Galway GAA discussion thread

Green Peter

threeball wrote:

Horrendous traffic again getting into this dump. With any luck a swallow hole will develop underneath it in the near future and rid us of this kip. Nearly 2hrs to travel from North Galway

I bet you were surprised there was no parking left at the gate as well when you arrived. Tuam is embarrassing be thankful we have pearse stadium !

threeball

jam83 wrote: »

Looking at both games today, and both warmups, it seems like Galway go through prett casual drills with little intensity.
Kildare had a pretty good drill running through on goal, 3 forwards v 3 backs. Waterford seemed to use high tempo drills too.
It feels like Galway footballers have no kickout plan, and in the forward line they're at a loss to make space. It looks like f-all is done in training on how to make space as a forward unit. Fast forward 12 months and they'll get eaten alive in D1 unless a lot changes in training. Backs are going to be in big trouble against Mayo, Sweeney got turned very easy twice and it should have led to 2 Kildare goals, lavelle made one great save. Sweeney did make some big blocks in the second half.

Hurlers worked some half decent ball into the forwards. Theres still some brainless over the shoulder clearances that hand possession straight back to Waterford but they blew a lot of cobwebs off today hopefully

I remarked on this at the game today. The Waterford warm up was on point. Very structured. All about getting touch and striking up to speed. Meanwhile Galway were sauntering around having a chat. 20 mins in and the difference was clear to see. How Waterford lost not one but two 10 point leads I'll never know.
If Galway meet Tipp or Wexford playing like today they'll get hammered.

Diabhal Beag

Great turnaround in the hurling. Guys like Tuohy and Padraig Mannion really turned up for the dirty ball. Felt at times that themselves with Canning and McInerney as the only 4 Galway players that were up to the pace of the first half. Whelan was an absolute nuisance to the Blaa backs in that second half so hopefully he can keep that sort of form but hopefully Daithi Burke has his ****er performance out of his system because he was woeful. Thought the ref was absolute shocking too tbh and was only worsened by his linesman on the terrace side who would stand on the pitch to wave at players after fouls but never say anything to the ref. It was exactly the kick up the arse and the response you'd want after 3 soft games.

The football was a different story. You could tell the pressure got to them a bit and as mentioned if it wasn't for Shane Walsh being able to break any tackle attempted on him we'd have lost. He was unmarkable today. Brannigan was excellent again minus the big score he put up last week. Cathal Sweeney is such a frustrating player though. You can tell he gives it his all but he makes reckless choices to fully commit to the ball without seeing what his marker is up to. Army was pretty good too.

They didn't give the attendance but looked to be close to 8k there. Great to get the U-21's out at ht too. Well deserved.

Also Tuam is a shocking parking situation and is completely unsuitable for anything bar League games. Won't defend Salthill as perfect but it's so much better than Tuam.

Utopia Parkway

gordongekko wrote: »

Do you believe the description of Pearse stadium as a kip or a dump is an accurate description of the stadium. The wind and traffic are different issues

I've been to many provincial grounds around the country and Pearse is actually easily one of the better ones. The location is just just a nightmare though for various reasons but traffic and parking being the main ones.

seligehgit

Well done to our southern neighbours,it can only be good for Connacht football to have 2 teams in division one.Nice short drive up to that nightmare location Pearse Stadium.:)

Hope you win the under 21 title too,oh enough of this provincial love in.:D

gordongekko

threeball wrote: »

It's crap. Horrible to get in and out of even for club games. The breeze would cut you in two and ruins most games. The first come first served in the stands means you can't even go for a whizz without having a squatter in your seat when you get back. 30% of the stand is virtually useless because of the massive concrete piers.
Yes it's ok as far as build quality buts that's about it.

Massive concrete piers????

Are you sure you were in the right place?

TCDStudent1

gordongekko wrote: »

Massive concrete piers????

Are you sure you were in the right place?

That 30% seems like an exaggeration to me. The pillars in Mc hale park are much more annoying than in Pearse.

Another thing that Pearse falls down on is the lack of floodlights. I've had lads from other counties asking me why galway don't have Saturday night games, that they'd come down and make a weekend of it if there were Saturday night games. Galway definitely missing out on a trick there and if I remember correctly, the reason there are no floodlights is because they can't get planning permission due to objections from local residents.

Will we be the only division 1 team next year that can't host Saturday evening games? Dublin, Mayo, Kerry, Donegal and I think Tyrone all host Saturday night games. Not sure about Monaghan and Kildare?

orl

There was 12,000 at the match.

Utopia Parkway

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Galway definitely missing out on a trick there and if I remember correctly, the reason there are no floodlights is because they can't get planning permission due to objections from local residents.

Plenty of well heeled residents in the vicinity of Pearse Stadium.

threeball

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

That 30% seems like an exaggeration to me. The pillars in Mc hale park are much more annoying than in Pearse.

Another thing that Pearse falls down on is the lack of floodlights. I've had lads from other counties asking me why galway don't have Saturday night games, that they'd come down and make a weekend of it if there were Saturday night games. Galway definitely missing out on a trick there and if I remember correctly, the reason there are no floodlights is because they can't get planning permission due to objections from local residents.

Will we be the only division 1 team next year that can't host Saturday evening games? Dublin, Mayo, Kerry, Donegal and I think Tyrone all host Saturday night games. Not sure about Monaghan and Kildare?

Thought they had lights seen as they played Australia there in the IR. We're they temporary or decommissioned?

TCDStudent1

threeball wrote: »

Thought they had lights seen as they played Australia there in the IR. We're they temporary or decommissioned?

Temporary lights, at a big cost too.

windy shepard henderson

threeball wrote: »

It's crap. Horrible to get in and out of even for club games. The breeze would cut you in two and ruins most games. The first come first served in the stands means you can't even go for a whizz without having a squatter in your seat when you get back. 30% of the stand is virtually useless because of the massive concrete piers.
Yes it's ok as far as build quality buts that's about it.

its a fine stadium to be fair , and in truth you would want to be sitting along way back for them pillars to get in the way , the only thing thats missing is a traffic management plan , although ye must be the most patient drivers in the country in that regard , screw the motorway to tuam , a ring road from knocknacarra to newcastle would be far more beneficial

TCDStudent1

seligehgit wrote: »

Well done to our southern neighbours,it can only be good for Connacht football to have 2 teams in division one.Nice short drive up to that nightmare location Pearse Stadium.:)

Hope you win the under 21 title too,oh enough of this provincial love in.:D

Where will galway - Mayo be in the league next year? So long since we played in league, I don't remember where we played last.

I think it was a match v Dublin in Pearse stadium that relegated us to D2 so we might get to play them in Croke park next year which would be nice.

Next week will be very interesting. Today, you could see Galway felt nervous and it seemed to affect them. Next week, the pressure of promotion is off so they should open up more. Also Kildare will see that Shane Walsh is in some form at the moment and you'd imagine will have a plan for him. Be fascinating to see what they come up with to stop him and if he can cope with it.

threeball

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Temporary lights, at a big cost too.

Didn't know that. Ironic that the only games it suits, Saturday night games, due to the lower traffic volume and the possibility to go into town after can't be catered for because of the lights situation.
Was at the Australia game and it was enjoyable for those very reasons.

threeball

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Where will galway - Mayo be in the league next year? So long since we played in league, I don't remember where we played last.

I think it was a match v Dublin in Pearse stadium that relegated us to D2 so we might get to play them in Croke park next year which would be nice.

Next week will be very interesting. Today, you could see Galway felt nervous and it seemed to affect them. Next week, the pressure of promotion is off so they should open up more. Also Kildare will see that Shane Walsh is in some form at the moment and you'd imagine will have a plan for him. Be fascinating to see what they come up with to stop him and if he can cope with it.

The cliché would be that the wide open spaces of Croke Park would suit Galway. Unfortunately I think it will spread out our defence and expose the weakest link in the chain once again.
Kildares corner forwards ate us alive when they were allowed a couple of yards of space. Too often we backed off around midfield and conceded twenty yards of clear ground before actually pushing up to challenge as well.

If we had Comer I'd fancy us. Not so much without.

TCDStudent1

threeball wrote: »

The cliché would be that the wide open spaces of Croke Park would suit Galway. Unfortunately I think it will spread out our defence and expose the weakest link in the chain once again.
Kildares corner forwards ate us alive when they were allowed a couple of yards of space. Too often we backed off around midfield and conceded twenty yards of clear ground before actually pushing up to challenge as well.

If we had Comer I'd fancy us. Not so much without.

I wouldn't be backing us either.

Comer took part in some of the warm up today so I wouldn't be surprised if he's a sub next week.

MfMan

Football; made it harder than it should have been and mgmt can thank Shane Walsh for coming up with the big plays when they were really needed. Really is Donnellan-like in his ability to carry the ball at pace and showed up like a leader yesterday , plenty more of the same hopefully in the season ahead. FB line woes continue afach. Sweeney turned too easily in the first half, improved a small bit in part two. Full-back like a lad running after a suck calf, not even close to county standard. Wing-backs once again very poor, O'Donnell just cannot mark or defend while if there's any justice at all, Heaney should come under pressure from U-21 McDaid to hold his place come c'ship. FOC not so bad, Conroy had one of those frequent days where his brain doesn't turn up. Flynn a bit better than normal while Brannigan finished league better than he started, but shooting still generally poor. Armie not awfully bad, hard to know about McHugh though. Does very little from play but it's always tempting to carry a good free-taker. Sice had another good outing and was been dragged by Bolton for a lot of the day. Very surprised to see Ian Burke get a run, didn't do a lot right, but worth another look I think.
So, after a couple of false starts, KW has finally gotten us back to Div. I. Playing at a higher level should suit this squad, who are coming into a good age to start meeting the better teams. Whether they can survive is another matter; our defence and FB line currently in particular would be torn silly by any of the top-ranked teams.



Hard to know why hurlers were so off the pace for so long. Waterford though were very sharp and impressive in the first half when everything they hit seemed to go over the bar. I actually though our defence wasn't that bad in the sense that they were winning primary possession fairly well but made a mess of it by giving it away cheaply. Daithi badly exposed for the 2 goals in the second half, but I don't know why another spare defender couldn't have dropped back a bit to close up the acre of space in front of him. Two Cooneys very poor, sluggish and ponderous, don't know why they were persisted with for so long; Conor has had a poor league and must be under pressure for the championship. Niall Burke in fairness added bite when introduced and Whelan's week's holidays did him the world of good! Monaghan also stepped up to the mark, while Cathal Mannion's showing in the first half was important, though faded later. Padraig Mannion good all through I thought, while Harte had a good second half. Coen not so bad while David Burke finished like a train and was driving the team forward by the finish. The closing quarter should be the way Galway play every game for the full match, when they were devouring the ball and winning all the breaks.

Final word for JC. Legend once again, kept us afloat when we were drowning, and his striking and point-scoring is so smooth and effortless. His crossfield pass under pressure from the touch line into space in front of Whelan was only something he could conjure up. Not even Gerlock could find something sarcastic to say about him last night, though, as usual, there'll probably be idiots (within and outside the county) that will question his leadership and ability.

Hulk Hands

Not sure how anyone can give out about the concrete poles in Pearse Stadium. They only affect like the last 5 rows. Compare that to what they did in Castlebar for example. Its a fine stadium. The issues are obviously the wind and the traffic.

However id also say that if we're lucky enough to have the nicest town/city in the country then we should utilise it rather than somewhere like Tuam. On a good day like yesterday (before it got cold) theres no better place to have a match and spend the day.

Obviously can be annoying for those who need to bring the car. There are ways around it though like parking up in Oranmore or Athenry and getting the train. They should do a park and ride bus service from the racecourse maybe come championship time. Either way, having the people west of the city go to Tuam with little to no public transport links is a far more unfair situation than the current one. The people who are nostalgic about Tuam also forget that 70% of the crowd used to hit the pubs after games and go home in drips, which eased the traffic and parking issues massively. Wouldnt happen these days.

Diabhal Beag

Away to Limerick Sunday week for Easter.

seligehgit

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Where will galway - Mayo be in the league next year? So long since we played in league, I don't remember where we played last.

I think it was a match v Dublin in Pearse stadium that relegated us to D2 so we might get to play them in Croke park next year which would be nice.

Next week will be very interesting. Today, you could see Galway felt nervous and it seemed to affect them. Next week, the pressure of promotion is off so they should open up more. Also Kildare will see that Shane Walsh is in some form at the moment and you'd imagine will have a plan for him. Be fascinating to see what they come up with to stop him and if he can cope with it.

No idea myself,I'd imagine it depends on the draw.I'm not sure how many home fixtures you guys had this year.We had four home games so are likely to only have three next year.

There was a rota a few years ago and we played the Dubs two years consecutively in Croker and McHale Park the following two years.

Sounds as I suspected you have bundles of talent from midfield but some issues defensively.Best of luck in the Division 2 final.

seligehgit

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Not sure how anyone can give out about the concrete poles in Pearse Stadium. They only affect like the last 5 rows. Compare that to what they did in Castlebar for example. Its a fine stadium. The issues are obviously the wind and the traffic.

However id also say that if we're lucky enough to have the nicest town/city in the country then we should utilise it rather than somewhere like Tuam. On a good day like yesterday (before it got cold) theres no better place to have a match and spend the day.

Obviously can be annoying for those who need to bring the car. There are ways around it though like parking up in Oranmore or Athenry and getting the train. They should do a park and ride bus service from the racecourse maybe come championship time. Either way, having the people west of the city go to Tuam with little to no public transport links is a far more unfair situation than the current one. The people who are nostalgic about Tuam also forget that 70% of the crowd used to hit the pubs after games and go home in drips, which eased the traffic and parking issues massively. Wouldnt happen these days.

The authorities spend a lot money which will be a heavy burden for many a year and can't even get that right.The poles are a terrible hindrance.

BENDYBINN

Jesus, two great wins yesterday,footballers promoted and hurlers into
league semi final after the mother of all comebacks and all the talk on here is only about pearse stadium
Galway fans are hard pleased!!!

TCDStudent1

seligehgit wrote: »

No idea myself,I'd imagine it depends on the draw.I'm not sure how many home fixtures you guys had this year.We had four home games so are likely to only have three next year.

There was a rota a few years ago and we played the Dubs two years consecutively in Croker and McHale Park the following two years.

Sounds as I suspected you have bundles of talent from midfield but some issues defensively.Best of luck in the Division 2 final.

Oh ok, thought it was just done on a rotational basis. But they would alter that if it worked out unfairly (i.e. nobody has 5 away matches). We had Cork, Clare, Derry & Kildare at home this year.

Yep, thats exactly the case with Galway. Good forwards, average HB line, poor FB line. I was listening to the GAA Hour earlier (show from a few days ago) and Parkinson was raving about Galway. It was clear he hadn't seen them play this year. He was saying how great it was that these new guys are in the FB line. Over on the Mayo thread, some of you are suggesting having Aidan O'Se as an impact sub. Believe me, against Galway there is one place for Aidan O'Se, there is one place for him - starting at number 14 against this Galway FB line.

TCDStudent1

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Daly is a good player alright but there have been questions over his temperament. In club games, he is often targeted (as Mountbellews main man) and it seems to have an effect on him. He gets wound up too easily.

Galway do have a top class forward line. Going into the summer, I am guessing it could be a forward line:

Sice
Walsh
Lundy
Brannigan
Comer
Armstrong

If Ian Burke could bring in his Corofin form, then he could get a place. Same with Michael Farragher. Then, you have Danny Cummins who did well last year. Barry McHugh is going well at the moment and may emerge from the FBD as a contender for a place. And the aforementioned Michael Daly & Peter Cooke. Some really serious options in our forward line. Mayo would absolutely love some of the forwards that we have. It is number 1 - 9 where we will struggle. Our 1 - 9 v Mayo's 1 - 9 and Mayo are far better.

I posted this back in January (and got savaged for omitting Cummins). Now that the group stage of the league is over, I would change it a little. Definitely, Lundy had an average league (at best). Comer only played 2 games but he will be 14 if fit. Brannigan had a good league too. Walsh has been fantastic in the last 2 1/2 games. I thought Sice was gone back a bit looking at his Corofin performances but he played well for Galway and he is a good option for left footed frees too. Armstrong has had a mixed league, started terribly v Cork & Fermanagh. But was very good off the bench against Clare (albeit game was over). And did well v Kildare on Sunday too when cool heads were needed towards the end. So if I was manager, I'd probably be looking at a forward line of:

10. Gary Sice
11. Shane Walsh
12. Michael Daly
13. Eamon Brannigan
14. Damien Comer
15. Sean Armstrong (although close between him, Cummins & Flynn)

I'm leaving out Tom Flynn who played well v Meath & Derry. But wasnt great on other days (especially first 2 games). Could possibly need his physicality though (especially v Mayo). The league has confirmed to me that we still have serious options up front.


The biggest worry emerging from the league is that we havent a clue what our defence is going to be. Even going into Sunday, is Kyne going to be back in full back? Is Mike Farragher going to continue at 6? David Wynne's place must be under threat after a couple of unconvincing displays v Down & Kildare.

Another positive from the league is the goalkeeper who looks a lot more solid than any of the goal keepers from the last few years.

Utopia Parkway

I think Flynn is nailed on to start at wing-forward for no other reason than Walsh has continually selected him there when he's been available. Can't see him changing all of a sudden. Think Cummins will start in the corner too. His pace should be a nice foil for Comer beside him. The only position I'm not sure of is who will be selected in the other corner.

I think Kevin Walsh saw how physically small our full-back line was last year and has tried something by bringing in Walsh at full-back. Not sure he's the answer though. He's got the size but looks a bit one-paced and slow on the turn. I'd fear for him against a decent full-forward. Would not surprise me to see Kyne back at full-back. Sweeney was great at corner-back a few years ago but has had a few injuries since and still looks like he's trying to find his form. To be honest none of the options look great back there. We may have to play defensively again this year to hide that line. When we exposed them last year against Tipp they were taken to the cleaners by two big men in Quinlivan and Sweeney.

mjp

Has date and time been confirmed for u21 clash against Kerry. Someone told me it was easter Saturday in limerick but can't see any info online. Hoping to catch it but have tickets for Connacht v Leinster game that night which will have to give up if game is on after 5 clock Saturday

Hulk Hands

I assumed FO'C would miss out come championship time but he's played basically every minute of the league so probably not the case. I'd say it's a given that he'll go with the usual 3 around the middle. It's become abundantly clear in recent weeks that we have 3 match winners in Daly, Walsh and Comer (3 who could potentially drive us on for the coming decade). It's up to Kevin to find some way of accommodating all 3, while still finding a way to get enough bodies back to at least semi shield a likely porous full back line. Sice is a near certainty, I'd expect him him to be tasked with somewhat of a sweeping role, and he's likely our starting free taker. The last position will probably go to someone versatile who can play inside with Comer, but still get back if needed. Brannigan looks the clear front runner over Lundy at this stage.

In defence, really think Liam Silke has to be given a solid run to try nail down a corner back spot. We've so little other options. Hopefully Kerin can make somewhat of a comeback before championship. I'd take Finian Hanley back in a heartbeat at full back (bar against AOS), but save for that I assume Kyne will take the spot again this year. Looks a serious concern. In saying that, there's months between Sunday and championship. We came out against Mayo a lot more defensive than we were in the league last year, and somewhat hard to break down. Expect something similar again, although Mayo will surely go direct this year if they watch any recent tape at all

TCDStudent1

Hulk Hands wrote: »

I assumed FO'C would miss out come championship time but he's played basically every minute of the league so probably not the case. I'd say it's a given that he'll go with the usual 3 around the middle. It's become abundantly clear in recent weeks that we have 3 match winners in Daly, Walsh and Comer (3 who could potentially drive us on for the coming decade). It's up to Kevin to find some way of accommodating all 3, while still finding a way to get enough bodies back to at least semi shield a likely porous full back line. Sice is a near certainty, I'd expect him him to be tasked with somewhat of a sweeping role, and he's likely our starting free taker. The last position will probably go to someone versatile who can play inside with Comer, but still get back if needed. Brannigan looks the clear front runner over Lundy at this stage.

In defence, really think Liam Silke has to be given a solid run to try nail down a corner back spot. We've so little other options. Hopefully Kerin can make somewhat of a comeback before championship. I'd take Finian Hanley back in a heartbeat at full back (bar against AOS), but save for that I assume Kyne will take the spot again this year. Looks a serious concern. In saying that, there's months between Sunday and championship. We came out against Mayo a lot more defensive than we were in the league last year, and somewhat hard to break down. Expect something similar again, although Mayo will surely go direct this year if they watch any recent tape at all

Seems strange that he is not starting in this league. Do they think he has regressed since last year? I get that impression. I'd also like to see him start at number 2 on Sunday. I think Kyne will start at 3 (although I would put Hanley there) and Sweeney at 4. Same HB line of O'Donnell, Farragher, Heaney.

I dont think Cummins had a good league. He did get a couple of goals and struggled with injury but he did not play particularly well in most games he played in. Maybe the last shot against Meath is giving me a tilted view of his league. I'd still pick Armstrong ahead of him. Cummins definitely has the pace on him. But I have that bit more trust in Armstrong to do the right thing. For example, Armstrong had a goal chance against Kildare - he didnt get a great pass as the ball was a little behind him and the goalie came out on him quickly. Armstrong fisted it over which was the right option. I could see Cummins blasting it against the goalkeeper. I thought it was somewhat telling that Ian Burke was brought on ahead of Cummins v Kildare at a time when there were some cool heads needed - Galway were going through a nervous time when that substitution was made. Cummins pace and tenacity is a great asset to have off the bench though.

It is somewhat worrying that Wash & Daly haven't really played well together during the league. It'd be great to see them start beside each other in the HF line on Sunday. Wouldnt be surpised to see Flynn start at 14 on Sunday either. He probably wont stay there but I got the sense from Galway last week, they wanted to use a tactic of Flynn drifting into full forward. Just never really came off.

Diabhal Beag

Silke's aul lad is still selector too right? I'd have him in for Luke Burke or Sweeney tbh.

RobbieRuns

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Seems strange that he is not starting in this league. Do they think he has regressed since last year? I get that impression. I'd also like to see him start at number 2 on Sunday. I think Kyne will start at 3 (although I would put Hanley there) and Sweeney at 4. Same HB line of O'Donnell, Farragher, Heaney.

I dont think Cummins had a good league. He did get a couple of goals and struggled with injury but he did not play particularly well in most games he played in. Maybe the last shot against Meath is giving me a tilted view of his league. I'd still pick Armstrong ahead of him. Cummins definitely has the pace on him. But I have that bit more trust in Armstrong to do the right thing. For example, Armstrong had a goal chance against Kildare - he didnt get a great pass as the ball was a little behind him and the goalie came out on him quickly. Armstrong fisted it over which was the right option. I could see Cummins blasting it against the goalkeeper. I thought it was somewhat telling that Ian Burke was brought on ahead of Cummins v Kildare at a time when there were some cool heads needed - Galway were going through a nervous time when that substitution was made. Cummins pace and tenacity is a great asset to have off the bench though.

It is somewhat worrying that Wash & Daly haven't really played well together during the league. It'd be great to see them start beside each other in the HF line on Sunday. Wouldnt be surpised to see Flynn start at 14 on Sunday either. He probably wont stay there but I got the sense from Galway last week, they wanted to use a tactic of Flynn drifting into full forward. Just never really came off.

Have to disagree with your arguments regarding Danny Cummins. He has struggled with injuries, (as you confirm) but has always showed real class when fit and given the opportunity. It cracks me up that you can have a season like he did last year when his goals lit up the team, played a huge part in beating Mayo, was one of a few players to come away from the Tipperary game with credit, tops it off with an All Star nomination.... and people want to bring Army back. He constantly is at the top of the scoring charts without being a free taker. In fairness he probably should move to Corofin, Salthill or some senior team to get more club recognition, that or grow another foot, because something always seems to stop him from getting the support that he should get.