Galway GAA discussion thread

Diabhal Beag · 25-02-2011 7:42pm

aidan24326 wrote: »

Still a little confused. You said 'Coleman will play...', but Niall Coleman has left the panel altogether apparently of his own accord.

You seem to be mixing up Coleman and Barry Cullinane?

I am. Apologies.

Who else is heading to Tuam? Hoping for a Galway win or at least a good performance.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 25-02-2011 9:49pm

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

I am. Apologies.

Who else is heading to Tuam? Hoping for a Galway win or at least a good performance.

I am:)

MfMan · 26-02-2011 1:02am

THFC wrote: »

We need to think longer term, and our target this year shouldn't be a QF spot, which is useless IMO, it should be an AI final appearence within 3 years and a victory within 5. FFS we've won the 3rd most amount of Sams, and yet we've been playing like a team thats never even been to Croker in the last few seasons. I hope to God we're putting in a long term plan. We do have the talent coming through but for some reason it's not being harnessed properly. We saw last year with the U-21s, they were the minor Ai champs, and while that does not mean they should have been favourites for the AI again, it certainly should have meant they got past the first round. But then again, I don't think this manager is the man to deliver us an Ai title, ever. I think he was hired to restore some pride, which I don't thik he will get. IMO he will be gone within 2 years and we'll be looking for another manager, again.

Actually, second most I think. (Think about it!)

Ya, prob going to Tuam, all being well.

Hulk Hands · 26-02-2011 1:02am

Me too, standing behind the town goal, same as always

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 26-02-2011 1:28am

MfMan wrote: »

Actually, second most I think. (Think about it!)

Ya, prob going to Tuam, all being well.

I got nothing! Presume you're talking about some other trophy named Sam ______??

(fairly sure Dublin have won more AIs than us)

tang1 · 26-02-2011 1:31am

Hi Lads,

Westmeath man with a Connemara father here, Tomas O is going to ruin Galway football if hes left in charge for any length of time. Galway football has always been based on playing "proper" football, not afraid to kick the ball. Tomas O is far to defense minded to bring the county on, Westmeath probably had its best group of players ever when he took over them and look at then now, he ruined them. What Galway county board were thinkin putting him in charge is beyond me. What ever standard of footballer is on the panel atm, current management is not going to help it improve. Know few of decent Westmeath footballers were delighted to see him go (not many of them tho). Only my two cents worth from experience and what i've heard.

26-02-2011 9:39pm

aidan24326 wrote: »

Paul Conroy is hardly small?

And he's hardly your average county midfielder. Look at the top counties, your generally talking someone who's 6''2+ and 15 stone+.

He's not much taller then me I see him around a bit, and he's defo not that big physically.

He's a good footballer, but he's either in the half forward line or else the second string midfielder to a more physically imposing team mate.

Higgins fits this bill IMO.. he's playing for one of the top club teams, has been voted players player of the year in the championship before yet still hasn't even been tried in the middle for us.

We've been cleaned out in midfield for 9 years, even Leitrim have bettered us there, rotating through too many corner forward/half forward(build players) with zero success(or someone with marginally better handling and no mobility/ball skills- Cullinane)

It doesn't matter who we have in the forwards/backs unless we see some changes in midfield we'll always be playing with far less ball then the opposition.

Starie1975 · 27-02-2011 10:18am

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Me too, standing behind the town goal, same as always

I'm going to miss it lads, I'm inside Enemy lines, in Mayo with the wife and the in-laws. Very blue up here today!:D

Let's turn it maroon.

Diabhal Beag · 27-02-2011 3:36pm

In the stand. **** you Gary Sice.

27-02-2011 4:45pm

20mins and counting without a score in this half.

Seriously pathetic, Mayo aren't scoring well these days yet have racked up 2-13 with 15 left.

Diabhal Beag · 27-02-2011 4:48pm

Wow this is dreadful

dartsfan · 27-02-2011 5:08pm

No positives to take from such a woeful performance.

People can say that league doesn't matter, it's all about the team that lines out in the championship....if a team plays that badly they haven't a hope in hell come championship time.
Galway were all over the shop. Absolutely diabolical the whole way through.

c_man · 27-02-2011 6:26pm

Unbelievable.

Hulk Hands · 27-02-2011 6:45pm

First half was good, unlucky to go in behind against a breeze. Second half was woeful. A lot of new players and experimenting going on, I wouldn't read too much into it. I'm disappointed, but not overly so. There's more important days ahead, and to my mind we only had 6/7 starters max playing there today.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 27-02-2011 8:46pm

Was impressed with the lads at half time, thought they were unlucky to be going in down. Was screaming at Burke (?? - no. 2) to close that Mayo lad down for the first goal. Thought Concannon was terrible when he came on, showed no work rate and offered very little overall. Shouldn't be too siappoints though, as Hulk Hands stated above we had only max. 7 starters out there today. Expected to get mullered anyways, Mayo are generally good in the league. Perhaps it may not be the worst of things if we get relegated, might give the lads the kick up the hole needed for the Championship. In the last few seasons anyways we've done well in the League and we all know how we've preformed in the subsequent Championships.

dartsfan · 27-02-2011 10:36pm

Lads you're clutching at straws there. We can't go out into championship and expect to turn it on like a tap after playing like that.
Team needs to have some shape or cohesion.
Realistically, who's to come back that will improve the team? Padraig Joyce, Michael Meehan, Gareth Bradshaw, possibly Blake if Hanley switches back.
Nickey Joyce is very doubtful, forget Damien Burke.

Hulk Hands · 27-02-2011 10:59pm

dartsfan wrote: »

Lads you're clutching at straws there. We can't go out into championship and expect to turn it on like a tap after playing like that.
Team needs to have some shape or cohesion.
Realistically, who's to come back that will improve the team? Padraig Joyce, Michael Meehan, Gareth Bradshaw, possibly Blake if Hanley switches back.
Nickey Joyce is very doubtful, forget Damien Burke.

But they're basically our 3 best players. I would still hold out some hope on Nicky once Padraig is back in the fray full time. I don't know why your discounting Damien Burke, has he pulled out or something?

If we went into the championship with something along these lines I would be fairly confident of decent competitive performances if not a Connacht championship.

Faherty

----D.Burke

F.Hanley

C.Forde.......
----A.Burke

D.Blake

G.O'Donnell...

....................P.Conroy.............J.Bergin..............G.Bradshaw...............

....G.Sice.............................S.Armstrong......................C.Bane..............
........................M.Meehan.............................P.Joyce...........................

With players like D.Mullahy, M.Clancy, E.Concannon, B.Cullinane, K.Brady and N.Coyne all there or thereabouts to come in if the above are underperforming or injured. Possibly there are better options for the cornor back slots, but I can't think of any atm

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 27-02-2011 11:44pm

We should give Finian Hanley a run out the middle of the field, from what I hear he's dying to play further out. The only problem then would be FB.

dartsfan · 28-02-2011 1:31am

Hulk Hands wrote: »

But they're basically our 3 best players. I would still hold out some hope on Nicky once Padraig is back in the fray full time. I don't know why your discounting Damien Burke, has he pulled out or something?

If we went into the championship with something along these lines I would be fairly confident of decent competitive performances if not a Connacht championship.
Faherty

----D.Burke
F.Hanley
C.Forde.......
----A.Burke
D.Blake
G.O'Donnell...

....................P.Conroy.............J.Bergin..............G.Bradshaw...............

....G.Sice.............................S.Armstrong......................C.Bane..............
........................M.Meehan.............................P.Joyce...........................

With players like D.Mullahy, M.Clancy, E.Concannon, B.Cullinane, K.Brady and N.Coyne all there or thereabouts to come in if the above are underperforming or injured. Possibly there are better options for the cornor back slots, but I can't think of any atm

I had heard he was unlikely to come back, maybe just a rumour. To be honest, I think it's time to try new faces ahead of him as he fouls way too much, and we need a more disciplined back line.

I'm not sure I'd be so confident with that team, it's more or less the same team as the last couple of years with a few switches around. We've tried every possible combination with some of these lads and it just hasn't worked.

My own personal opinion is that it's time to get rid of about 5 of that team and start from scratch. Build a team up with new faces, and try and get a bit of shape going.

28-02-2011 4:11pm

Lads you're clutching at straws there. We can't go out into championship and expect to turn it on like a tap after playing like that.
Team needs to have some shape or cohesion.
Realistically, who's to come back that will improve the team? Padraig Joyce, Michael Meehan, Gareth Bradshaw, possibly Blake if Hanley switches back.
Nickey Joyce is very doubtful, forget Damien Burke.

I've been arguing this a few times on the hurling forum.

You hear this nonsense in GAA a lot about a team ''peaking'' too early, like it's only possible to string 3/4 performances together.
Completely neglecting the fact that teams in other sports have broke winning streak records etc...

Your less likely to start playing well if you haven't played well, I'd be sticking my money on the horse who won his last 3/4 races over the one who was pulled up 3/4 times.

dartsfan wrote: »

I had heard he was unlikely to come back, maybe just a rumour. To be honest, I think it's time to try new faces ahead of him as he fouls way too much, and we need a more disciplined back line.

I'm not sure I'd be so confident with that team, it's more or less the same team as the last couple of years with a few switches around. We've tried every possible combination with some of these lads and it just hasn't worked.

My own personal opinion is that it's time to get rid of about 5 of that team and start from scratch. Build a team up with new faces, and try and get a bit of shape going.

Nail on the head in relation to D.Burke.
One of the worst back's we've had in years, if you're going to foul the man every time he gets the ball you might as well just kick it over the bar for him.

Bergin really has to go, he did get one or two scores from play yesterday but he always coughs up possession cheaply and his general kicking/fielding is average at best.

I'm not going to be overly harsh on any of the new lads from yesterday, a good few others have had 5years+ of chances, time to start calling time on a few of those and give a new team a chance.

dartsfan · 28-02-2011 7:38pm

gilberto_eire wrote: »

I've been arguing this a few times on the hurling forum.

I'm not going to be overly harsh on any of the new lads from yesterday, a good few others have had 5years+ of chances, time to start calling time on a few of those and give a new team a chance.

Agreed on the new lads, however some of them like Brady and Lally had their chances 5 and 10 years ago, so I can't see how bringing them back is a step forward.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 28-02-2011 10:22pm

gilberto_eire wrote: »

I've been arguing this a few times on the hurling forum.

You hear this nonsense in GAA a lot about a team ''peaking'' too early, like it's only possible to string 3/4 performances together.
Completely neglecting the fact that teams in other sports have broke winning streak records etc...

Your less likely to start playing well if you haven't played well, I'd be sticking my money on the horse who won his last 3/4 races over the one who was pulled up 3/4 times.

Sure yeh have to look at both sides of the coin. How many times in recent years have Galway and Mayo finished top or near the top of the League and not went past the QFs of the Championship? And generally there is such a time difference between the last League game and the first Champo game, not to mention a completely different team. IMO League form is important, but it's certainly can't be used as signal to whether or not a team will perform in the Champo. Otherwise Galway and Mayo would've been playing August football far more frequently in the past.

Diabhal Beag · 28-02-2011 10:30pm

Nail on the head in relation to D.Burke.
One of the worst back's we've had in years, if you're going to foul the man every time he gets the ball you might as well just kick it over the bar for him.

Is Burke any worse than the rest of the Galway backs?No. All our backs are just completely awful. Hanley is just as bad.

Bergin really has to go, he did get one or two scores from play yesterday but he always coughs up possession cheaply and his general kicking/fielding is average at best.

Better than Cummins, Sice (who legit missed the easiest free ever), Kenny and Bane.

Bergin is one of our better players (Seán Armstrong my hole).

01-03-2011 12:44am

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Is Burke any worse than the rest of the Galway backs?No. All our backs are just completely awful. Hanley is just as bad.

Better than Cummins, Sice (who legit missed the easiest free ever), Kenny and Bane.

Bergin is one of our better players (Seán Armstrong my hole).

Yes he is, I'm sure if it's recorded he would top the poll for fouls in the backline in years gone by.

Second to every ball and would always cheaply push or pull the man when a goal chance wasn't even on.
It's a lot harder in football then hurling to score from play so free's are vital.

Mind in the Mayo game just gone the discipline from all the backs was poor.

Cummins -Unproven
Sice- I'd agree, Sice isn't a forward evidenced none more then that tap over free his missed at the weekend
Kenny -Unproven
Bane -Completely disagree, his fielding is just as good, his ball control a 100 times better and it would be an insult to even compare their kicking, Bergin would lose a shoot-out with a 30 yard advantage.
Go back and look at his score count when started and note every one was from play, I never saw him take a free until Sunday and he didn't miss any he took afaik

Bergin is the poorest Galway player to have a medal from 1998-2001, M.Clancy has at least to his credit came up with the goods at vital(2001 qualifier against either Armagh/Cork he scored the winning point) and numerous times apart, Bergin has consistently failed to deliver on some promise he showed on a talented team in 2001 which was good enough to carry him.

I'll do stats on the next game that's televised and no doubt he'll fair pretty poor in every regard.

Diabhal Beag · 01-03-2011 1:36am

Don't think Bergin is worse than Clancy, even on his worst day.

dartsfan · 01-03-2011 4:06am

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Don't think Bergin is worse than Clancy, even on his worst day.

Like most of the U21 winners, they're hot and cold, and haven't delivered in the last 5 years when it's really mattered.

I wouldn't be as harsh on Cummins or Kenny or whoever. They're starting out and deserve a chance. A run of games may improve them.

Some of the other players have had countless chances, and have been switched around to all positions and it has made no difference.

Starie1975 · 01-03-2011 8:51am

Senior Championship 2011

St Michaels v Killererin
Corofin v Michael Breathnach
Tuam Stars v Kilkerrin-Clonberne
Maigh Cuilinn v Bearna
St James v Claregalway
Caherlistrane v Caltra
Salthill-Knocknacarra v Cortoon Shamrocks
Milltown v Leitir Mor
Annaghdown v Mountbellew-Moylough
An Cheathrua Rua v Killanin

Intermediate Championship

Group A

Athenry
Williamstown
Menlough
Glenamaddy

Group B

Caherlistrane
Monivea Abbey
Dunmore McHales
Oughterard

Group C

Salthill-Knocknacarra
Corofin
St Brendans
An Spideal

Group D

Carna Caiseal
Oranmore Maree
St Kerrils
Kilconly

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 02-03-2011 12:21am

Tricky enought tie for Salthill, tie of the round from what I can see. Our group in Intermediate looks tasty enough too. Wouldn't be surprised to see us get relegated back to Junior A next year though. We have teams now in Senior, Intermediate, Junior A, B and C. Great to see football so strong in a parish where soccer would generally be the dominant sport. An indirect reward of 2006 I would imagine.

cremeegg · 02-03-2011 1:38am

its always darkest before the dawn...

02-03-2011 2:17am

It's been dark for 10 years now....

aidan24326 · 02-03-2011 3:30pm

MfMan wrote: »

Actually, second most I think. (Think about it!)

We're third in the roll of honour behind Kerry and Dublin, though Dublin did win a big chunk of their All-Irelands way back at the beginning. Dublin have only won 8 in the last 80 years to Galway's 9, while Kerry have 20+ in the same period.

THFC wrote: »

Shouldn't be too siappoints though, as Hulk Hands stated above we had only max. 7 starters out there today.

Not convinced about this. Apart from Meehan, Bradshaw and PJ there's not much else really.

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Bergin is the poorest Galway player to have a medal from 1998-2001, M.Clancy has at least to his credit came up with the goods at vital(2001 qualifier against either Armagh/Cork he scored the winning point) and numerous times apart, Bergin has consistently failed to deliver on some promise he showed on a talented team in 2001 which was good enough to carry him.

I'll do stats on the next game that's televised and no doubt he'll fair pretty poor in every regard.

You're thinking of Paul Clancy who kicked a great point to beat Armagh that year, though Matthew did come up with a crucial goal against Derry in the semi final.

All in all another very poor performance on Sunday against a Mayo team who aren't exactly world-beaters themselves. God help us if Kerry and Cork bring anything close to their best form. Looks like we may well lose all 7 league games which won't exactly give the team much hope or confidence going into the championship. It's no surprise really though, we've been in steady decline for the past 7 or 8 years now and unfortunately I'm not sure that TO'F is the man to turn things round either. Really a division 3 team at the moment being honest. (were Galway in div 2 this year there's a strong possibilty we'd have been relegated from that too - you have Tyrone, Meath, Donegal, Kildare etc)

MfMan · 02-03-2011 3:43pm

aidan24326 wrote: »

We're third in the roll of honour behind Kerry and Dublin, though Dublin did win a big chunk of their All-Irelands way back at the beginning. Dublin have only won 8 in the last 80 years to Galway's 9, while Kerry have 20+ in the same period.

Correct, Galway have actually won Sam more times than Dublin.

aidan24326 wrote: »

You're thinking of Paul Clancy who kicked a great point to beat Armagh that year, though Matthew did come up with a crucial goal against Derry in the semi final.

Actually, he's correct re: Mattie and Cork; he kicked 2 crucial points later in that match when Cork had reduced a big deficit down to 2 and had momentum with them. Was his first and best year for Galway really, honest lad that he is.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero · 02-03-2011 10:55pm

MfMan wrote: »

Correct, Galway have actually won Sam more times than Dublin.

About time you replied!:pac:

cremeegg · 03-03-2011 3:48pm

for all you sean armstrong haters on this thread (and there a few

) ..he pulled his hamstring today in sigerson so he is out for kerry.

aidan24326 · 04-03-2011 4:10pm

cremeegg wrote: »

for all you sean armstrong haters on this thread (and there a few) ..he pulled his hamstring today in sigerson so he is out for kerry.

As if things couldn't get any worse. Still, Better to have players injured now than in June. Once they're all back for the championship that's all that maters, the league is looking like a write-off anyway.

Diabhal Beag · 04-03-2011 4:24pm

I don't really mind that we're going to drop down once we show something in the championship. I'm not expecting to win Connacht but just maybe one great win and a decent showing in the other matches.

basillarkin · 04-03-2011 10:28pm

Galway team to play Cork

Grealish
O'Halloran
Lee
Collins
Cuilliane
Regan
Hayes
Burke
Barry
Farragher
Smith
Ryan
Coen
Tannion
Callanan

06-03-2011 4:08pm

Pretty poor half, 1-4 with some disgraceful wides.

Cork aren't even that great tbh, but if you keep missing and the other team tags on the odd one the gap will grow.

Diabhal Beag · 06-03-2011 5:02pm

Only saw from the 40th minute on but from what I saw Cork were the better team. The backs were all good and kept people like Tannion quiet all match (which isn't too hard looking at his past performances).

Bad day at the office.

06-03-2011 6:43pm

First half was very poor.

Ryan hit two quick wides from central positions from fairly close in. Gimmies at this level.
They were followed by Cork points so that's a 4 point turnaround alone.

Second half was an improvement but as most games have gone this year the only real performances came from further back the field.
Discipline especially was very good(bar Lee who gave away 1/2 stupid free's)

Joe and Hayes will be a boost, but I still think we're 1/2 forwards off having a potent team.

ShamoBuc · 06-03-2011 7:59pm

the game could have went either way, but the forwards ye had on display today hit too many wides. Cork were not exactly brilliant but they won so I'm happy. Galway need a few scoring forwards but there is enough of a team there to be a force in the championship again.

MfMan · 06-03-2011 11:19pm

Not sure why they took off Hayes at wing-back. Barry went back but didn't improve things and isn't strong enough for the position. I knew Naughton would cause problems when he came on, he usually does against Galway. Lee had his poorest display of the 3 at FB; too many handling errors and one-handed hurling by Galway further up, and Tannian has gone back to his old ways of stumbling about, though there was worse than him. Andy Smith works hard but isn't essentially good enough. Ryan and Callanan are bit too alike for comfort. On the credit side, Cullinane seems to be coming back to form, Regan is starting to look good at CHB in spite of McCarthy catching a lot of ball, while David Burke is going really well at midfield; if we could only get a complementary partner for him there we'd really be in business.

06-03-2011 11:38pm

MfMan wrote: »

Not sure why they took off Hayes at wing-back. Barry went back but didn't improve things and isn't strong enough for the position. I knew Naughton would cause problems when he came on, he usually does against Galway. Lee had his poorest display of the 3 at FB; too many handling errors and one-handed hurling by Galway further up, and Tannian has gone back to his old ways of stumbling about, though there was worse than him. Andy Smith works hard but isn't essentially good enough. Ryan and Callanan are bit too alike for comfort. On the credit side, Cullinane seems to be coming back to form, Regan is starting to look good at CHB in spite of McCarthy catching a lot of ball, while David Burke is going really well at midfield; if we could only get a complementary partner for him there we'd really be in business.

Burke has cemented a midfield spot over the past year,

O'Regan to his credit has been pretty solid since his return, he was always one I used to have a lot of criticism for in the past but over the past year he's made 6 his own.

All the backs performed well, our backs for the past year have been our strongest end, ironic considering all the defensive mishaps that cost us over the past few years.
Apart from JC we haven't brought through another decent forward in years now.

Ryan didn't have the best of games but he's young and has shown glimpses of quality.
Coen as well should be given chances, but Tannion and Smith for too long have proved to lack the control needed.

Gantley did well when he came on, but in fairness to Joe he hasn't put in a bad performance yet, he's came on the scene with JC and proper effort to accommodate him elsewhere from 14 hasn't been made(considering Tannions been stuck all over I think Gantley deserves a few shots around the forwards, his striking is better then most of the rest)

Diabhal Beag · 13-03-2011 4:22pm

Awful start great comeback. Even Tannion is playing well.

ShamoBuc · 13-03-2011 4:40pm

kk keeper is getting a lesson today!!!

Diabhal Beag · 13-03-2011 4:41pm

He's awful god bless him.

Diabhal Beag · 13-03-2011 5:07pm

Good win. Would have given Tannion MOM but can't argue too much with Regan getting it.

ShamoBuc · 13-03-2011 5:53pm

very good win, pity it wasn't by a few more points, as ye deserved it!

Diabhal Beag · 13-03-2011 6:06pm

We needed to bounce back from the defeat to Cork. Should be interesting now with 3 games to go.

thesultan · 13-03-2011 8:00pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEqhWH3K478

Galway GAA discussion thread

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