Galway GAA discussion thread

It's been a long, long time since I felt genuine and real disappointment in a big game. And I mean that in the best possible way. The last few years we've been eliminated and it's been anger and embarrassment but this year we've gone from one of Galway football's lowest ever points to the most promise in at least 5 years. There was passion out there yesterday. And I also reckon we're not getting enough credit for it either. Armagh were dismissed as unfocused and Cork have blamed the manager (who to be fair is a bit clueless for a man several years in the job).

There was that old Galway trademark 10 minute period in the second half where the style was turned on like we used to and it couldn't be stopped. The ball came flying out of the half back line and midfield, then into Meehan within about 10 seconds and a score was worked. Sadly we just couldn't sustain it past 60 minutes and the backs couldn't survive the relentless diagonal ball and tight handpassing from Cork. The goal was inevitable really and was always going to be the killer blow when it came I felt. Cork just about deserved their win but f*ck it, it would not have been undeserved if we won it.

Regards individuals, Conroy's first half was something else. It was almost like he knew where Meehan was going to be before Meehan did with some of the ball he gave. He got marked out of it a little in the second but he still gave a fine display. Sice was fantastic too, came bombing out of defence several times in the second half to set up many scores, same with Armstrong. But Meehan... That man is made for Croke Park, no doubt about it. He's been hit and miss all season but yesterday, even with the diminished pace, he created all sorts of chaos. In his element. Doubt you'll see a better free all year either, even though it was ultimately pointless.

Maybe it's the sadist in me, but it was great to see the complete devastation and heartache on their faces at the end. Been a while since I've seen such heart on the sleeve reactions. They were there to win and nothing else. They had the taste of the big time yesterday and they'll feel they're not far off a real breakthrough. About 3 or 4 positions need strengthening still though. GOD did well but we were sliced apart through the middle too often. CB needs strengthening and Army needs to be that good consistently.

And in fairness to both teams, there's still a lot to be said for having talented pacey footballers on your team. That second half was seriously enjoyable to watch and that was including some (limited) use of blanket defences.

How unlucky are galway in the qualifiers? As a meath man I was very impressed with what I saw from ye today. It was special seeing all of your fans clapping them off the pitch.

Cant help but feel that meehans goal came 70 minutes too early though

Couldn't be more disgusted with today. No bottle whatsoever. Went down without a fight which is inexcusable. Very sceptical of AC, did a marvellous job last year but all that is undone, if he can't get the team to play like a team I'm not sure he should be manager.

But what a waste of a trip, the losing is not what bothers me, it's the fcuking lack of effort to play as a team. A squad of individuals.

This was a shocking performance. That Clare team are young and improving but today we made them look like world beaters which they aren't. Galway hurling is going nowhere with AC at the helm.

CastingCouch wrote: »

What age is Walsh? Looks to be able to play. If he's only 18/19 I wouldn't be playing him so much just yet.

Cummins is class and Conroy was excellent yesterday.

The movement of the forwards was excellent. Just that experience in parts let them down but these players don't have experience of playing in Croker v the big teams.

I thought the backs 1 v 1 were excellent. They let Cork run off them which was their downfall.

What has happened to Cormac Bane? Agree that this Galway forward line just needs a competitive midfield n half back platform They also as a squad need another years fitness work

Amprodude wrote: »

And of course don't forget to mention.......Donal O Grady and John Allen from bringing Limerick from a position of no hopers in 2010 to potential All Ireland winners 2013.

Well that's true...but Cunningham could have won it last year with Galway, KK were kinda vulnerable.

Galway showed last year that Kilkenny were beatable by 'ordinary' teams but we didn't kick on. Same problem areas were not addressed by several management teams. Where's Paul Killeen this year, not wanting him thrown into a unorganised backline just yet.

Moneymaker wrote: »

As a neutral in Croker on Saturday I was impressed with Galway. They played a lot better then I expected. They played some old school traditional football and kicked some lovely long range scores. Conroy is a real leader and you can see he's constantly talking to the players and driving them on.

Meehan was fantastic too, class act.

A strong Galway is good for football so hopefully you can build on that display.

Honestly this is what frightens me. If this makes Mulholland think he should, in the main, keep trying to play old school Connacht football he's on to a loser. If I was a manager I'd be mortified at conceding 20 points in 70 minutes and be seeing it as something I need to urgently correct.

A great performance by Galway in the context of where they were coming from but it for their sakes it shouldn't be a template for anything other than a physiological boost.

Its worth noting that both teams (especially Cork) got a lot of men behind the ball but didn't know how to utilise it effectively so not exactly living up to past traditions entirely. It was refreshing to see a good game of football though, a lot of well taken scores.