Galway GAA discussion thread

Depressing day for Galway GAA. Hadn't much hope of us going up to Cavan and winning but after getting a good start we once again went over 20 minutes without scoring before half time. Over the 7 games we weren't good enough. The fact we weren't in relegation trouble says more about the poor quality fare in this division as much as anything. I have seen nothing from Kevin Walsh to indicate he's the right man to bring Galway football forward but at the same time he is working with a very poor quality squad. There are others around the county who are certainly better than what's there but nothing that would lift us hugely.

The u21 victory in 2013 masks a diabolical record at underage football in the last 10 years and we are seeing it in the senior team. The results in the Connacht Section of the Hogan Cup make for very worrying reading in the last few years. The quality of the club championship is woeful and has been for some time. It's time the county board took action to try and address our problems before we sink even further into mediocrity. 2001 is a long time ago and we've achieved nothing of note since then.

I have no heed on anyone who says the relegation system is unfair for the hurling. It's the same for everyone, we haven't won any of our last 5 games and when you can't beat one of the weakest Cork sides in living memory at home we deserved to go down. We have been sailing close to the wind with relegation for a few years but what's worse than relegation is we learned nothing from the league. Usually we got something out of the league in terms of players. There has been no real success story in this league campaign, Hoban has been a mixed bag, Tuohy has got a few minutes here and there but I've seen him play numerous positions at underage, club and with Galway without nailing one down and apart from that it's the same old names. Kevin Hussey did ok when he came on today I felt but he hadn't played in any of the earlier league games.

Once again we were desperately slow out of the blocks in such an important game. Like against Tipp to only be 1 down at half time was more good fortune and poor finishing from the opposition than anything else. Cork like Tipp mopped up all the breaking ball and always had free men all over the pitch. The majority of their scores were as soft as you'd see in a challenge game.

2nd half we picked up a bit and looked like we were getting a handle on the game but Cork always had a threat inside and ultimately the goals were decisive. Even if we had fallen over the line it would only have been covering over the multiple problems in the team at present.

Joe Canning has single-handedly tried to keep this team afloat during the league, apart from his form I'd take very few positives. Ok we are down a number of players particularly at the back who will undoubtedly improve the side but the balance to the side looks all wrong. David Burke it was proven today is not a centre back. He has a lot to offer us but not there. We have no real combination at midfield and the half forward line isn't functioning and Conor Whelan while he works hard can't solely be relied on up front.

Cathal Mannion's form has gone to pot and Niall Burke just doesn't do enough for my liking. Donnellan came on near the end but it's a big ask for him to make an impact this summer. Johnny Glynn won't be back it looks like and I don't know what's going on with Conor Cooney. There is no convincing answer as to who will win us the ball we need heading for the summer. The only positive is (barring disaster which going by the league I wouldn't rule out) its still 3 months to the Leinster final and expectations will plummet which is when we usually perform but it's not looking positive for 2016 and 2017 is going to start with games against the likes of Kerry, Laois and Offaly which are difficult games to learn anything from. Depressing times.

MfMan

Tommy Kelly wrote: »

I wonder who they'll blame for now.

Shocking stuff.

People who make snide comments online I suppose. AC had his time, didn't win an AI at 3 attempts, made no impact on the league, was quite lucky to survive a relegation play-off and had 2 largely wash-out years in '13 and '14.

It's not at all ideal for the hurlers to drop to 1B but if this league has shown us anything, bar the constant that is KK, there is sweet FA between most of the rest 8/9 teams. Both Dublin and Tipp lost to 1B opponents, while Waterford were quite lucky to survive v Wexford. In his first 3 months in charge, MD hasn't been able to select anything like his strongest side, especially in the backs, where today maybe only Hanbury and Harte (who went off injured and which meant that David Burke had again to revert to an unsuitable no. 6 berth) of a first choice were available. By all means, judge the hurlers when they have a full cohort as possible to select from, not until then. For me, of greater concern is the failure for the likes of Brehony, Shane Moloney and to a lesser extent Niall Burke and Jason Flynn to push on and carry the load.

The hurlers' relegation will probably mean that the footballers, or more pertinently those that administer it in the county, will avoid a well-deserved slaughtering for the stasis that has existed for nearly 15 years; (the music died the day Kerry beat us in the '02 1/4 final and hasn't really restarted since.) As I said in an earlier post, the club scene is mediocre with the c'ship one-sided and leagues overwhelmingly meaningless. There's no doubt that KW hasn't had the best players available to him, particularly this year, some of this is beyond mgmt's control, some not, but a constant of his managerial reign is the tardiness with which they make changes on the sideline; much much too late as usual. Hurlers well used to hearing sarcastic remarks about swanning around Ballybrit in race week; footballers will probably be swanning about at the Roscommon evening meetings earlier than that.

padd b1975

RIP Joe McDonagh.

windy shepard henderson

very sad to hear about joe mcdonagh , a very likable man , remember the photo of him in the papers playing hurling well into his 40's at the time wining a galway junior B title with his club , could have been around the time of his presidency not sure

literally covered every blade of grass in the gaa world , "the west's awake" has just become that bit more iconic now in his passing

seligehgit

RIP Joe McDonagh...a gentleman.An amazing orator as bearla/as gaeilge.A great loss to his family and the wider GAA community.The West's Awake.

yop

RIP to an incredible GAA man.
This runs through the spine and must have been an incredible day.

Diabhal Beag

Another year and probably more disappointment. But hey, at least the championship is back.

Team for the Westmeath game:
Colm Callanan
Johnny Coen
John Hanbury
Fergal Moore
Padraig Mannion
Dathi Burke
Aidan Harte
David Burke (Captain)
Davy Glennon
Shane Maloney
Joseph Cooney
Joe Canning
Conor Whelan
Cathal Mannion
Jason Flynn

I like that half backline a lot considering there's no Lally for the season. Cooney is going to get lots of ball bombed in on him if Niall Burke's role in the League is anything to go by.

from_atozinc

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Another year and probably more disappointment. But hey, at least the championship is back.

Team for the Westmeath game:
Colm Callanan
Johnny Coen
John Hanbury
Fergal Moore
Padraig Mannion
Dathi Burke
Aidan Harte
David Burke (Captain)
Davy Glennon
Shane Maloney
Joseph Cooney
Joe Canning
Conor Whelan
Cathal Mannion
Jason Flynn

I like that half backline a lot considering there's no Lally for the season. Cooney is going to get lots of ball bombed in on him if Niall Burke's role in the League is anything to go by.

Was Colm Callanan out for most of league ?

Jaysus, only position left for Joseph Cooney now is to throw him in goal.

Diabhal Beag

from_atozinc wrote: »

Was Colm Callanan out for most of league ?

Yep. Didn't think Skehill had a great showing in his stead either tbh.

MfMan

Why is Moore in at corner-back, considering he's been injured for his club for a few c'ship games? His teammate Hussey was close to it, I reckon. Harte at wing-back not in best of form either. Big chance for Moloney at wing forward, and yet another one for Joe Cooney at CHF; he has more ability than Johnny Glynn, but has seldom had the latter's drive or desire at county level. Glennon has had a good league but I feel we need more power and steel around midfield. A lot of players need to find form superior to their recent club outings.

from_atozinc

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Yep. Didn't think Skehill had a great showing in his stead either tbh.

Correct. Never really trust that Skehill lad in goal.

Why was Callanan out?

Diabhal Beag

Callanan was injured for pretty much the entirety of the League. Can't remember what it was though.

I know Collins is out but I still would've thought Hoban could be given the nod ahead of Moore. That FB-line will be pillaged when it comes up against a proper FF-line.

maroondog

MfMan wrote: »

Why is Moore in at corner-back, considering he's been injured for his club for a few c'ship games? His teammate Hussey was close to it, I reckon. Harte at wing-back not in best of form either. Big chance for Moloney at wing forward, and yet another one for Joe Cooney at CHF; he has more ability than Johnny Glynn, but has seldom had the latter's drive or desire at county level. Glennon has had a good league but I feel we need more power and steel around midfield. A lot of players need to find form superior to their recent club outings.

Glennon might be OK v Westmeaths of the world but against AI contenders like KK etc I'd fear for him. Seen him playing midfield this year and does tend to loose the ball when getting shoulders/challenges. Would prefer someone with more power when in the thick of it in midfield to handle the heavy challenges. More suited wing or corner forward for now. Johnny Glynn is a massive loss, Joe Cooney really needs to take his chance and nail down a spot on the 1st 15, been about few years now and we really need someone at 11 and hopefully he can be that someone.

Need to put away Westmeath by 12-15 at least if we are serious about going well in 2016 and not just be scraping by. Don't want to winning by 4 with a nervous final few mins and hearing WM really put it up to us etc....need to swat them aside like KKs of world would and start off the Championship right.

from_atozinc

I know we got the win but conceding 19 points isn't great.

donnem33

from_atozinc wrote: »

I know we got the win but conceding 19 points isn't great.

to be fair they were in a no win situation - win by a cricket score and the opposition are crap. win by the minimum and galway are crap. they did what they had to do and have plenty to work on.

The game was all but over at half time and once the westmeath full back got sent off 5 mins into the second half it killed the game and made it like a challenge match.

Was disappointed however that brian molloy didnt get a chance. 2 positions still up for grabs are half forward and centre forward. Hope cathal mannions injury wasnt too serious also.

on a side note joe was in impressive form today and looked in serious shape!

from_atozinc

from_atozinc wrote: »

I know we got the win but conceding 19 points isn't great.

Kind of agree but having said that they only had 5 at HT while the game was a contest and also Diarmuid Kirwan was reffing.

Same as usual he just kept giving Westmeath score able frees for next to nothing(their free taker finished with 12)

Would love to see the free count as it looked to me to be something like 25:12 to WM.
Generally the team getting hammered fouls more.
I don't know is he biased against Galway or just biases one team per game but I'd worry if we got him in an important game. Thankfully we don't get him much.

I don't think Joe Cooney earned the jersey today.
Conor Cooney came on and hit 4-6 points so he'll likely take back that jersey the next day.

Glennon was solid at midfield again.
Amazing that it took a new manager to try him there as he was one of the MOTM in the 2008 minor final from that position.
Midfielders in his mold are probably the best fit(similar to R.Hogan with a bit of Andy Smyth).

Mannion hadn't a great game, cost a score by not lifting a ball and pulling on it and tried to one hand scoop a lovely centering ball over the bar(id imagine it wasn't a goal attempt) first time and put it wide, when he should have gathered and took the goalie on.... Looked to me like he felt a first time scoop was better than maybe taking a belt (more than a skill attempt)

Diabhal Beag

I thought Glennon drifted out of the game at times but he was very good in the second half.

Conor Cooney shook off considerable cobwebs too which was a great sign.

Whelan when he's given ball is very dangerous.

Johnny Coen was wretched. So bad against a Westmeath sub that he had to be called ashore.

Can't take anything good or bad from this tbh . Kerwin gave Westmeath very soft frees but we only turned on the goal chances when their lad hit Canning.

Hopefully Mannion and Canning are OK for the Offaly game.

Hard to take much from the game but I'm more content this evening than I was this morning. Expected a lot more from Westmeath. They played into our hands really. I thought they'd put a big man full forward and pepper our full back line with high ball but they ended up playing a style that requires a high level or speed, skill and accuracy on a dry day never mind a slippery surface. Made it a very comfortable day for our back line. I think Westmeath are probably better than that but I was impressed that for the first time this year we were focused in the warm up, ready from the off and killed the game early. You'd like us to put away more of the goal chances we are getting but 3 is ok for today.

Lots of players need to up their game if we're going to take it to Kilkenny but after a chronic league I'd take this as a small step in the right direction.

2 disappointments for me were Shane Maloney and Joe Cooney. Both needed a big game today and neither really delivered. Cooney took the goal well but that was on a plate for him. He struggled otherwise. Maloney struggled to win his own ball and missed 2 or 3 very straight forward scores.

maroondog

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Hard to take much from the game but I'm more content this evening than I was this morning. Expected a lot more from Westmeath. They played into our hands really. I thought they'd put a big man full forward and pepper our full back line with high ball but they ended up playing a style that requires a high level or speed, skill and accuracy on a dry day never mind a slippery surface. Made it a very comfortable day for our back line. I think Westmeath are probably better than that but I was impressed that for the first time this year we were focused in the warm up, ready from the off and killed the game early. You'd like us to put away more of the goal chances we are getting but 3 is ok for today.

Lots of players need to up their game if we're going to take it to Kilkenny but after a chronic league I'd take this as a small step in the right direction.

2 disappointments for me were Shane Maloney and Joe Cooney. Both needed a big game today and neither really delivered. Cooney took the goal well but that was on a plate for him. He struggled otherwise. Maloney struggled to win his own ball and missed 2 or 3 very straight forward scores.

Agree it's hard to take anything outta today's result. Ref generous to Westmeath with a few of frees going by GBFM commentary, 8 frees scored by WM so 19 points probably a bit flattering. Hard to judge much when game was beyond doubt from early on. Conor Cooney and Niall Burke came in so at least there are options for troublesome no. 11 spot, that's if J Cooney didn't excel there today. Plenty of options up front but so many in the backs I'm afraid.

Offaly up next who are no that much better than WM and a team barely able for Div 1B who lost to Kerry in the league. They simply havent anything coming through. I would preferred a stiffer test in a Leinster Semi but there up next wonder where it will be on?? Probably PortLaoise or maybe even a return to Mullingar, no way it will be in Croker wouldnt pull in the attendance needed.

PTH2009

Knowing u guys ye will scrap past Offaly and then hammer Dublin/Kilkenny In the final

Good win today for ye scoring 3-29 is nothing to be sniffed at

TCDStudent1

PTH2009 wrote: »

Knowing u guys ye will scrap past Offaly and then hammer Dublin/Kilkenny In the final

Good win today for ye scoring 3-29 is nothing to be sniffed at

And then lose to tipp or kk in the AI series!

PTH2009

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

And then lose to tipp or kk in the AI series!

as a waterford fan this becomes the norm as ye yourselves know

one day Waterford will beat Kilkenny in the championship

one day ye will beat us in the championship (cud be dis year ??)

Galway vs Waterord all ireland final lets be having ya (deise winning of course lol)

TCDStudent1

PTH2009 wrote: »

as a waterford fan this becomes the norm as ye yourselves know

one day Waterford will beat Kilkenny in the championship

one day ye will beat us in the championship (cud be dis year ??)

Galway vs Waterord all ireland final lets be having ya (deise winning of course lol)

A Galway Waterford final would be a terrific occasion.

It's hard to know just where Galway are at right now. I was impressed with Waterford yesterday though and I'm not sure Galway would've beaten Clare quite as convincingly. Still early days for the year.

maroondog

[QUOTE=Originally Posted by PTH2009 as a waterford fan this becomes the norm as ye yourselves know

one day Waterford will beat Kilkenny in the championship

one day ye will beat us in the championship (cud be dis year ??)

Galway vs Waterord all ireland final lets be having ya (deise winning of course lol)
A Galway Waterford final would be a terrific occasion.

It's hard to know just where Galway are at right now. I was impressed with Waterford yesterday though and I'm not sure Galway would've beaten Clare quite as convincingly. Still early days for the year. [/QUOTE]

Bit early for talk of All Ireland yet lads!!!

Id say any team playing Waterford will want to wise up on him being a loose man floating about half back line/ midfield taking on large range shots, conditions were ideal for large range shooting Sunday. Reckon at 5/6 places on Galway team up for grabs, hope the Offaly game asks a few more questions of the team than Sundays outing.

galwaylad14

Was in Mullingar on Sunday and to be honest you couldn't really fault the performance of our lads against what was hard working but very limited opposition. The forwards were class, 3-27 is a serious score and I'd say at least 3-20 of that came from play. They won the ball, linked well and took their scores very well, there was very few wides hit due to the excellent shot selection, very few crazy shots taken on which has been an issue in the past. I liked how the forwards rotated around aswell, makes it awkward for the opposition. Thought Canning, Whelan and Cooney when he came on were the best of them.

The backs were ok, a few have mentioned conceding 19 points but that's a bit of a non-issue. Game was over by half time and Westmeath only scored 5 points up to that point. The game went a bit dead at stages of the second half which always makes it easier for a team to pick off a few points. Also as nearly always happens in these situations when one team is so far ahead of the other, the ref tends to pick the losing a team a few softer frees, certainly there was 3 or 4 of those Westmeath frees that were extremely dubious. Also worth mentioning that Westmeath I think didn't even have a shot on goal over the 70 minutes.

Thought Daithi Burke was excellent at 6, he's absolutely the solution there and I hope he isn't moved from the position for about 5 years, cracking hurler and tough as nails to go with it. Otherwise the backs did what they had to do really, Johnny Coen was caught for a couple of points in the second half alright by a handy looking corner forward that they had. Wouldn't go dropping him over it or anything but possibly a minor cause for concern as the full back line is probably our weakest area in terms of personnel. Think they might end up with Padraig Mannion back in one of the corners to be honest.

The two lads midfield, especially David Burke both had fine games too.

Overall it was a job very well done and nice to see us putting up a big score and putting away a team ruthlessly. Certainly positive signs there but far bigger days lie ahead.

MfMan

galwaylad14 wrote: »

Was in Mullingar on Sunday and to be honest you couldn't really fault the performance of our lads against what was hard working but very limited opposition. The forwards were class, 3-27 is a serious score and I'd say at least 3-20 of that came from play. They won the ball, linked well and took their scores very well, there was very few wides hit due to the excellent shot selection, very few crazy shots taken on which has been an issue in the past. I liked how the forwards rotated around aswell, makes it awkward for the opposition. Thought Canning, Whelan and Cooney when he came on were the best of them.

The backs were ok, a few have mentioned conceding 19 points but that's a bit of a non-issue. Game was over by half time and Westmeath only scored 5 points up to that point. The game went a bit dead at stages of the second half which always makes it easier for a team to pick off a few points. Also as nearly always happens in these situations when one team is so far ahead of the other, the ref tends to pick the losing a team a few softer frees, certainly there was 3 or 4 of those Westmeath frees that were extremely dubious. Also worth mentioning that Westmeath I think didn't even have a shot on goal over the 70 minutes.

Thought Daithi Burke was excellent at 6, he's absolutely the solution there and I hope he isn't moved from the position for about 5 years, cracking hurler and tough as nails to go with it. Otherwise the backs did what they had to do really, Johnny Coen was caught for a couple of points in the second half alright by a handy looking corner forward that they had. Wouldn't go dropping him over it or anything but possibly a minor cause for concern as the full back line is probably our weakest area in terms of personnel. Think they might end up with Padraig Mannion back in one of the corners to be honest.

The two lads midfield, especially David Burke both had fine games too.

Overall it was a job very well done and nice to see us putting up a big score and putting away a team ruthlessly. Certainly positive signs there but far bigger days lie ahead.

Some others' reports say Joe Cooney wasn't great and Shane Maloney was mixed? Think Offaly will be a bit tougher (no harm either), if only for traditional rather than practical reasons.

Any update on Cathal Mannion's injury? GBFM commentary were initially worried in case it was the you-know-what...

Had this posted in the main thread but probably more relatable here.

Checked the AI betting earlier on B365 and thought it was funny that Clare are a shorter price to win the AI than Galway and they'd need to win 5-6 games straight while Galway were gifted a crack at a semi and a near guaranteed quarter tied up.

Cant fathom that tbh, think we're much better than that and they're much worse than the betting suggests.

galwaylad14

MfMan wrote: »

Some others' reports say Joe Cooney wasn't great and Shane Maloney was mixed? Think Offaly will be a bit tougher (no harm either), if only for traditional rather than practical reasons.

Any update on Cathal Mannion's injury? GBFM commentary were initially worried in case it was the you-know-what...

They were the two worst of the forwards but neither were terrible or anything, when I mentioned Cooney I meant Conor who came on as a sub and won a few puckouts and hit 4 points from play.

Diabhal Beag

I've seen Joe Cooney have some super games in the championship for Sarsfields where the ball is glued to his hand but he's never been able to replicate that at intercounty, although he is clinical in on goal. I think Niall Burke is preferred in the Glynn role anyway and you could see Maloney being dropped for Conor Cooney which you can't really argue with this season. I don't rate Maloney above Molloy either tbh.

galwaylad14

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

I've seen Joe Cooney have some super games in the championship for Sarsfields where the ball is glued to his hand but he's never been able to replicate that at intercounty, although he is clinical in on goal. I think Niall Burke is preferred in the Glynn role anyway and you could see Maloney being dropped for Conor Cooney which you can't really argue with this season. I don't rate Maloney above Molloy either tbh.

As a hurler Niall Burke is absolutely nothing like Johnny Glynn. I think he'll get back in the team alright and I think he's a better option for centre forward than Joe Cooney but he certainly won't be in the "Glynn role". Johnny is a far superior ball winner, both in the air and on the ground and works much harder. But Burke is the far more skilful hurler and superior striker.

Conor Cooney should get ahead of Moloney too. Both lovely hurlers but Cooney is the far more physically strong man which we need in the half forward line.

I also think if Donnellan gets fit that he'll get close to the team. Might be tough for him to nail down a starting position now though having missed so much hurling but a great sub to have. Good ball winner, very direct, works hard and is unselfish with the ball. He's the most similar player we have to Glynn.

Provided all fit, think I'd go with a forward line of:

C.cooney Burke Canning
Mannion Whelan Flynn