Footballers meet Sligo while hurlers face Kerry in league
The Westmeath senior footballers begin their National Football League with a home game against Sligo on Sunday, January 25.
It’s a key home game to start the league as Westmeath aim to win promotion from Division 3. Following that, there’s an away trip to Ennis to take on Clare before Westmeath travel to Pairc Esler, Newry, for a third round clash against Down.
Home games against Fermanagh (February 22) and Limerick (March 15) will also be crucial for Westmeath, who have to cope with some high-profile retirements. Kieran Martin joined John Heslin, James Dolan and Kevin Maguire, while experienced players such as Ronan O’Toole and David Lynch are unavailable due to work commitments in Australia.
Sligo defeated Westmeath when the sides last met in 2024 in Sligo, 1-14 to 0-11.
Prior to that, new manager Mark McHugh will get the opportunity to give fringe players some precious game time in the O’Byrne Cup, as they face Longford (away) next Saturday, January 3.
Meanwhile, Westmeath senior hurling manager Kevin O’Brien has spoken of his desire to lead the hurlers out of Division 2. They travel to Tralee to face Kerry in the first round on February 1. Westmeath met Kerry in the league in 2022 and enjoyed a 2-18 to 0-21 victory. The Lake County have three key home games against Meath (February 8), Laois (March 1) and Derry (March 8).
A trip to London also beckons on February 22.
The county's senior hurling side had been in the top flight under Joe Fortune’s watch, but slipped back last year and in terms of developing the game in the county, O’Brien views Division 1 hurling as very important.
He will have to cope without some very experienced players such as Niall Mitchell, Darragh Clinton, Aaron Craig, Robbie Greville and Tommy Doyle, but the new manager has confidence in the young talent breaking through and having served as U20 coach in recent years will be a major help in that regard. "We've a strong base: we were just going through the forwards and you're looking at David Williams, Killian Doyle, David O'Reilly, Darragh McCormack, Peter Clarke and Eoin Keyes, tearing it up at training. Conor Shaw, Darragh Egerton, Josh Coll, Darragh Smith and Peter Murphy add further quality and we're encouraged with how things have started," said O'Brien.
In the pre-season tournament, Westmeath will meet Kilkenny on Sunday, January 4 in round one of the Walsh Cup which is an early opportunity for new talent to make an impression.
Westmeath’s National Football League fixtures
R1 - Sunday January 25
Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Sligo, 2pm
R2 - Sunday February 1
Cusack Park, Ennis: Clare v Westmeath, 2pm
R3 - Saturday February 14
Páirc Esler, Newry: Down v Westmeath, 6pm
R4 - Sunday February 22
Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Fermanagh, 1pm
R5 - Saturday February 28
O'Moore Park, Portlaoise: Laois v Westmeath, 6pm
R6 - Sunday March 15
Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Limerick, 2pm
R7 - Sunday March 22
Wexford Park: Wexford v Westmeath, 2pm
Westmeath’s National Hurling League fixtures
R1 - Sunday February 1
Tralee: Kerry v Westmeath, 2pm
R2 - Sunday February 8
Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Meath, 2pm
R3 - Sunday February 22
Ruislip: London v Westmeath, 1pm
R4 - Sunday March 1
Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Laois, 2pm
R5 - Sunday March 8
Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Derry, 2pm
R6 - Saturday March 21
MacHale Park, Castlebar: Westmeath v Mayo, 1pm