Westmeath v Wicklow - 6th June 2010

Wingman2010

Probably a little early to get this thread going but what the heck!

What are peoples thoughts on this one? Westmeath have racked up big scores in recent challenge matches against Mayo and Dublin. Probably expected with Glennon and Dolan back on board. They also have a few of the U21 team that did quite well this year. The team that will be on show will be completely different from that of 'Brendan Hackett's' brief journey.

But Wicklow who had a great 2009 will be expecting a long summer in 2010 also. Many will feel they should have beat Westmeath last year and probably would have if they didn't pick up so many injuries in this game. Glynn's goal against Carlow is surely a contender already for goal of the season.

Wicklow will be favourites according to all the pundits and rightly so. It should be a very tight game. Westmeath are weak in midfield though and may struggle to get clean position from kick outs. However, I expect Westmeath to win this one with the forwards they will have on duty.

spongeman

Wicklow are favourites, and rightly so. Right from our goalkeeper Mervyn Travers right through to Paul Earls, there is no way Westmeath can match this kind of talent.

Will it be close ? No. Will Wicklow win comfortably ? Yes.

By 7-9 points probably.

Glynn is going to get ya, Glynn is going to get ya

Hammer Archer

I'd say Westmeath will win. They beat Wicklow last year in Leinster and after showing some promise towards the end of the league and with Glennon and Dessie returning, I'd expect them to have too much for Wicklow. Also I think this is one of the few times that Wicklow are favourites so I think the pressure that brings may go against them.
I'd say Westmeath by 1 or 2.

spongeman

Last year Wicklow beat Wicklow. threw it away. We have played a lot more championship games since then. And we are looking superb.

We were favourites against Carlow and had them for breakfast, remember ?

Time for a few bars of the 19 arches.............

tomaoo7

I believe Wicklow will beat Westmeath and Kildare and contest a Leinster final..It just shows you where a little bit of hard work will get you....Competing:D

spongeman

tomaoo7 wrote: »

I believe Wicklow will beat Westmeath and Kildare and contest a Leinster final..It just shows you where a little bit of hard work will get you....Competing:D

Wicklow for Sam ?????

Ash.J.Williams

Westmeath were terrible last year, and beat a hard working Wicklow.

spongeman

Ash theres no comparison between Wicklow since that match and now. We are miles better now, have played more championship matches and while Westmeath have stood still thats not really important. It all comes down to our huge progress and thats the difference.

Hammer Archer

OK now don't get me wrong, Wicklow's performance last year was a great story but I, for one, don't think there has been huge progress made.
They lost to a terrible Westmeath team (who I feel have improved since), then beat 2 poor teams in the first 2 qualifying rounds in Fermanagh and Cavan. If I remember correctly, the 45 that beat Down was well over the amount of injury time stated (and Down had lost to Fermanagh in Ulster earlier).
As for this year, they were average in losing to Clare and being hammered by Waterford in the league so I don't know where this "huge progress" is coming from. Having said that, Micko always seems to have his teams ready for the championship so I wouldn't be surprised if Wicklow do win, just not by much.

spongeman

Hammer I d'ont know what happy juice you are drinking but can I have some of it as well ?

Hammer Archer

Spongeman1 wrote: »

Hammer I d'ont know what happy juice you are drinking but can I have some of it as well ?

Would you rather debate the point I made than throw about thinly veiled insults at me?
I apologise for not being entirely overwhelmed by Wicklows huge progress in obtaining 4th place in a poor division 4.

spongeman

Westmeath would NOT have beaten that Down team last year. No chance whatsoever.

Pride Fighter

Calm down folks:)

Hammer Archer

Spongeman1 wrote: »

Westmeath would NOT have beaten that Down team last year. No chance whatsoever.

I agree as Westmeath were absolutely abysmal last year. However I feel Westmeath have improved this year (as have Wicklow I think) and the return of Glennon and Dessie Dolan can only be a positive thing. I also think that the Westmeath players have more confidence in Pat Flanagan than they did their previous managers.
Again I won't be surprised if Wicklow do beat Westmeath, especially if the news that Glennon and Connaughton may be injured is true. I just dont think they will win as comfortably as you suggest given that they've played no one but division 4 teams competitively this year.

spongeman

If your goalkeeper is injured thats a big loss Hammer. He is a very good player.

Any news on Glennon ? If he is fit I would expect Hyland to mark him.

Hammer Archer

Right I'm a Meath fan so I don't know the ins and outs of those to our West;)
I just went on the Westmeath Hoganstand page and saw Connaughton is an injury doubt and Glennon went off injured for his club. If these two are out then I would have to say Wicklow will probably win. Should be a good game. Anyone know if it's televised?

spongeman

Its not on TV.

Im glad Meath are on the other side of the draw. You will take Laois and put it up to Dublin for sure.

RocketRonnie

I think Wicklow will win comfortably, and will really put it up to an overrated kildare side in the semi (i expect Louth to give them a decent game before that!)
There's a good chance Wicklow will playing in the Leinster Final...!!

Ash.J.Williams

RocketRonnie wrote: »

I think Wicklow will win comfortably, and will really put it up to an overrated kildare side in the semi (i expect Louth to give them a decent game before that!)
There's a good chance Wicklow will playing in the Leinster Final...!!

Dermot Early beat Wicklow single handedly last year, who's to say he won't do it again this year?

Hockney

spongeman wrote: »

It all comes down to our huge progress and thats the difference.

Huge indeed, beating Carlow this year leaves ye rubbing shoulders with other footballing elites such as Clare and Leitrim.

I wouldn't go writing home about 4th in Division 4 either!

I reckon there won't be more than 3 points in it, with Westmeath to shade it if Dolan, Glennon, Connaughton and Flanagan are fully fit.

Wicklow by 9 points?! :eek:

pd101

Hockney wrote: »

Huge indeed, beating Carlow this year leaves ye rubbing shoulders with other footballing elites such as Clare and Leitrim.

I wouldn't go writing home about 4th in Division 4 either!

I reckon there won't be more than 3 points in it, with Westmeath to shade it if Dolan, Glennon, Connaughton and Flanagan are fully fit.

Wicklow by 9 points?! :eek:

Wicklow winning by 9 points is stretching it a bit alright. I thought the 10 point margin against Carlow was more to do with their forwards than how well we played. That said I think Wicklow will do it at the weekend but I dont think it will be by more than a couple of points.

Stevecw

pd101 wrote: »

Wicklow winning by 9 points is stretching it a bit alright. I thought the 10 point margin against Carlow was more to do with their forwards than how well we played. That said I think Wicklow will do it at the weekend but I dont think it will be by more than a couple of points.

Spongeman or Sponger as he goes by on Hoganstand is a bit a a spoofer. Loves to stir things up!! Wouldn't mind him at all.

You are dead right PD, there is no way there should have been 10 pts difference between Carlow and Wicklow. In the 1st half we dominated the game, just kicked about 7 or 8 crazy wides. As you say our forwards were the problem, and our free taker has a serious off day. For about 10/15 mins in that game Wicklow didn't get past the half way line...but even after that spell I think scores were level or at most we went a point up.

2nd half once we missed the couple of goal chances, and ye scored 2nd goal that was game over. Especially as Brendan Murphy got sent off at same time of 2nd goal.

Overall of course Wicklow were the better side, but if they repeat their 1st half performance that they had against Carlow on Sunday...Dolan, Glennon etc will punish you a lot more.
I also reckon Wicklow will win, but only by a point or 2. This one could even go to extra time.

Naomh

spongeman wrote: »

Wicklow are favourites, and rightly so. Right from our goalkeeper Mervyn Travers right through to Paul Earls, there is no way Westmeath can match this kind of talent.

Will it be close ? No. Will Wicklow win comfortably ? Yes.

By 7-9 points probably.

Glynn is going to get ya, Glynn is going to get ya

Lining yourself up for a fall here spongeman.....kick of a ball at most

Wingman2010

Should Westmeath bother turning up with the optimism in the Wicklow camp

Carawaystick

Wicklow drew with westmeath last year and lost in extra time after three wicklowmen went off with broken bones,
Tony Hannon had a mare of a day,
Hyland had his worst day of the championship,


Nice to see the Leinster Council make a mockery of Neutral venues though. It's less than 5km from the ground in Tullamore to Co. Westmeath as the crow flies.

What'd be so wrong with O'Moore Park, Dr.Cullen Park, Newbridge or even Pairc Tailteann?

Wicklow to win this year.

RocketRonnie

Wingman2010 wrote: »

Should Westmeath bother turning up with the optimism in the Wicklow camp

No because they're muck...

Mushy

Does anybody here know where the bus station is in Tullamore? If want to go, have to get bus, gets into Tullamore but half 2. Then bus back is at half 6. That should be plenty of time right? That is if it doesn't go to extra time.

Ash.J.Williams

Carawaystick wrote: »

Wicklow drew with westmeath last year and lost in extra time after three wicklowmen went off with broken bones,
Tony Hannon had a mare of a day,
Hyland had his worst day of the championship,


Nice to see the Leinster Council make a mockery of Neutral venues though. It's less than 5km from the ground in Tullamore to Co. Westmeath as the crow flies.

What'd be so wrong with O'Moore Park, Dr.Cullen Park, Newbridge or even Pairc Tailteann?

Wicklow to win this year.

I was at that game and to me it looked like Westmeath hadn't disposed of Wicklow as early as they thought, and hence brought on some big guns off the bench that they were resting, Dolan being one of them. What we saw from then on was a very different and spirited Westmeath team.
It will be a great game no doubt, i can't call it yet, i'm hoping for a Wicklow win.

patmac

Mushy wrote: »

Does anybody here know where the bus station is in Tullamore? If want to go, have to get bus, gets into Tullamore but half 2. Then bus back is at half 6. That should be plenty of time right? That is if it doesn't go to extra time.

The train station is at the far end of the town so give yourself at least a 15 minute walk if that's were the bus stops as well.

Ian_K

http://www.wicklowgaaonline.com/index.php/2010/06/wicklow-team-named-for-westmeath-clash/

Wicklow Team for Sunday;

1. Mervyn Travers
2. Stephen Kelly
3. Dara O’hAnnaidh
4. Alan Byrne
5. Ciaran Hyland
6. Brian McGrath
7. Darren Hayden
8. James Stafford
9. J.P. Dalton
10. Leighton Glynn (Capt)
11. Tony Hannon
12. Nicky Mernagh
13. Paddy Dalton
14. Seanie Furlong
15. Paul Earls

Hyland will definelty be picking up Glennon so i'd expect Kelly to move out to half back, Paddy Dalton will surely be pulled out the field so perhalps Glynn will move in as Earls plays a roaming game aswell. Good to see Jacko Dalton back in midfield too.

Saint_Mel

Dessie starting on the bench for this one

Hockney

http://www.hoganstand.com/westmeath/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=129985

1: G Connaughton
2: F Boyle
3: D O'Donoghue
4: J Gaffey
5: M Ennis (captain)
6: K Martin
7: D Harte
8: D Duffy
9: P Bannon
10: J Smyth
11: C Lynam
12: A Gaughan
13: P Greville
14: M Flanagan
15: D Glennon

Subs: D Quinn, K Maguire, D Healy, D Dolan, F Wilson, L Smyth, I Coffey, G Egan, T Warburton, G Flanagan, D McDermott, G Glennon, P Sharry, M Dalton, J Durkan.

There'll be quite a few changes made on the Westmeath side throughout the game by the looks of that. Midfield looks particularly weak, I'd expect to see Flanagan pushed into the middle of the park after 10 or 15 mins if Duffy and Bannon are struggling.

Dessie obviously isn't fully fit, hopefully he can come on as a big impact sub, Coffey and Wilson are both well capable of getting scores from play, so lots of options on the bench. Hopefully Wicklow aren't out of sight by the time they come on.

Wingman2010

Midfield very weak for Westmeath. A very good full forward line up once Greville comes through ok on Saturday.

The bench looks particularly strong especially with all the U21's. Would it be a first if Lorcan Smyth comes on. Two brothers respresenting a county but play for two different clubs???

Surely Coffey or Lorcan Smyth should be a better option then Gaughan?

wicklowwonder

Does anyone know if this is been shown lie on the internet? No its on on tele and at a wedding all weekend so wont make the game!!

Wingman2010

wicklowwonder wrote: »

Does anyone know if this is been shown lie on the internet? No its on on tele and at a wedding all weekend so wont make the game!!

I don't think so mate. Its not one of the chosen games either to be shown on rte.ie so you will have to wait until the sunday game on in the evening..

Naomh

spongeman wrote: »

Wicklow are favourites, and rightly so. Right from our goalkeeper Mervyn Travers right through to Paul Earls, there is no way Westmeath can match this kind of talent.

Will it be close ? No. Will Wicklow win comfortably ? Yes.

By 7-9 points probably.

Glynn is going to get ya, Glynn is going to get ya

:rolleyes: