Galway GAA discussion thread

Diabhal Beag

Quick thoughts:
-Mgmt made big calls and were vindicated. That's a huge positive and hopefully they'll be similarly savvy with the line-up and tactics next week.
-Army is in the form of his life. The player who took too much out of the ball is long gone and we now have a mastermind in attack who picks a great pass and takes the wise option.
-Low ball into the forwards worked every time.
-Ian Burke was very promising. Hope they stick with him.
-Conroy in that form wins games on his own but unfortunately he can't always reach that level.
-Fullbacks were caught out a good bit again today in fairness.
-Kickouts were very solid but Donegal's midfield was pitiful. It won't be that way against Kerry.
-Meehan getting a huge roar anytime he got the ball was fantastic. A true inspiration to all us crocked Galwegians.

All in all I was delighted. The Connacht final is going to live long in these lads memory but they proved it wasn't a fair reflection of their level. Kerry likely will have us by 5 points or so but to beat a team of Donegal's reputation (they're still top 10 no matter how bad their manager is) is progress. Great to see 3 Connacht teams in the last 8.

TCDStudent1

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Quick thoughts:
-Mgmt made big calls and were vindicated. That's a huge positive and hopefully they'll be similarly savvy with the line-up and tactics next week.
-Army is in the form of his life. The player who took too much out of the ball is long gone and we now have a mastermind in attack who picks a great pass and takes the wise option.
-Low ball into the forwards worked every time.
-Ian Burke was very promising. Hope they stick with him.
-Conroy in that form wins games on his own but unfortunately he can't always reach that level.
-Fullbacks were caught out a good bit again today in fairness.
-Kickouts were very solid but Donegal's midfield was pitiful. It won't be that way against Kerry.
-Meehan getting a huge roar anytime he got the ball was fantastic. A true inspiration to all us crocked Galwegians.

All in all I was delighted. The Connacht final is going to live long in these lads memory but they proved it wasn't a fair reflection of their level. Kerry likely will have us by 5 points or so but to beat a team of Donegal's reputation (they're still top 10 no matter how bad their manager is) is progress. Great to see 3 Connacht teams in the last 8.

I don't think Galway will beat Kerri and could well be hammered.

However, we have beaten Mayo and Donegal this year. They are both division 1 teams. Mayo were 'up' for the Galway match this year - they really wanted revenge. Donegal came into today's game with a bit of momentum from qualifiers. I think Galway are now a division 1 team. You can't argue anymore that they only do it against the lesser teams. They have done it against division 1 teams this year.

Utopia Parkway

Frustrating to see how they completely sleepwalked into the Roscommon game. Galway are no world beaters yet but they criminally underperformed in the Connacht final. I think beating Kerry is beyond them but they must keep it tight for the first 20 minutes at least. Even if they have to go defensive at the start.

Flynn should never be picked at wing-forward again. Much improved as a midfielder when he's more involved.

Full-back line is still an awful worry. One got sent off and another got black carded despite Galway being about 9 or 10 points up at the time.

Eyes Down Field

Fair play to Galway for bouncing back to win well yesterday after a desasterois connacht final. I always thought coming into yesterday's game that Galway couldn't be as bad as they were against Roscommon, But I didn't expect that hammering they gave Donegal.

I think Galway will give Kerry a hell of a game on Sunday.

naughto

What can we say about that we did or best to loose it. My faith in rochford as a manager is fading the more games we play did he make the subs thinking we had the game in the bag we where 7 points up at that time.
It's time for dillion to hang up the boots such a bad ball to give away with us only a point up

TCDStudent1

naughto wrote: »

What can we say about that we did or best to loose it. My faith in rochford as a manager is fading the more games we play did he make the subs thinking we had the game in the bag we where 7 points up at that time.
It's time for dillion to hang up the boots such a bad ball to give away with us only a point up

Think you've wandered into the wrong thread.

naughto

That I did sorry about that. Well done yesterday lads great to see.

Galwayguy35

Well done to the lads yesterday in both the football and the hurling.

Was a good win for the minor hurlers too.

We haven't been great at U21 or minor(bar a win in 15) in quite a while so we need another crop coming up the rear if we want to sustain the progress at senior.

Doesn't look like we'll pull a whole pile from 2015 either but we might see something from some others at U21 this year.

briandebum

Great win by the lads! Even if Donegal were ****e you can only beat whats in front of you.

Was O Currain injured or was it a tactical change? Either way I hope he sticks with Burke for the next game, very impressed with him.

TCDStudent1

briandebum wrote: »

Great win by the lads! Even if Donegal were ****e you can only beat whats in front of you.

Was O Currain injured or was it a tactical change? Either way I hope he sticks with Burke for the next game, very impressed with him.

He had concussion. I think his place may have been in doubt anyway.

Hard to see any changes to that team for next week.

jr86

Eyes Down Field wrote: »

I think Galway will give Kerry a hell of a game on Sunday.

I think kerry will tear them apart tbh

It doesn't bear thinking what damage geaney and JOD will cause against that hopeless backline

That said two wins against 2 D1 sides and promotion to D1. Good season all things considered galway

PCeeeee

jam83 wrote: »

Both. Full back line has no protection again. How has that happened? Just lucky ball isn't going in.

This. Time and time again there was an acre of wide open space in front of the fb line. Donegal looked to be ignoring this. Kerry won't.

How we protect the fb line will dictate how the Kerry game goes. I would agree with everyone else that if Geaney and JO'D get ball they will absolutely murder us. Frankly I don't think there are backs in the country that can mark those two man for man.

threeball

PCeeeee wrote: »

This. Time and time again there was an acre of wide open space in front of the fb line. Donegal looked to be ignoring this. Kerry won't.

How we protect the fb line will dictate how the Kerry game goes. I would agree with everyone else that if Geaney and JO'D get ball they will absolutely murder us. Frankly I don't think there are backs in the country that can mark those two man for man.

We don't need any more than 4 forwards up with Walsh, heaney and Conroy as the link men bringing the ball forward at pace.

The only time Galway should leave men up is to pressure the Kerry kickouts especially with the goal keeper situation.

I'm disappointed Meehan didn't get at least 20 mins yesterday. No one knows where he's really at bar the Galway camp but seeing him coming is going to worry any defense. He could still have the ability to destroy you and you can't take that chance. He also looked in excellent physical shape.

threeball

McDaid looked explosive in the few mins he got too

PCeeeee

threeball wrote: »

We don't need any more than 4 forwards up with Walsh, heaney and Conroy as the link men bringing the ball forward at pace.

It will havta be something like this. My worry though is that I haven't seen Galway implement a functioning sweeper type system at any game. A week is very very short to rectify that.

Anyhow that's the last anxious post I'll make. It has been a good year in general if we can gloss over the Connacht final. Two Div 1 team bet. Promoted. And now we're back in QF in Croke Park against the big boys. Isn't that where we want to be?

dropping_bombs

Any ideas when the tickets for the Football QF will be available?

RobbieRuns

The great thing for me is, I actually prefer to be going into games as the underdog !
Everyone including Mr Umbrella saying that we are going to get smashed by Kerry. We do better in games that we are supposed to lose (Mayo, Donegal) than ones that we are going to cruise (Rossies, Tipperary).
Making the last eight and promotion to Div 1 is progress. We are far from the best team in Ireland, but I love the thought of just throwing caution to the wind and having a good crack !  Croke Park is always a good day out, hope that they go out and enjoy themselves.

TCDStudent1

RobbieRuns wrote: »

The great thing for me is, I actually prefer to be going into games as the underdog !
Everyone including Mr Umbrella saying that we are going to get smashed by Kerry. We do better in games that we are supposed to lose (Mayo, Donegal) than ones that we are going to cruise (Rossies, Tipperary).
Making the last eight and promotion to Div 1 is progress. We are far from the best team in Ireland, but I love the thought of just throwing caution to the wind and having a good crack ! Croke Park is always a good day out, hope that they go out and enjoy themselves.

And we have also been hammered in games we have been expected to get hammered in at times!

Looking to Sunday, my hope is that Galway are competitive and put up a good fight. If they lose after putting up a good fight, I think it is still a good year for Galway. Won FBD, won Division 2, beat 2 division 1 teams in championship. Playing in division 1 next year should only improve them. The worry would be that a thumping by Kerry might set them back a bit.

threeball

Primary possession is going to be the big issue on Sunday. Kerry have big strong midfielders probably well able to outmatch our lads and will pressure hard on the kickout. Unless we work like rabid dogs under the breaking ball I don't see where it will come from. We need to go all Tyrone 2005 in the middle 3rd or we haven't a hope.

Shurimgreat

I hope Galway have a plan for Donaghy. He can win a game for Kerry on his own if allowed clean catches. Maybe a midfielder back to help out? O'Currain?

from_atozinc

Thoughts on Tipp in the Senior hurling Semi's.
Their forwards can be deadly, but some of their backs are shaky.

danganabu

from_atozinc wrote: »

Thoughts on Tipp in the Senior hurling Semi's.
Their forwards can be deadly, but some of their backs are shaky.

It's a fascinating clash really and like you say there are huge question marks over Tipp's defence and goalkeeper.

However with the forward line that Tipp have they will always pose a threat, its an incredible forward line and Croke Park seem to bring the best out of them.

Some people are trying to crab Galway's form and say that they haven't really beaten anyone, well the reality is that they have beaten everything that has been put in front of them and very comfortable at that. What has impressed me about Galway is that they are no longer over reliant on anyone individual, it seems to be a differnet forward everyday that turns on the magic.

Overall Galway have the better Goalkeeper, Full Back line and Midfield. Tipp have a better Full Forward line a better half back line. It really could go either way and one of the main concerns for Galway must be a combination of the long lay off and the unwanted tag of favourtism.

I think whoever wins will win the AI and that will add to the tension as well. Going to be a cracker and may the bast team win!

Radiant Cool Crazy Nightmare

from_atozinc wrote: »

Thoughts on Tipp in the Senior hurling Semi's.
Their forwards can be deadly, but some of their backs are shaky.

They are a serious team capable of big scores. We only just have to keep the Mcgraths, Callanan and bonnar maher quiet and then we are home and hosed. I would love if we had them well beat going into the last 10mins. I dont think the ticker will be able for it if the game turns out like the last two semi-finals against them.

danganabu

Radiant Cool Crazy Nightmare wrote: »

They are a serious team capable of big scores. We only just have to keep the Mcgraths, Callanan and bonnar maher quiet and then we are home and hosed. I would love if we had them well beat going into the last 10mins. I dont think the ticker will be able for it if the game turns out like the last two semi-finals against them.

Bubbles loves this

Radiant Cool Crazy Nightmare

danganabu wrote: »

Bubbles loves this

Ha. Keep them lads quiet and id be confident bubbles wont do it on his own. All joking aside I think its going to be a straight shootout between the sides. High scoring game and there is never much between us.

threeball

Radiant Cool Crazy Nightmare wrote: »

They are a serious team capable of big scores. We only just have to keep the Mcgraths, Callanan and bonnar maher quiet and then we are home and hosed. I would love if we had them well beat going into the last 10mins. I dont think the ticker will be able for it if the game turns out like the last two semi-finals against them.

I think if you stop callanan you'll stop Tipp. If we sweep well in front of him we will cut out a large part of their threat. We'll need more than Cooney playing well up front to put up the required score but if we get a better performance from a couple of those I don't see this Tipp team being strong enough.
The only worry is an abnormally raised performance level from tipp due to the embarrassment of the league final.

Diabhal Beag

Got Upper Cusacks off Tickets.ie for Sunday. Good sign that they've opened up an upper so early in the week. It's going to be an expensive 3 weeks counting the trip to lovely Sligo.

jam83

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Got Upper Cusacks off Tickets.ie for Sunday. Good sign that they've opened up an upper so early in the week. It's going to be an expensive 3 weeks counting the trip to lovely Sligo.

More central seats to be had up there than on the lower level.

redlead

from_atozinc wrote: »

Thoughts on Tipp in the Senior hurling Semi's.
Their forwards can be deadly, but some of their backs are shaky.

I can't wait for this game. The semi a couple of years ago that you won was one of the best games I've ever seen. Seamie Callanan really didn't deserve to be on the losing side that day. I think this game will turn into a shootout. Tipp obviously have better forwards but Galway have better backs this year as well as a strong forward line. I can't understand why tipp are so weak in defence this year as on paper they are excellent players. It's real 50/50 stuff just like the other game.

I just hope all the usual hype doesn't go to Galways heads. They've been installed as favourites without really doing anything yet. They really need to be ready for a serious game.