Leinster Senior Championship 2026

JollyGreenGiant · April 20, 2026, 10:37:51 AM

Quote from: Fogarty on April 20, 2026, 10:31:02 AMIt's difficult to shake the feeling of "what if" after watching that display in Aughrim yesterday. While it's easy to point to the pride we feel in how the lads stood up to a Division 1 giant, it's honestly agonising to look back at how close we were to a historic result.

When Eoin Darcy punched in that second goal the atmosphere in the ground was unbelievable—you could see the Dublin players rattled and our boys playing with a belief that made you think the upset was truly on. The talent in this squad is undeniable, and they proved today that when they click, they can put it up to the best in the country. But that's exactly what makes it so hard to stomach. We had the momentum and we had the game right there for the taking, but we just couldn't deliver that final, clinical blow to get the win. Too many wides when Dublin were reeling cost us in the end.

It was a massive statement of intent, but another heartbreaking lesson that talent alone isn't enough—we have to find a way to close out those tight finishes when the stakes are at their highest.

To build on this, Wicklow need to go all out to win the Tailteann and move us to the next tier.

The second Dublin goal was a flicker of what had been. It was a well worked move where Wicklow were unable to get to the ball, and that pushed the lead out to 4 at a crucial time.

It's a bit of a cliche but the "old dog for the hard road" was able to draw on recent experience to close the game out, and Wicklow don't have that just yet. With a bit more mental strength and improved decision making Wicklow would have won.

moonster · April 20, 2026, 11:30:51 PM

https://www.balls.ie/gaa/john-heslin-meath-westmeath-loss-653797?fbclid=Iwb21leARTh9pjbGNrBFOHhWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHjBf4q90SSppSa-AcW8O1cGtvv1FG7LMjRd48oeqZ4X6mSUbIFM0nABYcw2U_aem_xJTzlvNSrwSIM3tLSbs9Qw

moonster · April 20, 2026, 11:32:37 PM

Quote from: mup on April 20, 2026, 08:23:44 AMWill that finally be the end of the Meath hype machine?

Love the shitthousery. Kildare support starting to get giddy with a leinster final against Louth in sight.

Wildweasel74 · April 21, 2026, 12:05:00 AM

Thought u said u a wexford supporter?

mup · April 21, 2026, 08:27:58 AM

Quote from: moonster on April 20, 2026, 11:32:37 PM
Quote from: mup on April 20, 2026, 08:23:44 AMWill that finally be the end of the Meath hype machine?

Love the shitthousery. Kildare support starting to get giddy with a leinster final against Louth in sight.

Giddy? Gawd no. That Kildare team haven't a hope of getting to a Leinster final. Zero chance.

Armagh18 · April 21, 2026, 08:35:03 AM

Kildare have the ability to beat Westmeath but don't think they will. Still that flakiness or something with Kildare despite having talent. Westmeath have very good forwards, Luke Loughlin wouldn't look out of place probably on any team in the country, always that bit of doggedness in them too, gave us a big scare in Armagh in 2023 and weren't miles away in 2024, caused the other teams in the groups trouble as well as far as I remember .

shark · April 21, 2026, 10:42:14 AM

Quote from: Armagh18 on April 21, 2026, 08:35:03 AMKildare have the ability to beat Westmeath but don't think they will. Still that flakiness or something with Kildare despite having talent. Westmeath have very good forwards, Luke Loughlin wouldn't look out of place probably on any team in the country, always that bit of doggedness in them too, gave us a big scare in Armagh in 2023 and weren't miles away in 2024, caused the other teams in the groups trouble as well as far as I remember .

Agree with general point , but not much point talking about 2023/24 when it comes to Westmeath. Had double figure retirements after 2024.
Just looked at the team from 2023 game, which Armagh won by a point. Used 19 players. 12 gone, and 2 more long term injured. 5 remain. Very young team now , with the notable exceptions of Loughlin, Connellan, and Daly in goals.

clonian · April 21, 2026, 11:41:03 AM

Quote from: mup on April 21, 2026, 08:27:58 AM
Quote from: moonster on April 20, 2026, 11:32:37 PM
Quote from: mup on April 20, 2026, 08:23:44 AMWill that finally be the end of the Meath hype machine?

Love the shitthousery. Kildare support starting to get giddy with a leinster final against Louth in sight.

Giddy? Gawd no. That Kildare team haven't a hope of getting to a Leinster final. Zero chance.

If Kildare get beat they should have to play off with Meath for a place in the All Ireland - it's the only fair outcome

moonster · April 21, 2026, 03:54:49 PM

Quote from: mup on April 21, 2026, 08:27:58 AM
Quote from: moonster on April 20, 2026, 11:32:37 PM
Quote from: mup on April 20, 2026, 08:23:44 AMWill that finally be the end of the Meath hype machine?

Love the shitthousery. Kildare support starting to get giddy with a leinster final against Louth in sight.

Giddy? Gawd no. That Kildare team haven't a hope of getting to a Leinster final. Zero chance.

Yerra

moonster · April 21, 2026, 03:57:39 PM

Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 21, 2026, 12:05:00 AMThought u said u a wexford supporter?

Yes but you to admire the kikdare buck coming out of his sabbatical to have a pop at Meath.

Captain Scarlet · April 21, 2026, 03:58:32 PM

Nationally and locally we hear about Kildare having talent, but from following them for years it's often overblown. We are great when things are going well but make horrible mistakes under pressure.

And I know underage success is brilliant, but these lads often flounder at senior level. We have lads who can do it in Div 3 or against a lower league outfit, but then can't get the shot away or cough up the ball once a team is at or above their level.

It's not purely down to flakiness or mentality, it's just they are not as good as people think. Players who are good do the right things more often than not.
I still think that if we get some key men back in and get more closer to 100% we can beat Westmeath, but we just don't have a lad like O'Loughlin or a Wallace for that matter.

On the other side I fancy Louth to beat the Dubs as they just seem to trust each other and have great control. Plus they were missing so many who got a run out the last day.

twohands!!! · April 21, 2026, 05:41:19 PM

Met a couple of Westhmeath men since the weekend and I wouldn't be surprised if the entire county was the happiest place in Ireland the last few days if the rest of the place are as happy as these lads - they were just floating around the place with joy and delight.

mup · April 22, 2026, 12:11:21 PM

Quote from: moonster on April 21, 2026, 03:57:39 PM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 21, 2026, 12:05:00 AMThought u said u a wexford supporter?

Yes but you to admire the kikdare buck coming out of his sabbatical to have a pop at Meath.

You call it a pop. I call it the truth. I just don't think they are as good as some make out. They got a bounce out of Robbie Brennan and imo they will fall back into the pack somewhat.

As for Kildare - I don't believe they have the footballers to compete at the moment. They lack football intelligence. As Captain Scarlet said up above, I don't understand why people think Kildare should be better than they are showing. Two Leinster titles since 1956 - thats 70 years!! No AI title since 1928 - nearly 100 years!! They are woeful stats.

Iarmhí Abú · April 23, 2026, 02:29:05 PM

Quote from: twohands!!! on April 21, 2026, 05:41:19 PMMet a couple of Westhmeath men since the weekend and I wouldn't be surprised if the entire county was the happiest place in Ireland the last few days if the rest of the place are as happy as these lads - they were just floating around the place with joy and delight.

There's certainly a buzz around the place. The recent underage performances, along with the school results have raised morale.
The game on Sunday has turned things up a notch.