Galway GAA discussion thread

maroondog · 22-02-2016 01:02AM

Poor performance last night Dublin really had upper hand winning most 50/50 scraps for the ball. Parnell Park is a very tight pitch and didn't suit Galway who prefer more space and time.

Very disorganised upfront especially 2nd half, didn't have a full forward line in far enough to utilise the strong breeze. Lots of balls pumped in long to no one and the Dublin goalie gladly picking up the long dropping balls. Very poor use of ball at this level and gifted Dublin the back numerous times. Galway have a poor record in Parnell, Dublin really thrive in the scrappy games that Parnell Park serves up. Early days yet but will need to improve time out.

Utopia Parkway · 22-02-2016 04:36PM

maroondog wrote: »

Poor performance last night Dublin really had upper hand winning most 50/50 scraps for the ball. Parnell Park is a very tight pitch and didn't suit Galway who prefer more space and time.

Very disorganised upfront especially 2nd half, didn't have a full forward line in far enough to utilise the strong breeze. Lots of balls pumped in long to no one and the Dublin goalie gladly picking up the long dropping balls. Very poor use of ball at this level and gifted Dublin the back numerous times. Galway have a poor record in Parnell, Dublin really thrive in the scrappy games that Parnell Park serves up. Early days yet but will need to improve time out.

Most teams have a poor record in Parnell to be fair. I think Dublin are unbeaten there in 5 years which is pretty impressive to be fair.

Poor performance the last night alright. Dubs just wanted it more. Galway very disjointed but they did lose players to injury before and during the game. Might explain why they lost their shape so badly. I suspect Galway are still a good few weeks behind other teams in the amount of work they've done due to a new management team arriving in and then a team holiday after Christmas. Certainly a few lads look like they not yet in prime condition. Didn't matter against Cork as that game was played at challenge match tempo but Dublin were well up for it the last night and were flying into tackles from the start.

galwaylad14 · 22-02-2016 04:52PM

I think we have had a tendency in recent years to struggle in games where space is tight and the opposition play with extra men crowding their half backline and midfield area. We seem to just lose all our shape in this situation and we resort to hitting aimless balls into the forwards.

Examples would include the second half of last years All Ireland, the Waterford league game last year and most games up in Parnell Park seem to take that shape aswell for whatever reason, maybe because it seems to be a tight pitch or whatever.

I think we proved last Summer when the hurling is fast and loose and open that we are a match for anyone, look how we ripped apart Dublin (when Dublin inexplicably didn't play a sweeper when playing into a storm in Tullamore) and Cork and how we beat Tipp in a high scoring shoot out. Fast forward to the All Ireland and the game is open and fast in the first half and we look the better side and are in a great position at half time. Fast forward to the second half, Kilkenny flood men back to crowd out our space and we can't cope with it.

This leads us to an obvious issue though, teams know we dislike this style and they'll adopt their game to play that way against us.

maroondog · 24-02-2016 12:08AM

galwaylad14 wrote: »

I think we have had a tendency in recent years to struggle in games where space is tight and the opposition play with extra men crowding their half backline and midfield area. We seem to just lose all our shape in this situation and we resort to hitting aimless balls into the forwards.

Examples would include the second half of last years All Ireland, the Waterford league game last year and most games up in Parnell Park seem to take that shape aswell for whatever reason, maybe because it seems to be a tight pitch or whatever.

I think we proved last Summer when the hurling is fast and loose and open that we are a match for anyone, look how we ripped apart Dublin (when Dublin inexplicably didn't play a sweeper when playing into a storm in Tullamore) and Cork and how we beat Tipp in a high scoring shoot out. Fast forward to the All Ireland and the game is open and fast in the first half and we look the better side and are in a great position at half time. Fast forward to the second half, Kilkenny flood men back to crowd out our space and we can't cope with it.

This leads us to an obvious issue though, teams know we dislike this style and they'll adopt their game to play that way against us.

Parnell Park is very small pitch for hurling, always lots of bunching and scrappy play there. Dublin are lot more used of it and hence their good record. Last time I saw Galway play Dublin there it was very similar to Saturday evening.

Legalfarmer89 · 25-02-2016 10:45AM

galwaylad14 wrote: »

I think we proved last Summer when the hurling is fast and loose and open that we are a match for anyone, look how we ripped apart Dublin (when Dublin inexplicably didn't play a sweeper when playing into a storm in Tullamore) and Cork and how we beat Tipp in a high scoring shoot out. Fast forward to the All Ireland and the game is open and fast in the first half and we look the better side and are in a great position at half time. Fast forward to the second half, Kilkenny flood men back to crowd out our space and we can't cope with it.

This summer will be the acid test for this Galway team and not a League match in the middle of February against the Dubs. Donohue just needs to work on getting the team ready for the Leinster Championship and improving some aspects of our game ie rucking for the ball, making tactical switches in games and having forwards scoring from play in tight matches. Player for player were as good as any bar Kilkenny and who knows how they will go this year, the machine has to run out of oil sometime!

28-02-2016 05:28PM

Good win for the footballers in Derry. Let in 2 late goals that took the gloss off the win but with 4 points from 3 games, we are well positioned. Another 2 against Meath and we've a good chance of pushing for promotion which is desperately needed. Tyrone will top the division, they have 6 points but results elsewhere are balancing out nicely, Derry on 4 with everyone else on 2.

Result of the day though goes to Roscommon for their hammering of Cork. Mayo's trip to Monaghan looks a big one for them now in that division.

sporter1 · 04-03-2016 07:27PM

Greg lally out for the rest of the season with a cruciate injury, big blow as he was playing well in the center back position.

04-03-2016 09:31PM

sporter1 wrote: »

Greg lally out for the rest of the season with a cruciate injury, big blow as he was playing well in the center back position.

That's a blow alright. I thought last year he was hard done by.
Can field a ball and was tidy enough...while it leaves us short of cover we do have defensive options, more than forwards.

maroondog · 05-03-2016 03:12AM

gilberto_eire wrote: »

That's a blow alright. I thought last year he was hard done by.
Can field a ball and was tidy enough...while it leaves us short of cover we do have defensive options, more than forwards.

I thought Lally might nail down the CB position and allow Daithi B fill the ever problematic FB spot but not now. Tannion is getting on a bit so looks like Daithi B will be filling the CB spot as I dont see any other viable options? Its not a position ya cant just try out someone with little experience, its a crucial position to get right. Usually its a position someone works towards/graduates to having served time in others positions for a season or so. Big blow so early in the league, wish Lally well with his recovery.

KK away big big test, really pity the repeat of AI cant make a spot on TG4 Gaa Beo or even deferred coverage. As is usually the case, football live (Donegal v Kerry) and Tipp v Waterford is shown as deferred coverage.

05-03-2016 11:17AM

maroondog wrote: »

I thought Lally might nail down the CB position and allow Daithi B fill the ever problematic FB spot but not now. Tannion is getting on a bit so looks like Daithi B will be filling the CB spot as I dont see any other viable options? Its not a position ya cant just try out someone with little experience, its a crucial position to get right. Usually its a position someone works towards/graduates to having served time in others positions for a season or so. Big blow so early in the league, wish Lally well with his recovery.

KK away big big test, really pity the repeat of AI cant make a spot on TG4 Gaa Beo or even deferred coverage. As is usually the case, football live (Donegal v Kerry) and Tipp v Waterford is shown as deferred coverage.

I wasn't aware it wasn't being shown.

That's mind boggling really. I wasn't going to go to Salthill as I'd rather see the hurling but I guess that sorts that.

Anyway by the looks of things there's more reasons to be optimistic about success in the football league.

06-03-2016 03:22PM

Just a typical weekend for Galway GAA.

Footballers without a score after 15mins against a poor Meath team and the hurlers losing 10-3 to a waning KK team.

Why do we bother with them....

06-03-2016 03:44PM

As bad as Cork have been, I think we're even worse.

5 points at HT in KK after a woeful count last week.

Canning missed a free from the 45 and central. Sounded like an abysmal miss.

I think O'Donoghue has just tear up the squad or we'll get nowhere.

Mannion isn't a HF either, a good player with the ball but he's soft as **** and hasn't got the graft to make it in that line.

That's been O'Donoghues bad judgement thus far, apart from that its established players letting him down and he cant be faulted for that in his first year.

Galway and Cork in the relegation play off so... And id be fearful as Cork are at least doing it at one end.

dastardly00 · 06-03-2016 03:47PM

Canning has missed a couple of relatively easy frees, but so has TJ Reid. Not sure why, as there is no wind. Galway just seem like they are not bothered. KK are only in about third gear themselves.

06-03-2016 04:12PM

Footballers are rallying.. Which isn't surprising as they've been competitive in defeat already this year.
Even if they don't win their games it's important to at least challenge and not to do what the hurler are doing two weeks running.

06-03-2016 04:37PM

Disappointing end in Salthill.

12 point swing but gave up the last 3 to draw.

Hurlers managed to put respectability on the scoreboard but they're not in transition and as usual the comeback isn't enough.

Diabhal Beag · 06-03-2016 05:29PM

Footballers were unbelievably bad in the first half. No off the ball running of any sort while Newman was pulling men out left and right. Real nerves in front of goal and their kickouts were an absolutely embarrassment as usual. Conceded a comical goal too.

But that second half gives hope. The ran it better and pinged some lovely ball into the forwards. Conroy was outstanding against two Meath men under the high ball. Guys like Walsh and Varley stood up bigtime. Hoare and Brannigan worked their balls off and even subs like Sice and Cummins brought more attacking options. Like Kyne a lot at FB.

Can't be overstated how poor Meath were in that second half. Two poor teams in all fairness. We'd be done for sure in terms of promotion if we lost that and more than likely need to hit 9 points to have any hope of coming second.

12-03-2016 10:33PM

Important day for both the hurlers and footballers tomorrow.

Hurlers at home to Tipp. Both sides on 2 points having made disappointing starts to the league. Tipp have been more competitive to date though and will be disappointed to not have at least 4 points at this stage. They will be missing O'Dwyer and Callanan only on the bench it seems. Galway have injury problems and the team on paper wouldn't inspire you but it's a good test of where Galway are at and hopefully we can get the win to keep it in our hands heading to Waterford. They need to give us some indication that there is hope for 2016 tomorrow.

Footballers were a real mixed bag last weekend. Travelling up north is always difficult. Armagh have been poor to date in the league but will be more settled now. They've lost to us twice in the championship so I'm sure they'll look to set the record straight. If we win here we give ourselves a shot at promotion. Cavan look to be the biggest challenger to Tyrone at the minute. Promotion could come down to facing them in the last game in Cavan. Hopefully Gary Sice is on from the start this week. Along with Paul Conroy played an influential role in dragging Galway back into contention last Sunday.

maroondog · 13-03-2016 01:24AM

Very few new faces in the Galway team during the Hurling League so far. Just Hoban starting against Tipp who's new since last year (im fairly sure). Tuohy got 2 starts at midfield and also Eanna Burke, Matthew Keating & Colm Flynn brought as subs but very little game time. But very little experimenting really, with game 4 of 5 going to be done by later, really surprised at lack of new faces getting tried out. Only new forward tested is Eanna Burke, surely you need to improve and bring on new players. League is nearly up and not really made any significant changes tried out.

Kilkenny who are Champs trying out starting min 3/4 new faces in all league games and clearly trying looking to continuously improve.

Match v Tipp will be really important to win, would need to get the 2 points and not continue the losing streak.

Hulk Hands · 13-03-2016 01:35AM

Footballers looked superb for 25 mins last weekend. Pity they were terrible for the other 45. Were reasonably unlucky considering the goal was a freak incident, and that saved the game for Meath. Forwards looked awesome during the good period, without potentially the best forward aswel, which was encouraging. Still though, usual mistakes costing games they should win. It's looking like its going to come down to a winner takes all match in Cavan for promotion, provided we get 1 win from the next 2. Hopefully can keep the good record against a torn Armagh going. Apprehensive about it though

13-03-2016 03:40PM

Another woeful performance so far. Canning aside we'd have about 4 points.

I think Tipp have won 90% of the Galway puck outs.

I don't fancy us against Cork at all if we lose today, they're scoring 20 plus a game and we're struggling to make a football score in a game.

Tannion at midfield is just a ludicrous decision as well, he cant shoot and isn't mobile enough.

13-03-2016 04:39PM

Some of the last few scores Tipp got were terrible.
3 from the last 4, just bad mistakes.

Tipp win next week and we're in the relegation play off regardless if there's a win down in Waterford.

No incentive for the top 3 to win either since they're qualified for the quarters.

13-03-2016 04:56PM

Footballers throwing promotion away to Armagh, down 6 with 10 to go after being level at HT.

If you cant get out of that division you're going nowhere as even Tyrone are a fair bit behind the pack.
And if they lose today I cant see them winning back to back games.

13-03-2016 05:11PM

Goal at the death for a draw.

Brings them to 6 points now so tied for second place.

Probably not a huge difference between 5 and 6 points as two wins are still needed but its good to see them being competitive in each game but still more work to do as its still only 2 wins from 5 against poor teams.

Hulk Hands · 13-03-2016 05:33PM

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Goal at the death for a draw.

Brings them to 6 points now so tied for second place.

Probably not a huge difference between 5 and 6 points as two wins are still needed but its good to see them being competitive in each game but still more work to do as its still only 2 wins from 5 against poor teams.

The draw at home with Meath was disappointing but other than that, theyve hammered Laois away, hammered Derry away before jammy consolation goals, and got a draw away to Armagh today. Dont see how Tyrone are a bad side and a 2 pt loss to them wasnt terrible. No need to be negative all the time. It's very likely to come down to a winner takes all match in Cavan for promotion, we'd have taken that at the start. Being 6/7 pts down with 8 mins left and getting something from the game is exactly what other teams have done to us in other years. Good to see them showing character after poor periods two weeks running

13-03-2016 05:45PM

Wasn't being negative at all actually, ive been happy with the continued competitiveness thus far.
Tyrone are a decent side but they're still a ways behind being a top tier team, however they're no worse than the mid to lower end of D1.

Sure you can break it down individually but it still is 2 wins from 5. That wasn't a tip of the hat or criticism, just a plain fact.

I'm more concerned about the hurlers tbh, they're continuously turning out long periods of utter tripe on the back of a second AI appearance in 4 years.
That's just plainly not good enough for a team with basically one new player.

The footballers are trying out a fair few new lads so a certain period of transition is expected.

13-03-2016 08:06PM

Mixed bag today. On the positive side, the footballers coming back to get a draw is a decent result in the end having been 7 down. In such a tight division not losing is very important. Hopefully can do the business at home to Fermanagh next time out which would give us effectively a play off away to Cavan in the last game. Cavan are playing well this year and it would be a big ask but still promotion is achievable. I really think we need to get promoted this year, we would struggle in division 1 but we need to get experience of playing at the highest level at this stage.

Hurlers are effectively consigned to a relegation play off after today's results. First half was atrocious. If Tipp were up by 9 or 10 at half time it'd have been a fair reflection of the play. Their erratic shooting and Canning's outstanding goal brought us into it. 2nd half was better but we had lots of chances to close it out and failed to do so due to poor touch, poor decision making etc. I'm worried by what I am seeing, our touch is miles off, the central line of the team looks completely up in the air and to be honest there were a number of changes which should have been made by management which were either made only late in the game or not made at all. On the flip side there is a long way to championship yet. This time last year we lost to Cork and went on to hammer them in July.

Realistically it's still over 4 months to the Leinster final. We should get over (probably) Offaly and Laois without too many difficulties (although Offaly are showing signs of improvement and will have games under their belt and home advantage facing us). However, while I don't think we'll have a 2013 type implosion there are more questions than answers about us at the moment.

PressRun · 14-03-2016 12:28AM

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Tyrone are a decent side but they're still a ways behind being a top tier team, however they're no worse than the mid to lower end of D1.

I think Tyrone are well on their way to getting back into the top tier and may very well be at the business end of things in the championship this year. Mickey Harte has done a great job of bringing youth into the side and the transition from defence to attack looks very seamless. Coupled with the fact that Tyrone are a championship team, imo, I think they're going to be one to keep an eye on this summer.

galwaylad14 · 14-03-2016 11:09AM

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Mixed bag today. On the positive side, the footballers coming back to get a draw is a decent result in the end having been 7 down. In such a tight division not losing is very important. Hopefully can do the business at home to Fermanagh next time out which would give us effectively a play off away to Cavan in the last game. Cavan are playing well this year and it would be a big ask but still promotion is achievable. I really think we need to get promoted this year, we would struggle in division 1 but we need to get experience of playing at the highest level at this stage.

Hurlers are effectively consigned to a relegation play off after today's results. First half was atrocious. If Tipp were up by 9 or 10 at half time it'd have been a fair reflection of the play. Their erratic shooting and Canning's outstanding goal brought us into it. 2nd half was better but we had lots of chances to close it out and failed to do so due to poor touch, poor decision making etc. I'm worried by what I am seeing, our touch is miles off, the central line of the team looks completely up in the air and to be honest there were a number of changes which should have been made by management which were either made only late in the game or not made at all. On the flip side there is a long way to championship yet. This time last year we lost to Cork and went on to hammer them in July.

Realistically it's still over 4 months to the Leinster final. We should get over (probably) Offaly and Laois without too many difficulties (although Offaly are showing signs of improvement and will have games under their belt and home advantage facing us). However, while I don't think we'll have a 2013 type implosion there are more questions than answers about us at the moment.

Would agree that we were awful for a lot of the first half but in fairness I thought we were very good in the second half. Showed great fight and spirit and got some lovely scores. Puckouts in the first 20 minutes were the main issue, we couldn't win a break.

No idea what you're referring to about us having no spine to the team? I'd say it'll stay as it is now. Daithi Burke will stay at 3 and is a very good full back, one or two ropey clearances yesterday but that was it. David Burke was excellent at 6, one of the best players on the pitch. Glennon was super in the middle, who'll partner him there is still unknown alright but he'll be one midfielder. Joe was just out of this world at 11, an absolute exhibition. Sublime. He'll also stay there, seems to be thriving on the space and being more involved in the game.

Full forward still a bit up for grabs, think Whelan will come good there, good battler and finisher when it's going well for them. Once Donnellan comes back we'll probably see him spend a bit of time in here as well.

But overall I'd say the spine of the team is far more settled than at this stage most years.

TheNap · 14-03-2016 12:49PM

Canning with Roy of the Rover stuff .

RobbieRuns · 14-03-2016 12:51PM

TheNap wrote: »

Canning with Roy of the Rover stuff .

Was Roy good with a hurley?

Galway GAA discussion thread

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