"It's out of our hands" admits Bulfin as Westmeath lose to Kildare
Westmeath senior hurling manager Seoirse Bulfin is facing an almighty challenge to turn the season around after his side suffered a shock defeat against Kildare in the Joe McDonagh Cup on Saturday afternoon.
It means Westmeath, who played in Division 1B of the National Hurling League, performing admirably against some of the leading hurling counties in Ireland in recent years, are effectively out of the Joe McDonagh Cup and must also be conscious of the threat of relegation to tier three.
The Lilywhites were 3-24 to 2-21 winners in Newbridge and the result has not gone down well with the hurling fraternity in Westmeath. Seoirse Bulfin admitted his side is facing a massive game against Down in two weeks’ time in Mullingar as they bid to rescue the season: relegation to the Christy Ring Cup would be a major setback for the county.
Westmeath’s future in this year’s Joe McDonagh Cup is out of their own hands.
“I would imagine you want a very freaky set of results; it's certainly out of your own hands at this stage. We’re fighting for our lives to stay in the Joe McDonagh (Cup) and that starts in two weeks’ time against Down,” admitted Bulfin.
“The players are absolutely devastated. They give up a huge portion of their lives for it; they put an awful lot of work into it, the same as us all. But look, we have no choice but to bounce back midweek, go back to the grindstone and turn it around in two weeks’ time,” he remarked.
“They lost the first two games in the Joe McDonagh (Cup) last year as well. They were beaten at home by Kerry in the first round. We have had a turnover of bodies in that time. The important thing is to win as many of our three games as possible and maintain our Joe McDonagh Cup status.
“If we get a break with other results along the way, so be it. The Down game is a massive game. The players have come back fighting in the past and they will do so again,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Westmeath minor hurlers enjoyed a fine victory over Offaly in the Leinster MHC, winning 4-15 to 2-17 in Raharney.