I know everyone's still celebrating after waiting 29 years for an all-Ireland but after the championship draw my thoughts just went to next year so my question to you all is who are Galway's biggest threats next year in my opinion Cork and Tipperary are the main threats for next year

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 23/10/2017 19:40:58    2057334

hoppingball (Galway) - Posts: 963 - 23/10/2017 22:48:25    2057401

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 23/10/2017 23:16:25    2057409

I agree Clare have some good hurlers but I think they lack physical strength in the half forward line which I believe was there downfall in the game against Tipperary also there Puck out strategy was terrible which resulted in a lot of scores for Tipp.

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 23/10/2017 23:18:37    2057410

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 23/10/2017 23:33:44    2057412

One of the The Biggest challenges to galway retaining liam mc carthy
will come from within themselves
all the things they used to push them harder to win the all Ireland
like being written off by many inside and outside the county
from the heartache they suffered in those finals
the hunger they had from waiting so many years to win it
all these things combined with the talent and teamwork ,
and good management got them there
the confidence gained from winning the all Ireland is something to build on,
But the dangers lurk all around
now comes all the plaudits, the praise , and many many all stars
hurler of the year, young hurler of the year
holidays ,trips abroad ,functions galore,
all these things can combine to soften you up
without you realizing it
losing the focus , the drive, the hunger, the desire
galway will need new goals and targets to focus on for 2018

rhudson (Galway) - Posts: 1478 - 24/10/2017 00:18:39    2057415

It looks like it will be a very open and competitive championship. Cork, Tipp, Waterford and Clare will all be strong contenders, Wexford will be looking to build on their progress this year, Kilkenny are always hard to beat and Limerick have lots of underage talent coming through. Dublin should also be much improved under Pat Gilroy. Galway will have their work cut out for them.

Gaillimh_Abu (Galway) - Posts: 996 - 24/10/2017 00:40:19    2057419

Above the threat posed by other opponents, personally I think the biggest threat to them is staleness. They'll have to play as well as they did this year and improve on that level by 10%-15% if they are to retain their title. On the one hand, every team they play will be "gunning" for them more than ever, while on the other hand, all the extraneous things that go with being champions (trips to Boston, Australia, and the All Star tour, along with various other distractions) potentially can blunt the appetite and leave a team struggling to reach their best. The performances of Tipp last year (and arguably, Clare in 2014 ) should serve fair warning.

As regards on the field opponents, Tipp and Waterford are the stand out threats for me, but I'd be fairly certain too that Kilkenny will improve considerably on this year and if they do they'll be as big a threat as any.

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1903 - 24/10/2017 06:53:37    2057422

The biggest threat to Galway is them self. We are rightly celebrating this fantastic achievement , however once team holidays are over hopefully we will have a hungry panel who are committed to hard work. If we get this then this current Galway team can claim another All Ireland in 2018.

The main contenders will be Tipperary followed by Waterford and Limerick . I feel Dublin might have a bounce and could cause a few surprises, I think Wexford wont drive on from last year.

heartbroken (Galway) - Posts: 370 - 24/10/2017 08:22:02    2057426

Should Cork not be ahead of Clare on the basis of last year seeing as they beat them in a Munster final the one thing I will say is that losing Kierian Kingston was a blow as it would have brought stability to the management set up not sure John Meyler is right man for the job compare that to Micheal Ryan staying on for Tipperary was a huge positive for them as there will be stability with them next year

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 24/10/2017 17:29:48    2057612

Tipperary methinks.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2168 - 24/10/2017 17:51:33    2057625

hoppingball (Galway) - Posts: 963 - 24/10/2017 22:00:53    2057713

Waterford, Cork and Clare could cause issues down the line. In Leinster I would be wary about Wexford and Killkenny this year. Dublin looks like they could be a big threat.

oakleafersir (Derry) - Posts: 808 - 25/10/2017 17:32:37    2057953

I would be surprised if Kilkenny come back next year a lot of miles on the clock for guys like Hogan, M.Fennelley and Reid but like Cork you can never write them off. I do feel Wexford are on the way up lots of underage talent coming through and can see beating the cats in Nowlan park. Will be very tough for Galway to go down to Wexford Park and win!!

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 25/10/2017 22:20:43    2058014

Tipp and then Waterford.

Tipp will really be gunning for us next year, it should be a cracking match when we do meet and imo will decide who wins the AI.

Galwayspur (Offaly) - Posts: 230 - 26/10/2017 13:45:28    2058170

hoppingball (Galway) - Posts: 963 - 26/10/2017 15:08:11    2058216

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 26/10/2017 17:01:49    2058270

hoppingball (Galway) - Posts: 963 - 26/10/2017 21:12:44    2058378

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 26/10/2017 22:22:53    2058415

VictorMeldrew (Galway) - Posts: 93 - 26/10/2017 22:38:09    2058423