Galway GAA discussion thread

MfMan · 10-02-2012 04:04PM

Agree. Ryan simply doesn't look county level (yet). Is O Griofa on the panel? Came on as sub v Sligo in the FBD but wasn't mentioned among the 26 last week. Good prospect by all accounts. All injured or non-travelling players had a training session in Loughgeorge last Sunday morning; nice to know they're taking it seriously anyway.

Diabhal Beag · 11-02-2012 12:07AM

MfMan wrote: »

Agree. Ryan simply doesn't look county level (yet). Is O Griofa on the panel? Came on as sub v Sligo in the FBD but wasn't mentioned among the 26 last week.

Cut from the panel for the moment but he's still very young so expect to hear from him again soon.

InchicoreDude · 11-02-2012 11:11PM

Cut from the panel for the moment but he's still very young so expect to hear from him again soon.

What is the current panel?

Ryan is a good club player.

confuseddotcom · 12-02-2012 12:55AM

Hi,

Not sure where to post this. I did a search for TG4 but I didn't really get anywhere with it. Does anyone know if it's the norm for TG4 Player to only show one-half of a Match or is there something else I have to click into? I could only see Part One - the First-Half listed for the Galway/Derry Game last week .....

c_man · 12-02-2012 05:03PM

Wasn't able to go, too sick

Galway 1-7 Louth 0-10 at the mo

aidan24326 · 12-02-2012 05:28PM

Finished 1-8 to 0-11.

Tyrone hammered Derry today aswell, which kinda takes a little bit of the gloss off last week's result.

That said, 3 points from the first two games is a decent start. I'd be confident that Mulholland will get us competitive again if he's given time.

O.A.P · 12-02-2012 05:43PM

aidan24326 wrote: »

Finished 1-8 to 0-11.

Tyrone hammered Derry today aswell, which kinda takes a little bit of the gloss off last week's result.

That said, 3 points from the first two games is a decent start. I'd be confident that Mulholland will get us competitive again if he's given time.

Agreed I think he is the man that can bring us on. Of course our players will need to step up too.

Diabhal Beag · 12-02-2012 06:22PM

Awful showing from both Galway teams. Skehill was great and then made a ridiculous mistake in his own square to throw the match away. Joe Canning had 2 frees that were in his goal-range but pointed one and bottled the other. Fergal Moore was excellent in the 2nd half.

How Louth only got a draw I'll never know. They had 3 frees that were basic to score and missed them all. Galway showed glimpses of quality but yet again shown up in midfield by a fairly average side. Think that another win should keep us up with all that said.

Clemon · 13-02-2012 01:10AM

Fúcking absolute Muck today.....

Will take a long time to get the same crowd into Pearse Stadium again. Big opportunity for both teams to impress the fans and keep them coming back. A lot wont come back now knockout championship games now as they will feel, and rightfully so, let down by the players today.

Diabhal Beag · 13-02-2012 11:00AM

4,000 isn't a massive turnout for a League match though. I expect a decent crowd for the match against Meath and the other 2 are in Tuam.

MfMan · 13-02-2012 12:17PM

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Awful showing from both Galway teams. Skehill was great and then made a ridiculous mistake in his own square to throw the match away. Joe Canning had 2 frees that were in his goal-range but pointed one and bottled the other. Fergal Moore was excellent in the 2nd half.

How Louth only got a draw I'll never know. They had 3 frees that were basic to score and missed them all. Galway showed glimpses of quality but yet again shown up in midfield by a fairly average side. Think that another win should keep us up with all that said.

In fairness to Canning he got a slap on the hand (naturally) prior to taking the first free. Really should have gone for the point however, it would have maintained their momentum at a time when they were getting back into it. Bad and all as they undoubtedly were, only for Skehill's fumbling, there wouldn't have been a whole lot in it at the finish. You must remember we beat KK twice in the league in the last 2 years and nobody said then that we would go on to win the AI. Yesterday's was only a tournament game; the most important thing is that the management learn from it and know who is good and not good enough (a long list of the latter unfortunately).

Footballers really should have held out against Louth. Management had to change a beaten midfield but didn't. Also took off the wrong players; should have left Conroy and Martin on and subbed Sice and Nicky. A tight hard-graft game doesn't suit Nicky as he tends to carry the ball into contact too often and then lose it. Shane Maughan is too young and simply isn't up to county standard yet. Our bench is very weak too with no game changers on it.

RealityCheck · 13-02-2012 03:04PM

We need to calm down with the knee jerk reactions.

Yes they were both poor, but this is the time to be beaten. The two teams and managements could learn a few things from the defeat and draw.

Yes the Galway footballers were second best at midfield but the two midfielders are only 19 and they'll learn from the experience, seeing especially that Louth are a physical team with a very solid midfield. Some of ye are mad for disheartening the two lads at midfield. Personally I think they should be trying different combinations and think we were settling on a team too soon after the Derry game. Personally I'd like to see teams putting it up to Galway and seeing incremental improvement as we go through. We have 3 points so another couple of big performances should see us safe.

Will make a comment on the hurlers later, but this is the Walsh cup, no need to panic. These are long term plans so let the young players blood and look for incremental improvement over a longer period of time. People with major expectations this year should reevaluate. It will be at least a couple of years before we've any prospect of challenging.

RealityCheck · 13-02-2012 03:11PM

Clemon wrote: »

Fúcking absolute Muck today.....

Will take a long time to get the same crowd into Pearse Stadium again. Big opportunity for both teams to impress the fans and keep them coming back. A lot wont come back now knockout championship games now as they will feel, and rightfully so, let down by the players today.

You should reevaluate how realistic that expectation was. These are two teams that are at a very early stage of evolution and the fans should realize that. The supporters should be getting behind the team. Shows how fickle some are if a draw in the league and a loss in the Walsh cup turns them off going to Galway matches. What Galway teams have they been watching the past few years? Teams that beat Kilkenny in the league or teams that were beaten off the pitch in Thurles repeatedly in the Championship? Football teams that beat Tyrone in the league or teams that were meekly beaten by Mayo in the Championship?

24yearslater · 13-02-2012 03:34PM

Some positives to be taken from both games - hurlers started terribly, but were well in the game until Skehill made a criminal mistake for the 2nd cats goal (he has a tendency to make a mistake like that in every game he plays). Bit worrying the way they all flatlined after that - there was still 15 mins to go, and they were only 6 pts down even after the goal. On the plus side, Canning looked v good, as did David Burke, Hynes, Moore and Bernard Burke when he came on. Lots still to do, but that was an exceptionally strong kk side that Cody put out - 13 of their All-Ireland winning side from last year saw some action; yet at stages in the 2nd hald, esp after Moore went out centre back, Galway were going toe to toe with them. Dublin will tell a lot in 2 weeks.
Footballers were hanging on at the end, but I got the impression that some of them let the craptalk of the last week go to their heads after the win in Derry. They started a bit of showboating after they went 6 points up, and weren't able to regain their initiative after Louth got back into it. A good lesson for youg footballers to learn - when you have a team on the ropes put them away when you have a chance. Felt they were being a little disrespectful to Louth, who hads bags of experience over them. We did well to hold on to a point in the end, but I saw enough footballl in the first 20 mins to suggest they have the talent to improve our standing significantly over the next 2 years.
A good day out overall - it was good to see the GAA back in full swing after a long winter. Congrats also to Clonbur on their win yestarday - great victory for such a small club.

aidan24326 · 24-02-2012 01:31PM

Hurling team for Sunday. League Div 1 against Dublin in Pearse Stadium.

Team:
1. James Skehill
2. Deci Connolly
3. David Collins
4. Ger O' Halloran
5. Tony Og Regan
6. Fergal Moore
7. Niall Donoghue
8. David Burke
9. Cyril Donnelan
10. Conor Cooney
11. Niall Burke
12. Iarlaith Tannian
13. Damian Hayes
14. Barry Daly
15. James Regan

Subs:
16. Jamie Ryan
17. Padraig Shiel
18. Brian Flaherty
19. Paul Huban
20. Bernard Burke
21. Johnny Coen
22. Eanna Ryan
23. Joseph Cooney
24. Jason Grealish
25. Aidan Harte
26. Davy Glennon

It's quite a changed lineup. I notice no Farragher, no Andy Smith, no Niall Healy etc. Thoughts?

Diabhal Beag · 24-02-2012 03:23PM

Dunno how long it will take to realize that Skehill can be a big liability in matches. Would have been a perfect chance to give one of the two other keepers a chance. Other than that it isn't a bad lineup and it should be a good match.

RealityCheck · 24-02-2012 04:11PM

aidan24326 wrote: »

Hurling team for Sunday. League Div 1 against Dublin in Pearse Stadium.

Team:
1. James Skehill
2. Deci Connolly
3. David Collins
4. Ger O' Halloran
5. Tony Og Regan
6. Fergal Moore
7. Niall Donoghue
8. David Burke
9. Cyril Donnelan
10. Conor Cooney
11. Niall Burke
12. Iarlaith Tannian
13. Damian Hayes
14. Barry Daly
15. James Regan

Subs:
16. Jamie Ryan
17. Padraig Shiel
18. Brian Flaherty
19. Paul Huban
20. Bernard Burke
21. Johnny Coen
22. Eanna Ryan
23. Joseph Cooney
24. Jason Grealish
25. Aidan Harte
26. Davy Glennon

It's quite a changed lineup. I notice no Farragher, no Andy Smith, no Niall Healy etc. Thoughts?

Are either of those even on the Galway panel?

aidan24326 · 24-02-2012 04:29PM

RealityCheck wrote: »

Are either of those even on the Galway panel?

Not named in the subs for Sunday anyway. I'm not surprised that Niall Healy is gone but I'd have thought Farragher was still worth a place in the panel. I know he has a tendency to go missing in some games but when he's on form he's still one of our better players, and a top-class freetaker when required to take them. Could be injured though, or unavailable for other reasons? I'm not sure.

Don't know much about the two new corner backs. Good to see some new faces though as change was needed for sure. Too many of the panel that were there over the last few years had flopped too often, last year really being the final straw for a few of them.

Expectations this year need to be realistic though. We're not All-Ireland material at the moment and there's point thinking we are. Cunningham should be given time to bring them on and hopefully bring about some improvement. We probably need to move away from the obsession with small, nippy, skilful players and get some lads in there with a bit of steel and a bit of fight in them. A few lads who can win a ball in the air wouldn't go amiss either.

24yearslater · 24-02-2012 04:48PM

aidan24326 wrote: »

Hurling team for Sunday. League Div 1 against Dublin in Pearse Stadium.

Team:
1. James Skehill
2. Deci Connolly
3. David Collins
4. Ger O' Halloran
5. Tony Og Regan
6. Fergal Moore
7. Niall Donoghue
8. David Burke
9. Cyril Donnelan
10. Conor Cooney
11. Niall Burke
12. Iarlaith Tannian
13. Damian Hayes
14. Barry Daly
15. James Regan

Subs:
16. Jamie Ryan
17. Padraig Shiel
18. Brian Flaherty
19. Paul Huban
20. Bernard Burke
21. Johnny Coen
22. Eanna Ryan
23. Joseph Cooney
24. Jason Grealish
25. Aidan Harte
26. Davy Glennon

It's quite a changed lineup. I notice no Farragher, no Andy Smith, no Niall Healy etc. Thoughts?

Smith is injured, the other 2 didn't make the panel, along with a number of others like Cullinane, Callanan, Kavanagh, Lee, etc. It was the right decision to let them go - they've been found wanting too often on the big day over the past 5 or 6 years.

There's 8 of the U21 winners from last year on this team - they also played in the '08 & '09 minor finals v kk, winning '09 & losing unluckily in '08. I've big hopes for Burke - he was motm in '08 at 17, also rate Glennon in the subs v highly. Fergal Moore is a top choice for captain - but I'm worried he's the only real class defender we have. It depends how our forwards get on against Dublin backs - especially w'out JC. Dub backs are the strongest part of their side - they're cut out of Daly, really in your face. They'll be gearing up for an all out assault on kk in the Leinster semi - not too sure how seriously they'll take the league.

Our best hope this year is a semi final league spot, a good performance in the Leinster final (assuming we make it), and an outside chance of an All-Ireland semi apperance. It would represent significant progress on last years disaster. We're really looking to build for something for '13 & '14 at this stage.

Looking forward to Sunday - should be a good game.

RealityCheck · 24-02-2012 04:56PM

aidan24326 wrote: »

Not named in the subs for Sunday anyway. I'm not surprised that Niall Healy is gone but I'd have thought Farragher was still worth a place in the panel. I know he has a tendency to go missing in some games but when he's on form he's still one of our better players, and a top-class freetaker when required to take them. Could be injured though, or unavailable for other reasons? I'm not sure.

No he definitely isn't around. Was dropped altogether back in November. I think injuries were a contributing factor in the minds of the management.

aidan24326 · 24-02-2012 05:00PM

24yearslater wrote: »

Smith is injured, the other 2 didn't make the panel, along with a number of others like Cullinane, Callanan, Kavanagh, Lee, etc. It was the right decision to let them go - they've been found wanting too often on the big day over the past 5 or 6 years.

They have for sure, but then again the likes of Collins and Tony Og have been there too for all of those flops. I suppose he had to retain some core of experienced players. This panel is hardly a closed shop though and I'm sure come championship time a few of these lads will be dropped while the likes of Shane Kavanagh and Aounghus Callanan might still force their way back in. Early days yet.

Diabhal Beag · 26-02-2012 05:38PM

Very good showing by the lads today. Niall Donohue was absolutely fantastic and saved our blushes once or twice. Niall Burke was our key man scoring-wise and really improved from when I saw him last. Skehill was good. Nobody really except Barry Daly had a nightmare. At the same time though Dublin didn't turn up and died a death in the second half.

O.A.P · 26-02-2012 07:03PM

I thought they played with more determination and a need to get it won than usual . Nothing fancy just hard work and I think we need more of it.
So go on A.Cunningham I like it keep it up we might win something.

Diabhal Beag · 26-02-2012 08:25PM

Still couldn't cleanly catch a ball though although I'm hoping that was the conditions rather then the usual issue we have every year.

the keen edge · 26-02-2012 09:23PM

What do people think of Tony og?.

I really don't know how the guy gets so many opportunity with Galway.
He's a big strong guy for sure; very prone to howlers though, and poor at marking his man.
He took a free today and drove it straight to a Dublin player who was standing in isolation a good 20 metres away from any Galway player.

Naill Burke showed a nice mix of big centre forward strength and hurling ability.
Connor Cooney seems like a nice tidy hurler.

Diabhal Beag · 27-02-2012 12:09AM

the keen edge wrote: »

What do people think of Tony og?.

I really don't know how the guy gets so many opportunity with Galway.
He's a big strong guy for sure; very prone to howlers though, and poor at marking his man.
He took a free today and drove it straight to a Dublin player who was standing in isolation a good 20 metres away from any Galway player.

Think he slipped over 7 times today and IIRC he put a sideline cut straight out again. He has his days though.

Kojak · 27-02-2012 02:54AM

Good enough performance by Galway today, but I wouldn't be writing them up just yet. Dublin had all the look of a bunch of players who are going through training aimed at later on in the year. In other words Galway may have been further "down the line" than them. If they met later on in the year, I wouldn't be so confident.

Good to see so many new faces on the team - hope cunningham sticks with these lads, even if they get a trimming or two in the league. They'll never learn if they have to be constantly relying on lads who have failed over the last number of years.

Niall Burke was very good today, and probably was MOTM. Cooney beside him was another to catch the eye, despite his (and others) lack of ability in catching the high ball. Even though he is an excellent defender, I would have my reservations about having Fergal Moore at number 6 - simply because he wouldn't be tall enough against the likes of Shefflin.

Still it sets them up well for their trip to Thurles next time out.

24yearslater · 27-02-2012 12:16PM

Good start alright, but not too sure how high a priority Dublin had made the game. Still v dissappointing that we couldn't catch clean ball over our heads - it looks like both teams tactic was to break the ball down and scrap for it on the ground.

Stansard was poor enough, but that's to be expected on the first day out in Feb. Though the whole full back line did well, even if Collins was under a bit of pressure when Ryan O'Dwyer went in on him. Donoghue & Moore really solid in the half back line, but Regan would break your heart with his decision making sometimes. Midfield did well, whilst the half forwards were very dominant. Delighted for Niall Burke in particular, been watching him for many years. Surprised Dublin left Joey Boland on him for so long. He'll have it tougher the next day out in thurles. Regan did well in the corner, especially in the 2nd half. Was dissappointed with Daly, but he seemed to be struggling all day, and was taken off early, so could have had an injury. Kelly is a super full back for Dublin thou, a farce that he didn't get an all-star last year. Looks like Hayes has lost his pace - he's been on the scene for a long time now. Not sure if he'll get his start come c'ship. He still has loads of heart thou.

Bit dissappointed that we didn't create any goal chances at all, whilst Dublin had 2 or 3 half chances. Might have something to do with the fact that Cooney & N Burke on the half forward line seemed to shoot on sight. It worked yesterday, but they need to bring the inside forwards into the game a bit more.

Also disconcerting to see how sharp kk were at this time of the year in the hi-lights last night, they're light years ahead of everyone still.

aidan24326 · 27-02-2012 03:18PM

24yearslater wrote: »

Also disconcerting to see how sharp kk were at this time of the year in the hi-lights last night, they're light years ahead of everyone still.

They are alright. The thing with KK is that even when some of their star names are missing the lads who come in to replace them are nearly as good, or maybe every bit as good. That's what sets them apart, the depth and strength of their panel means that there's huge competition for places and with Cody being quite a ruthless manager even the marquee names know they're only a bad game or two from being dispatched to the bench.

With the possible exception of a fully fit Shefflin I don't think anybody's place is safe on that team. They're still the team to beat and if I was bookie I wouldn't be giving away much odds on them winning the All-Ireland again in 2012. They'll surely be there or therabouts anyway.

MfMan · 27-02-2012 03:47PM

aidan24326 wrote: »

They are alright. The thing with KK is that even when some of their star names are missing the lads who come in to replace them are nearly as good, or maybe every bit as good. That's what sets them apart, the depth and strength of their panel means that there's huge competition for places and with Cody being quite a ruthless manager even the marquee names know they're only a bad game or two from being dispatched to the bench.

Don't give up hope yet. Surprisingly, Galway have beaten KK teams as good as it is now, and when it was least expected. This KK team will get old some time, and the supporting cast isn't as yet proven. Remember, no tyrant lasts forever!!!

Galway GAA discussion thread

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