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Galway Football thread

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Replying To LottoPlus:  "Are you silly dropping Silke for O Flaherty. O Flaherty does not mark which is not great for a half back while Silke is a super man marker. Silke is miles ahead. O flaherty will get you 1 to 2 points but his man will get 3-4. O Currain is not there yet and has a tendency of playing for himself not a team. He will get there but not yet.
My team would be Gleeson, McGrath, Kelly, Glynn, McHugh Daly (though I think his position is in jeopardy) Silke, Conroy, Maher, Heaney, Tierney, Darcy, Walshe, Comer, Finnerty.

Subs, McDaid, Molloy and probably O Flaherty."
I like the look of your team. Certainly wouldn't drop Silke, I think he can be hugely underrated at times. Always seems to make the right decision.

Harsh on Fitzgerald but I also agree John Daly maybe venerable.

When all fit, I don't think i would move McDaid to H/B. Conroy, Darcy, McDaid, Tierney and Maher...... not sure all start together. I think we hold 1 or 2 of them as finishers. Good problem to have, but also crucial decisions as I think balance in the team will be the winning and losing of games.

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1852 - 14/05/2024 13:02:46    2544706

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John Daly is a well watched player these days, one of the best backs in the game in terns of his kicking skills. He was excellent on the ball in some of the league games and he certainly will benefit when Galway are able to start Comer, Walsh, Tierney & Finnerty.

Silke won't be dropped, he's an All Star defender who needs game to get back to his 2022 form. He marked Sean O'Shea out of the final 2 years and if Galway have designs on going far this year they need him back to his best.

McDaid is a special player, can play anywhere but if Galway want to get the best out of him don't play him wingback. I'd prefer Sean Kelly Kelly at fullback but until Sean Fitzgerald gets taken to the cleaners he'll probably not end back there. Cian Hernon looks like a real talent and over the next few years you'd expect him to be starting but can't imagine it will be this year.

Hopefully we get to see Walsh, McDaid & Kelly operating in the same areas over the next few months.

TheBishop (Galway) - Posts: 268 - 14/05/2024 13:15:05    2544711

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Replying To Mayonman:  "I like the look of your team. Certainly wouldn't drop Silke, I think he can be hugely underrated at times. Always seems to make the right decision.

Harsh on Fitzgerald but I also agree John Daly maybe venerable.

When all fit, I don't think i would move McDaid to H/B. Conroy, Darcy, McDaid, Tierney and Maher...... not sure all start together. I think we hold 1 or 2 of them as finishers. Good problem to have, but also crucial decisions as I think balance in the team will be the winning and losing of games."
Pj has a bit of momentum going into this match and there is no way he is going to make personnel changes to key positions. You can take it:
3. Fitzgerald 6. Daly 7. Silke 8. Kelly 12. Darcy
It's all about players on the field emptying the tank and getting theit replacements on at the opportune time. McGuigan will be a handfull so, I'm looking for no soft frees being giveb away. I'm hoping Kelly moving forward can occupy Glass and ket the opposition worry about us - not vice versa. If we consider ourselves to be contenders, then we have to have thus mindset. I'd also start Maher at centre forward to give a bit more punch to the line.

AnCrúiscínLán (Galway) - Posts: 95 - 14/05/2024 14:22:23    2544728

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Will James McLaughlin and Cian Hernon be rejoining the panel? We had a 40 man panel last season, seem to have a 38 man panel so far this season, just curious to see if they plan on trying to integrate the two lads back in. Personally I think it would be no harm to have them in training, but I'd be shocked if either of them were able to make matchday 26 given they have missed so much.

gaillimhboy (Galway) - Posts: 344 - 14/05/2024 14:24:55    2544730

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I for one definitely think galway have move Sean Kelly back it's game is being curtailed big time as a midfielder the last day v mayo Ruane had his best game in about 3 years and if Ryan o Donohoue had passed him ball when Gleason went walk about he was through for goal ,reading some of posters looks like no one can be benched we coukd end up with 18 players starting ,,, Maher , Walsh , tierney definitely should start v Derry and Kelly in back line if Galway' start same team as did v mayo game be over before ht even last year v Westmeath galway struggle for long time in that game it was only when John Maher came on that galway took control, , in my opinion the half back line and half forward line that started v mayo not good enough to win the big prize but the players are there just to start them

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 872 - 14/05/2024 16:01:34    2544755

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Galway are one team I really hate playing in Championship. We have a straight loss record of 4 in a row in Championship so we need a big performance to get anything on Saturday. Galway match up well against us. Definitely a team I would like to have avoided but hopefully a good fair game on Saturday and the best team wins.

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 177 - 14/05/2024 18:45:44    2544806

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Kelly hasn't realistically played full back for Galway since he went on Clifford in the last round of the league in March 2023. Hernon was full back on Heslin v Westmeath and Murnin v Armagh and Fitz took the role in the Mayo game. Kelly took Dylan McHugh's wing back spot when he was playing his best football late last championship, while McHugh was injured. Positions were fluid though and he spent plenty of time around midfield also

I think ultimately he'll end up at 7 when McDaid is fit and Silke will battle it out for position with someone else in the backline. Matchup's matter more than positions though and we're too quick to write the Kelly midfield experiment off. he's just taking a bit of time to get fully back to speed

PressureKick (UK) - Posts: 222 - 14/05/2024 21:42:12    2544832

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Replying To PressureKick:  "Kelly hasn't realistically played full back for Galway since he went on Clifford in the last round of the league in March 2023. Hernon was full back on Heslin v Westmeath and Murnin v Armagh and Fitz took the role in the Mayo game. Kelly took Dylan McHugh's wing back spot when he was playing his best football late last championship, while McHugh was injured. Positions were fluid though and he spent plenty of time around midfield also

I think ultimately he'll end up at 7 when McDaid is fit and Silke will battle it out for position with someone else in the backline. Matchup's matter more than positions though and we're too quick to write the Kelly midfield experiment off. he's just taking a bit of time to get fully back to speed"
Personally I think I would play Sean Kelly at centreback - Daly was very good in that position 2 years ago but his form has dipped and its too easy to run through the centre of that Galway defence these days. I would start Maher, Sweeney, Tierney and O'Curraoin. Walsh, O'Flaherty, McDaid, Daly, Molloy or Darcy to come in as impact subs when the game opens up in earnest. My team would be:

Gleeson
McGrath
Fitzgerald
Glynn
McHugh
Kelly
Silke
Conroy
Maher
Heaney
Tierney
Sweeney
Finnerty
Comer
O'Curraoin

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3448 - 15/05/2024 12:50:17    2544908

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Replying To tommy k:  "Personally I think I would play Sean Kelly at centreback - Daly was very good in that position 2 years ago but his form has dipped and its too easy to run through the centre of that Galway defence these days. I would start Maher, Sweeney, Tierney and O'Curraoin. Walsh, O'Flaherty, McDaid, Daly, Molloy or Darcy to come in as impact subs when the game opens up in earnest. My team would be:

Gleeson
McGrath
Fitzgerald
Glynn
McHugh
Kelly
Silke
Conroy
Maher
Heaney
Tierney
Sweeney
Finnerty
Comer
O'Curraoin"
Just as a follow-on to the above, I am assuming Tomo Culhane is still injured but if he was fit I would start him instead of O'Curraoin.

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3448 - 15/05/2024 12:58:15    2544911

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I am absoulutely stunned by the amount of people proposing to leave Shane Walsh on the bench. Its starting to make me wonder about whether Galway people know anything abut football. If David Clifford was struggling with a bit of form and recovering from injury, nobody down there would consider dropping him...them boys know their football.
There isnt another county in the country who would leave him on he bench. It beggars belief.

anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 851 - 15/05/2024 13:42:05    2544923

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A good few posters stating John Daly not near his 2022 form and looking for Sean Kelly to play centre half back yet forgetting to mention he's nowhere near his 2022 form either.

I'll be amazed if Daly doesn't start centre half back come Saturday unless he picks up an injury

TheBishop (Galway) - Posts: 268 - 15/05/2024 13:48:15    2544924

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The last day v mayo Daly played wingback silke went center on Boland I see a good few posters suggest not starting Walsh in my opinion he should start definitely at center forward his passing from there open teams up plus most centre backs stay in that position so he woukd. Not have be running back defending half back line and half forward line need improvement, that's why I'd go with mchugh, Kelly Mcdaid if fit and heaney, Walsh tierney half forward line

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 872 - 15/05/2024 15:25:03    2544946

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Replying To anotheralias:  "I am absoulutely stunned by the amount of people proposing to leave Shane Walsh on the bench. Its starting to make me wonder about whether Galway people know anything abut football. If David Clifford was struggling with a bit of form and recovering from injury, nobody down there would consider dropping him...them boys know their football.
There isnt another county in the country who would leave him on he bench. It beggars belief."
I don't think he had a full game in him against Mayo. And even then, it took him until nearly the 60th minute to be involved in the game and impact it.

jobseekersbent (Galway) - Posts: 381 - 15/05/2024 15:32:11    2544948

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Replying To TheBishop:  "A good few posters stating John Daly not near his 2022 form and looking for Sean Kelly to play centre half back yet forgetting to mention he's nowhere near his 2022 form either.

I'll be amazed if Daly doesn't start centre half back come Saturday unless he picks up an injury"
I suppose the difference is Seán Kelly was brilliant in 2023 too, until he got the injury against Armagh. His comeback has been interrupted by more injury, so his is more a case of getting a run of games to see where he's at. His form up until the injury last year was excellent.
John Daly has been an ever-present since 2022. While he has had some difficult moments, I wouldn't say his form has been poor. We were a lot tighter down the middle against Mayo and gave up no real goal chance, apart from one potentially self-inflicted one.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2080 - 15/05/2024 15:40:45    2544951

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Replying To TheBishop:  "A good few posters stating John Daly not near his 2022 form and looking for Sean Kelly to play centre half back yet forgetting to mention he's nowhere near his 2022 form either.

I'll be amazed if Daly doesn't start centre half back come Saturday unless he picks up an injury"
I agree, I'd be totally shocked if he didn't start. He integral to the way we play and the structure of the team. Class player in my view. Kelly hasn't been great at midfield yet there is time yet for that to come to fruition

Trucker1 (Galway) - Posts: 379 - 15/05/2024 15:43:38    2544952

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Replying To anotheralias:  "I am absoulutely stunned by the amount of people proposing to leave Shane Walsh on the bench. Its starting to make me wonder about whether Galway people know anything abut football. If David Clifford was struggling with a bit of form and recovering from injury, nobody down there would consider dropping him...them boys know their football.
There isnt another county in the country who would leave him on he bench. It beggars belief."
You're bang on.

You can't win a game in the first 20 minutes, but you could lose one.

This notion of that PJ held him back for 20mins last week as some masterstroke is nonsense.
He made the subs as he wasn't happy with the performances.

You start your best players.. it's easier to take players off and maintain a plan if you're winning than trying to introduce players and make a comeback which usually requires abandoning any original plan.

Also it's a 70min game where the ball is in play for 35mins on average generally being moved around slowly by hand, it's not one of the more hectic sports.

Gilberto_Eire (Galway) - Posts: 67 - 15/05/2024 15:58:17    2544953

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Replying To Kickitout:  "The last day v mayo Daly played wingback silke went center on Boland I see a good few posters suggest not starting Walsh in my opinion he should start definitely at center forward his passing from there open teams up plus most centre backs stay in that position so he woukd. Not have be running back defending half back line and half forward line need improvement, that's why I'd go with mchugh, Kelly Mcdaid if fit and heaney, Walsh tierney half forward line"
Eoin McEvoy at no. 6 bombs forward at every chance - scored 2-2 against Dublin in league final. So, I'd play Maher at centre forward for his work rate and physicality element.

AnCrúiscínLán (Galway) - Posts: 95 - 15/05/2024 17:34:17    2544972

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Replying To Gilberto_Eire:  "You're bang on.

You can't win a game in the first 20 minutes, but you could lose one.

This notion of that PJ held him back for 20mins last week as some masterstroke is nonsense.
He made the subs as he wasn't happy with the performances.

You start your best players.. it's easier to take players off and maintain a plan if you're winning than trying to introduce players and make a comeback which usually requires abandoning any original plan.

Also it's a 70min game where the ball is in play for 35mins on average generally being moved around slowly by hand, it's not one of the more hectic sports."
Agree with all of that except the last bit. Intercounty Gaelic Football is well up there in terms of distances covered by players, % of sprints or high speed runs etc.
That aside, I'd absolutely be starting Shane Walsh if he's fit.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2080 - 15/05/2024 18:33:04    2544982

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Looking forward to the game, I assume the team will be named on Friday. I expect Derry to come out all guns blazing but they have not played for a while now. Curb Glass influence at midfield, no easy task and we will be able to challenge. Who is the best marker for Glass, a player I really rate along with Fenton who can drag a team along with him when needed. I understand McGrogan one of Derry's best defenders is out for the year and that's a pity as we all understand in Galway that you need everyone to really go deep in the championship. Its a fine day promised and of course being Salthill that can change but for now no rain and light wind. I know Derry are strong favourites but I still believe we could beat them if at our best.

JahTribe (Galway) - Posts: 97 - 15/05/2024 18:42:02    2544983

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "I suppose the difference is Seán Kelly was brilliant in 2023 too, until he got the injury against Armagh. His comeback has been interrupted by more injury, so his is more a case of getting a run of games to see where he's at. His form up until the injury last year was excellent.
John Daly has been an ever-present since 2022. While he has had some difficult moments, I wouldn't say his form has been poor. We were a lot tighter down the middle against Mayo and gave up no real goal chance, apart from one potentially self-inflicted one."
I think Sean Kelly will get better with more games. Unfortunately John Daly appears to be getting worse with more games - he hardly ever puts in a hard tackle or overturns an opposition player in possession. He can give the odd good pass but he also can get telegraph what he is going to do at times e.g. he was blocked down far too easily when attempting a point against Mayo in the first half the last day.

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3448 - 16/05/2024 09:32:45    2545028

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