Galway GAA discussion thread

Utopia Parkway · 04-04-2015 08:18PM

Borders no.2 wrote: »

.

Unfortunately the lack of quality backs in the county shows little sign of improving.

To be fair Liam Silke did a great job on Enda Smith (who went scoreless). The rest not so much. Both defences were under pressure to be honest.

Roscommon crowded out Comer effectively (even though he still got 1-1 from play. I imagine Roscommon would have almost settled for that beforehand). Galway became a bit too predictable looking for him when he was surrounded.

Still disappointing a lose a final even though they went in as big underdogs. I'm sure the lads themselves would have expected to win and they could well have had one or two little things gone their way. They were a lot closer to Roscommon this year than most expected they would be early on.

T0001 · 05-04-2015 11:59AM

Hard to be optimistic or pessimistic ahead of this game. Galway's unpredictable HUrling form is starting to rub off on the footballers. A win is required to stay safe, and while there is a possibility of going up I think we would be better served playing in competitive games rather than being out of our depth next year. I think Down and Roscommon will get promoted. Both teams have given great performances this league and deserve it. Going to be interesting to see how many U21's are on the team given the absorbing battle they had yesterday. Best of Luck anway.

05-04-2015 03:58PM

Obviously promotion was a massive outsider but at HT there was a sniff of it.

Galway up by 6, Westmeath still in touch with Roscommon, Down winning and Cavan and Meath with a draw still on.

The second half collapse looks a possibility again, another bad restart.

Utopia Parkway · 05-04-2015 04:47PM

Galway 3-12 Kildare 1-12

Not the best 2nd half performance yet again after dominating the first half. Kildare also missed a penalty. Good at least to finish the league with two wins. I'm pretty certain Galway would have been promoted had they had the Corofin players for the entire league rather than just the last two games but sure you can only play with the cards you are dealt. Threw away a few games in the middle of the league. Had they won one of those games they narrowly lost they would have gone up.

Overall I think the team is on the up though but have learn to play for 70 minutes rather than just 35 or 60.

threeball · 05-04-2015 05:19PM

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Galway 3-12 Kildare 1-12

Not the best 2nd half performance yet again after dominating the first half. Kildare also missed a penalty. Good at least to finish the league with two wins. I'm pretty certain Galway would have been promoted had they had the Corofin players for the entire league rather than just the last two games but sure you can only play with the cards you are dealt. Threw away a few games in the middle of the league. Had they won one of those games they narrowly lost they would have gone up.

Overall I think the team is on the up though but have learn to play for 70 minutes rather than just 35 or 60.

Probably another year of playing kick pass with the 2nd tier teams though as we don't seem to have used the league to put even a semblence of a defence together. Individually we don't have great defenders but surely we should have been able to garner something that was more than the sum of its parts in the last 6 months.

Diabhal Beag · 05-04-2015 06:06PM

Happy with that. Some cop-on against Laois and Cavan and they'd be up ahead of the Rossies.

O'Curraoin was outstanding and just dominated midfield on his own. Breathnach had a super game, his kickouts vastly improved. Some other decent showings but they didn't pull away till Lundy was brought further out and could run at the backs. Himself and Sice looked a bit jaded so hopefully a break will do them good. Silke was a good cameo. Walsh's goal was well taken but some handy points were missed after his second. Comer could be a huge loss. Stretchered off and everything.

Anybody know which Kildare player swung at Paddy Sweeney?

Utopia Parkway · 05-04-2015 06:33PM

Hopefully Comer is not too bad. Quickly turning into a very important player for Galway.

Syferus · 05-04-2015 06:53PM

Jesus that's tough on the lad. We played Murtagh for about 45 minutes today, as well as Enda Smith getting close to a half and Harney making a very signifcant contribution too. Teams asking a lot of talented young lads, probably too much honestly.

Hopefully Comer is ok.

threeball · 05-04-2015 07:26PM

Syferus wrote: »

Jesus that's tough on the lad. We played Murtagh for about 45 minutes today, as well as Enda Smith getting close to a half and Harney making a very signifcant contribution too. Teams asking a lot of talented young lads, probably too much honestly.

Hopefully Comer is ok.

More of the genius minds behind gaa fixtures at work. Imagine how great this organisation could be if they could get, well...organised.

Worthwent14 · 05-04-2015 08:01PM

Great win despite the nervous ending. Thought Breathnach the 2 corner backs o curraoin and pSweeney were superb. Heard conroy got motm on galway bay and couldn't believe it wasnt one of the few i mentioned. What struck me was Kildare were able to score points from distance whereas we needed to work it in more to score. Hope comer is ok has had a tough few days. Championship team is lookin like this going by today
Breathnach
Duane
Hanley
Sweeney
Silke
Bradshaw
O Donnel
O Curraoin
Flynn
Sice
Conroy
Denvir
Lundy
Sweeney
O Griofa

TCDStudent1 · 05-04-2015 08:28PM

Syferus wrote: »

Jesus that's tough on the lad. We played Murtagh for about 45 minutes today, as well as Enda Smith getting close to a half and Harney making a very signifcant contribution too. Teams asking a lot of talented young lads, probably too much honestly.

Hopefully Comer is ok.

It is asking too much. In fairness to Galway, they didnt start either of their U21s and only brought them on when they felt they needed them. Unfortunately for Comer, he took an unlucky bang to the face a few minutes later.

Thought Breathnach the 2 corner backs o curraoin and pSweeney were superb. Heard conroy got motm on galway bay and couldn't believe it wasnt one of the few i mentioned. W

Really? I thought Duane was absolutely cleaned out of it. Not really his fault as there was lots of space in front of him and his man. In that situation, not much a corner back can do... But nowhere near MOTM for me. When Galway brought Liam Silke on, he was positioned in front of Duane to prevent that ball being played in.

For me, Shane Walsh was easily Galway's best player. Conroy would being 2nd. Conroys kick passing can be as good as anybodys at times.

Hulk Hands · 05-04-2015 09:33PM

Worthwent14 wrote: »

Great win despite the nervous ending. Thought Breathnach the 2 corner backs o curraoin and pSweeney were superb. Heard conroy got motm on galway bay and couldn't believe it wasnt one of the few i mentioned. What struck me was Kildare were able to score points from distance whereas we needed to work it in more to score. Hope comer is ok has had a tough few days. Championship team is lookin like this going by today
Breathnach
Duane
Hanley
Sweeney
Silke
Bradshaw
O Donnel
O Curraoin
Flynn
Sice
Conroy
Denvir
Lundy
Sweeney
O Griofa

From what ive been hearing Comer has been Galways standout player in training and a player theyre very excited about. He's a Championship starter for sure I think if the injury's not too bad. Walsh has been training well and his spell on the bench is more to do with him not getting his head around tactics than anything else. Talk of him being an inside forward.

My best guess of a forward line:

Sice, Conroy, Lundy
(O'Griofa/Sweeney/Cummins), Comer, Walsh

Would also be incredibly harsh to drop Paul Varley out of the half back line. O'Donnell's a leader, but id still suspect he could be the one to go if Silke proves too good not to play. Varley's the best young back we have

Worthwent14 · 05-04-2015 09:40PM

That forward line looks more dangerous and prolific. Think Sice conroy Lundy comer are definite and the last 2 spots between cummins Sweeney o griofa Burke varley. Cant see martin or hoare being starters. Decent competition for places though. Does anyone know where joss moore and john o brien are gone?

T0001 · 05-04-2015 09:49PM

Division 2 next year:

Armagh
Cavan
Derry
Fermanagh
Galway
Laois
Meath
Tyrone

Should be a very eciting division but it's a long way away.

Looking to the Championship its a tough call for name a team with the backs possibly the easiest to chose.

Goalkeepper
Manus Breathnach is the only goalkeepper to prove himself during the league as far as I'm concerned. The others have shown what they can do but are not up to the level yet.

Defence
Duane, Hanley, Sweeney, Silke, Bradshaw and O'Donnell are the most likely to get the nodd here in that order. But perhaps the team would be best served by reserving one of them on the bench to make an impact when they come in. Paul Varley will have a good shout as will Johnny Heaney who had a good season with the U21's and was unfortunate not to get more game time.

Midfield
Five names pop-up here for me, Tom Flynn, Fintáin Ó Curraoin, Paul COnroy, Michael Day and Enda Tierney are great players at fielding and good at winning primary possession from the kcik-out. I imagine Flynn and ÓC will get the 8 and 9 jerseys and COnroy is likely to be called up to the forwards but I think Day and Tierney will add depth to the bench in the event of injury of the main contenders.

Forwards
Ooo how exciting it is to pick a forward line, and also how frustrating. So many good players and only 6 places. Comer, Lundy, Conroy, Denvir, Sice, Varley, Martin, Walsh, O Gríofa, Cummins, Farragher, Sweeney and Hoare are the stand out names for the forwards - 13 on total!! I suppose you start with Comer at 14 and have O Gríofa and most likely Cummins playing off him. Denvir has proven himself as more of a runner and ball supplier and distributer rather than a scorer and should hold a wing forward spot. Walsh has been good in his appearences and wil likely get a spot in the half forward line but it could be a battle between him and Lundy for one starting spot. Paul COnroy has been outstanding but my reckoning and deserves a spot most likely at 11. Then what do you do with Sice who since coming back has been exceptional or Sweeney who has been consistent?? Tough calls!!

So thats:

1. M. Breathnach
2. J. Duane
3. F. Hanley
4. C. Sweeney
5. L. Silke
6. G. Bradshaw
7. G. O'Donnell
8. F. Ó Curraoin
9. T. Flynn
10. S. Walsh
11. P. Conroy
12. S. Denvir/M. Lundy
13. D. Cummins
14. D. Comer
15. P. O Gríofa

Hulk Hands · 05-04-2015 10:09PM

Nice post. Although I think Sice is a complete certainty for a starting berth. The team is short on experience, which he provides. Lundy aswell due to his amazing club campaign, and being our best performer last year.

Looking at D2 next year, looks like the Ulster championship! Be weird playing so many games on foreign soil. Hopefully the exchange rate improves

TCDStudent1 · 05-04-2015 11:01PM

T0001 wrote: »

Division 2 next year:

Armagh
Cavan
Derry
Fermanagh
Galway
Laois
Meath
Tyrone

Should be a very eciting division but it's a long way away.

Looking to the Championship its a tough call for name a team with the backs possibly the easiest to chose.

Goalkeepper
Manus Breathnach is the only goalkeepper to prove himself during the league as far as I'm concerned. The others have shown what they can do but are not up to the level yet.

Defence
Duane, Hanley, Sweeney, Silke, Bradshaw and O'Donnell are the most likely to get the nodd here in that order. But perhaps the team would be best served by reserving one of them on the bench to make an impact when they come in. Paul Varley will have a good shout as will Johnny Heaney who had a good season with the U21's and was unfortunate not to get more game time.

Midfield
Five names pop-up here for me, Tom Flynn, Fintáin Ó Curraoin, Paul COnroy, Michael Day and Enda Tierney are great players at fielding and good at winning primary possession from the kcik-out. I imagine Flynn and ÓC will get the 8 and 9 jerseys and COnroy is likely to be called up to the forwards but I think Day and Tierney will add depth to the bench in the event of injury of the main contenders.

Forwards
Ooo how exciting it is to pick a forward line, and also how frustrating. So many good players and only 6 places. Comer, Lundy, Conroy, Denvir, Sice, Varley, Martin, Walsh, O Gríofa, Cummins, Farragher, Sweeney and Hoare are the stand out names for the forwards - 13 on total!! I suppose you start with Comer at 14 and have O Gríofa and most likely Cummins playing off him. Denvir has proven himself as more of a runner and ball supplier and distributer rather than a scorer and should hold a wing forward spot. Walsh has been good in his appearences and wil likely get a spot in the half forward line but it could be a battle between him and Lundy for one starting spot. Paul COnroy has been outstanding but my reckoning and deserves a spot most likely at 11. Then what do you do with Sice who since coming back has been exceptional or Sweeney who has been consistent?? Tough calls!!

So thats:

1. M. Breathnach
2. J. Duane
3. F. Hanley
4. C. Sweeney
5. L. Silke
6. G. Bradshaw
7. G. O'Donnell
8. F. Ó Curraoin
9. T. Flynn
10. S. Walsh
11. P. Conroy
12. S. Denvir/M. Lundy
13. D. Cummins
14. D. Comer
15. P. O Gríofa

I agree with the backs.

In midfield, I think it will be Conroy & O'Curraoin. Flynn will have missed some very crucial weeks through injury and not sure he will be up to championship speed. Great option to bring on though.

I disagree with the forwards. I think it will be:

10. Sice - thought he was absolutely superb today. Always looking for the ball, getting stuck in, tracking back, laying the ball off quickly

11. Walsh - felt he was our best player today. Very busy, working hard.

12. Denvir - I'd be very doubtful if he is up to it at championship. Certainly would need to improve from his previous championship appearances. Personally, I would love to see Michael Farragher in this position.

13. O'Griofa: Very impressive in the last couple of matches.

14. Comer - Has emerged as our best player this year.

15. Lundy - For Corofin, he was most effective running directly at full back lines. So I would leave him in full forward line. He also has the ability to drop deeper if needed.

I am much less confident of Galways chances against Mayo this year after todays performance. Galway gave away far too many goal chances that will be punished by stronger teams. In saying that, Kevin Walsh rectified the situation a little bit by getting Silke to sit in front of the full back line.

Worthwent14 · 05-04-2015 11:09PM

I wouldn't disagree with Flynn not starting but think cummins should start ahead of Denvir and put Lundy at half forward. Denvir can't score whereas all the other forwards can. He would probably be better as a half back if he was to play anywhere

Diabhal Beag · 05-04-2015 11:22PM

Conroy really doesn't compete enough in midfield IMO. At least with Flynn in there there's two targets to bomb kickouts at. Keep Conroy up in the half-forwards.

TCDStudent1 · 05-04-2015 11:40PM

Worthwent14 wrote: »

I wouldn't disagree with Flynn not starting but think cummins should start ahead of Denvir and put Lundy at half forward. Denvir can't score whereas all the other forwards can. He would probably be better as a half back if he was to play anywhere

Wouldnt have Cummins in there. He just misses too much. In championship football, you might get away with missing 2 chances. You wont get away with missing 3 or 4 chances before you score. Again, a good option on the bench.

Conroy really doesn't compete enough in midfield IMO. At least with Flynn in there there's two targets to bomb kickouts at. Keep Conroy up in the half-forwards.

I'd agree about Conroy not competing enough. But I feel he does bring a lot of quality to the midfield area, particularly with the quality of ball that he feeds into the forwards. I am not sure we would get that from him if he was in the HF line.

Todd_Unctious · 05-04-2015 11:58PM

Was at the game in Tuam, good performance, but really have to put it into perspective as Kildare were pathetic.
From 8 to 15 we're in pretty good shape, but at the back very loose, naive and sloppy at times. Still baffled as to why we haven't some defensive plan in place at this stage.

For what its worth my stab at a championship 15

1. M. Breathnach
2. C. McGrath
3. F. Hanley
4. C. Sweeney
5. L. Silke
6. G. Bradshaw
7. G. Sice
8. F. Ó Curraoin
9. T. Flynn
10. S. Walsh
11. P. Conroy
12. Mi. Farragher
13. M. Lundy
14. D. Comer
15. P. O Gríofa

06-04-2015 01:10AM

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Galway 3-12 Kildare 1-12

Not the best 2nd half performance yet again after dominating the first half. Kildare also missed a penalty. Good at least to finish the league with two wins. I'm pretty certain Galway would have been promoted had they had the Corofin players for the entire league rather than just the last two games but sure you can only play with the cards you are dealt. Threw away a few games in the middle of the league. Had they won one of those games they narrowly lost they would have gone up.

Overall I think the team is on the up though but have learn to play for 70 minutes rather than just 35 or 60.

Would agree with this. Totally in control at half time having missed 3 other good goal chances but then we let Kildare back within 3 points in the opening 10-12 minutes after the interval to give them hope. We got a fortunate goal after poor Kildare defending and that kind of killed it off but if we hadn't got that goal, we could easily have suffered another self-inflicted defeat.

We can't keep expecting to get results playing in patches. Right from the off in the league it has been this kind of patchy display. We'll probably get away with a patchy performance for the first 2 rounds but to have any hope against Mayo we can't fade out of the game for long stretches like we are doing at present. The fact this has happened against pretty much every team in division 2 worries me ahead of a game against such a team like Mayo who are streets ahead of most of the division 2 teams.

Don't really know what's going on in Kildare, they have gone from best of the rest well down the pecking order in the last 2/3 years. They were slipping under McGeeney in his final year or so but despite some good underage teams they were poor today and really Galway should have won by a lot more. I'm sure a lot of their own supporters will nearly hope Laois beat them in the quarter final. Its not an exaggeration to say that Dublin could easily shove 7 or 8 goals past them in the semi-final.

Comer and Silke shouldn't have played for me today (especially Comer as he took a lot of heavy hits on Saturday). Damien Comer is a fine player but on top of the demands of the senior and u21 he was only coming off a campaign with Annaghdown in the hurling. We need to be realistic about what we can expect off young players. The long term welfare of the players should always take precedence over the short term goal of league points.

Utopia Parkway · 06-04-2015 03:30PM

Anyway an up and down league. Sometimes up and down in the same game. Overall I think there are more positive signs than negative though. I think we almost certainly would have been promoted if we had the Corofin players for the entire league. Down, Roscommon and Meath were the top 3 teams and we beat all of them apart from Down (and we dominated 90% of that match up in Newry and should have won that game). Shows how tight the margins were in the division.

Galway probably have more options up front now that they have had in a decade. It's actually difficult to pick a front 6. You have to pick from Comer, Lundy, Conroy, Denvir, Sice, Adrian Varley, Martin, Walsh, Ian Burke, O'Gríofa, Cummins, Farragher, Patrick Sweeney and Hoare The only question is getting the right mix and balance.

Midfield looks well set with O'Curraoin, Flynn, Conroy, Steede and Michael Day is a great prospect at U-21. O'Curraoin was magnificent for much of the league but the two quiet games he had were against Cavan and Laois which also happened to be two games we lost. Shows his influence on the team overall. Flynn unfortunately missed most of the league but should be back soon.

At the back is when things get a bit more sketchy. Liam Silke is a welcome addition to the half-back line. A fine young player. However I'm not sure what the plan is if Hanley were to get injured? With Forde having done his cruciate we seem very thin at full-back. Hopefully Joss Moore can come back from injury as I feel he's a really good player when he's fit. I'd wonder about Bradshaw at 6 as well. He's always been a player who's better going forward than back and he's never had good defensive instincts. Also the corner backs are not exactly convincing so far although they don't tend to get too much protection.

The goalkeeping position has been a bit of a revolving door although I think Breathnach has been the most consistent and probably deserves to be number 1 for the moment.

On the negative side we have had a tendency all during the league to play some absolutely brilliant football for a while and then just switch off. Just can't do that against the better teams in the country during the Summer as they will make hay. We are also giving away too many goal chances. Even against Kildare when Galway were much the better side, Kildare still missed a penalty and Breathnach had to make at least two good saves. It always seems like we leave too much free space in front of the full-back line which forces Hanley or a corner-back out leaving a gap behind them. I think we can match Mayo point for point but I'd worry that they will sneak in for 2 or 3 goals unless we tighten up in that area.

MfMan · 06-04-2015 09:30PM

Todd_Unctious wrote: »

Was at the game in Tuam, good performance, but really have to put it into perspective as Kildare were pathetic.
From 8 to 15 we're in pretty good shape, but at the back very loose, naive and sloppy at times. Still baffled as to why we haven't some defensive plan in place at this stage.

For what its worth my stab at a championship 15

1. M. Breathnach
2. C. McGrath
3. F. Hanley
4. C. Sweeney
5. L. Silke
6. G. Bradshaw
7. G. Sice
8. F. Ó Curraoin
9. T. Flynn
10. S. Walsh
11. P. Conroy
12. Mi. Farragher
13. M. Lundy
14. D. Comer
15. P. O Gríofa

Now you're talking. Think our 2 starting wing backs yesterday are scarcely good enough, O'Donnell anyway, and I'm not entirely convinced about our corner-backs either. Think McGrath is probably better than either. You might see Conroy at midfield with Flynn/Tierney/Michael Day(?) at wing-forward as an auxiliary midfielder, a-la Bergin 2001. Good and all as P Sweeney has been in the league, I still think he lacks the top pace needed for c'ship, plus his touch seems a slight heavy on occasion. Would like to see Ian Burke get a bit of game time, great promise shown at club level and U-21 couple of seasons back.

TCDStudent1 · 07-04-2015 07:57PM

MfMan wrote: »

Now you're talking. Think our 2 starting wing backs yesterday are scarcely good enough, O'Donnell anyway, and I'm not entirely convinced about our corner-backs either. Think McGrath is probably better than either. You might see Conroy at midfield with Flynn/Tierney/Michael Day(?) at wing-forward as an auxiliary midfielder, a-la Bergin 2001. Good and all as P Sweeney has been in the league, I still think he lacks the top pace needed for c'ship, plus his touch seems a slight heavy on occasion. Would like to see Ian Burke get a bit of game time, great promise shown at club level and U-21 couple of seasons back.

O'Donnell is deserving of a start these days. He has done well for Galway this year and last. He's a bit of a Dirk Kuyt figure - he was given so many chances that he bound to come good eventually! I cannot think of who you could play WB instead of him.

I'd wonder about Bradshaw at 6 as well.

I'd be worried about him too. Doesn't seem to have the presence to command at number 6. But again, hard to think of alternatives. I would be inclined to swap O'Donnell and Bradshaw maybe.

Diabhal Beag · 07-04-2015 09:57PM

Bradshaw was one of the only good players against Mayo last year. Think there's weaker links than him in the backs. Duane hasn't ever really had a stellar performance at senior IMO.

MfMan · 07-04-2015 10:08PM

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

O'Donnell is deserving of a start these days. He has done well for Galway this year and last. He's a bit of a Dirk Kuyt figure - he was given so many chances that he bound to come good eventually! I cannot think of who you could play WB instead of him.

Can't agree. In the games I've seen, he's been poor since the Cavan match; doesn't attack with conviction, (e.g. made a good break forward last Sunday in the first half, took it into contact and conceded possession, also sent wide a good chance v Roscommon), doesn't defend particularly well either and doesn't play with much pace. Don't make the mistake in thinking that there's no-one better than him available; as stated Silke or Sice are probably better footballers.

TCDStudent1 · 07-04-2015 10:35PM

MfMan wrote: »

Can't agree. In the games I've seen, he's been poor since the Cavan match; doesn't attack with conviction, (e.g. made a good break forward last Sunday in the first half, took it into contact and conceded possession, also sent wide a good chance v Roscommon), doesn't defend particularly well either and doesn't play with much pace. Don't make the mistake in thinking that there's no-one better than him available; as stated Silke or Sice are probably better footballers.

Yeah, but then you are playing Sice in a position that he really hasn't played much in recently. I'd much prefer him in the HF line. Silke looks a quality player to me and would be the first name on the HB line.

crusier · 08-04-2015 10:39PM

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Yeah, but then you are playing Sice in a position that he really hasn't played much in recently. I'd much prefer him in the HF line. Silke looks a quality player to me and would be the first name on the HB line.

With loads of forwards Sice should be in the half backs, I would also chance Conroy at no 6, Bradshaw leaving the panal as captain and going to the US after the mayo trashing was a disgrace, I wouldn't have him in the stand!

TCDStudent1 · 08-04-2015 11:15PM

crusier wrote: »

With loads of forwards Sice should be in the half backs, I would also chance Conroy at no 6, Bradshaw leaving the panal as captain and going to the US after the mayo trashing was a disgrace, I wouldn't have him in the stand!

Hmm, Conroy is a player of scoring points from the 40 - 50 yard line out. So I wouldnt be inclined to move him further away from the opposition goal. Also, if you are going to try a radical change like that, it should be tried in league, not going into championship.

Time to forgive Bradshaw for that!

crusier · 09-04-2015 10:20AM

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Hmm, Conroy is a player of scoring points from the 40 - 50 yard line out. So I wouldnt be inclined to move him further away from the opposition goal. Also, if you are going to try a radical change like that, it should be tried in league, not going into championship.

Time to forgive Bradshaw for that!

Centre backs have been known to pick off the odd point too, but the defending comes first , if we have an abundance of forwards then I think its a real option, if he did turn into a good center back I reckon it would change that team dramatically for the better and help the full back line as well, I'd have McGrath and Sweeney in the corners, I can't forgive Bradshaw I'd forgive him sooner if he had played for mayo last season

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