Will Galway beat Mayo?

sgthighway

As the Saw Doctors song says; Will Galway beat Mayo.......
Early days but does anybody think Galway will beat Mayo in the Championship. Liam Sammons men have won 7 games on the trot and despite the standard not been as high as it should be there is competition for places which is starting to see players play better.
I reckon Galway will beat Mayo in the League & Championship

gaeilgegrinds

They'll win if they all stop getting injured!

lorweld

Not without Willie Joe Sorry couldn't resist!

blackbelt

One thing about Galway-Mayo matches is that they have the same pattern as Donegal-Tyrone matches...they seem to take turns beating each other because they know each other so well.

If I was to take a guess at this point in time based on form and trends,I'd expect Galway to beat Mayo in the league and Mayo to beat Galway in the Championship if home advantage is kind to Mayo and they are less burned out from the league than Galway are.

If I'm wrong,I'd say Galway will win both matches.There just seems to be a lot of hunger there again and I'd put it down to management.Sammon may have these players playing at their best in 3 years but it is still too early.As we saw last year,Mayo peaked so early in the league and were a shell of a team in the championship.They beat Galway in the league semi-final and were then beaten comfortably by Galway in the championship.

Another thing which must be noted is the quality of Galways opponents thus far.Laois,Kildare and Tyrone are good teams but look at it this way.Laois are hit with retirements and morale problems that are slowly being ironed out.Kildare are only starting to get better now but inconsistency is their downfall and they are rebuilding.Tyrone are not without their casualties either and their midfield is in a state.

As for Mayo,they just got McGarrity back and Derry are such a formidable team.Kerry could barely cope against a 14 man Derry team in Killarney.Donegal got lucky and Laois played them in a cracking game.I think the difference would be Galways forwards in comparison to Mayos.I just think Mayo have been unlucky against the better sides while Galway have been victorious over the weaker sides.

We'll know more when Galway play Derry and Donegal.

UnitedIrishman

Galway will most likely beat Mayo in the league. We've had an awful amount of injury problems and players missing due to Ballina still playing in the AI series. A lot of players were involved in the Sigerson and O'Mahoney decided against using some of them in his league sides. He seems to be using it mostly as a chance to see what genuine senior players are good enough from within the county rather than throwing the youth in. Our best side would probably be:

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Clarke

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O'Malley-AN Other-Cunniffe
-Higgins-Howley-Mortimer-

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Heaney/Brady

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McGarrity

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-Gardiner/Dillon--Dillon/McDonald--Harte-
A.Moran-B.Moran-C.Mort

Galway have had their full panel with them for the start of the season and have benefitted from it with a few good results. Not major results, but victories no less. In comparison, Mayo were doing weights up until a week before the league started and only moved onto the pitch then. So they were bound to be a bit ring rusty.

I can see Mayo winning come championship time, O'Mahoney is under pressure if they don't manage a win. Even more so given it'll be on home turf.

aidan24326

You're right there blackbelt. Galway-Mayo games follow this tit for tat pattern alot of the time. A championship meeting between the teams is always very hard to call though. Galway seem to be going better at the minute but as they say you win nothing in February and March.

With home advantage in Castlebar that's an advantage to Mayo but I'd be confident that if Galway keep progressing under Sammon (very encouraging so far) we should be a bit ahead of Mayo in terms of development this Summer. And still the damned game will come down to the toss of a coin! That's just how it seems to go.

UnitedIrishman

aidan24326 wrote: »

You're right there blackbelt. Galway-Mayo games follow this tit for tat pattern alot of the time. A championship meeting between the teams is always very hard to call though. Galway seem to be going better at the minute but as they say you win nothing in February and March.

With home advantage in Castlebar that's an advantage to Mayo but I'd be confident that if Galway keep progressing under Sammon (very encouraging so far) we should be a bit ahead of Mayo in terms of development this Summer. And still the damned game will come down to the toss of a coin! That's just how it seems to go.

The worrying thing from a Mayo point of view is that I don't think O'Mahoney has an idea what his XV will be come championship whereas Sammon has consistently kept the same squad so far and seems to be building around a nucleus of players. We don't seem to have that nucleus at the minute with absences at full-back, center-forward and maybe midfield. I'd argue the case for putting Parsons at midfield, Campbell at center forward and Heaney back to full back (only to mark Joyce). But the chances of that happening are slim.

kevmy

Well United Irishman I agree and disagree with ya.

I don't think O'Mahony knows his best 15 yet but as long as he does come Championship time it's alright. And we have made progress in that department.

I'd reckon there are 8 certainties for the summer already. Clarke, L O'Malley, Higgins, Howley, McGarrity, Dillon, CMort and A Moran. They have their positions nailed down already.
I also reckon Gardiner and TMort will be playing as well one at wing back the other at wing forward not sure which yet though.

That leaves 5 spots. Corner back, FB, Midfield, wing forward and FF.
IMO either Cuniffe or AHiggins should get the corner back spot. BJP seems to be in the driving seat at FB but against the big lads I'd prefer a horses for courses pick of Brady back there.
Midfield IMO should be one from O' Shea or Parsons. I don't think Harte quite has the build or Heaney the legs for midfield.
Wing forward is the thoughest choice. One from Kilcoyne, Campbell, Gill, Harte, Mikey Mullins. Personally I think Kilcoyne gives us the most he can kick long range frees and is a better player than Harte or Gill. But if we want to shore up midfield pick on of these.
FF is a straight choice between B Moran and A O'Malley. It depends what ya want. Austie will roam out the field more and will kick more points but B Moran will catch/break ball and might sneak the odd goal. I'd go with B Moran to start.

If we have the team down and keep improving the way we are I think we'll be in decent nick come June. At home and underdogs would suit us nicely. I don't really care about the league I just want to stay up.

Tomthepost

I think Mayo are definitely going to win Connacht this year. Galway are in transition, Sligo probably still hung-over, Roscommon waiting for that minor team of 06 to mature and Leitrim are Leitrim.
O'Mahony was a bit caught up in trying to get elected last year and I think will be more focused on managing in 08.
A good manager goes a long way.
You have heard it before but alot of these Mayo lads are going to give it a final lash this year.
Would love to see them land Sam. The supporters deserve it.

UnitedIrishman

kevmy wrote: »

That leaves 5 spots. Corner back, FB, Midfield, wing forward and FF.
IMO either Cuniffe or AHiggins should get the corner back spot. BJP seems to be in the driving seat at FB but against the big lads I'd prefer a horses for courses pick of Brady back there.
Midfield IMO should be one from O' Shea or Parsons. I don't think Harte quite has the build or Heaney the legs for midfield.
Wing forward is the thoughest choice. One from Kilcoyne, Campbell, Gill, Harte, Mikey Mullins. Personally I think Kilcoyne gives us the most he can kick long range frees and is a better player than Harte or Gill. But if we want to shore up midfield pick on of these.
FF is a straight choice between B Moran and A O'Malley. It depends what ya want. Austie will roam out the field more and will kick more points but B Moran will catch/break ball and might sneak the odd goal. I'd go with B Moran to start.

I guess you're right about there being a lot of time between now and June. With regards full-back, BJP shouldn't be next, nigh or near that position. There are players who know how to tackle in the correct manner, such as Liam O'Malley, and BJP is not one of them. It's not all about getting in front and beating the man in the air, but knowing what to do when your opponent has the ball. Against Galway, I'd start Heaney there.. but like I said only to mark Joyce. Joyce has never beaten Heaney all the way through the underage and into senior, he hates the sight of him. Move Heaney to half-back for the rest of the championship then in his preferred position.

At full-forward I think its Barry Moran's. He scored 2-4 I think against Derry and Cavan. He gives us an outlet when things are getting stuck around the middle. If not Moran, then Brady. In midfield, I'd have McGarrity and Parsons who was one of the best players in the county championship last year.

Wing-forwards, Kilcoyne or Campbell should occupy one spot and Harte the other. Through the middle probably Dillon more than anyone else.

The players are there, just getting it settled by June is the main thing.

Sherifu

lorweld wrote: »

Not without Willie Joe Sorry couldn't resist!

There's always one.

These games are always pretty tight and hard fought. Great games to see live. I dunno which way it will go but i'll be happy even if Galway are beaten, seeing John O doing well.

aidan24326

Tomthepost wrote: »

I think Mayo are definitely going to win Connacht this year. Galway are in transition

New manager yes but not really in transition as such. That's just a lazy analysis. The majority of this team have been around a few years now. Even Michael Meehan is in his 6th year playing senior, surprising as he's still only 23.

O'Mahony was a bit caught up in trying to get elected last year and I think will be more focused on managing in 08.
A good manager goes a long way.

Certainly does. Mayo have the right man in charge but whether O'Mahony has the players to work with I don't know. The likes of Heaney, Gill, D Brady, Mortimers, Gardiner etc have had their chances and will not win an All-Ireland at this stage. If O'Mahony is prepared to stick around for a while then there is some good young talent coming through but that will not happen overnight. Mayo might well win Connaught as it's always tight between the two teams but I'd be confident that Galway have better overall prospects this year.

The supporters deserve it.

Nobody 'deserves' anything. Mayo have had numerous chances and failed each time. I'm not having a dig, I was disappointed with those results myself. The Meath loss in 96 was a real sickener and 2006 just a major anti-climax. But that's part of the reason why I'm saying the team of recent years (backboned by the players I've mentioned plus McDonald, Nallen etc) won't win an All-Ireland now as they had their chances and lacked the necessary x-factor to do it on the big day. A new team is needed, a new era and maybe a new chance. Just pray that O'Mahoney is in for the long haul.

UnitedIrishman wrote:

Against Galway, I'd start Heaney there.. but like I said only to mark Joyce. Joyce has never beaten Heaney all the way through the underage and into senior, he hates the sight of him.

All well and good but Joyce is not playing full forward any more. Meehan has made that position his own now with Joyce operating at number 11.

kevmy

aidan24326 wrote: »

New manager yes but not really in transition as such. That's just a lazy analysis. The majority of this team have been around a few years now. Even Michael Meehan is in his 6th year playing senior, surprising as he's still only 23.

I'd agree I think that Galway will improve big time this year and will be a serious threat to the AI next year. It might be a year to early for them. Midfield and half backs haven't really been tested in white hot Championship action and it might take another year to get them there

aidan24326 wrote: »

Certainly does. Mayo have the right man in charge but whether O'Mahony has the players to work with I don't know. The likes of Heaney, Gill, D Brady, Mortimers, Gardiner etc have had their chances and will not win an All-Ireland at this stage. If O'Mahony is prepared to stick around for a while then there is some good young talent coming through but that will not happen overnight. Mayo might well win Connaught as it's always tight between the two teams but I'd be confident that Galway have better overall prospects this year.

Well personally I think that Mayo have a lot in common with Galway this year with an U21 winning side of a few years ago coming to the fore. I also think there is a few years in Mort and Gardiner yet. I'll agree that Heaney, Nallen and McDonald et al are past their best but so are Joyce, Savage and Meehan. It'll be whoever gets the blend right and sorts out the respective problems best that will win

aidan24326 wrote: »

All well and good but Joyce is not playing full forward any more. Meehan has made that position his own now with Joyce operating at number 11.

I agree and I also don't like playing guys in a certain position just because they usually get the best of their opposite number. A player should play because he's the best option for that position in the squad. If he isn't then he can be exposed with clever tactics - see Salthill last May

UnitedIrishman

kevmy wrote: »

I agree and I also don't like playing guys in a certain position just because they usually get the best of their opposite number. A player should play because he's the best option for that position in the squad. If he isn't then he can be exposed with clever tactics - see Salthill last May

To be fair, Salthill was a different thing altogether. We had Peadar Gardiner playing corner back with Enda Devenney whilst Liam O'Malley was out on the 40. That was wholesale changing around rather than what I'm saying. Heaney can comfortably play anywhere in the backline and for that reason I believe he should pick up Joyce, if its further out the field even better.

As for writing off players, Nallen I think has played his final games. MacDonald will be limited to substitute appearances I'd imagine if he decides to come back but he has to learn how to have the same impact coming on in a game like O'Neill had for us in the past few years. Brady could fill the full-forward or full-back (preferably not) spots or be an impact sub. Heaney is a year or two younger and always tended to be naturally fit anyways but saying that I can see this being his final year.

Mort and the rest have plenty more years left in them.

aidan24326

kevmy wrote: »

I'd agree I think that Galway will improve big time this year and will be a serious threat to the AI next year. It might be a year to early for them. Midfield and half backs haven't really been tested in white hot Championship action and it might take another year to get them there

Our half backs are playing well to be honest it's more the half forward line I'm concerned about. Joyce is playing as well as ever at no.11 but we haven't much on the wings. The experiment of playing Dec Meehan at wing forward is clearly not working as he has been very quiet in the last few games. If he can't get his place in the half back line he should be dropped as he's not a forward. We badly need Nicky Joyce back but thankfully I think he will be fit in plenty of time for the championship whatever about the league.

Well personally I think that Mayo have a lot in common with Galway this year with an U21 winning side of a few years ago coming to the fore. I also think there is a few years in Mort and Gardiner yet. I'll agree that Heaney, Nallen and McDonald et al are past their best but so are Joyce, Savage and Meehan. It'll be whoever gets the blend right and sorts out the respective problems best that will win

I agree that Mort still has a few years left, but what I was suggesting is that the players involved in those two finals in 04 and 06 could be fatally scarred. Would be a major surprise if they came back and won an All-Ireland now. Could happen but I wouldn't bet much on it.

Joyce is not finished I assure you. If you'd seen him lately you'd see that he still has alot to offer. Declan Meehan is being played out of position so hard to know with him. Savage not involved right now but I hope he comes back as he'd be a good man to have around even as a sub. Has is very adept at winning frees which could come in handy for the last 10 mins of a tight game.

From Mayo's perspective McDonald would still be a great impact sub. Throw him in for the last 15 mins of a game and you wouldn't know what he might do. I'm convinced that Mayo would have got more out of McDonald in recent years if he was played closer to goal.

Both teams have some questions to answer this year.

UnitedIrishman

aidan24326 wrote: »

I agree that Mort still has a few years left, but what I was suggesting is that the players involved in those two finals in 04 and 06 could be fatally scarred. Would be a major surprise if they came back and won an All-Ireland now. Could happen but I wouldn't bet much on it.

Joyce is not finished I assure you. If you'd seen him lately you'd see that he still has alot to offer. Declan Meehan is being played out of position so hard to know with him. Savage not involved right now but I hope he comes back as he'd be a good man to have around even as a sub. Has is very adept at winning frees which could come in handy for the last 10 mins of a tight game.

From Mayo's perspective McDonald would still be a great impact sub. Throw him in for the last 15 mins of a game and you wouldn't know what he might do. I'm convinced that Mayo would have got more out of McDonald in recent years if he was played closer to goal.

Both teams have some questions to answer this year.

In that sense I suppose it's going to be one of the most interesting Galway vs Mayo games in a long time because unlike some other years, there is no real clear-cut favorite. Plus both sides are blooding in a few new players either from just within the county or from the underage.

McDonald's problem is that he prefers to be setting up players than getting the scores and he doesn't get the right service he almost seems to throw tantrums and get frustrated. Most likely due to the fact that he is still the most central playmaker in his club side. He should take a look at how O'Neill did that role against Dublin and against Galway, thats what we need him to do. Provide a few moments of magic (which he is well capable of) and get some scores.

As for players being mentally scarred by the losses in 97, 04 and 06 - well I guess its going to pay its toll. But I read something by Liam McHale recently where he said that at 21 an All-Ireland loss is nothing, at 31 its everything - but you get drunk, disappear for a week and then you think about the following year. I think the lads who are there will know when the time is right for them to just give up. Talking to Heaney most notably he always said he'd walk away when his body started giving him the signs that it was time or if he stopped hurting after a defeat. I remember last year when Donegal played Mayo in the league and beat them pretty comprehensively up in Ballybofey, Heaney was dropped for the following game. Because he didn't play the following game (on a Saturday night I think) he chose to play a meaningless enough club league game and was literally picking the ball up on his own 21 and driving all the way down to the other end of the pitch. He got a shoe up the backside and he responded. I'd be more worried if a player didn't respond to that.

yurmothrintites

not if they have willie joe...they haven't a hope of beating mayo!! Bale 'em bale 'em

Sorry i also couldn't resist!

Sherifu

lorweld wrote: »

Not without Willie Joe Sorry couldn't resist!

yurmothrintites wrote: »

not if they have willie joe...they haven't a hope of beating mayo!! Bale 'em bale 'em

Sorry i also couldn't resist!

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