Galway GAA discussion thread

Stanza2 · 09-03-2014 7:05pm

T0001 wrote: »

He's still not 100% from the injury in the Cork match last year

Thanks, I was just aware that he had played for Connacht in the Railway cup as well. He changed that game today when he came on for the last 10, injected real pace into the game. Two mediocre teams really but glad to get the win all the same.

gammygils · 10-03-2014 3:02am

Very impressed with Eddie Hoare at 11 today. Took some brilliant scores.

James Kavanagh and Sean Armstrong were better in 2nd half when they were switched.

Good performance all round today. Especially after Portlaoise disaster

Naux · 11-03-2014 9:47am

gammygils wrote: »

Very impressed with Eddie Hoare at 11 today. Took some brilliant scores.

James Kavanagh and Sean Armstrong were better in 2nd half when they were switched.

Good performance all round today. Especially after Portlaoise disaster

Saw Eddie Hoare in last years club championship and he was impressive and I was surprised to be honest. Good for him . Hope he can keep it up and do it come championship time.

Diabhal Beag · 11-03-2014 7:29pm

Surpised nothing has been posted about James Skehill leaving yet. http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/galway-stunned-as-skehill-quits-30080314.html

Shame to see him go. Probably felt 2nd choice wasn't worth the trek.

Starie1975 · 13-03-2014 11:55am

Are we all back loving Galway football again. I was away last weekend and missed my first Galway senior football match in three years.

Maybe i should stay away this Sunday. A tasty 2 points up for grabs here.

16-03-2014 4:15pm

Contrasting day.

Hurlers were very good and footballers back to being a disorganised, bad decision making unit.

Nearly threw the Tipp game away, and they had two bites at getting the equaliser when it should never have dropped below 4.
Poor challenge by Tannion which ultimately nearly proved crucial as it was all downhill after that.
No need for a tackle like that out the field.

Poor decision to move Glynn out to wing forward by MGMT, I feel it was because Tipp moved their FB out there for one of the Mahers. Regardless he should have been left in at FF as the goal threat completely dwindled with his removal and he generally struggles in the HF line mobility wise.

Sets up the Clare match nicely now.

Footballers throw a 4 point lead away late in the Louth game to snatch a draw.
Two misses by Armstrong from placed balls and another bad miss or two from others should have saw the game put to bed.
Go and concede a goal then when 2 up in injury time and need a point to get a draw.

Sounds like one of the Eoins had a chance to hit the winner with 45secs left but decided to pass it back to O'Donnell who wasn't in a position to score.... just sums up the footballers, just totally lacking in any sort of tactical cuteness and decision making.

More annoyed with the footballers as I was waiting on the Galway double but my own fault for putting any trust in Mulhollands side as they've been a shambles for a while now.

Diabhal Beag · 16-03-2014 5:00pm

The comeback was on well before Tannian got the red. He was always going to get the red it was just how physical he was playing.

Tan and Daithí were very good at HB. Tan's clearances were brutal in the 1st half but he got his act together and scored a super point. Coen was decent and scored a great point too. He wasn't as impactful in midfield as he was at corner back though.

Dave Burke was far better than he's shown at midfield. Brehony was as reliable as he usually is but Burke stood out. Also scored the best sideline cut I think I've ever seen in the Stadium. Conor Cooney is great around the middle and I'd love if the stuck him in midfield rather than Joe come Summer.

Healy and Glynn was unstoppable in the 1st half. Once Bergin came on he quietened things down a lot. Mannion was decent but McInerny wasn't as involved as he was down Nolan. Harte was quiet too.

Callanan made a great double save but his puckouts are less direct in comparison to Skehill. Ronan Burke wasn't really tested (See Kevin Hynes 2012) and Fergal Moore and Collins were good.

Noel McGrath wasn't at the races today. Niall Burke was excellent considering he hasn't played a lot. Lot of positives but the last 10 minutes were worrying.

Only heard Ollie Turner having a nervous breakdown at the Louth match and he was talking as if Hanley didn't play? Understandable if he didn't.

Hulk Hands · 16-03-2014 6:32pm

We always draw with Louth in the league. It's like tradition.

I couldnt make it to the game, so i'm not going to comment as like most it'll only be Ollie Turners version of events.

16-03-2014 6:43pm

Hard to know what to make of the hurlers, played some great stuff at times in the first half and the route one to Johnny Glynn paid dividends (it could have paid more dividends if we had someone closer to him for the knockdowns). 2nd half the game started to drift and that is always a dangerous thing as a goal can transform everything. In the last few minutes Galway were losing the battles all over the pitch and just about hung on. A draw would have been a disaster.

Tipp were woeful and while if they get their forward line functioning they still can put up a reasonable score, defensively they are a mess. The last two visits of Tipp to Pearse Stadium have seen woeful Galway performances and bad defeats so we'll take this one and its a rare win over Tipp in recent years.

Canning will be back next week for the visit to Clare who are flying. Apart from the two home league games Galway have been poor this season so lets hope they can put in a more competitive performance next week.

The footballers are beyond words, blowing a 4 point lead and then a 2 point lead in the closing minutes is unforgivable at this level. Division 3 beckons.

fearruanua · 16-03-2014 8:50pm

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Division 3 beckons.

"IF"we were to get a win against armagh, might 5 pts keep us up?
I really can't see us getting anything up in Clones

Diabhal Beag · 16-03-2014 9:41pm

We have a poor points difference so unless we got a very convincing win we'd still drop unless Laois get nothing from the remaining games.

RoscommonTom · 16-03-2014 9:54pm

Looks like well be swapping places with ye this year

RoscommonTom · 16-03-2014 9:54pm

Looks like well be swapping places with ye this year

16-03-2014 10:52pm

RoscommonTom wrote: »

Looks like well be swapping places with ye this year

That's nice!

Syferus · 16-03-2014 11:12pm

Looks like well be swapping places with ye this year.

Looks like well be swapping places with ye this year.

windy shepard henderson · 16-03-2014 11:37pm

if there is any upside to relegation to division 3 next year the logistics might not be so bad should clare and tipperary get promoted from division 4 and sligo and limerick avoid the drop in 3

could make for a few good double headers but i doubt there are many in the galway football world at the moment rubbing there hands at the taught of any of them ties at the moment

Diabhal Beag · 16-03-2014 11:49pm

In fairness boys it's taken ye way too long to get to Division 2 anyways but I can see us swapping alright.

Syferus · 17-03-2014 12:16am

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

In fairness boys it's taken ye way too long to get to Division 2 anyways but I can see us swapping alright.

Shut yer lip, D3 counties such as yourselves should address D2 royalty like Roscommon with more deference..

..I hear we'll be swapping places.

spiritcrusher · 17-03-2014 3:59pm

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

We have a poor points difference so unless we got a very convincing win we'd still drop unless Laois get nothing from the remaining games.

It comes down to head to head records and not points difference when teams are tied. So if Galway beat Armagh and ended up tied in the table Galway would stay up and Armagh go down. Can't see them beating Armagh anyway.

MfMan · 17-03-2014 8:04pm

Congrats to Portumna on another AI victory. In terms of quality perhaps the least of their victories, but it underlines their status as the best *team* to have played in this competition, captained by without any doubt the best player to have played in this competition since it's inception. A fitting swansong if he bows out now.

17-03-2014 11:09pm

Very comfortable win for Portumna in reality, the match was poor but Portumna never at any stage looked in any serious trouble. Haven't it in the legs anymore to burn off teams like they did to De La Salle a few years back but kept comfortably in control the whole way. Having been up there, must say it was among the most subdued celebrations I ever remember of an All-Ireland. The crowd was 90% MLR and only the Portumna crowd and a couple of hundred more travelled from Galway I'd say.

Club hurling All-Irelands are becoming almost a given for us without having any county All-Ireland to show for it (13 in total I make it and 12 since our last Inter County Senior All-Ireland). Fair play to Portumna, they've shown their class and character to come back with effectively the same team as from the first All-Ireland and silence their critics.

O.A.P · 18-03-2014 12:31am

They were a long way ahead today. Ollie Canning is still one of the top players in Ireland.
They still had the hunger for it and that's what won it for them I think,
MLR just fell short on belief I think the day got to them, but I hope we will see them back.

aidan24326 · 18-03-2014 1:28am

O.A.P wrote: »

They were a long way ahead today. Ollie Canning is still one of the top players in Ireland.
They still had the hunger for it and that's what won it for them I think,
MLR just fell short on belief I think the day got to them, but I hope we will see them back.

Wouldn't agree with that. MLR gave it everything and you have to admire them for being a team with tremendous heart but they were simply beaten by a better team today, a team that had the kind of experienced match-winners that they didn't.

Portumna were always doing enough without ever being overly impressive, but they were never really threatened. For me, in the end MLR just didn't have the forwards to win it outright but they can certainly be proud of what they achieved in getting to an All-Ireland final against all the odds.

Agree about Ollie Canning btw, still a class hurler. He is one of those naturally gifted players who would excel in any position.

Utopia Parkway · 18-03-2014 3:09am

spiritcrusher wrote: »

It comes down to head to head records and not points difference when teams are tied. So if Galway beat Armagh and ended up tied in the table Galway would stay up and Armagh go down. Can't see them beating Armagh anyway.

Would not surprise me if they did beat Armagh to be honest. It's at home, it's virtually a must win game and they beat Down who are probably on a par with or even a bit better than Armagh. I would not put a red cent on it though.

Cannot see them getting anything away to Monaghan on the last day but I'm not sure is there a chance that Monaghan could be promoted by then? Might mean they won't have their eye on the ball for the final league game but probably wishful thinking.

feargale · 18-03-2014 3:15am

MfMan wrote: »

Congrats to Portumna on another AI victory. In terms of quality perhaps the least of their victories, but it underlines their status as the best *team* to have played in this competition, captained by without any doubt the best player to have played in this competition since it's inception. A fitting swansong if he bows out now.

Anybody know why the Carlow no. 7 got a straight red. I've replayed it about six times and can see absolutely nothing.

O.A.P · 18-03-2014 4:22am

No that was bull**** from the ref, it was his worst call of the match and he had lots of bad ones IMO ,

Hulk Hands · 20-03-2014 7:24pm

Anyone any idea how the U-21 footballers are going in challenges etc before their opener Saturday? I think I've found a price regarding that could be far too big

20-03-2014 8:39pm

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Anyone any idea how the U-21 footballers are going in challenges etc before their opener Saturday? I think I've found a price regarding that could be far too big

You're best bet for online news about Minor/U21 is probably over on Hoganstand tbh.
There's a lot of ill informed posters, but there's always a few die hards there who know the more lower key news in regards to those comps.

Challenges taken into account, it'll be hard to tell anything when you're dealing with a one year age group.
Best to access who's still available from last season, examine the draw and take a pop.

As you know, it's Leitrim then most likely Roscommon.
It's straight to a semi final then(I'm 99% on) so it's 3 big games after Saturday so with that in mind even the 9/1(ish) from the high street is a decent bet.

24yearslater · 20-03-2014 10:03pm

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Anyone any idea how the U-21 footballers are going in challenges etc before their opener Saturday? I think I've found a price regarding that could be far too big

By all accounts Roscommon have a serious side this year - think they're 4/9 to win out Connacht, and are about 7/2 2nd favs to win the whole thing out behind Dublin. I know we won it out last year, but most of that team are overage, and we haven't exactly been pulling up trees at minor level in recent years. Tipp are 8s to win it out - they might be worth a flutter. They're backboned by their winning minor team from 3 years ago.

Hulk Hands · 20-03-2014 10:23pm

I had a look at hoganstand alright. It's the 21/10 Galway for Connacht im looking at. Granted by all accounts Roscommon were awesome the last day, but beating a Mayo side who played too many of last year's minors isn't enough to warrant the rossies going from 5/2 to 4/11 shots. Having a look at the Galway side, Shox, Mulryan, Burke and Walsh are there amongst others from last year. Midfield looks a worry. Still though, they're long odds on to get by Leitrim. I can't see Roscommon rolling into Salthill as 2/5 shots or shorter in a Connacht final.

Utopia Parkway · 21-03-2014 12:09am

24yearslater wrote: »

By all accounts Roscommon have a serious side this year - think they're 4/9 to win out Connacht, and are about 7/2 2nd favs to win the whole thing out behind Dublin. I know we won it out last year, but most of that team are overage

Most of last year's team are not overage. 10 or 11 of them are still U-21 this year. O'Curraoin, Flynn and Adrian Varley are the main ones missing.

Galway should have a very good team this year as well but replacing the two lads in midfield will be the big challenge. They were the engine behind two All-Ireland wins. Varley was very underrated and has looked good in his short spell with the seniors but at least there is decent cover up front.

Always_Running · 21-03-2014 1:01am

24yearslater wrote: »

we haven't exactly been pulling up trees at minor level in recent years.

Galway are one team that doesn't have to pull up trees at minor level to win things at U21 level. For example Galway haven't won a Connacht minor title since 2007 (Also won the AI that year), yet two U-21 All Irelands have been won since then.

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Galway should have a very good team this year as well but replacing the two lads in midfield will be the big challenge. They were the engine behind two All-Ireland wins. Varley was very underrated and has looked good in his short spell with the seniors but at least there is decent cover up front.

Didn't Damien Comer play in midfield for Galway last year and is still underage. The firepower is still there for at least another Connacht win and home final against most likely Roscommon is a big advantage to have.

blowitupref · 21-03-2014 7:06am

Galway Bay FM Sports

Galway U21 football manager Alan Flynn will announce his starting team for Saturday’s Connacht semi final against Leitrim in Carrick on Shannon after training tonight. Flynn has 7 of last year’s starting team that won the All Ireland title available for selection with injury doubts surrounding Shane Walsh and Damien Comer.

Two key players doubtful, i thought Galway had more than 7 from last year?

Utopia Parkway · 21-03-2014 12:05pm

blowitupref wrote: »

Galway Bay FM Sports

Two key players doubtful, i thought Galway had more than 7 from last year?

Pretty sure they have more than 7 from last year but maybe they are not counting lads that are unavailable for this weekend's game for whatever reason.

Utopia Parkway · 21-03-2014 12:53pm

Galway (U21FC v Leitrim)

Rory Lavelle
Liam Silke
James Shaughnessy
Eoghan Kerin
Fiontan O'Cuanaigh
John Hanbury
Eoin Walsh
Michael Day
Enda Tierney
Cathal Mulryan
Sean Moran
Damien Comer
Shane Maughan
Eamon Brannigan
Ian Burke

Shane Walsh injured.

Utopia Parkway · 21-03-2014 8:10pm

ConnachtTribuneGroup ‏@CTribune 16m

Injuries have forced Michael Meehan to step down from the senior football panel with immediate effect "for foreseeable future".

LowOdour · 21-03-2014 10:25pm

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

ConnachtTribuneGroup ‏@CTribune 16m

Injuries have forced Michael Meehan to step down from the senior football panel with immediate effect "for foreseeable future".

Just read about this...a real shame but not surprising.

Diabhal Beag · 21-03-2014 10:27pm

They guy has really gone above and beyond for this Galway side since his injury and there's far more important things in life than playing inter-county. Wish him nothing but the best.

yop · 21-03-2014 10:43pm

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

They guy has really gone above and beyond for this Galway side since his injury and there's far more important things in life than playing inter-county. Wish him nothing but the best.

Shocked to hear that. Loved watching his finishing and intelligence on the pitch. A true legend In my eyes and shame we didn't see more of him.
Best of luck to him.
A massive loss to the gaa.

padd b1975 · 21-03-2014 10:50pm

Poor guy never got a proper shot at it.

Would have loved to see him in the AI winning teams.

Second best forward behind Joyce in the modern era.

21-03-2014 11:25pm

Glad he has made the right decision for his own health. He was still the best player and one of very few leaders on the Galway side but his legs were gone and it was pure adrenalin that kept him going in the last few years. Its a damning indictment of Galway football and those around him that he never played on a Galway senior team which won a game in Croke Park. A couple of Connacht titles is poor reward for a player of his quality.

FlashD · 21-03-2014 11:29pm

Good player but not surprised. In recent seasons he seemed to be either injured, playing with an injury or recovering from an injury.

padd b1975 wrote: »

Second best forward behind Joyce in the modern era.

Cmon, you either have a seriously short memory or you're having a laugh.

FlashD · 21-03-2014 11:37pm

Borders no.2 wrote: »

A couple of Connacht titles is poor reward for a player of his quality.

There's nothing wrong with Connacht titles, with the way things are going the current set of players might never see a Connacht title or even final for that matter.

Always_Running · 21-03-2014 11:39pm

Sounds like Meehan is taking extended break in the hope for one last try for county football. Still only 29 hopefully it works out for him.

Utopia Parkway · 21-03-2014 11:46pm

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Glad he has made the right decision for his own health. He was still the best player and one of very few leaders on the Galway side but his legs were gone and it was pure adrenalin that kept him going in the last few years. Its a damning indictment of Galway football and those around him that he never played on a Galway senior team which won a game in Croke Park. A couple of Connacht titles is poor reward for a player of his quality.

Fate is a a fickle mistress indeed. Meehan would have walked onto the Galway team that won 2 All-Ireland's. And they might have won one or two more if they had him. Instead he came along just as that great team was falling apart at the seams. And then he had his career from his mid-20's on ruined by injury.

I fear he will forever be underrated due to this but anyone who was lucky enough to see him in his early-20's and fully healthy will know that he was an unbelievable talent. Up there with the very best in the country.

Utopia Parkway · 21-03-2014 11:49pm

Always_Running wrote: »

Sounds like Meehan is taking extended break in the hope for one last try for county football. Still only 29 hopefully it works out for him.

Yeah it doesn't seem like he's totally given up on not playing again but such is his injury troubles I don't think people expect to see him back. He might even come out to clarify it himself because half the country has him in retirement. He might not see it like that himself just yet.

FlashD · 21-03-2014 11:49pm

Always_Running wrote: »

Sounds like Meehan is taking extended break in the hope for one last try for county football. Still only 29 hopefully it works out for him.

Well, official news says he is retired. He had ankle surgery in November.

Utopia Parkway · 21-03-2014 11:58pm

FlashD wrote: »

Well, official news says he is retired. He had ankle surgery in November.

The only official release from Galway GAA says he's leaving the panel for the foreseeable future. I don't think it mentions actual retirement.

RTE have him retiring for good but it doesn't say that in the press release. Seems like he's leaving the door open. For a while at least.

LowOdour · 21-03-2014 11:58pm

FlashD wrote: »

Cmon, you either have a seriously short memory or you're having a laugh.

I presume he was talking about Galway panel only...and he wouldn't be far wrong in terms of talent.

When you look at the week we have had with Brian O Driscoll ending his career in such a great way, to having such a talented young man like Meehan pretty much finished with the game at county level with a whimper is quite sad

h2005 · 22-03-2014 12:13am

LowOdour wrote: »

I presume he was talking about Galway panel only...and he wouldn't be far wrong in terms of talent.

When you look at the week we have had with Brian O Driscoll ending his career in such a great way, to having such a talented young man like Meehan pretty much finished with the game at county level with a whimper is quite sad

He's last act was that goal against cork hardly a whimper! I get your point though.

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