Westmeath's Ronan Wallace pictured at the launch of the Leinster SFC.Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Nearly every game in the 2025 Allianz Football League involving Westmeath was a thriller. Courageous comebacks and lively attacking games. Still, the midlanders suffered relegation into Division Three.
So, it means that Saturday evening’s attractive encounter against Kildare at Cedral St Conleth’s Park carries significant implications.
Despite the defeats, Ronan Wallace found reasons for optimism too. “We couldn't buy a win this year, unfortunately but we competed well,” Wallace reflects.
“It's just, we probably didn't put in a full 70 minute performance. That's inter-county football. Some days they go for you, some days they don't. It was nice to get the draw against Roscommon and finally a bit of luck.”
Is there some solace in the fact that Westmeath competed strongly? “Oh, 100 per cent,” Wallace replies instantly.
“Obviously there's the disappointment straight after the game, but once you reflect, look at how well you performed in certain aspects, yeah, it definitely bodes well for going into the summer.
“It's up to the coaches then to pinpoint where we can improve, what went well for us and just make improvements gradually as we go on.”
The league campaign illustrated the potential of the emerging players in Westmeath. “Yeah, definitely, look, we've lost probably seven, eight or nine lads from last year's panel,” Wallace says.
Westmeath's Ronan Wallace in Allianz Football League action. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
“It's a step up for younger lads, who probably haven't been exposed to that sort of inter-county level. It takes time, but they've definitely shown the quality is there, that they can perform at the high level.
“Playing against Division Two opposition where everyone can beat each other, it so close, that will just stand to them going forward.”
The fact that there was such a high turnover meant it was always going to be demanding for new manager Dermot McCabe initially. “I suppose it's hard at the start when all the announcements are coming, like lads are saying that they're stepping away for retirement and travel,” Wallace says.
“You can't hold it against them, they have to live their own lives as well. Obviously, disappointing, but it's up to the management team to give their point on where we can go.
“I think there was a buy-in from lads, it took maybe a few weeks for lads to get their head around the new set-up, new players. Definitely we've put the shoulder to the wheel under new management.”
Having been so competitive in the All-Ireland SFC, following success in the inaugural Tailteann Cup triumph, Wallace believes that this is an exciting era for Westmeath. “Yeah, 2022 was a great year, obviously winning the Tailteann Cup, the first year with the competition so we really put an emphasis on it,” Wallace says.
“Going into the All-Ireland series the last two years we've competed extremely well against opposition, the two All-Ireland finalists and the winners the last few years.
“It has been difficult not getting results, but competing against those oppositions is great for the younger lads, for ourselves. That's where we want to be this year as well, obviously we know what we have to do to reach that, but we'll focus on Kildare.”
