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Galway GAA discussion thread

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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 284 ✭✭Joyce Country


    Paddy Power have Galway at 1/8 to beat Waterford this weekend. Now i'm obviously a galway supporter and all but waterford at 11/2 look a fair decent price or am i missing something here :confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,238 ✭✭✭✭Diabhal Beag


    They won't be that bad nor will Galway be that good IMO. Ryan has a lot to prove and relegation for Waterford would be a big notch against him before the Munster championship has even started.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭InchicoreDude


    Bergin hasn't the legs to last a whole game, so the management probably reckon that they'll try and get as much out of him and then replace him later in the game, (probably with Higgins, who in spite of what others may say, wasn't particularly good last Sunday either). Flynn also is raw and has much to learn about linking up the play with others. He could do with playing football at a higher club level methinks.

    Higgins is no world beater, but he was better than Bergin last week [it is obvious management thought this too by their decision to take bergin off and leave higgins on]. This is what makes the choice of Bergin over Higgins a strange one. If I was in Higgins position, I would not be happy. Cullinane has already left the panel, unhappy at how he was treated. So I hope there is not something else brewing here....
    Paddy Power have Galway at 1/8 to beat Waterford this weekend. Now i'm obviously a galway supporter and all but waterford at 11/2 look a fair decent price or am i missing something here

    Good price alright, but would you back them? I certainly wouldnt as there seems to be disarray in Waterford at the moment.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,238 ✭✭✭✭Diabhal Beag


    What age is Higgins?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,238 ✭✭✭✭Diabhal Beag


    Great win for the footballers in Pearse Park. If they beat Kildare they're promoted.

    Hurlers were awful. Niall Burke did not find his range at all today. Matters weren't helped by the referee who gave out two reds in the first half.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭InchicoreDude


    That was one strange game of football today. Really Monaghan should have won it. They kicked some very poor wides in the opening half, and should have gone it far more than 2 points ahead. So heres how I felt everybody did:

    1. Faherty: Not much to do [Monaghan had zero goal chances]. Kickouts were poor to average. Improvement needed in kick outs

    2. McGrath: Again impressed with him. Gets stuck in and deserves to keep his place

    3. Hanley: Played extremely well, always rated him very highly and showed what a good full back he is today

    4. Forde: Struggled when he was on that Haratty lad, but kept going and did well.

    5. Bradshaw: Usual performance from him, very solid. But god he needs to learn when to hold on to the ball and when to let go. He carries it EVERY time he gets it, and it resulted in him being shunted out over the sideline at a crucial time in the 2nd half. I guess he backs himself to be able to beat his opponent with his ball carrying skills which is also kind of good.

    6. Duane: spent most of the match marking Finlay, and battled hard with him. I suspect if Blake was playing, he would have let Finlay do his own thing, while he minded the centre. But Duane showed a lot of heart against a really quality forward

    7. O'Donnell: Started off marking Finlay, but after he lost the first two balls into him, it was obvious he was out of his dept against such a talented player and management were quick to switch him with Duane. He went on to have a good second half.

    8. Flynn: Very disappointing performance. I havent seen much of this guy, and am unsure what all the fuss is about him. He did come into more in the second half, but huge improvement is needed.

    9. Bergin: Well, it was a pretty typical Bergin performance. Excellent at times, awful at times. Not consistent enough, and Clerkin really lorded it over him in the first half. Bergin did do a lot more good things in the second half, but his failure to win clean possession from kick outs is really becoming a problem.

    10. Sice: Was wonderful last week, and carried that form into this game. I know people say he is a back, but I have been really impressed with his displays at no. 10 recently.

    11. Burke: A fairly average performance. He did try to get involved, and I probably would left him longer than the management did. But things just didnt seem to really go for him today.

    12. Hehir: Scored a fantastic free early on, but I was disappointed with him. Like Flynn, there seems to be a lot of hype around this guy. I am not sure he is tough enough for this level [certainly wearing gloves on a today like today suggests not!]. He did do some good things during the match though. Maybe he needs another year.

    13. Martin: I thought he did well. He was taken off at half time which surprised me as the full forward line were really starved of possession, and he won almost every ball that went into him.

    14. Conroy: His performance was just awesome. This is the best I have seen Conroy play, he scored points from all sides of the pitch. Was flawless today. Lets hope this kind of form can continue.

    15. Bane: Like Martin, he was really starved of possession in the first half and was taken off at half time. He was mouthing off to his team mates about the lack of quality ball going into him. This is something I dont like to see. Then Flynn puts in a ball that Bane favoured Bane, and the back beat him to it; that may be the moment Mulholland decided to take him off

    Subs:

    Higgins: Changed the fortunes of our midfield, was immense when he came on. He seems aware of his limitations as a footballer too (Barry Cullinane's failure to do this was his biggest flaw). He should not have been dropped for today, and I will lose complete faith in management if he doesnt start the next day.

    Cummins: Very lively performance, and his movement was superb. He will be pushing to start the next day also. Him & Joyce really linked up well.

    Joyce: Controlled the match when he came on. Was wonderful, his vision and ability to give the right ball into the full forward line was what won Galway this game.

    Boyle: Didnt get on a whole lot of ball, but he did well. I'd be tempted to start him at no. 12 the next day.

    Coleman: Only for a few minutes, but god he really got stuck in. I criticised him last week for a lack of heart. He showed serious heart today. Threw himself into everything, and was a disruptive nuisance [from Monaghan perspective] when he came on. Interestingly, I was watching the Galway warmup closely where they were having a small game. Coleman was very aggressive in that game; thought the attitude he showed for a dropped player was top notch.

    The scoreline definitely flattered Galway. They probably did not really deserve to win it [No-one would argue if it had been a draw]. But they showed a lot of fight, and a lot of spirit today and if a team gives everything they have, like Galway did today, then supporters should be happy. There was a real championship feel to the game today also, with some fairly hard hits going in. Kildare are a very different proposition than Monaghan and Galway will have to improve again if they are going to win that game.

    One thing I did notice that seemed strange to me. Galway won a free early in the match [an easy one in front of goal]. Bane, Hehir & Martin all converged on the ball to take it. Someone from the sideline shouted for Hehir to take it. But why wouldnt the free taker have been agreed on beforehand? Seemed a bit disorganised.

    Anyone know why Nicky Joyce didnt start? Is he injured?

    I think Galway should be happy enough with their position in division 2 though. They are not as good as Tyrone or Kildare, so 3rd is a good showing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,024 ✭✭✭✭Utopia Parkway


    Anyone know why Nicky Joyce didnt start? Is he injured?

    Nicky missed a training session during the week and didn't have a good enough excuse apparently so was dropped for the game. Hope it's not the start of more drama with him. With Meehan's future uncertain we certainly can't afford to lose another scoring forward.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 723 ✭✭✭Black Suir


    Did anyone hear anything on the GAlway hurling goal keeper. To see a player leave the field injured is never nice. I hope he is ok and that whatever injury he picked up today is not as bad as it might be feared today.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,851 ✭✭✭Mountainlad


    Black Suir wrote: »
    Did anyone hear anything on the GAlway hurling goal keeper. To see a player leave the field injured is never nice. I hope he is ok and that whatever injury he picked up today is not as bad as it might be feared today.

    +1


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,238 ✭✭✭✭Diabhal Beag


    It looked very nasty alright. The sub who came on (Jamie Ryan) is in good form this year though and was the keeper for the U-21's that won the All-Ireland lasy year.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭InchicoreDude


    On another note, I cant recall ever seeing Monaghan play before. But their supporters today were amongst the most boisterous that I have ever seen. Is this the way they are for every match??? Home matches in Clones must be quite something....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭InchicoreDude


    Nicky missed a training session during the week and didn't have a good enough excuse apparently so was dropped for the game. Hope it's not the start of more drama with him. With Meehan's future uncertain we certainly can't afford to lose another scoring forward.

    Thats a shame considering he seemed to be putting in a good effort. Given some of the performances today (And his v Tyrone last week], I would not start him against Kildare.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,024 ✭✭✭✭Utopia Parkway


    Thats a shame considering he seemed to be putting in a good effort. Given some of the performances today (And his v Tyrone last week], I would not start him against Kildare.

    That's Nicky all over though. He's very hot and cold. The week before Tyrone he was superb against Meath. If he was consistent he would be one of the top forwards in the country but you never know what you're going to get from him game to game.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,925 ✭✭✭aidan24326


    Nicky missed a training session during the week and didn't have a good enough excuse apparently so was dropped for the game. Hope it's not the start of more drama with him. With Meehan's future uncertain we certainly can't afford to lose another scoring forward.

    Dammit if this kind of stuff starts happening again. It's frustrating that he is so Jekyll and Hyde.

    His cousin on the other hand has skill AND a great attitude. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea bringing him back again at this stage, but after his performance today it seems we need him as much as ever. Class is indeed permanent.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 645 ✭✭✭buzsywuzsy


    Black Suir wrote: »
    Did anyone hear anything on the GAlway hurling goal keeper. To see a player leave the field injured is never nice. I hope he is ok and that whatever injury he picked up today is not as bad as it might be feared today.

    It's a dislocated shoulder. He'll be out for a month or so, so he said on Facebook.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 92 ✭✭24yearslater


    Was at the hurling - they were shocking, no other word for it. I had a bad feeling all week about this one, but I suppose it was the first bad performance under Cunningham, so it'll be interesting to see how they react. It's typical Galway hurling, just when you start getting optimistic about our chances, they let you down with a bang. If we had won it we'd be in the semis now (I reckon), but it looks now like we're going to get sucked into a relegastion battle with Dublin. Can't see us beating kk next sunday, and I read this morning that Daly is going to put out a weakened side v waterford, so his players will be fresh for the play-off. It would be disastrous to drop to 1B - look at Limerick, they've been stuck down there for a few years now.
    Collins got cleaned out at fb, the corners weren't much better. Moore did well, and David Burke in midfield as well. Daly did well too when he came out, but the match yesterday confirmed he'll never make a full forward. Half fowards were poor all day, I thought Niall Burke struggled throughout. Don't think he's a c'ship centre forward - can't see him able to man up to the big number 6s like Hogan, Mahony, Brick, etc. I heard that Cadogan was mighty for Cork yest too, hopefully the cork footballers will be playing the same day if we end up meeting their hurlers again this year! Thought young Joe Cooney did well too when he came on, still think he might lack the necessary pace.

    Great win for the footballers - that's us safe now, with a pressure free match v the lillies in Tuam on Easter sunday. All the pressure on Kildare for this one - reckon they'll be desperate to go up. Still think we might do ok with another year in Div 2, no use going up to be cannon fodder like we were last year. Still, having secured their safety I can see Galway giving a good account of themselves here. Midfield remains a big problem, O'Curraoin a big loss. Duane turning into a really good prospect - was excellent for the U21s last year.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭InchicoreDude


    Great win for the footballers - that's us safe now, with a pressure free match v the lillies in Tuam on Easter sunday. All the pressure on Kildare for this one - reckon they'll be desperate to go up. Still think we might do ok with another year in Div 2, no use going up to be cannon fodder like we were last year.

    This is true, but as a footballer you should want to play the likes of Kerry & Dublin so they should be really hell bent on winning this. This should be treated just like a championship match. No tinkering with the team, no experimentation. Best team must be picked.

    Am really looking forward to it. An important match, that should have a championship feel to it. The fact that it is in Tuam rather than Pearse is a bonus too. Hopefully, there shall be a big crowd at this one - I can imagine there will be a lot of interest in it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,024 ✭✭✭✭Utopia Parkway


    I thought Niall Burke struggled throughout. Don't think he's a c'ship centre forward - can't see him able to man up to the big number 6s like Hogan, Mahony, Brick, etc.

    Wasn't at the hurling but nearly every report I've read said that Niall Burke was one of Galway's better players yesterday and that Brick actually had a quiet enough game on him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,571 ✭✭✭MfMan


    This is true, but as a footballer you should want to play the likes of Kerry & Dublin so they should be really hell bent on winning this. This should be treated just like a championship match. No tinkering with the team, no experimentation. Best team must be picked.

    Am really looking forward to it. An important match, that should have a championship feel to it. The fact that it is in Tuam rather than Pearse is a bonus too. Hopefully, there shall be a big crowd at this one - I can imagine there will be a lot of interest in it.

    Could yet be a little doubt about the venue for the Kildare game - certain things weren't up to scratch in Tuam for the Tyrone match apparently.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 741 ✭✭✭fearruanua


    don't know if its true but i heard that the showers weren't working in tuam after the galway v tyrone match. if this happened at a junior C special match there'd be war not to mention an inter county football game. farcical if its true!!!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,024 ✭✭✭✭Utopia Parkway


    fearruanua wrote: »
    don't know if its true but i heard that the showers weren't working in tuam after the galway v tyrone match. if this happened at a junior C special match there'd be war not to mention an inter county football game. farcical if its true!!!

    Yet you constantly get some Galway fans saying all football games should be brought back to Tuam. As much history as it's got it isn't up to hosting big intercounty games at the moment. Look at the toilet facilities for a start. Now I imagine there will be a big crowd at the Galway v Kildare game. Kildare are sure to bring a large support for a start. Could Tuam Stadium cope?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭InchicoreDude


    Thats a real shame, because Tuam do complain about their lack of matches.

    If I was playing for Galway, I would prefer to play in Tuam as it will inevitably bring larger crowds. And you are playing in front of more knowledgable people - I know many of the older generation who would go to numerous club matches around Galway but for some reason they never go to the county matches in Pearse. They would go to them in Tuam though. Pearse just seems to have a habit of bringing out sunshine supporters (And not all that many of them).

    But if the facilities were not good enough, then I guess that is Tuam's own fault. They should have made sure everything was working to ensure they would get future matches.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,436 ✭✭✭c_man


    Great result from the footballers! I can't wait til the match with Kildare to decide promotion :) Hopefully it's in Pearse :pac:

    I was there for the hurlers yesterday... Well at least the weather was nice *cough*


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 92 ✭✭24yearslater


    Wasn't at the hurling but nearly every report I've read said that Niall Burke was one of Galway's better players yesterday and that Brick actually had a quiet enough game on him.
    Only my opinion - reckon he didn't get into the game like he has done in recent games. In fairness Waterford crowded his position - their gameplan seemed to be based on keeping it tight & crowded in the middle of defence, and creating loads of space for Mullane, etc to run into. Much the same as thurles last year, same results too. At least our lads kept trying this time.
    My issue with NB is that he's not a classic centre forward, breaking ball, putting his man under pressure when he's trying to clear, moving broken ball into the ff line, etc. He seems to play on the edge of the action, picking up ball from rucks, and going for the score. He doesn't seem to be able to bring the ff line into play at all - he nearly always goes for the score. In cork in the 2nd half he was on the end of some v good moves, and his finishing is deadly. I'm not having a go at him here, I think he's a great prospect, but he was motm in the minor final in '08, and he was @ 12 that day if my memory serves me. I think that might be his best position. He's got great wrists, and his shooting seems effortless at times, but 6 & 11 are the most critical positions on the field now. A ff line won't function without good ball going into it - look at the quality ball shefflin sends in when he plays on the 40. Our ffs got nothing all day yest, nothing from play tilll Daly moved out. In fairness the whole foward line misfired, so I suppose I'm being a bit harsh on NB. I'm just really peeved that we blew a great chance to get to the semis, and that we'll now most likely get sucked into a drop dogfight with Dublin.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,656 ✭✭✭cgpg5


    Only my opinion - reckon he didn't get into the game like he has done in recent games. In fairness Waterford crowded his position - their gameplan seemed to be based on keeping it tight & crowded in the middle of defence, and creating loads of space for Mullane, etc to run into. Much the same as thurles last year, same results too. At least our lads kept trying this time.
    My issue with NB is that he's not a classic centre forward, breaking ball, putting his man under pressure when he's trying to clear, moving broken ball into the ff line, etc. He seems to play on the edge of the action, picking up ball from rucks, and going for the score. He doesn't seem to be able to bring the ff line into play at all - he nearly always goes for the score. In cork in the 2nd half he was on the end of some v good moves, and his finishing is deadly. I'm not having a go at him here, I think he's a great prospect, but he was motm in the minor final in '08, and he was @ 12 that day if my memory serves me. I think that might be his best position. He's got great wrists, and his shooting seems effortless at times, but 6 & 11 are the most critical positions on the field now. A ff line won't function without good ball going into it - look at the quality ball shefflin sends in when he plays on the 40. Our ffs got nothing all day yest, nothing from play tilll Daly moved out. In fairness the whole foward line misfired, so I suppose I'm being a bit harsh on NB. I'm just really peeved that we blew a great chance to get to the semis, and that we'll now most likely get sucked into a drop dogfight with Dublin.

    Niall is a better 11 than 12 and played a large part of that 08 final you mentioned playing 11 despite wearing 12. Few players can score as well from distance, in the country.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 570 ✭✭✭Starie1975


    Thats a real shame, because Tuam do complain about their lack of matches.

    If I was playing for Galway, I would prefer to play in Tuam as it will inevitably bring larger crowds. And you are playing in front of more knowledgable people - I know many of the older generation who would go to numerous club matches around Galway but for some reason they never go to the county matches in Pearse. They would go to them in Tuam though. Pearse just seems to have a habit of bringing out sunshine supporters (And not all that many of them).

    But if the facilities were not good enough, then I guess that is Tuam's own fault. They should have made sure everything was working to ensure they would get future matches.

    Right where do I start with this one!!!!

    First of all please explain - "more knowledgable people". I'm from Conamara, I go to every single game. I don't care if it's in Gort, Milltown, Renvyle or Ballygar. I know lads from Renvyle, Cliften, Inis Bo Finne etc. who go to matches in Salthill and Tuam. I never hear them complaining where the match is, they just go. Are these the less "knowledgable people" you talk about?

    You talk about sunshine shine supporters? Just read over your post again.

    "If I was playing for Galway, I would prefer to play in Tuam" so you'd prefer a cold shower after the match?

    This craic about which is better Tuam or Salthill has to stop!

    JUST GO TO BOTH!!!!!!

    BTW it's knowledgeable not knowledgable :-)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭InchicoreDude


    Right where do I start with this one!!!!

    First of all please explain - "more knowledgable people". I'm from Conamara, I go to every single game. I don't care if it's in Gort, Milltown, Renvyle or Ballygar. I know lads from Renvyle, Cliften, Inis Bo Finne etc. who go to matches in Salthill and Tuam. I never hear them complaining where the match is, they just go. Are these the less "knowledgable people" you talk about?

    I didnt mean to insult anybody and I know there are good fans from every part of the county. However, it doesnt get away from the fact that the majority of football clubs in Galway are located around Tuam and that there are more people into football around Tuam. Thats just the way it is.....If you went into a pub in Tuam, Barnadearg Milltown or Dunmore and struck up a conversation about Galway football, I am pretty sure you would soon be involved in a well informed discussion [because there are so many people into football in these areas]. The same probability of doing so in Gort, Clifden or Salthill does not exist.

    You talk about sunshine shine supporters? Just read over your post again.

    I dont get the point...
    "If I was playing for Galway, I would prefer to play in Tuam" so you'd prefer a cold shower after the match?

    No, I wouldnt but read my post. I said my preference would be Tuam because it would mean a bigger crowd. But of course the facilities should be up to scratch, I thought my post implied that??? I said it was a shame that Tuam did not pull out all the stops to ensure things like this didnt happen.
    This craic about which is better Tuam or Salthill has to stop!

    JUST GO TO BOTH!!!!!!

    I do go to both, my point was that other people dont.
    BTW it's knowledgeable not knowledgable :-)

    Thanks :rolleyes:

    I see the venue has been changed now anyway. But this does not change my stance that I think Tuam is a preferable venue if the facilities were good enough.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,925 ✭✭✭aidan24326


    Yet you constantly get some Galway fans saying all football games should be brought back to Tuam. As much history as it's got it isn't up to hosting big intercounty games at the moment. Look at the toilet facilities for a start. Now I imagine there will be a big crowd at the Galway v Kildare game. Kildare are sure to bring a large support for a start. Could Tuam Stadium cope?

    There's a very good reason for that. The Tuam area is the heartland of Galway football. You notice if club championship matches are held in Tuam rather than Pearse you're guaranteed to have double the crowd. I agree that the facilities in Tuam aren't up to scratch, but it's just a pity that they didn't redevelop Tuam the way they did Pearse.

    And personally if I was a player I'd rather a big crowd and a great atmosphere than great facilities (though showers not even working is unacceptable if that's true). The bosses of Tuam Stadium fcuked up badly there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,238 ✭✭✭✭Diabhal Beag


    They should redevelop Tuam. I think both sides can agree on that. It has more historic value than Pearse Stadium and a better atmosphere. But at the same time nobody wants to sit on a damp plank of wood in the Winter and you don't get that in Pearse Stadium. Until people pony up for the redevelopment you're gonna see the majority of home matches in the League and the home championship matches in Salthill.

    This debate is quickly forgotten on a lovely sunny day in June watching Galway-Mayo where the match is packed out. You don't get that experience of heading to beach before a match in Tuam though.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 570 ✭✭✭Starie1975


    Hi lads,

    I didn’t want this to turn into Tuam vs Salthill debate. If you’re a Galway supporter you’ll go to both.

    Inchicore Dude – I find your comment very blinkered and slightly insulting. The matter of fact is that we don’t have the population that north Galway has. We still enjoy playing football, watching football and talking about football and are just as knowledgeable as our north Galway counter parts. Your telling me that if you were in a pub in An Spideal, Indreabhán, An Cheathru Rua, Moycullen, Oughterard, Leitir Mor, Ros Muc, Carna, Killanin or in Galway City - Taffee’s, Monroe’s or PJ’s that they would be able to Talk about football. Get out of it!!!

    I was in Derry, Two busloads from town and one from An Spideal. Anyone I spoke to you there knew what an O’Neil’s looked like!

    Everyone is entitled to have their favorite, for some it’s Tuam and for the rest it’s Salthill, both have pro’s and con’s. We’re lucky to have such good grounds compared to other counties. I was in Ballinasloe for the FBD match with London and that’s better than some county ground around the country.

    The main thing is that we go and support the boys Sunday week.

    Gaillimhe Abu!


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