Galway GAA Discussion Thread #2

6:15pm on Saturday. Not great for families travelling up.

Yeah I was hoping for 4pm Sunday.

Won't rule it out yet but makes a long day of it.

I can see Heaney starting the next day, we need a steady ship first 15 minutes... I see Gleeson, Conroy and Maher got on team of the week, no more than they deserve

Wouldn't start Daly now. Mulkerrins has acquitted himself very well the past 2 matches and, critically, has a lot more pace than Daly. Would also have Heaney in for Darcy, (more football nous) and possibly have a midfield of Tierney and McDaid with Conroy no. 11.

Was thinking the same thing myself - Maher could easily keep Fenton nullified but would be nullifying himself in the process. Maher is one of the few players that regularly takes route 1 at the opposition, don't fancy losing that.

Matchups are huge. I'm of the opinion a couple of big calls are required. For me:

Basquel = McGrath or Glynn. Whoever doesn't pick him up moves out to track Kilkenny. After Glynn doing a great job on P. Clifford I would of thought him but McGrath did well in the half back line against O' Hanlon against Monaghan. Either or.

Silke on Costello.

McHugh on Scully.

Big one is to move Sean Kelly onto O Callaghan. Only two players in Ireland where I feel this is necessary to bring Kelly back and that's O Callaghan and Clifford. It's would be hugely unfair on Fitzgerald or Mulkerrin (probably Fitzgerald as Mulkerrin is a great reader of the game and would do well sitting in front of O Callaghan) but I think it's required. If he sticks with Fitzgerald I'm sure they will keep a second body close to goal.

Midfield. Maher would I'm sure annoy the hole off Fenton. Other option would be to put Matty standing beside Fenton. He's playing well. Great in the air. Could be a time to step him up and say now is your time to lead. Rather than just worry about Fenton, give Fenton something to worry about going the other way.

Half forward line of McDaid, Tierney/Maher and D'Arcy. I don't expect us to go short a whole lot (unfortunately) especially early on. To this end. Tierney/Maher and D'Arcy hug the touchline and isolate them one on one keeping kickouts as far away from Fenton Lahiff as possible.

Full forward line depends what's fit. Walsh/Comer struggling then bench them till 40 to 45 mins, hopefully still in the game bring them and go for it. Finnerty would do well if isolated and decent ball in. If Comer and Walsh not fit then somebody needs to go in beside him.

All evidence so far we can put up barriers to keep us in the game for a long period. Dublins tenacity to press the ball may test what we have done so far. While they set up defensively like any other team they press the person on the ball a lot more intensely. This can A) lead to turnovers but B) if handling is good and hands are quick you can break their lines.

McCaffery appears late sub in Heaney to track (Sweeney/Flaherty do the same but Heaney more experienced not to have a lapse in concentration) once lads start to tire empty the bench. Plenty of speed waiting in the wings.

Need to keep Dublin honest so along with Finnerty another body is required. If its not Walsh and Comer then probably O Conghaile (who plays further out the pitch) and one of Culhane or O Curraoin to play inside with Finnerty.

Lots of decisions. I fear just going with what we have done so far will potentially be picked apart.

now is the time to unleash hell. we have the panel and players to play a more expansive type of football.

Didn't mean matchups as in they'll be following these lads all over the pitch but when the ball is thrown in someone will be standing beside someone and that's the way I expect (for the most part) for them to line up. Our defensive structure will mean whoever comes into certain zones will be picked up by the nearest man.

In saying that I'd be surprised if Kilkenny is not assigned a marker. In the league management specifically started Eoghan Kelly to follow him around for the day. If they felt he was that important in the league I don't think they'll think differently now. Glynn or McGrath for me will be tracking him.

I think even with the injuries if we just had 2 weeks to plan and prepare we'd have a right good chance. Provided Comer could play a half of football. I mean a fortnight of drilling into each player what's expected when marking x player, working and working on taking goal chances etc.

But 5 days prep with tired bodies and minds is a big big challenge. Im hoping Comer is held back, I think we'll be in it at half time. Unleash Comer then!

Park in Maynooth / Leixlip, take train in and alight in Drumcondra. Avoids all traffic hassle on the north side.

Kerry in Croker in 2018 was similar odds to Saturday coming. Mayo in 2016 was bigger again, 5/1

Between Taylor Swift and Pride, I would avoid the city entirely - it will be totally bedlam, bicycle the only option for the locals

Yes. Some of the trains servicing this route may be inter-city and probably won't stop at these closer-in stations for the day that's in it. Other trains just terminate at Maynooth; tickets for these can be bought locally. Note, at Leixlip Louisa Bridge, if the office isn't manned, there are kiosks at the entrance to the station walkway selling tickets. These are usually so slow that by the time your turn comes, you would have walked all the way in anyway (or missed a couple of trains in the meantime). Sometimes, ahem, it's worth chancing getting aboard without a ticket, and buying a return in Drumcondra if you like. On a day like tomorrow, when there's large crowds using the service, most often they just wave passengers through without checking. Note also, if parking at Leixlip LB, make sure to pay the parking toll. They can and do take pleasure in clamping unpaid parkers. You may have to download and install the Apcoa parking app on your phone in advance and set up payment procedures on it.

Pity about Sweeney. Thought we'd need his energy and legs tomorrow in a big way.

That forward line is bloody good. Just a pity we're carrying injuries. I still think if Comer isn't certain about a full match I think he should be kept back to make sure he's there for the last 20.