InchicoreDude wrote: » Thanks, I had a feeling that I remembered them in division 1 back around then alright. Connacht was strong at the time with Galway Mayo & Ros all in division at one point I think.
rossie1977 wrote: » never got the credit it deserved , never heard a single person at the time saying connacht was the strongest province despite the fact that in 2001 mayo, galway, roscommon and sligo made up the nfl semi finals
Strongbow10 wrote: » proof would be in the pudding as to how many AI titles came west in that period
keane2097 wrote: » Most competitive is not the same as strongest.
Always_Running wrote: » Nowadays its one of the most competitive with Sligo 07,Galway 08, Mayo 09, Roscommon 10, Mayo 11,12 winning the title and all by one or two. Back then (1996-2002) Connacht was arguably the strongest.
keane2097 wrote: » To be honest, sadly none of them are really competitive anymore. Mayo are the pick of Connacht by at least four or five points on average, Kerry and Cork are so far ahead of the rest of Munster it's pathetic and they don't even take the gloves off when they meet each other, Dublin are miles ahead in Leinster and Donegal disposed of their only Ulster rival at a jog. Thinking a bit harder about your original proposition Connacht was maybe the strongest back then alright. Ulster, Leinster and Connacht were all very competitive.
Always_Running wrote: » At this moment in time yes however only last year Sligo pushed Mayo all the way in the Connacht final.
keane2097 wrote: » One off results, even if Sligo had actually beaten Mayo, wouldn't make me think Sligo were within an ass's roar of them quality-wise last year.
Always_Running wrote: » Still that result still showed the competitive nature of the Connacht championship.
rossie1977 wrote: » galway should have been knocked out themselves by roscommon that year only the ref gave them a free which should never have been in injury time, again in the replay roscommon were leading by a couple of points coming towards the end and a bad mistake by roscommon goalkeeper in extra time cost them that game,
Syferus wrote: » By 'mistake' you mean passing the ball directly to a free Mikey Donnellan? All Shay Walsh's doing, definitely.
InchicoreDude wrote: » So Shay Walsh had nothing to do with it??? From what I remember, he went to challenge the goalie (was it Thompson?) who then dropped the ball into the path of Donnellan. I think Walsh deserves credit for that - that was my point. Just found it on youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SombwWOejUA I think Walsh did well to put pressure on the keeper but yeah, he should not have dropped the ball. Then again, claiming "If only the goalie didnt drop the ball" is not a valid argument. It is an argument akin to "If only Roscommon were better than Galway". Roscommon were not better than Galway on that day for the simple fact that they did make mistakes like that!
blowitupref wrote: » Looks like the goalkeeper dropped it on that viewing. I also seem remember in the build up to that late point in Tuam didn't one of the Galway players pick the ball off the ground?
InchicoreDude wrote: » Crikey, that free kick decision in Tuam in 1998 must be Roscommon's JFK moment. Given the slightest opportunity, Ros people will always bring it up! Anyway. who's to say that Galway would not have scored a point from play if the ref had not blown for a free? They were on the attack at the time. Also, you could just as easily say that it was top class play by Shay Walsh not fouling the Ros keeper and forcing him into the mistake that led to Galways goal in the replay.
InchicoreDude wrote: » Geez, I cant believe Roscommon people are still arguing with me about this 15 years on! :-)
Statement regarding Dr. Hyde Park posted 6 hours ago by PRO Roscommon The Management Committee of Roscommon GAA was recently informed by the Connacht Council that Dr. Hyde Park will not be considered as a venue for Connacht Senior Football Championship Finals for the foreseeable future. We were disappointed to receive the news but can accept the reasoning due a number of the concerns contained in the “Slattery Report” which was published last year. Although a number of issues were addressed in the lead up to last year's Connacht Final some of the facilities are not considered suitable and there are a number of Health and Safety issues outstanding. At present the venue cannot accommodate crowds in excess of 18,750 but can host other Connacht Championship games, All-Ireland qualifiers and other games with smaller attendances. We are aware of the financial benefits that hosting the past two Connacht Finals has brought to Roscommon town and the impact on our own finances and we are doing our utmost to resolve the situation. We are currently finalising negotiations with Roscommon Gaels to transfer control of the stadium to Roscommon County Board and once this process has reached a conclusion we will forward a plan to the Connacht Council and Central Council to seek funding for the redevelopment of the Stadium in order to bring the facilities to a standard required for hosting major games and to give the people of Roscommon a Stadium to be proud of.
Syferus wrote: » This has made me madder than anything I've read in a long time. Prenty playing his usual politics and our county board being as inept as boards come. An absolutely toxic concoction and something that's going to become a huge issue in the county until it's fixed.
Cosmo Kramer wrote: » Two 30000+ stadiums in the west is plenty.
Cosmo Kramer wrote: » Sorry lads, but this has been coming for years. Its an awful hellhole, I couldn't believe the state it had been allowed to fall in to for last years Connacht Final - an apparently that was after some emergency repairs were carried out just to get the game. No need for any conspiracy theories or the like. There really is no need for all the big stadiums in Connacht. I would like to see somewhere like Hyde Park given a total makeover by Roscommon GAA or the Connacht Council or whoever and turned into a good quality 15000 capacity or even 15000 seater stadium for Roscommon home games and as a neutral ground for big qualifier matches. It is ideally located for that but obviously it would need to be financed somehow. Two 30000+ stadiums in the west is plenty.
InchicoreDude wrote: » It would be nice to know the specifics of what is wrong with Hyde Park at the moment. Is there more details available anywhere?
keane2097 wrote: » Who is likely to take the fees for Roscommon in Donie's absence?
padd b1975 wrote: » I don't think it creates the right impression when it comes to finals, Its perfectly adequate when it comes to earlier rounds and qualifiers. I feel the Connaught Council (probably goes for all Provincial Councils) feel its best from a promotional point of view to have their final in the provinces best available stadium. It's a simple matter of fact that Hyde Park comes third on the list in terms of all round match day experience for supporters.
