Westmeath to review hurling manager's position

When asked what his future plans were following victory over Kerry last weekend, Westmeath senior hurling manager Bulfin replied: “It’s very soon after the game. I think I got a year maybe last July or August with a review after that. I haven’t even considered what I’m doing tomorrow for the dinner, never mind what I’m going to do next year! We’ll wait and see.”

The Limerick man, speaking minutes after his charges had comprehensively defeated their hosts Kerry in the final round robin game for both counties in this year’s Joe McDonagh Cup, said he was impressed by how Westmeath finished their season.

“The last three halves of the year, if you like, have been very, very good.”

The bainisteoir went on to expand, as follows: “Last week against Carlow in the second half, we were really, really good, and from the first minute today to the 70th, we hurled very well. That’s what we are capable of doing. Unfortunately, it’s a case of ‘too little, too late’, but it was still vital to go and get the result today. We proved our worth in some ways today. It’s just a pity it came a little bit late in the year.”

Three defeats from the previous four games meant that Westmeath’s goose was already cooked prior to the game in Austin Stack Park with regard to making the tier two championship final. In this regard, Bulfin opined: “There was still an awful lot to play for in the three games today. Kerry are a fantastic side and we knew that if we gave them any oxygen at all, it was going to be a tremendous battle.

"We knew coming down here that it was a very hard place to play, and they turned Westmeath over in Mullingar in the first game last year. We were under no illusions just how good they are.

“But we set out our stall from the first minute. It was a battle for long periods today. When they got the goal, it brought it back to three points. It was important for us then to squeeze up and get another couple of scores. Guys stood up all over the pitch today. Killian (Doyle) and Niall (O’Brien) led the line brilliantly today. Niall’s goal was tremendous, the touch and stuff. Then at the back, you had Tommy Doyle and Eoin Keyes, and Robbie (Greville) running the show from centre back.

"There’s a lot of good lads in that dressing room, and I thought they really performed today when their backs were to the wall, away from home. All the pressure was on us.”

Despite this very efficient win, 2025 as a whole has been bitterly disappointing for Westmeath hurling fans.