Galway GAA discussion thread

RealityCheck

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Team to play Dublin in Tullamore on Sunday

1. Fergal Flannery
2. Kevin Hynes
3. David Collins
4. Ger O’Halloran
5. Niall Donohue
6. Fergal Moore
7. Tony Og Regan
8. David Burke
9. Andy Smyth
10. Conor Cooney
11. Niall Burke
12. Barry Daly
13. Damien Hayes
14. James Regan
15. Davy Glennon

Hynes at corner back?

I'd be happier if it lined up more like this at the back.

Moore
Donoghue
O' Halloran
Hynes
Og Regan
Collins

We'll see what happens. We need a good turnout Sunday, although after the last debacle the likelihood of that is questionable.

premierstone

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Team to play Dublin in Tullamore on Sunday


1. Fergal Flannery
2. Kevin Hynes
3. David Collins
4. Ger O’Halloran
5. Niall Donohue
6. Fergal Moore
7. Tony Og Regan
8. David Burke
9. Andy Smyth
10. Conor Cooney
11. Niall Burke
12. Barry Daly
13. Damien Hayes
14. James Regan
15. Davy Glennon

Looking at that team lads, no offence but the 8/11 about Dublin looks a steal.

Diabhal Beag

What does O'Halloran have to do to be dropped I ask you?

RealityCheck

premierstone wrote: »

Looking at that team lads, no offence but the 8/11 about Dublin looks a steal.

As much as it grates me here that from someone from Tipp Your probably right. but who knows. I expect a huge improvement but the question is will it be enough. Dublin seem to be improving with time.

premierstone

RealityCheck wrote: »

As much as it grates me here that from someone from Tipp Your probably right. but who knows. I expect a huge improvement but the question is will it be enough. Dublin seem to be improving with time.

tbh I was probably backing Dublin anyway, apart from their game against Waterford, they could have won every game this year including against us and away in Nowlan Park where they were robbed, but now I see that teamsheet I'm convinced, unless Burke and Hayes have unbelievable games I cant see how Galway can match Dublin.

aidan24326

RealityCheck wrote: »

And over the last few years we have been anything but mediocre?

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

If Roscommon are mediocre what does that make Galway?

Lads I'm well aware Galway aren't much more than mediocre right now either. But you, Diabhal Beag said 'I can't see past a Rosccmmon-Mayo final' and that's what I took issue with. The standard in Connaught is poor at the moment and it won't take much winning. If Mayo have notions that they're making genuine progress (and I think they probably are) then it's theirs to lose really.

I know the game in Hyde Park will be no pushover, the Rossies are never easily beaten on their own patch. All I'm saying is that Galway should hardly fear them, they're no world-beaters, even if we aren't either.

premierstone wrote: »

Looking at that team lads, no offence but the 8/11 about Dublin looks a steal.

Wouldn't say 8/11 is a 'steal'. But I'd agree with you that it's not a teamsheet that will have Dublin quaking in their boots that's for sure. Not impressed at all with Cunningham so far. Some of his team selections are just strange. Like since when was Kevin Hynes a corner back? He still doesn't seem to have a clue what his best team is. To me this is arguably a worse Galway team than the one he inherited. I don't think the 25 point walloping from Kilkenny was just a blip either, I think right now they really are streets ahead of us and if we played them again next Sunday they'd more than likely win easily again (maybe not by 25 pts, but anything from 10-12 upwards)

Diabhal Beag

aidan24326 wrote: »

Lads I'm well aware Galway aren't much more than mediocre right now either. But you, Diabhal Beag said 'I can't see past a Rosccmmon-Mayo final' and that's what I took issue with. The standard in Connaught is poor at the moment and it won't take much winning. If Mayo have notions that they're making genuine progress (and I think they probably are) then it's theirs to lose really.

I don't see how you could go into the championship without being hesitant after seeing the rinse and repeat "Good League horrible Championship campaign" showings we've seen at least the last 5 years+. It happens every year and last year for added insult to injury they were relegated. I know Connacht football isn't at it's strongest but Leinster is often neglected considering it's basically Dublin and Kildare who are of Mayo quality tier this year as Laois are iffy IMO. Cork and Kerry in Munster are the same standard but they aren't great teams. Ulster is probably the strongest province this year.

RealityCheck

aidan24326 wrote: »

Lads I'm well aware Galway aren't much more than mediocre right now either. But you, Diabhal Beag said 'I can't see past a Rosccmmon-Mayo final' and that's what I took issue with. The standard in Connaught is poor at the moment and it won't take much winning. If Mayo have notions that they're making genuine progress (and I think they probably are) then it's theirs to lose really.

Aren't much better than mediocre? Come on we are mediocre, no matter what gloss the league is putting on it. Thats no reflection on the current players and management. All we can expect is them to try their best to improve ourselves, but until we have proven ourselves to be better than other teams like Sligo there's no point talking about repeating performances from a league game in early April. Way to early in the year.

The Connacht Championship might well be poor, but saying it won't take much winning is beyond ridiculous. If its as poor as your claiming then there is a realistic chance of 4 teams winning it, with Mayo as favorites. You've two teams at the same level as Galway and one a bit ahead. If anything I expect the Connacht championship to be very competitive. There wasn't much in any of the games last year. Roscommon were tough for Mayo to beat.

aidan24326 wrote: »

I know the game in Hyde Park will be no pushover, the Rossies are never easily beaten on their own patch. All I'm saying is that Galway should hardly fear them, they're no world-beaters, even if we aren't either.

I agree with that. There's no reason why we can't beat them its just a case of the players going out and proving themselves. I expect Mullholland will get the best out of them, whatever that leads to. I won't be too judgmental this year if we make any improvement at all. Next year might be different.


I notice that you cling to terms like "Galway aren't much more than mediocre". I mean we either have been struggling in Connacht for the last 4 years or we haven't. In most peoples books thats very mediocre, never mind anyways better than mediocre.

aidan24326

RealityCheck wrote: »

I notice that you cling to terms like "Galway aren't much more than mediocre". I mean we either have been struggling in Connacht for the last 4 years or we haven't. In most peoples books thats very mediocre, never mind anyways better than mediocre.

Come on you're being kinda pedantic now. Whether we're mediocre or 'not much better than mediocre' is more or less the same thing. I was hardly praising them. I'm well aware of how far down the ladder we've fallen. I'm just trying to take the positives from what was a decent league campaign that showed a few promising signs, that's all. I'm not dreaming of Croke Park in September I can assure you.

There's an overall sense that Mulholland is going in the right direction, but with a long way still to go. That he's starting from a low ebb, with low expectations, is to his advantage. It means he'll be given some time.

And my saying Connaught won't take a lot of winning is not ridiculous. The standard is very ordinary. And I didn't say that I think Galway will win it, I said it's Mayo's to lose. They're the only team in Connaught right now that could be classed as anywhere near good, yet if we did get them in a Connaught final in Salthill I wouldn't write off Galway's chances, as games between the two are invariably hard to call.

RealityCheck

aidan24326 wrote: »

Come on you're being kinda pedantic now. Whether we're mediocre or 'not much better than mediocre' is more or less the same thing. I was hardly praising them. I'm well aware of how far down the ladder we've fallen. I'm just trying to take the positives from what was a decent league campaign that showed a few promising signs, that's all. I'm not dreaming of Croke Park in September I can assure you.

I don't want to labour the point, it just seems like a psychological thing. I may well be wrong but small things like that give an impression. The reason I got the impression of arrogance was the fact you focused on Roscommon being mediocre without acknowledging our own mediocrity. I think we really are singing on the same hymn sheet. Your probably right, I'm being pedantic.

aidan24326 wrote: »

There's an overall sense that Mulholland is going in the right direction, but with a long way still to go. That he's starting from a low ebb, with low expectations, is to his advantage. It means he'll be given some time.

Ya he seems to instill a confidence and a motivation in the team. Conroy and Higgins are two fine examples of players who seem to be coming on leaps and bounds under him.

aidan24326 wrote: »

And my saying Connaught won't take a lot of winning is not ridiculous. The standard is very ordinary. And I didn't say that I think Galway will win it, I said it's Mayo's to lose. They're the only team in Connaught right now that could be classed as anywhere near good, yet if we did get them in a Connaught final in Salthill I wouldn't write off Galway's chances, as games between the two are invariably hard to call.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you mean by saying "it won't take a lot of winning"? If anything it means nothing. I mean it won't take a lot of winning for who? I personally don't see much between 3/4 teams.

If you look at Galway they have to beat Roscommon, probably Sligo and likely Mayo. That will take a lot of winning. Likewise Roscommon.
Sligo have to go to New York and beat either Ros or Galway, with Mayo in the final. Again not easy.

Mayo in theory have the easy side of the draw, but that could work against them as they aren't out until around the 20th of June against Leitrim and then likely have one of Ros/Sligo and Galway. That won't be easy for them, as all three will be battle hardened.

Connacht will be hard won I think.

I think what you might mean is that if a team get their preparation right and got their head above the parapet that it wouldn't be the hardest Championship to win. Realistically though thats not very likely.

But at the same time I think your doing a slight disservice to Connacht. Mayo were no pushovers last year for example.

Diabhal Beag

There are no great teams in Ireland ATM in fairness. Mayo are just as in contention as Kerry, Cork, Dublin, Tyrone or any of the rest.

Hulk Hands

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

What does O'Halloran have to do to be dropped I ask you?

Be a washed up average player in his 30's rather than an up and coming 21 year old who is still inexperienced. The type of player the league was made for

Berti Vogts

Galway Dublin is on the TG4 website for anyone interested

Diabhal Beag

Into extra-time against Dublin but great news in the form of Michael Meehan. According to GBFM he played for Caltra today scoring 3 points and setting up a goal.

Diabhal Beag

O'Dwyer and McCrabbe were both sent off which won't keep Galway fans awake at night

InchicoreDude

I think Galway will see this out. But god, they are crying out for an experienced player to be brought on here. Would be ideal to bring on Ger Farragher here to hold onto possession. But Cunningham doesnt see the value of mixing youth with experienc...:-(

Only caught the second half of extra time.

TWO extra men and we still threw a 2 point lead away to draw....:eek:

How hard is it to work the ball when you should have two lads standing free across the pitch.

Shouldn't have gave a puck out away, and shouldn't have lost possession once it was in a players hand.

At what point were the red cards?

cgpg5

Padraig Breheny. Just gone 19 what a player he'll be. I'd start him next game too

ShamoBuc

Very surprised that galway couldn't put 13 man Dublin away.
That will feel like a win for the dubs.

Diabhal Beag

Red card for O'Dwyer in the second half and a red for McCrabbe in ET. Seriously embarrassing showing in the second period of extra-time and given the fightback they showed in normal time. Canning doesn't deserve to play for this bunch. The fullbacks were more than happy to give frees to Dublin at any opportunity until Collins settled into the match.

All credit to Dublin. Kelly had a great game and Suthcliffe too. Great heart and you'll beat us the next day.

themandan6611

at least Galway can pull off judo throws

Sofa King Great

themandan6611 wrote: »

at least Galway can pull off judo throws

Had the referee blown up for that mccrabbe wouldn't have been red carded and Galway would have lost.

Think the dubs will do it the next day

themandan6611

Sofa King Great wrote: »

Had the referee blown up for that mccrabbe wouldn't have been red carded and Galway would have lost.

Think the dubs will do it the next day

possibly, disgraceful miss by the ref, who it must be said, was poor

InchicoreDude

I missed the last 2 minutes so not sure how we threw it away....

But it was obvious Galway were missing some leadership in extra time. This is why I disliked Cunnighams approach of getting rid of so many good experienced players at the start of the campaign. Players like Ger Farragher & Shane Kavanagh could have made a real difference bringing them on in extra time there...

In saying that, this draw could actually bring on some of these young guys; another match will do them no harm at all.

Diabhal Beag

Seán Armstrong played the second half for Salthill-Knocknacarra and scored 6 points.

InchicoreDude

Seán Armstrong played the second half for Salthill-Knocknacarra and scored 6 points.

So Galway may go into the Roscommon game with P.Joyce, M.Meehan & S.Armstrong all on the bench - what a bench that is! Now, we just need to improve on the players who are starting!

Hulk Hands

InchicoreDude wrote: »

So Galway may go into the Roscommon game with P.Joyce, M.Meehan & S.Armstrong all on the bench - what a bench that is! Now, we just need to improve on the players who are starting!

I think if Armstrong is fit now he'll have to get a starting berth in 4 weeks. I'm made up about the news on Meehan

InchicoreDude

Hulk Hands wrote: »

I think if Armstrong is fit now he'll have to get a starting berth in 4 weeks. I'm made up about the news on Meehan

Its one thing being fit enough for club games, its another for inter county matches. However, 4 weeks is a good time frame to improve your fitness alright. I am assuming there will be more club games before the Ros match so they should help. However, I would sceptical about starting a player that played no part in the league. I would much rather see him on the bench.

Diabhal Beag

No way you could start Armstrong on 4 weeks notice even though he played against Westmeath. A substitute appearance is more than likely should he stay fit.

As for Meehan I would wonder was today just a day he felt fit enough to play or is he genuinely making a recovery from the Paul McGrath injury?

Mountainlad

To be fair, you could say that Dublin nearly threw it away too with a 3 point lead after 70mins squandered which is appauling.

Didin't see what O'Dwyer was sent off for. McCrabbe's would have been avoided probably if Barry Kelly had blown for the free. I believe he also should have given Dublin a penalty in normal time. The one he did give looked like it was outside. I'd say he was socking because I hardly saw any of it.

Hayes should have buried that early chance when Canning played a beautiful pass to him. All the time in the world, he should have taken it on and stuck it low. Desperate stuff from a player of his calibre and experience.