Galway GAA discussion thread

blue note

gilberto_eire wrote: »

I might be called biased but from memory(and I didn't know him at the time) he was awful.
Gave like one free to Galway in the second half or something ridicules.
I was at the league game against Clare last year in Ennis and again he was awful, seems to genuinely have something against Galway... The only ref I can say that about.

Ah, I think every ref is biased against Waterford and everyone thinks the ref favoured the other team after every game, particularly defeats. And Mullane used to draw an awful lot of fouls, but he drew so many I think refs if anything were reluctant to give him frees at times when he was clearly fouled. And Waterford at the time (and still) are actually very disciplined. We've never been a team to concede a lot of frees.

I do remember the two wrong calls for the points though. Cannings was a bullet from a tight angle. It was the wrong call, but was very tough for the umpires. Kelly's was a beautiful volley that went over the black spot. I genuinely don't think the linesmen were looking at all, because I had a perfect line on it and it went over the middle of the posts. It was an outrageous call.

Anyway, sure if you think the ref was awful in favour of us fair enough. And if you think he was the difference that's fair enough too.

Little talk about the football Sunday. Although I've spoken to a lot of people who took some optimism from the Mayo game, to be honest I amn't one of them. I expected Armagh to be stronger under McGeeney but their two championship performances to date have been distinctly average by all accounts. If Galway want to try and make a case that they are making progress this is a game they must win. Personally I can't see Kevin Walsh improving this team significantly but after small steps forward from effectively an all time low over the last couple of seasons this is a huge test.

We didn't deliver in a poor league, we failed to deliver against Mayo. If Armagh set up defensively where are the scores going to come from. 10 scores in 70 minutes was a poor return against Mayo and we didn't shoot the lights out against Leitrim or during the league. Being honest I don't see leadership on or off the pitch in this Galway setup and in a tight battle Armagh have the better management. I really hope to be wrong but Sunday will probably be the end of our year and will knock us back a couple of steps again.

TCDStudent1

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Little talk about the football Sunday. Although I've spoken to a lot of people who took some optimism from the Mayo game, to be honest I amn't one of them. I expected Armagh to be stronger under McGeeney but their two championship performances to date have been distinctly average by all accounts. If Galway want to try and make a case that they are making progress this is a game they must win. Personally I can't see Kevin Walsh improving this team significantly but after small steps forward from effectively an all time low over the last couple of seasons this is a huge test.

We didn't deliver in a poor league, we failed to deliver against Mayo. If Armagh set up defensively where are the scores going to come from. 10 scores in 70 minutes was a poor return against Mayo and we didn't shoot the lights out against Leitrim or during the league. Being honest I don't see leadership on or off the pitch in this Galway setup and in a tight battle Armagh have the better management. I really hope to be wrong but Sunday will probably be the end of our year and will knock us back a couple of steps again.

Really huge match for both teams. Win and it will be a decent season. Lose and it will be an extremely poor season. Real championship match!

Redsoxfan

Armagh were not Championship level against Donegal. McKeever is a huge loss, even if only for his experience.

Hulk Hands

While Mayo was very disappointing, there were positives, far more than Armagh wouldve taken against Donegal, or Wicklow (judging by reports). I'd just fear the team isn't quite ready yet to go up to a place like Armagh and get a win. Being realistic we'll be lucky to have 300 fans up there, and the team may still be quite down after Mayo. All things being equal, I think we're a slightly better team than Armagh. Midfield is an area we should be winning, so time for the two lads to really step up at this level. If we win the possesion battle I think we've enough up front to win, altho getting slightly baffled by the Denvir love-in at this stage. Danny Cummins, or even moreso Paul Varley, must be feeling very hard done by

Diabhal Beag

They always come across as the nicest guys looking to shake hands and share water during breaks but if they don't stand up for themselves physically they'll be well beaten. One thing about Walsh's reign so far is that there were times in that Mayo match where guys like Duane were going in to challenges fearlessly and winning ball and rising the crowd as a result. That kind of passion was non-existent in Mullholland's time (not slating him because I think he did a good job). Think the only moment close to that was when Sice coincidentally knocked some Armagh lad on his arse after handbags.

orl

redlead wrote: »

The Waterford Bogey team is a funny one. I can't vouch for the games pre our metting in 98 but for all our matches since then Waterford were simply a better team with better players and thats why we won them all. That's just my opinion of course but over that time Waterford would have had consistently better championship performances than Galway too which would support the theory.

wouldn't go along with all of that. Am I right in thinking that Waterford have only been in semifinals since 98 in 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010. Galway have been in semifinals in 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2012 so about even I would think.

blue note

orl wrote: »

wouldn't go along with all of that. Am I right in thinking that Waterford have only been in semifinals since 98 in 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010. Galway have been in semifinals in 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2012 so about even I would think.

No, you'd be wrong. Galway got knocked out against clare in the quarter final in 99, so made the semis 3 times in that time - 01, 05 and 12. Waterford made the semis 9 times - 98, 02, 04, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 and 11.

carter10

galwaylad14 wrote: »

Diarmuid Kirwan's man of the match performance for ye that day was vital in swinging the game back in ye're favour in the last 10 minutes or so though in fairness!

Or maybe it was the fact that Galway went 15 minutes (48-63) in the second half without scoring

orl

blue note wrote: »

No, you'd be wrong. Galway got knocked out against clare in the quarter final in 99, so made the semis 3 times in that time - 01, 05 and 12. Waterford made the semis 9 times - 98, 02, 04, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 and 11.

Hands up. I didn't check it. Did a quick count in my head and got it wrong.

orl

Definitely think we have the beating of Cork. I know the conditions were bad but a huge amount of wides for this stage in the competition. Their sweeper system is effective but man for man i think we have better hurlers. Looking forward to it.

donnem33

blue note wrote: »

No, you'd be wrong. Galway got knocked out against clare in the quarter final in 99, so made the semis 3 times in that time - 01, 05 and 12. Waterford made the semis 9 times - 98, 02, 04, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 and 11.

ya but only one all ireland final compared to galway's three

TCDStudent1

Hulk Hands wrote: »

While Mayo was very disappointing, there were positives, far more than Armagh wouldve taken against Donegal, or Wicklow (judging by reports). I'd just fear the team isn't quite ready yet to go up to a place like Armagh and get a win. Being realistic we'll be lucky to have 300 fans up there, and the team may still be quite down after Mayo. All things being equal, I think we're a slightly better team than Armagh. Midfield is an area we should be winning, so time for the two lads to really step up at this level. If we win the possesion battle I think we've enough up front to win, altho getting slightly baffled by the Denvir love-in at this stage. Danny Cummins, or even moreso Paul Varley, must be feeling very hard done by

Varley has done very very little in a Galway jersey to warrant a place. Silke (through his Corofin performances) & Bradshaw are better players imo.

I am a little baffled about Denvir too. And it's never a good sign when a player is constantly being selected in different positions.

Hulk Hands

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Varley has done very very little in a Galway jersey to warrant a place. Silke (through his Corofin performances) & Bradshaw are better players imo.

I am a little baffled about Denvir too. And it's never a good sign when a player is constantly being selected in different positions.

Can't disagree more. Thought he was easily our standout player in the backs in last years championship, was good when he played in the league both the past two years, and excellent in the under 21 campaign a few years ago. I probably sound like a Cortoon man but i'm not. I do think Bradshaw and Silke are good players so i'm not saying its clearcut, just think he's been hard done by to get no playing time atal, even as a sub. he's better than Denvir though, of that im certain

cson

Good win for the footballers.

Diabhal Beag

One of those tight games in a qualifier finally goes the way of the footballers. Sounded like the midfield were teleported into another dimension for the last 20 minutes after playing a stormer from very early on.

Danny Cummins sounded very defensively minded today when he came on. Fair play to Kevin and the lads.

MfMan

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

One of those tight games in a qualifier finally goes the way of the footballers. Sounded like the midfield were teleported into another dimension for the last 20 minutes after playing a stormer from very early on.

Danny Cummins sounded very defensively minded today when he came on. Fair play to Kevin and the lads.

Sounds from the radio like one of these wins where you really have to quarry it out. Good character builder anyway. Roll on the next draw, could do with a home fixture this time though.

Diabhal Beag

Neutral venues for the next game isn't it?

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Anyone know the possibilities? As far as I can gather it's the northern teams?? So possibly Derry/Tyrone with Tipp the other one?? Don't know though..

LoveMeSexy

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

One of those tight games in a qualifier finally goes the way of the footballers. Sounded like the midfield were teleported into another dimension for the last 20 minutes after playing a stormer from very early on.

Danny Cummins sounded very defensively minded today when he came on. Fair play to Kevin and the lads.

I can imagine that's one of the reasons Danny didn't start, with Denvir preferred for the defensive duties. Sounds like he did well when he came on scored a point and won 14 yard free.

Overall a good win, Armagh aren't great by any stretch but no team would fancy playing them on their patch regardless. Subs needed to be brought on earlier as it sounded like we fatigued badly late on. Hoare, Steede might have been good options to bring some physicality.

THFC

THFC wrote: »

Anyone know the possibilities? As far as I can gather it's the northern teams?? So possibly Derry/Tyrone with Tipp the other one?? Don't know though..

Yes one of those 3. We haven't beaten many teams of significance in recent years so an important win. Once again we weren't ruthless when we had them on the ropes and made the finish nervy but at this stage a win is a win. Hopefully a home draw in the next round. Wouldn't fear any of the 3 but no handy draw either.

MfMan

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Neutral venues for the next game isn't it?

Wasn't two years ago but was last year.

We are only in Round 3 now so neutral venues not until Round 4.

Hulk Hands

haha fcuking brilliant!! Really happy with that, such a tough place to play and they grinded it out. Cummins and Sweeney great stuff. Nothing like a thick nordie crowd to make a win sweeter! Plenty to work on alright but stilla great game to win

galwaylad14

Fair play to them. Just saw the highlights there on the Sunday Game. Seemed like they were excellent for 50 minutes and then fell asleep and ended up just falling over the line.

The won made all the sweeter there after seeing McGeeney's interview. Not one bit of grace or class in it. Never congratulated our lads at all, just gave a Davey style interview giving out about the penalty decision. Never in a month of Sundays was it a penalty. What a complete whinger

galwaylad14

galwaylad14 wrote: »

Fair play to them. Just saw the highlights there on the Sunday Game. Seemed like they were excellent for 50 minutes and then fell asleep and ended up just falling over the line.

The won made all the sweeter there after seeing McGeeney's interview. Not one bit of grace or class in it. Never congratulated our lads at all, just gave a Davey style interview giving out about the penalty decision. Never in a month of Sundays was it a penalty. What a complete whinger

To be fair about it he probably gave a more comprehensive interview and this section was taken out of it for the Sunday Game. I'm not a fan of post match interviews. Its hard enough as a supporter to process your thoughts never mind being a manager asked to comment after 9 months work has ended in disappointment.

To me it wasn't a penalty but the Fermanagh one probably wasn't either. McGeeney has much bigger problems to look at. For all the flak Grimley took while in charge of Armagh, McGeeney hasn't improved them significantly if at all.

Listening to the radio, it appeared we had plenty of chances at 6 or 7 up to kill it and that is where we need to learn. Its a typical Galway mentality in all sports, we get a few points up and start patting ourselves on the back.

Same with the hurling last week we get goals to haul us into the game but immediately KK regained the initiative through our mistakes. Serious teams follow up a goal with 2,3,4 points and ensure that issues like the penalty and the blacks cards at the end aren't a talking point.

We won't win a game from here on in not scoring in the final 21 minutes but after Mayo the result was all that mattered today. Hopefully that win can give us the confidence to push on for next weekend.

Baggy Trousers

Beating Derry in Salthill should be achievable.

elefant

Derry were shocking bad in the second half against a Down team reduced to 14 players. If they play anything like that again on Saturday you'd have to give Galway a great chance of winning.

Hulk Hands

Good draw. We'll be reasonable favourites here, but Derry should pose enough of a challenge, especially physically to keep then focused. Win here and it's a weeks break before a Neutral final qualifier vs the Ulster loser, Monoghan prob, or Sligo. A quarter final is very very possible, and it'll be a real achievement if we manage it this time rather than last year where we got somewhat of a soft run.

Utopia Parkway

Any draw where we weren't drawn away to Tyrone or Derry has to be considered acceptable. Certainly a very winnable game if the lads perform.