Galway GAA discussion thread

Kojak

CyberDave wrote: »

Flannery surely has to be first choice keeper now after that performance. Fair play to him for taking his opportunity. Skehill i always thought is too prone to mistakes, he will have a job to win back his jersey now. Glad they eventually switched Collins from full-back. He is not suited to the position. But, did they move him out because he was carrying an injury?

I would question how it was that Flannery had so many opportunities to be in contention for MOTM. Why weren't some of those opportunities for the Dubs being cut out? Would KK or Tipp have missed as much - you'd better believe not. Not criticizing Flannery - he played well, but its not a good sign when your goalkeeper could be MOTM.

I heard on the RTE news that "Galway are now showing signs of contention for later on in the year" (or something to that effect) - this kind of talk is rubbish, Dublin were missing 4 or 5 certain championship starters and this was, after all, a RELEGATION final, not the league final.

Its good that Galway stayed up, but lets not loose the run of ourselves.......

Diabhal Beag

That kind of talk is purely people trying to sneer at Galway or just stupidity. This isn't a side that will go places this year. A Leinster final would be great. Next year is what will define Cunningham (hope to **** they don't get rid of him after one year).

Diabhal Beag

From TribesmanGAA

The Galway senior Football panel has been announced for the Connacht and All-Ireland championship for 2012. Galway manager Alan Mulholland along with his selectors Alan Flynn and Donal Ó Fátharta have chosen a 31 man panel. Included are 13 from the under 21 All-Ireland winning squad from last year and 6 who won the minor title back in 2007.

1 Adrian Faherty
2 Colin Forde
3 Conor Doherty
4 Cormac Bane
5 Damien Burke
6 Danny Cummins
7 Diarmaid Blake
8 Finian Hanley
9 Fiontán O'Curraoin
10 Gareth Bradshaw
11 Gary O'Donnell
12 Gary Sice
13 Gary Sweeney
14 Greg Higgins
15 Joe Bergin
16 Johnny Duane
17 Joss Moore
18 Keith Kelly
19 Kieran McGrath
20 Manus Breathnach
21 Mark Hehir
22 Michael Boyle
23 Michael Martin
24 Michael Meehan
25 Niall Coleman
26 Padraig Joyce
27 Paul Conroy
28 Peadar O'Griofa
29 Sean Armstrong
30 Thomas Flynn
31 Tomas Fahy

The panel sees the omission of a few players who played in the FBD league and Nation football league, Cathal Kenny, Nicky Joyce, Johnny Ryan, Joe Joe Greaney and Donal O' Neill. The management team has stated that the panel is open ended and they will continue to keep an eye on club games. The Roscommon game will come too soon for Conor Doherty and Fiontán O'Curraoin as both are recovering from injury. Galway face Roscommon on the 20th of May in Hyde Park, Roscommon in the primarily round of the Connacht championship.

Big news: Meehan is in the panel along with Armstrong and no Nicky Joyce.

InchicoreDude

Seems very harsh on Nicky Joyce. Despite his discinplinary issue for the Monaghan game, he did well in the league & FBD. There must be serious doubts amongst the management about his commitment for the championship... I thought he was Galways best player by a distance in the early matches of 2012.

Who is Joss Moore? Dont think I have ever heard of him before??

Syferus

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

From TribesmanGAA



Big news: Meehan is in the panel along with Armstrong and no Nicky Joyce.

He played 25 minutes in a senior league club game in his first appearance for Caltra since 2009, if he features at all this year it will like be of little signification, the demands of inter-county championship football for even 20 minutes is huge. Certainly as someone looking from the outside in I wouldn't have any fear of my team facing the current version of Meehan, such is the troubles the poor guy has suffered.

cgpg5

InchicoreDude wrote: »

Seems very harsh on Nicky Joyce. Despite his discinplinary issue for the Monaghan game, he did well in the league & FBD. There must be serious doubts amongst the management about his commitment for the championship... I thought he was Galways best player by a distance in the early matches of 2012.

Who is Joss Moore? Dont think I have ever heard of him before??

Mountbellew! Played wing back for under 21 winning team last year. Was on NUI sigerson team this year. Great player

Utopia Parkway

A real pity to see Nicky gone. As difficult as he allegedly is to manage he is a genuine intercounty scoring forward. A bit hot and cold alright but lethal on his day. With Meehan only taking the first steps back from long-term injury I'm not sure we can afford to let Nicky go. That said I'm sure the management have their reasons. Nicky played well all through the league until missing training before the Monaghan game so I'm sure he was a big part of Mulholland's plans. Until recently anyway.

Something just clicked in my head recently in relation to Meehan.

He came off the bench last year against Meath with his ankle in no worse condition than it is now, he then broke his collarbone and came back off.

What happened to his ankle again between then and now, surely Caltra were finished up by then.

As we came back towards this year, it was all about the ankle again when he'd already made a successful comeback from it last summer.

Syferus

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Something just clicked in my head recently in relation to Meehan.

He came off the bench last year against Meath with his ankle in no worse condition than it is now, he then broke his collarbone and came back off.

What happened to his ankle again between then and now, surely Caltra were finished up by then.

As we came back towards this year, it was all about the ankle again when he'd already made a successful comeback from it last summer.

He has no cartilage on the joint. Their is no 'successful comeback'; just bad days where he can do jack squat and better days where he can train semi-properly. Imagine two bones rubbing up against each other raw, that's essentially what's happening in his foot when he walks. You don't regrow cartilage.

Our David Casey had the same situation in both his knees and despite being one of the classiest half-backs in the country, had to retire before he turned thirty. Life can play you some dodgy hands.

Diabhal Beag

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Something just clicked in my head recently in relation to Meehan.

He came off the bench last year against Meath with his ankle in no worse condition than it is now, he then broke his collarbone and came back off.

What happened to his ankle again between then and now, surely Caltra were finished up by then.

As we came back towards this year, it was all about the ankle again when he'd already made a successful comeback from it last summer.

Did he not start against Meath?

aidan24326

It's a shame that Nicky Joyce isn't included. He seemed to be going well enough in the league for the most part. I've a feeling we might not see him in a Galway jersey again. Such a wasted talent as he's capable of being our best forward on his day.

Big game on May 20th, we need to win it as Galway have a shocking record in the qualifiers. Would be great if Meehan could even play a role as a 15-20 minute sub. That in itself would be a bonus.

dartsfan

aidan24326 wrote: »

It's a shame that Nicky Joyce isn't included. He seemed to be going well enough in the league for the most part. I've a feeling we might not see him in a Galway jersey again. Such a wasted talent as he's capable of being our best forward on his day.

Big game on May 20th, we need to win it as Galway have a shocking record in the qualifiers. Would be great if Meehan could even play a role as a 15-20 minute sub. That in itself would be a bonus.

Any ideas why he wasn't included? Very diplomatic statement from Mulholland, was he not turning up for training?

aidan24326

dartsfan wrote: »

Any ideas why he wasn't included? Very diplomatic statement from Mulholland, was he not turning up for training?

I don't know the full ins and outs of it. It's disappointing because it had seemed prior to this that Nicky was putting the effort in this year. He'd been playing quite well too. But that's the way it's always been with him, he's a bit of s loose cannon and maybe Mulholland felt he was just a liability at this stage. Quite possibly he wasn't giving the committment to training, he doesn't really have the dedication required for county football.

TomKat

I can imagine with the team being at its weakest for a long long time and having been around a while he may have lost motivation, which I don't blame him for to an extent. This also sheds a light however how much of a hero PJ is, how does he does it??? Anyone have his number would pay for the answer!

Diabhal Beag

Great news in the story that Meehan played against Laois last week in a challenge match. It was only the second half but he's getting game time which is great.

Armstrong played too but I'd say he's far more likely to start against Roscommon.

Here's the link

aidan24326

Probably be a bit soon for Meehan in terms of starting but even to have him in reserve to potentially come on for the last 15 or 20 minutes would be a great boost. Armstrong will be in contention to start I'd say, though not guaranteed a starting place by any means.

10.Sice 11.PJ 12.Bane

13.Martin 14.Conroy 15.Cummins/Armstrong

will that be close to s starting forward line?

Thoughts?

InchicoreDude

Probably be a bit soon for Meehan in terms of starting but even to have him in reserve to potentially come on for the last 15 or 20 minutes would be a great boost. Armstrong will be in contention to start I'd say, though not guaranteed a starting place by any means.

10.Sice 11.PJ 12.Bane

13.Martin 14.Conroy 15.Cummins/Armstrong

will that be close to s starting forward line?

Thoughts?

Not far off I'd imagine, but I suspect Mulholland will persevere with D. Burke at number 11. And P. Joyce will be used as a sub.

Bane is doubtful too. He hasnt had a great league; you could argue he wasnt given a chance. Either way, I dont think Mulholland is a big fan of him and will almost sertainly choose Hehir ahead of him. Mulholland seems to be an admirer of Hehir. Unless, they put Flynn at number 12 which I also think is a real possibility.

I think a forward line of:

Sice Burke Hehir
Martin Conroy Cummins

is more realistic. Possibly Hehir will be 15, Cummins dropped and Flynn 12 as Hehir & Cummins are both a bit on the light side.

aidan24326

InchicoreDude wrote: »

Not far off I'd imagine, but I suspect Mulholland will persevere with D. Burke at number 11. And P. Joyce will be used as a sub.

Bane is doubtful too. He hasnt had a great league; you could argue he wasnt given a chance. Either way, I dont think Mulholland is a big fan of him and will almost sertainly choose Hehir ahead of him. Mulholland seems to be an admirer of Hehir. Unless, they put Flynn at number 12 which I also think is a real possibility.

I think a forward line of:

Sice Burke Hehir
Martin Conroy Cummins

is more realistic. Possibly Hehir will be 15, Cummins dropped and Flynn 12 as Hehir & Cummins are both a bit on the light side.

I know Mulholland seems to be a fan of Hehir but I'm beginning to wonder why. He was good for the U-21s alright but hasn't transferred that to senior level and has been quite disappointing the few times I've seen him.

I'm not convinced about Burke at number 11 either, though Sice has been excellent at 10 and will surely start. To me if Padraig is fully fit he has to start, as much as having him as an impact sub might be tempting. With Meehan seemingly fit enough to play even a limited role we'll have him as an impact sub anyway (though whether the ankle will stand up to the rigours of intercounty championship football is obviously still in question).

Diabhal Beag

Sice has earned his place for sure. Joyce will surely start now if Meehan will be a sub. Armstrong will start. Hopefully Conroy will stay full forward as he had some great showings at times. I doubt Martin and Cummins will both start together though.

If we had Nicky in there it would be a very exciting prospect facing Roscommon.

Is Bradshaw still injured?

InchicoreDude

I cant see P. Joyce starting. He absolutely controlled the Monaghan game but Mulholland still opted to leave on the bench for the Kildare game. If he didnt start him there, I dont think he will start against Roscommon.

We actually seem quite short in the forwards in a way as if Meehan / armstrong get injured again, I think there are not many options.

I figure Sice (who had an outstanding league and could surprise a lot of people in c'ship) and Conroy are the only 2 certain starters in the forward line.

I doubt Martin and Cummins will both start together though.

Why? I see no reason for them not to?? With N. Joyce gone (and assuming Meehan * Armstrong not fit to start), I dont see many other options if you go with a 3 man full forward line...

Diabhal Beag

InchicoreDude wrote: »

Why? I see no reason for them not to?? With N. Joyce gone (and assuming Meehan * Armstrong not fit to start), I dont see many other options if you go with a 3 man full forward line...

The way I see Mulholland's mind working is that two impact subs like Joyce and Meehan on the bench (Meehan is almost a certainty not to start) could leave us on the back-pedal and make it too late to pull out the win knowing Shine's form in previous years. Even if only for the first half and a bit of the second we need Joyce's experience.

InchicoreDude

The way I see Mulholland's mind working is that two impact subs like Joyce and Meehan on the bench (Meehan is almost a certainty not to start) could leave us on the back-pedal and make it too late to pull out the win knowing Shine's form in previous years. Even if only for the first half and a bit of the second we need Joyce's experience.

Well that doesnt really my 'why' question; I was asking why you didnt think Martin & Cummins would not start together.

I actually think Mulholland sees Joyce purely as an impact sub. My reasoning for that is purely based on the Monaghan game. After Joyce's performance in that match, there was every reason to start him aginst Kildare. But Mulholland chose not to. I cant see why it would be different come c'ship now. Personally, I would be tempted to start him. But I think Mulholland feels differently.

Also, it is difficult to assess just how much impact Meehan is actually capable of making any more; I really hope he is still up to it though, a fantastic player...

TomKat

Times are certainly changing in Galway football.

aidan24326

TomKat wrote: »

Times are certainly changing in Galway football.

They are? And how do you figure that one now? Changing how exactly?

Diabhal Beag

TomKat wrote: »

Times are certainly changing in Galway football.

Is the great Kieran "Woops" Fitzgerald returning?

MfMan

TomKat wrote: »

Times are certainly changing in Galway football.

Actually, it's hard to see how. Mulholland hasn't really any more or better players than were available to his 2 predecessors, and he's lost a couple of better ones to injury, well, Meehan anyway. The footballers are as big an enigma as the hurlers, can be as bad as to lose to Westmeath and then nearly beat Kildare in the space of a month. We hope that they will have a prolonged run in the c'ship this year, but it's nothing more than hope.

24yearslater

The Roscommon match on Sunday fortnight next is beginning to look like a critical one for Mulholland already - win it & we could realistically get to an AI quarter final, lose it & we could be gone by the middle of June. If we beat them we should make the Connacht final, and whilst I fully accept that Mayo are at a far superior level than we've been at for the last few years, I've no doubt we could have a right crack off them in Salthill on a good day for us. It's not beyond the realms of possibilities we could beat them. Alternatively if Roscommon beat us we might not go past the first round of the back door, given our appalling record in it over the years (with the obvious exception of '01). My fear is if this happens we could be back to the back-stabbing that has littered the Galway GAA political landscape over the years, and someone immediately starts pointing the finger at AM. I'm not sure anyone has the stomach for another heave after all that went on over the past few years, but if mud gets thrown some of it might stick, and then some players might begin to have doubts.

I've no idea how good or bad the Rossies are this year, but all I know is that they seem to making goods strides at underage. It'll be interesting to see how their U21s get on v Dub on Sunday. I'd say they'll put it up to them anyway. I was at the Gal/Mo u21 Connachr semi earlier in the year, and I though Mayo would take stopping after it. So Ross must have a lot going for them to subsequently have bet them. Their seniors were dissappointing in Div 3 - I'm sur they would have expected to get promoted. They were unlucky to lose last years Connacht final thou, so maybe if they add a couple of players from the U21s they mightn't be far away.

It has the makings of a cracker - but given what I saw in the last couple of National League games, and also keeping in mind it's time we started delivering again, I'm going for a narrow Tribal victory. Shades of Castlebar '98 perhaps - maybe just a tad over-optimistic!

aidan24326

Big game against the Rossies alright. Galway would want to be avoiding the qualifiers for as long as possible given our shocking record in them. Win and only Sligo stand in the way of a Connaught Final and what would be a great test against a pretty good Mayo team. (not that Sligo are any pushover but they're beatable all the same). Lose and we're back in the minefield of the qualifiers and with a 6 week gap until the first round (June 30th). This could be one of the most important Connaught Championship games Galway have played for quite some time.

Diabhal Beag

A lot of people buying into the usual hype sadly. To be focused on anything short of the Roscommon match is ridiculous. And also New York have a good shot at beating Sligo too. That's a county that was rocked by Roscommon badly by under-rating them after beating Galway.

aidan24326

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

A lot of people buying into the usual hype sadly. To be focused on anything short of the Roscommon match is ridiculous.

What hype? I haven't seen any. I think any half-knowledgable Galway supporter will know better than to be looking too far ahead. It's one game at a time but there's no harm in speculating. Bear in mind we have to beat Roscommon and Sligo to get to a Connaught Final, not Kerry and Dublin. As ordinary as Galway are right now those are not teams to fear (though on current form I would fear Mayo). And I know the Rossies certainly won't fear us either, but then they never did fear Galway even when we had much better teams.

And also New York have a good shot at beating Sligo too.

It's impossible to say with New York. Their team tends to change a fair bit from year to year and as usual they're a bit of an unknown quantity. Sligo are forewarned though as they know NY have given Connaught teams a couple of major frights in recent years.