Minotaurs Make Matches for 2021

After spending more than two years waiting to avenge their 2019 IAFL-1 Bowl game loss, the Westmeath Minotaurs will finally be let loose during Autumn 2021. The Minotaurs have partnered with 4 teams for a series of friendly matches to be played between August 22nd and October 3rd. The club will travel to AFI Division 2 teams Meath Bulldogs (Aug 22nd) and North Dublin Pirates (Sept 5th). The Minotaurs will then host AFI Division 1's newly promoted Cill Dara Crusaders (Sept 19th) and the Shamrock Bowl Conference's West Dublin Rhinos (Oct 3rd) at Mullingar RFC. AUG 22nd @ Meath Bulldogs Overall H2H Record (W-L-T): 3-2-1 (0.583) Biggest H2H Win: 22-2 (away, 2018)

Most Recent H2H: away, 2018

The Bulldogs are perhaps the Minotaurs' biggest historical rivals, with a fierce back and forth early on in the Westmeath team's early years. Meath's fluctuation between AFI Division 1 and Division 2 has kept the battles between these teams at a premium, with this game being the first between the sides since April 2018. SEPT 5th @ North Dublin Pirates

Overall H2H Record (W-L-T): 1-0-0 (1.000)

Biggest H2H Win: 32-0 (home, 2018)

Most Recent H2H: home, 2018

A relatively fresh matchup to open up September, as the Minotaurs have only ever played one game against the Pirates, a 32-0 win. The Malahide-based club have improved since that 2018 season though, posting a respectable 3-4-1 record and neutral points difference in the 2019 AFI Division 2. The Minotaurs took a step up themselves that year too, however, and both teams will be looking to find what made their successful campaigns 2 years ago in this matchup. SEPT 22nd vs Cill Dara Crusaders Overall H2H Record (incl. South Kildare Soldiers) (W-L-T): 4-0-0 (1.000)

Biggest H2H Win: 28-0 (home, 2018)

Most Recent H2H: home, 2018

Both the Crusaders and the Minotaurs can see this game as a dress rehearsal for the 2022 season, as both teams will play each other in AFI Division 1 after the latter's promotion from 2 seasons ago. The Minotaurs have always matched up well with the Crusaders schematically, with both teams always hitting with some extra juice, so this game will be a good test for the Westmeath players to gauge how close to midseason form they are. OCT 3rd vs West Dublin Rhinos

Overall H2H Record (W-L-T): 1-2-0 (0.333)

Biggest H2H Win: 10-7 (home, 2018)

Most Recent H2H: 3-13 (home, 2018)

Perhaps the most difficult challenge for Westmeath in this friendly series sees the Minotaurs defending their turf against the West Dublin Rhinos. Two teams who, in each of their encounters, have put on defensive performances that lead to exhilarating finishes down the stretch -- 2 of the 3 games between these sides have been won by a field goal in the last 30 seconds of the game. In the most recent game these teams played, the Rhinos knocked the Minotaurs out of the Wildcard round of the 2018 playoffs at home, going on to win the league and earn promotion to the Shamrock Bowl Conference, where they have since remained. Westmeath will be eager to put on a more offensive display than in previous games against the Rhinos, and show to the rest of AFI that they can keep up with teams in the SBC. QB Joe Kinahan had this to say on the club's 2021 friendly series: This is an exciting time for all of us in the club. To be able to get some games in this year, even if there's not promotion or a trophy to play for, is absolutely massive for us. There's probably some rust to knock off considering how long it's been since our last game, and there will be lessons to learn from these games as we look a little further down the line to the 2022 season, but this is a great chance to have everyone get involved, get some really good performances in against some competitive teams, and ultimately get out and play this game we love!!! HC Bill Dougherty was also very optimistic about the upcoming schedule:

This friendly series gives us a great opportunity to evaluate all aspects of our club -- how we operate on gameday, how we get our pregame routine down, how we work on the sideline. It is a chance for our experienced players to play in competition for the first time in 2 years. What I'm most excited about, though, is getting to see our new recruits get some reps under the belt. We have some really promising players that have recently joined the senior team programme that could very well be at the top of the depth chart come 2022. These next 8 weeks will be key for the season ahead.

The upcoming Minotaurs schedule: How many will see Westmeath walk out with a W?