball, always does well in O'Connor Park.

On the point that was scored when Wicklow had a man on the ground, I think it was a case of crying wolf once too often. Westmeath were on a roll after scoring a few points in a row and two members of the Wicklow full back line went down looking for treatment. IMO (and probably the refs as well) they were looking to hold up and disrupt the momentum we had. On the incident itself Lynam had played the ball and was given the obligatory push in the chest to stop him moving clear and both players went down in a heap. Ref had a good view of this & must have decided that if there was any injury it was self inflicted. Unfortunately he must have turned over on his ankle and had to be removed from play (btw it was a nice touch to see Lynam go over and shake his hand as he was being stretchered off). Now of course the ref should have held up play if it was a serious injury but you can only cry wolf so often.

Anyways we've got a hell of a lot of work to do for two weeks time. Don't think it's sufficient time to bring on Dessie, Heals & Natchie, all looked rusty enough when they came on. The signs aren't encouraging but sure we'll turn up anyway. The game will go one of two ways, like the championship game last year which was nip and tuck or like the league game this year which wasn't. Hopefully it's the former...

[Croí na hÉireann]

Scratch that post, I think this sums the game up...

[turk]

Good man AZ.  Daithi was there yesterday but the old fire is dwindling I think he's been sated somewhat by the relative success of recent times (massive success if you consider where we used to be at) and domestic duties - a recent heir has meant that he missed some O'Byrne Cup and League fixtures this year.  Unthinkable in the past.  It would probably take a derby with the auld enemy to the south to get his dander up properly.  He won't like me to say it but he actually had good craic with some of our biffo mates leading up to last years match and was magnanimous afterwards. This is far removed from his old fire and brimstone tirades in his youth.  I guess maturity comes if we wait
Had a wry smile when I read your post about things we never thought we'd see. There's more of us were in that boat than just yourself. These things come in cycles however, so we'll always peer anxiously over the border.

Superb stuff, Daithi was an all time board legend.

Flanagan and Duffy didn't compete at all with big Walsh yesterday. They weren't even near him. There was a good number of times when Walsh was collecting the ball on his own and running knocking over Westmeath halfbacks and halfforwards and no sign of the midfield. Noticed that when Shaughnessy came on the first thing he did was plough a couple of jostles in to Walsh.