Galway v Sligo - Connacht Semi-Final

aidan24326

Sunday 27th June

Pearse Stadium 2:00


So what do people think of this one? Can Sligo repeat their excellent performance against Mayo?

Michael Meehan probably won't start, though he will feature at some stage. Rumours that Nicky Joyce is out injured aswell. If Sligo show the same self-belief they showed in the Mayo game this could be a very tricky 70 minutes for Galway.

dartbhoy

I reckon Sligo are going to win this Connacht semi final. They have an advantadge of a game against Mayo 3 weeks ago where as Galway struggled over the line against New York 7 weeks ago. Galway don't seem to have a settled team where as Sligo have and the team is playing great under the influence of Kevin Walsh. I go for Sligo to win by 3 points.

ki

Galway by 1 point.
They had a mediocre league but had nothing to play for after the first 4~ish games.
Do not read into the NY game as that was away, so there was prob more socializing than training as the championship was seen as being 8~10 weeks away at that stage.
They will have a bit too much quality and just remind them of the Connacht final in 2007 and they should be up for it.

Diabhal Beag

Galway are not co-operating with each other this year. Can see a Sligo win by 2 points or more.

If Eamonn O'Hara plays any bit as well as he did against Mayo we are ****ed.

Shane10

sligo wont have the fear that they would have had going to galway through the years. galway arent world beaters and without meehan they could struggle. i hope sligo can do it, then should take roscommon in the final.

aidan24326

Shane10 wrote: »

sligo wont have the fear that they would have had going to galway through the years. galway arent world beaters and without meehan they could struggle. i hope sligo can do it, then should take roscommon in the final.

Sligo won't have any fear no, but on the other hand the expectation levels are now a bit higher than usual after the Mayo game. Having Kevin Walsh as manager is a big boost to Sligo's chances also. Not only is he doing an excellent job with them but his inside knowledge of the Galway players will be an added advantage.

This has the makings of a good game, and if Galway can get through it by a point or two I'd settle for that.

supersportq

I reckon Sligo should do it and go on to beat Rosscommon. Their not Sam Maguire material but their certainly a determined and fit side this year.

rossie1977

galway and probably easily too, last time either one of the mayo or galway DIDN'T feature in a connaught final was back in the 30s, (thats the history against sligo on sunday)

oh yeah and everytime mayo or galway have played new york they have gone on to win connaught

Diabhal Beag

rossie1977 wrote: »

galway and probably easily too, last time either one of the mayo or galway DIDN'T feature in a connaught final was back in the 30s, (thats the history against sligo on sunday)

oh yeah and everytime mayo or galway have played new york they have gone on to win connaught

Did you see Sligo's last match in comparison with Galway's? Big difference in quality.

Mr. Rager

i think galway. A lot of people are saying sligo after their win and league campaign, but galway are hardly ever beaten heavily, even when playing bad. Should be tight enough though.

Hulk Hands

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Galway are not co-operating with each other this year. Can see a Sligo win by 2 points or more.

If Eamonn O'Hara plays any bit as well as he did against Mayo we are ****ed.

Whats this about not cooperating with each other? Examples? All I say was a very good league campaign considering we were without 3 of our best players for most of it.

Eamonn O'Hara will play sweeper in front of the Sligo full back line as he did against Mayo. I personally will be delighted with this tactic. All Galway have to do then is a quick shuffle of the defense and Gareth Bradshaw will be the free man. I can only imagine the damage that lad will do if he gets a free role to attack from deep with nobody marking him.

People have to remember that Galway went up to Sligo last year, played putrid stuff and were still good enough to come away with a 4 point victory. The teams haven't changed too much since, and having the game in Salthill is a big advantage.

Alan Burke looks like the man to keep David Kelly quiet. While Galway have to worry about him, Sligo have to worry about keeping 4 matchwinners quiet in the 2 Joyces, Armstrong and Meehan (if he plays). They wont keep them all quiet and, like last year, that will be their downfall.

megadodge

All I say was a very good league campaign considering we were without 3 of our best players for most of it.

A "very good league campaign"?
People have short memories. Galway won 3 out of 7 games receiving two hammerings by Mayo and Kerry.

Eamonn O'Hara will play sweeper in front of the Sligo full back line as he did against Mayo.

Why are you so certain this will happen? The sweeper role was only put in place when Mayo's Freeman had a very good first 5-10 minutes on the Sligo fullback.
Plus the fact that if I was given the option of O'Hara or Bradshaw as a free man sweeping up and linking between defence and attack I wouldn't be picking the Galway man (and that's no disrespect to Bradshaw who's a fine player).

Alan Burke looks like the man to keep David Kelly quiet. While Galway have to worry about him, Sligo have to worry about keeping 4 matchwinners quiet in the 2 Joyces, Armstrong and Meehan (if he plays).

If Alan Burke keeps Kelly quiet he will receive all the plaudits he deserves because Kelly is a nightmare for any cornerback (ask Marc O Se). Meehan is doubtful and even if he comes on he can't be 100%. Padraic Joyce is a huge danger, as always, but IMO Galway would be better off without Nicky. He's overrated, greedy, self-indulgent and flat out unwilling to pass the ball (except on extreme rare occasions when he'll only pass to Padraic).

When you add in the fact that the two Sligo corner backs would quite probably get on any team in the country plus the fact that since Kevin Walsh retired Galway have not had a midfield worth talking about, this looks an extremely risky match for Galway.

I do think the swirling winds in Salthill offer Galway a small advantage, but wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Sligo win this one.

Hulk Hands

megadodge wrote: »

A "very good league campaign"?
People have short memories. Galway won 3 out of 7 games receiving two hammerings by Mayo and Kerry.

The game against Mayo they were tired out from a physical pre season. We performed very well to only lose to Cork by 2 in Cork considering we lost Armstrong after 10 mins. The Kerry match we had all 4 star forwards injured at one stage, i'll admit that was disapointing though. The positive comes from beating Tyrone and Dublin without Meehan, Armstrong and PJ, probably our 3 best players.

megadodge wrote: »

Why are you so certain this will happen? The sweeper role was only put in place when Mayo's Freeman had a very good first 5-10 minutes on the Sligo fullback.

Because the Galway Forward line is a lot more frightening (whether by reputation or otherwise) than a novice Freeman having a decent game. I would be very surprised if this tactic doesnt happen. If Meehan or Joyce had got the same ball Freeman got in that 1st ten minutes, it would have been goodnight.

megadodge wrote: »

Plus the fact that if I was given the option of O'Hara or Bradshaw as a free man sweeping up and linking between defence and attack I wouldn't be picking the Galway man (and that's no disrespect to Bradshaw who's a fine player).

Obviously I would love to have O'Hara, a superb player. However he wont be able to go where he wants at will if this sweeping tactic does occur. Galway wont play a sweeper leaving Bradshaw to roam to his hearts content. Btw, nobody outside of Galway has seen anything near the true potential of Bradshaw yet. He will have a massive year. I would rate him as better than Meehan in 01, and he won footballer of the year that year.

megadodge wrote: »

If Alan Burke keeps Kelly quiet he will receive all the plaudits he deserves because Kelly is a nightmare for any cornerback (ask Marc O Se). Meehan is doubtful and even if he comes on he can't be 100%..

Ill admit, I am worried about Kelly. However to an extent, he is a lone ranger up there. Burke should have the pace to mark him, but may still need help to deal with his threat. Even a 50% Meehan is a potential match winner. Using your example, ask Marc O'Shea. I dont think he will ever get over the scars of Meehan kicking 10 points off him in Croker, having looked invincible up to that point.

megadodge wrote: »

He's overrated, greedy, self-indulgent and flat out unwilling to pass the ball (except on extreme rare occasions when he'll only pass to Padraic).

Nicky is extremly hit and miss. You know after 15 mins what kind of day he is going to have. However, he showed on numerous occasions, e.g 0-8 in Connacht final last year, that he has immense potential. That is my point really. 2, possibly 3 of Galway's star forwards may be held or not perform. However not all of them will. Last year in Markevic, only Armstrong performed, the rest were awful. However him playing well alone was good enough to edge clear by 4 points.

megadodge wrote: »

since Kevin Walsh retired Galway have not had a midfield worth talking about, this looks an extremely risky match for Galway.

This is the biggest worry. Im am expecting huge things from Paul Conroy this year. However, he is on the small side for a midfielder and is more a good footballer than good ball winner. Bergin could be excellent, but is more likely to be poor. Very hit and miss. If Galway get a 50/50 split, they will win. I would worry if they will even achieve that though.

megadodge wrote: »

I do think the swirling winds in Salthill offer Galway a small advantage, but wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Sligo win this one.

A pop shot here. Galway are the team with the more natural footballers as opposed to Sligo physicality. How would a swirling wind help Galway? Judging by the forecast anyway, we wont have to worry about that.

On a side note, It looks as if Galway will play Sice at wing forward. He will be on Sligo's excellent wing back Davey. Sice's defensive experience should help counteract Daveys runs upfield. I would be more than happy if Sice decides to stay away from the play, thus taking himself and Davey out of the game.

Diabhal Beag

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Whats this about not cooperating with each other? Examples? All I say was a very good league campaign considering we were without 3 of our best players for most of it.

Derry match. Entire Mayo match. We could even catch short kick-outs. Our mid-field is horrid, half-back line is just a small bit less dodgy than the full-back line.

We had a bad league campaign.

BTW no chance Burke will stop Kelly. I can't remember the last time he had a good match.

rossie1977

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Did you see Sligo's last match in comparison with Galway's? Big difference in quality.

i saw it and i have been watching connaught football long enough to know the last match has usually no bearing on the upcoming match, last match is gone, in 2007 sligo beat roscommon by a point in a match that roscommon through their own arrogance lost, galway destroyed mayo but in the final sligo beat galway

cardoor

Galway team to play Sligo was just named:
1 Adrian Faherty
2 Kieran Fitzgerald
3 Finian Hanley
4 Alan Burke
5 Garrett Bradshaw
6 Diarmuid Blake
7 Garry ODonnell
8 Niall Coleman
9 Paul Conroy
10 Gary Sice
11 Sean Armstrong
12 Joe Bergin
13 Eoin Concannon
14 Padriac Joyce
15 Matthew Clancy

I think Galway will beat Sligo by at least 5 points.

Hulk Hands

So the Nicky Joyce injury rumours are true. For the first time i'm slightly worried

Starie1975

cardoor wrote: »

Galway team to play Sligo was just named:
1 Adrian Faherty
2 Kieran Fitzgerald
3 Finian Hanley
4 Alan Burke
5 Garrett Bradshaw
6 Diarmuid Blake
7 Garry ODonnell
8 Niall Coleman
9 Paul Conroy
10 Gary Sice
11 Sean Armstrong
12 Joe Bergin
13 Eoin Concannon
14 Padriac Joyce
15 Matthew Clancy

I think Galway will beat Sligo by at least 5 points.

Subs 16 Eoin Conghaile, 17 Donal ONeill, 18 David Reilly, 19 Conor Healy, 20 Fiachra Breathnach, 21 Darren Mullahy, 22 Declan Meehan, 23 Michael Meehan, 24 Danny Cummins, 25 Thomas Fahy, 26 Cormac Bane, 27 Cillin de Paor, 28 Michael Martin, 29 Damien Burke, 30 Nicky Joyce

cardoor

Starie1975 wrote: »

Subs 16 Eoin Conghaile, 17 Donal ONeill, 18 David Reilly, 19 Conor Healy, 20 Fiachra Breathnach, 21 Darren Mullahy, 22 Declan Meehan, 23 Michael Meehan, 24 Danny Cummins, 25 Thomas Fahy, 26 Cormac Bane, 27 Cillin de Paor, 28 Michael Martin, 29 Damien Burke, 30 Nicky Joyce

Where did you get that info?

Starie1975

cardoor wrote: »

Where did you get that info?

www.galwaygaa.ie

spider guardian

I must say I see the momentum with Sligo on this one, they were 4 points down against Mayo the last day and didn't quit until they had Mayo beaten. They have the players this year and I can certainly see them winning Connacht.

Galway haven't performed this year, they need to seriously up their game if they want to pressure Sligo.

cardoor

Starie1975 wrote: »

www.galwaygaa.ie

I am going to head for the terraces on Sunday but if you are in the stand I reckon you won't see all those subs togged and there will be a few other new faces. Even though he let a few players go I heard he has new players in.

yop

Expect Sligo to take Galway in this one, Sligo have great momentum and belief at this stage. Galway have not been too hectic but have the experience but I still think that if Sligo can get off to a better start than they did against Mayo they will be hard beat.

rn

I was going to say Galway by 6... but now I'm having second thoughts.

Two things worry me for sligo. Firstly is the weight of expectation after the mayo game and secondly is history. Its very hard to beat the big two from Connacht - it made our victory in 2001 all the sweeter that we did.

However Sligo did put up a disciplined and spirited performance against Mayo. Sligo played against the wind the last day I think and I imagine they will do the same again. However there is a 6-8pt breeze in pearse stadium - its horrendous and if sligo can keep the margin to 6, by half time they will have a real chance. Plus it looks like the weather will be wet, which should hamper Galway forwards getting alot of quick scores.

But make no doubt about it Galway have to be still strong favourites to win this one - you don't walk in there to their home venue an knock off 100 years of history lightly.

Personally I'd prefer to have Sligo in the connacht final - either way the strong favourite will come from Pearse stadium. The Roscommon defense is not well set up and I fear Galway have the forwards and the ability to beat us by 20 points - which wouldn't be good for football in the county. I cannot see sligo beating anyone by more than 6.

Starie1975

cardoor wrote: »

I am going to head for the terraces on Sunday but if you are in the stand I reckon you won't see all those subs togged and there will be a few other new faces. Even though he let a few players go I heard he has new players in.

I'm a season ticket holder so I'll be in the stand, I'll keep an eye out.
See below an E-mail from the season ticket office I received yesterday.

Sligo take on Galway in the Connacht GAA Football Senior . Please note there has been a change in arrangements, you will no longer need to print your tickets. Please bring your GAA Season Ticket cards with you on Sunday as they will now be required for entry. All Galway and Sligo Season Ticket Holders will gain access through the Season Stile .

I know that other grounds hold a certain amount of seats or a section for season ticket holders, but as far as I know Salthill don't. So it's first come first served, they told us at the beginning of the year that the seats would be kept.:mad:

Anywho back to the match.
I think Galway will win but only just, I'm looking forward to a good match and welcoming the Silgo lads to Galway. I was Silgo's biggest fan on the June bank holiday last.:rolleyes: The home advantage is key for Galway. If we were playing away I'd be very worried. Galway shouldn't be lacking any motivation after lossing to Silgo in Roscommon. I had to laugh that day as the Silgo fans were signing to us "You're only here for the water!!!"

Gaillimhe Abu

nacho libre

Galway, even without two big names starting, should have too much up front for Sligo.

by the way is this game on tv3?

Hulk Hands

The amount of people tipping Sligo is crazy. I feel as if Galway are going into the game as underdogs. People have to remember that Galway went up to Markevic last year, played complete muck yet were still good enough to come away with a 4 point win. Admttedly, the loss of Nicky Joyce is big, but still there is a small gulf in class between the teams and it will be enough to see Galway home, especially in Salthill.

Binky Mc

Replay I reckon, Galway will try and feel there way into the game, they'll have to not having played anythin competitive since march roughly. Sligo will be edgey what with having most of the expectation on their shoulders, i reckon a puke first half followed by a half decent second one and a pointed free to tie it up. possibly galway having gone 3 or 4 points up will be pulled back by sligo. I'm not silly enough to say who'll score the free mind you!!

Binky Mc

pardon me ' their ' as opposed to there, shesh.

Galway look to lack a bit of scoring power up front, not the most free scoring that bunch, even joyce has turned to more creator role! Think coleman is a great passer, if only he hada few extra feet in height!

rossie1977

rn wrote: »

But make no doubt about it Galway have to be still strong favourites to win this one - you don't walk in there to their home venue an knock off 100 years of history lightly.

Personally I'd prefer to have Sligo in the connacht final - either way the strong favourite will come from Pearse stadium. The Roscommon defense is not well set up and I fear Galway have the forwards and the ability to beat us by 20 points - which wouldn't be good for football in the county. I cannot see sligo beating anyone by more than 6.

i would worry more about roscommons midfield to be honest (the best midfielder in the county by a countrymile is sitting on his a** instead on on the panel which is amazing), but i agree with what you said, galway would eat roscommon alive and set back any progress the team have achieved, roscommons defense consists of a bunch of midgets and a guy who can't run with two bad knees, it would be field-day for the like of meehan, joyce(s) and clancy

sligo and roscommon would be an exciting competitive game, sligo taking it by 3 or 4

gally74

one or two predictions

Clancy is in their as a 3rd midfielder, hell be out around the middle striaght away, big joe must be worried about the Sligo Midfield, well underated and young,

burke will get one or maybe two yellows on kelly in the game, his history is not great and could walk,

for me its a 50:50 i had 20 euro at 8:1 in the conn final in 2007. a proud sligo man that day after years an years of games,

a reminder of that game for any Sligoians!

Starie1975

rossie1977 wrote: »

i would worry more about roscommons midfield to be honest (the best midfielder in the county by a countrymile is sitting on his a** instead on on the panel which is amazing), but i agree with what you said, galway would eat roscommon alive and set back any progress the team have achieved, roscommons defense consists of a bunch of midgets and a guy who can't run with two bad knees, it would be field-day for the like of meehan, joyce(s) and clancy

sligo and roscommon would be an exciting competitive game, sligo taking it by 3 or 4

As we're on the subject of Roscommon see the Heading in the Roscommon Hearld 24/06/10
ss.jpg

megadodge

This ongoing myth of the 'free-scoring Galway forwards' has been doing the rounds for far too long now.

This is not 1998!! IMO Padraic Joyce is as brilliant as ever. Sean Armstrong has plenty of scoring ability, but can be marked. Michael Meehan isn't starting. Garry Sice is a half-back. Joe Bergin a midfielder. Matthew Clancy a workhorse who doesn't score much and Concannon is totally unproven at this level.

So that's what Galway have upfront right now - not exactly going to send fear into any given backline.

I'm not 100% convinced of the Sligo fullback and to a lesser extent their centreback, but their cornerbacks are superb and despite my oft-mentioned doubts about Davey, he has proven me wrong so often I have to admit the lad is quality. O' Hara could very well play a deep role with an eye on Joyce and if PJ is kept quiet Galway are really very ordinary after that. Add the fact that the Sligo midfield looks better than Galway's which will restrict the amount of ball going to Galway's ordinary forwardline, leaving them with not a whole lot of possesion either.

This will be a tough game for Galway, make no bones about it.

homerjay2005

indeed, sligo have alot of pedigree and seemed to have kicked on from last years great performance in tralee.

this will be tight, hard to call. Sligo can defo win it, if they play near potential. Galway are hit and miss, but are decent at home.

DULLAHAN2

Is this game on the net anywhere tomorrow? my tv is busted and everyone i know is going to the match. i'm lookin after my daughter so i cant go

UrbanSea

megadodge wrote: »

This ongoing myth of the 'free-scoring Galway forwards' has been doing the rounds for far too long now.

This is not 1998!! IMO Padraic Joyce is as brilliant as ever. Sean Armstrong has plenty of scoring ability, but can be marked. Michael Meehan isn't starting. Garry Sice is a half-back. Joe Bergin a midfielder. Matthew Clancy a workhorse who doesn't score much and Concannon is totally unproven at this level.

So that's what Galway have upfront right now - not exactly going to send fear into any given backline.

I'm not 100% convinced of the Sligo fullback and to a lesser extent their centreback, but their cornerbacks are superb and despite my oft-mentioned doubts about Davey, he has proven me wrong so often I have to admit the lad is quality. O' Hara could very well play a deep role with an eye on Joyce and if PJ is kept quiet Galway are really very ordinary after that. Add the fact that the Sligo midfield looks better than Galway's which will restrict the amount of ball going to Galway's ordinary forwardline, leaving them with not a whole lot of possesion either.

This will be a tough game for Galway, make no bones about it.

Maguire the full back has been past it for the last two years. He got a serious run around from an eighteen year old not so long ago. He couldn't keep up with a turtle

LowOdour

think this game will show how far along the have come with kernan. Its going to be a tight one...id even say itl be a draw match. But as ever...C'mon Galway

Why is the average GAA fan unable to stay silent for the FULL duration of the national anthem?... it's slightly worse for the hurling. If the last two lines weren't important they wouldn't be there to begin with.

UrbanSea

Sligo need to put away their chances. I'd be worried if they didn't have at least a 5 or 6 point lead at half time with that wind.

UrbanSea

COME ON DAVID KELLY

aidan24326

Sligo fully deserve to win this. Galway have been absolutely shocking, the worst Galway team for many a year.

UrbanSea

The wind is playing a big factor,Sligo should be up by about another 4 or 5 at least.

homerhop

Not looking good for Galway at all

LowOdour

galway are a shambles...alot of that down to sligo, who have been excellent. This is terrible stuff by us

UrbanSea

Without Meehan Galway are a much worse team. He's like the Messi of Galway,missing the best corner forward in the country is a big loss.

WesternZulu

Expect Sligo to go back to their old style short hand passing game in the 2nd half.

C'Mon Sligo

Diabhal Beag

We are getting killed. Sean Armstrong is horrendous along with Eoin Concannon.

Our back-line is non-existent.

We're pitiful, we must be among the worst 10 counties in the country at this stage, does any county get cleaned out in midfield as much as us?.

How many managers must we go through before we realise that the bulk of these players are not good enough to win ONE half decent championship game?.... i don't care how good they play for their clubs, that makes no difference to how they play as a team together and the majority of these players can't play together, in fact i'd say you'd gather 15 random men from the crowd and they'd hold them to a few points at the least.

The one thing we're crying out for, BIG-STRONG midfielders, Corofin have two... the county fecking champions and they're not even on the panel.

I'd scrap about 90% of that squad at this stage.... reputations have to be put to the side, we're an absolute disgrace.... first time in my life I've been embarrassed to be from Galway and i follow both codes and have seen plenty of dark days over the past few years.

It's only HT and we could come back and win but there has been ZERO change from Ford to Salmon to Kernan, same faces-same results

UrbanSea

Goodbye Sean Armstrong. Stupid foul.

SomeFool

Sean Armstrong sent off so it's going to be a lot tougher for Galway now.

Diabhal Beag

Armstrong can go **** himself. What a stupid ****er.