Galway GAA discussion thread

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.

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 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.

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.

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...:-(

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.