Galway GAA Discussion Thread #2

Hammer Archer

Previous thread continued from here
Generally there's not much trouble but I'll put the generic mod warning in anyway:
No personal abuse of players, managers (including opposition ones) and posters.
No speculation into the personal lives of players.
No trolling. Non-Galway posters are welcome to participate but any winding up will be treated harshly.
Report any posts that cross the line.

djPSB

First post should always be a comical one.

Mayo for Sam.

sgthighway

Sure what’s a GAA Thread without a bit of winding up.
Club Fixtures coming hot and fast now.
It looks like Portumna won’t qualify out of group?

Stationmaster

Could someone put up a summary of how the groups stand now for the hurling championship - I forgot to get the Examiner Monday and the fecking Independent was useless.

Mr Velo

Stationmaster wrote: »

Could someone put up a summary of how the groups stand now for the hurling championship - I forgot to get the Examiner Monday and the fecking Independent was useless.

http://galwaygaa.ie/senior-hurling-qualifiers-2015

fearruanua

Mr Velo wrote: »

http://galwaygaa.ie/senior-hurling-qualifiers-2015

what's the format then in the knockout stages? how many teams from A and B get through?

jr86

Top 2 in both senior A groups straight through to quarters

3rd and 4th in both groups go into preliminary quarter vs top 2 in both Senior B groups

5th and 6th in both groups go into relegation playoff with 2 dropping to Senior B next year, and the top team in both Senior B groups promoted

leestone

Noel Lane to link up the senior hurlers management team next year??

Any substance to it.

fearruanua

jr86 wrote: »

Top 2 in both senior A groups straight through to quarters

3rd and 4th in both groups go into preliminary quarter vs top 2 in both Senior B groups

5th and 6th in both groups go into relegation playoff with 2 dropping to Senior B next year, and the top team in both Senior B groups promoted

thanks Jr.
I knew it was something like that but wasn't certain.

Senior B really is glorified intermediate so. you could top your group after winning 5 "senior" matches and still you aren't guaranteed a quarter final spot.

I know i bang on about this a lot but there are 24 "senior clubs" in galway.
8 too many in my opinion. Whole system needs a massive overhaul and call senior B what it is....intermediate. in my opinion the ideal would 16 senior teams 16 intermediate teams.

what do others think??

jr86

fearruanua wrote: »

thanks Jr.
I knew it was something like that but wasn't certain.

Senior B really is glorified intermediate so. you could top your group after winning 5 "senior" matches and still you aren't guaranteed a quarter final spot.

I know i bang on about this a lot but there are 24 "senior clubs" in galway.
8 too many in my opinion. Whole system needs a massive overhaul and call senior B what it is....intermediate. in my opinion the ideal would 16 senior teams 16 intermediate teams.

what do others think??

Fully agree

They've changed Dublin football to 16 teams in senior A and 16 in Senior B (basically intermediate) and its working very well.

Call the second division Senior B or intermediate - whatever - but either way I think senior (A) with 4 groups of 4 and 16 teams in total is the ideal format for both Galway hurling and football championships

Diabhal Beag

Army retired again. Much more influential second time around as a wise old head. Hope he enjoys retirement.

evolving tipperary

Heard there is a financial scandal set to break in Galway GAA - any truth to it?

Happyilylost

evolving tipperary wrote:

Heard there is a financial scandal set to break in Galway GAA - any truth to it?

If it was done in every county I think the same scandal would be in the news. Trying to get money collected at the gate of games into the coffers of the county board seems to very difficult in Galway!

TCDStudent1

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Army retired again. Much more influential second time around as a wise old head. Hope he enjoys retirement.

Quality player. Was a bit unlucky the first time around as he ended up playing on a very poor Galway team. A few years ago, I suggested on here he would be worth bringing back into the panel and was slated for it. But I've seen him play so well so many times for Salthill, I thought he could offer something and he did. I'd have been inclined to try convince him for 1 more year. However, it may have been 1 year too much. I think he can leave this time knowing he has given it everything which I suspect admit the case the last time.

Happyilylost

TCDStudent1 wrote:

Quality player. Was a bit unlucky the first time around as he ended up playing on a very poor Galway team. A few years ago, I suggested on here he would be worth bringing back into the panel and was slated for it. But I've seen him play so well so many times for Salthill, I thought he could offer something and he did. I'd have been inclined to try convince him for 1 more year. However, it may have been 1 year too much. I think he can leave this time knowing he has given it everything which I suspect admit the case the last time.

As you said he played in a period where Galway were quite poor. Will always wonder though if he could of stayed more injury free along with Mike Meehan could things of been better. Never forget that game against Down when the two lads went to town on them.

spurshero

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Quality player. Was a bit unlucky the first time around as he ended up playing on a very poor Galway team. A few years ago, I suggested on here he would be worth bringing back into the panel and was slated for it. But I've seen him play so well so many times for Salthill, I thought he could offer something and he did. I'd have been inclined to try convince him for 1 more year. However, it may have been 1 year too much. I think he can leave this time knowing he has given it everything which I suspect admit the case the last time.

would love to seen him give it one more year. thought he was the perfect kind of player to bring on with 20 to go. could read a game very well and play the perfect pass . could kick a nice score or two as well , personally wouldnt have started him v dublin as at this stage of career he was better at finishing then starting games ,

gammygils

spurshero wrote: »

would love to seen him give it one more year. thought he was the perfect kind of player to bring on with 20 to go. could read a game very well and play the perfect pass . could kick a nice score or two as well , personally wouldnt have started him v dublin as at this stage of career he was better at finishing then starting games ,

Have to agree. Better as an impact sub

grbear

In an ideal world he'd be able to stick around for a bit longer but if he isn't sure his body is up to it then he is a lot better off calling it a day instead of taking an unnecessary risk. A great player when he was fit to play.

grbear

Any idea when, or if, we'll see the report from this audit of the County Board?


I've heard (unrepeatable) rumours about the carry on of people related to the board for years and I'm hoping we'll see what's fact and what's fiction driven by sour grapes soon enough.

spurshero

grbear wrote: »

Any idea when, or if, we'll see the report from this audit of the County Board?


I've heard (unrepeatable) rumours about the carry on of people related to the board for years and I'm hoping we'll see what's fact and what's fiction driven by sour grapes soon enough.

Fairly strong rumours there’s gonna be Garda involvement .

evolving tipperary

John Hynes has stepped away just before release - stating 'personal reasons.'

The audit will be presented to delegates at the next county board meeting, possibly within two weeks.

evolving tipperary

Central Council are flexing. Galway have a €3.1m loan after the purchase of Mountain South. Bought for €2.5m in 2008 and available now for €750,000.

The audit has shown up significant "errors".

I'd say lads were hoping the Ed Sheerhan concerts would cover up everything. And they will. There will be a healthy balance due to those concerts. But, money, lumps and lumps of money, are going walkies... around roundabouts and turning back up again or else getting lost entirely...

Are the Galway Races still popular?

Utopia Parkway

Senior football championship down to the quarter final stage

SFC Quarter finals

Annaghdown v St James
Mountbellew-Moylough v Moycullen
Corofin v Caherlistrane
Milltown v Salthill Knocknacarra

And Intermediate football championship down to the semis

Headford v An Spideal
Oileain Arann v Michael Breathnach

threeball

There won't be much love loss in Corofin v Caherlistrane. There'll be an edge to that one.

GalwayLurker

threeball wrote: »

There won't be much love loss in Corofin v Caherlistrane. There'll be an edge to that one.

Local derby which will definitely have an edge to it but also an inevitable result.

jr86

Caherlistrane will probably do well to keep it to single figures I'm afraid

James's v Annaghdown could be a close one, especially if Duane is back. It might suit this Moycullen team to be underdogs but they're really flattering to deceive this season. Salthill/Milltown is a pick em, only just about got over Tuam yesterday

3 teams to be put out of their misery - not before time, I'll go with Litir Mor, Caltra, and Kilconly to face the drop

Think it'll be Spiddal/MB in intermediate, though the Islands will fancy their chances

TCDStudent1

jr86 wrote: »

Caherlistrane will probably do well to keep it to single figures I'm afraid

James's v Annaghdown could be a close one, especially if Duane is back. It might suit this Moycullen team to be underdogs but they're really flattering to deceive this season. Salthill/Milltown is a pick em, only just about got over Tuam yesterday

3 teams to be put out of their misery - not before time, I'll go with Litir Mor, Caltra, and Kilconly to face the drop

Think it'll be Spiddal/MB in intermediate, though the Islands will fancy their chances

Annaghdown, Mountbellew, Corofin, Milltown to progress.



I think Caherlistrane might run Corofin a bit closer than people think. They gave Mountbellew a decent match and are a very big powerful team around the middle which Corofin could potentially find hard to deal with.



I'll go for Leitir Mor, Caltra & Cortoon to go down.

h2005

What dates are the football quarter finals down for?

Utopia Parkway

h2005 wrote: »

What dates are the football quarter finals down for?

Two this coming weekend and the other two the following weekend.

jr86

You sure? None fixed this weekend on GalwayGAA

Its a full hurling round of fixtures this week, so don't know how they'd fit in 2 quarters.

Moycullen and Annaghdown will be hugely affected by hurling, but would also have thought James's, Salthill, and Mountbellew would all be affected in some way even if its only a player or two each

TCDStudent1

jr86 wrote: »

You sure? None fixed this weekend on GalwayGAA

Its a full hurling round of fixtures this week, so don't know how they'd fit in 2 quarters.

Moycullen and Annaghdown will be hugely affected by hurling, but would also have thought James's, Salthill, and Mountbellew would all be affected in some way even if its only a player or two each

They are on the weekend of 6th / 7th from what I heard.

aidan24326

Happyilylost wrote: »

As you said he played in a period where Galway were quite poor. Will always wonder though if he could of stayed more injury free along with Mike Meehan could things of been better. Never forget that game against Down when the two lads went to town on them.

Both were a bit unlucky that they played most of their senior Galway career on poor Galway teams and when Galway football was at a low ebb. Meehan in particular was very unlucky with timing and injuries as on his day he was up there with the best forwards of the last 20 years. Together at underage they were unmarkable.

I says

Mullagh and portumna from group b and Craughwell and killnadeema from group a the bottom teams.
I presume teams can’t play each other from same group losers go down.

jr86

Its Portumna v Craughwell and KL v Mullagh and the losers go down to Senior B. Turlough and TAD gone up to senior A next year

Its been a remarkable fall for Craughwell this year, after making the last 4 semis in a row.

grbear

Is it tonight the results of the audit are going to come out?

Happyilylost

grbear wrote:

Is it tonight the results of the audit are going to come out?

Information is been given to club delegates tonight. A portion of this is with the Gardai so I'm not sure can that information be given out if it's a criminal investigation?

GalwayLurker

Happyilylost wrote: »

Information is been given to club delegates tonight. A portion of this is with the Gardai so I'm not sure can that information be given out if it's a criminal investigation?

No media allowed into the meeting either according to one of the Tuam Herald reporters on twitter.

Hulk Hands

Happyilylost wrote: »

Information is been given to club delegates tonight. A portion of this is with the Gardai so I'm not sure can that information be given out if it's a criminal investigation?

Only 80k from the two Ed Sheeran concerts. Pairc UI Caoimh made approx 1 mil from 3 concerts. I think it's safe to assume where most of the money went. Perhaps it was the apple to tip the cart. Although reporting 18k at Galway Kilkenny the following week when Pearse stadium has never been as full was an amusing one also

Doctors room ghost

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Only 80k from the two Ed Sheeran concerts. Pairc UI Caoimh made approx 1 mil from 3 concerts. I think it's safe to assume where most of the money went. Perhaps it was the apple to tip the cart. Although reporting 18k at Galway Kilkenny the following week when Pearse stadium has never been as full was an amusing one also

Sticky fingers in the leather satchel again.

grbear

Between the rumours of dodginess and the confirmed ineptitude Galway County Board are doing a great job of driving away potential sponsors/donors.


Must be infuriating for people like the committee raising money to develop Tuam Stadium for stories like this to come out just as they are launching another fundraising draw.

GalwayLurker

grbear wrote: »

Between the rumours of dodginess and the confirmed ineptitude Galway County Board are doing a great job of driving away potential sponsors/donors.


Must be infuriating for people like the committee raising money to develop Tuam Stadium for stories like this to come out just as they are launching another fundraising draw.

It's well publicised that this is a local group trying to update their local ground with little to no financial help from the county board, that might work in their favour in this case as potential sponsors or investors might prefer to support their cause rather than get involved in the latest drama to hit the GAA in Galway.

MfMan

GalwayLurker wrote: »

It's well publicised that this is a local group trying to update their local ground with little to no financial help from the county board, that might work in their favour in this case as potential sponsors or investors might prefer to support their cause rather than get involved in the latest drama to hit the GAA in Galway.

They're targeting to have next year's home league game V Kerry played in Tuam, the other 2 home ones will be in Galway. Hope it's a fine day!

On the playing front, football Senior quarter finals and Intermediate semi-finals go ahead this weekend. Corofin look bankers v Caherlistrane; Annaghdown, though having injury concerns of their own, should overcome St. James, probably without both Paul Conroy and Johnny Duane. Mountbellew, one of the form teams again this year, even at 8/15 look the bet of the weekend over an ordinary-performing Moycullen. Salthill V Milltown looks to be the closest match on paper; Milltown have also been in great form this season and are one of the top scoring sides so far, but they haven't as yet met a stern test like the seasiders. Even given their inconsistency and flakiness, I give the slight nod to Salthill here.

In the Intermediate, both games predicted to be close and hard-fought. Aran Islands play Breathnachs, I fancy the latter with a smidgin of more big-game experience to come through. An Spideal v Headford also hard to call, but An Spideal put up a big score v Menlough in the last round and look to be timing their run nicely. So, a Gaeltacht derby for the final I predict.

In the hurling prelims, Killimordaly should just have enough craft for Athenry while Clarinbridge, if the day is fine, probably have more skill and ability against a tough but lacking-in-finesse Pearses side.

TCDStudent1

MfMan wrote: »

They're targeting to have next year's home league game V Kerry played in Tuam, the other 2 home ones will be in Galway. Hope it's a fine day!

On the playing front, football Senior quarter finals and Intermediate semi-finals go ahead this weekend. Corofin look bankers v Caherlistrane; Annaghdown, though having injury concerns of their own, should overcome St. James, probably without both Paul Conroy and Johnny Duane. Mountbellew, one of the form teams again this year, even at 8/15 look the bet of the weekend over an ordinary-performing Moycullen. Salthill V Milltown looks to be the closest match on paper; Milltown have also been in great form this season and are one of the top scoring sides so far, but they haven't as yet met a stern test like the seasiders. Even given their inconsistency and flakiness, I give the slight nod to Salthill here.

In the Intermediate, both games predicted to be close and hard-fought. Aran Islands play Breathnachs, I fancy the latter with a smidgin of more big-game experience to come through. An Spideal v Headford also hard to call, but An Spideal put up a big score v Menlough in the last round and look to be timing their run nicely. So, a Gaeltacht derby for the final I predict.

In the hurling prelims, Killimordaly should just have enough craft for Athenry while Clarinbridge, if the day is fine, probably have more skill and ability against a tough but lacking-in-finesse Pearses side.

Not sure about that. Annaghdown are better than anything Milltown faced but they beat Salthill well. Moycullen & Monivea are superior teams to Kilanin, Tuam & Barna who were in Salthill's group.

grbear

GalwayLurker wrote: »

grbear wrote: »

Between the rumours of dodginess and the confirmed ineptitude Galway County Board are doing a great job of driving away potential sponsors/donors.


Must be infuriating for people like the committee raising money to develop Tuam Stadium for stories like this to come out just as they are launching another fundraising draw.

It's well publicised that this is a local group trying to update their local ground with little to no financial help from the county board, that might work in their favour in this case as potential sponsors or investors might prefer to support their cause rather than get involved in the latest drama to hit the GAA in Galway.

Hopefully that'll be the case as they are doing good work and there was talk after last weeks fundraising launch that they might have secured a reasonable investment from local business. It's tough for them because local clubs are also fundraising at the same time. Tuam Stars have done a lot of work on their facilities nover the past ten years.

I just meant it must be annoying for them (and anyone else raising funds for a GAA project in Galway) to be hearing these stories about the County board either mismanaging money or failing to maximize the potential of events like the Ed Sheeran concerts. I get that Pairc Ui Chaoimh is a different class of facility to Pearse Stadium but if Cork were able to get around €330,000 per concert then surely Galway should have been able to get at least €100,000? An extra €100,000 would have really boosted the Tuam project or gone a small way to help pay off that farm in Athenry.

jr86

MfMan wrote: »

They're targeting to have next year's home league game V Kerry played in Tuam, the other 2 home ones will be in Galway. Hope it's a fine day!

On the playing front, football Senior quarter finals and Intermediate semi-finals go ahead this weekend. Corofin look bankers v Caherlistrane; Annaghdown, though having injury concerns of their own, should overcome St. James, probably without both Paul Conroy and Johnny Duane. Mountbellew, one of the form teams again this year, even at 8/15 look the bet of the weekend over an ordinary-performing Moycullen. Salthill V Milltown looks to be the closest match on paper; Milltown have also been in great form this season and are one of the top scoring sides so far, but they haven't as yet met a stern test like the seasiders. Even given their inconsistency and flakiness, I give the slight nod to Salthill here.

In the Intermediate, both games predicted to be close and hard-fought. Aran Islands play Breathnachs, I fancy the latter with a smidgin of more big-game experience to come through. An Spideal v Headford also hard to call, but An Spideal put up a big score v Menlough in the last round and look to be timing their run nicely. So, a Gaeltacht derby for the final I predict.

In the hurling prelims, Killimordaly should just have enough craft for Athenry while Clarinbridge, if the day is fine, probably have more skill and ability against a tough but lacking-in-finesse Pearses side.

I'd be amazed if Duane didn't play

Intermediate has been funny this year. Before the season I would have had MB, Oughterard, Oranmore and KC as the 'big 4' with maybe Menlough knocking on the door. Only one made the semis

MB/Spideal final I'd say but Aran will keep MB very honest

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Not sure about that. Annaghdown are better than anything Milltown faced but they beat Salthill well. Moycullen & Monivea are superior teams to Kilanin, Tuam & Barna who were in Salthill's group.

Think he meant Milltown haven't faced a team as good as Salthill.

I'd fancy the latter to sneak it myself, but its probably the hardest to call.

Utopia Parkway

Galway SFC championship quarter-finals

Mountbellew/Moylough 1-13 Moycullen 1-12 AET
Annaghdown 2-15 St James 2-9

Relegation playoffs

St Michael's 0-15 Kilconly 0-12
An Cheathru Rua 1-11 Tuam Stars 0-12

TCDStudent1

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Galway SFC championship quarter-finals

Mountbellew/Moylough 1-13 Moycullen 1-12 AET
Annaghdown 2-15 St James 2-9

Relegation playoffs

St Michael's 0-15 Kilconly 0-12
An Cheathru Rua 1-11 Tuam Stars 0-12

Shockingly bad result for Tuam

CloughCasey1

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Shockingly bad result for Tuam

Heard they had 13 wides in a row in second half

MfMan

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

Heard they had 13 wides in a row in second half

It doesn't mean they're relegated yet, just go into final relegation playoffs. Kilconly on thin ice too by the looks of things.

Annaghdown impressed from what I heard; don't know how it took M/M extra-time to beat Moycullen, so much stronger by all recent form prior to the game.

jr86

Wasn't too surprised it went to ET, Mountbellew had a shockingly easy group and are far from world beaters.

Tuam losing to Cheathru Rua was a major shock, 12/13 (heard it was 12 from a neighbour who was at the game) wides in a row tells its own story. Amazing what losing momentum and a loss of confidence can do

That said they'll probably get Caltra in the more familiar environment of Tuam Stadium and they've already beaten Barna.

Kilconly in right bother now.

With the 3 going down it brings huge intrigue but also it's interesting to acknowledge the massive consequences facing some of the clubs. Tuam and Barna would look to bounce straight back up and perhaps Cortoon but for Caltra, and Kilconly I'd expect a raft of retirements if they go down - and sadly if they do, they're more likely to be playing Junior in the next few years than Senior. Massive few weeks for them.

grbear

I wonder how much the Tuam lads have left in the tank. Not sure if things have changed under the current management but there was a lot of talk that they never took a break from training over the winter in 2015 & 2016. Mad carry on.