Galway have played Armagh, Derry and Mayo. Mayo are a far better side than Monaghan so Galway have in my book had a tougher route to this point. They have a real opportunity to put themselves back where Galway would fell they should be. If they beat Donegal then they have a huge chance of making the All Ireland Semi Final. Monaghan are a bit overrated since they beat Donegal in a rubbish ulster final. I would fancy tyrone to beat monaghan if Donegal do win. The prize for Donegal is a likely pasting against Mayo.

jonno (Kildare) - Posts: 260 - 27/07/2015 10:19:59    1759501

Gleebo-They were poor around the middle against Mayo but in fairness they played well against Kerry for the first 50 minutes against KErry last year and have good games against Armagh & Derry. Their both still physically developing and aren't the finished product yet, more games against better opposition will help them.

As for the Galway defence been poor I'd strongly disagree. They've been left wide open for years under Mulholland and Walsh is lowly putting that right but its going to take time. Silke, Sweeny & Duane weren't on the team last year and we've certainly tightened up as the last 2 games have shown. There's still lots of progress to make and the game on Saturday maybe too soon but if Galway can improve on their last 2 performances then they have a chance.

TheWestIsAwake (UK) - Posts: 529 - 27/07/2015 12:07:58    1759610

TheWestIsAwake
County: UK
Posts: 183

1759610
Gleebo-They were poor around the middle against Mayo but in fairness they played well against Kerry for the first 50 minutes against KErry last year and have good games against Armagh & Derry. Their both still physically developing and aren't the finished product yet, more games against better opposition will help them.

As for the Galway defence been poor I'd strongly disagree. They've been left wide open for years under Mulholland and Walsh is lowly putting that right but its going to take time. Silke, Sweeny & Duane weren't on the team last year and we've certainly tightened up as the last 2 games have shown. There's still lots of progress to make and the game on Saturday maybe too soon but if Galway can improve on their last 2 performances then they have a chance.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, I think. IMO Kerry were never in danger of being reeled in in the quarter-final last year, having led from start to finish. Tom Flynn did score a brilliant solo goal, but I'd argue that the Kerry defence would be disappointed that no-one came to close him down

The comment about their defence had Galway's full-back line in mind: Aidan O'Shea bullied Finian Hanley, but Galway left acres of space to run into and at no point in the game looked like changing their set-up to deal with the threat. How many tap-over frees did they concede, 8, 9? Not a sign of a robust rearguard. Even in the Derry game, but for a loose pass across the Galway square, the game was in the balance.

Walsh has certainly made Galway more combative, but big question marks are still there, IMHO.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 27/07/2015 12:36:24    1759635

onno
County: Kildare
Posts: 80

1759501

Galway have played Armagh, Derry and Mayo. Mayo are a far better side than Monaghan so Galway have in my book had a tougher route to this point. They have a real opportunity to put themselves back where Galway would fell they should be. If they beat Donegal then they have a huge chance of making the All Ireland Semi Final. Monaghan are a bit overrated since they beat Donegal in a rubbish ulster final. I would fancy tyrone to beat monaghan if Donegal do win. The prize for Donegal is a likely pasting against Mayo.

No doubt Galway are on the rise. However, you being a Kildare man, would know that Kildare possibly have won more back-door matches than anyone else, but it has'nt led to a Sept. CP appearance YET. Yes, Galway have beaten good teams so far, especially up in Armagh. But the physic of teams in the back-door quite often is questionable. The back-door always seems to work for a team "on the up"(which Galway are), as it is a means of getting to another level.
Armagh were "on the up" until that crushing defeat to Donegal.
The Ulster final was actually a good watch (maybe you enjoyed the Leinster & Connacht one better, thats your perogative!). A GOOD Monaghan team beat a GOOD Donegal team. Maybe I'm being sensitive, so to put it in your terms, overated Monaghan have played in the last 3 rubbish Ulster finals & won 2 of them.......... In that case I like us being overrated!

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 442 - 27/07/2015 12:56:47    1759648

Gleebo
County: Mayo
Posts: 426



1759610


We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, I think. IMO Kerry were never in danger of being reeled in in the quarter-final last year, having led from start to finish. Tom Flynn did score a brilliant solo goal, but I'd argue that the Kerry defence would be disappointed that no-one came to close him down

The comment about their defence had Galway's full-back line in mind: Aidan O'Shea bullied Finian Hanley, but Galway left acres of space to run into and at no point in the game looked like changing their set-up to deal with the threat. How many tap-over frees did they concede, 8, 9? Not a sign of a robust rearguard. Even in the Derry game, but for a loose pass across the Galway square, the game was in the balance.
Walsh has certainly made Galway more combative, but big question marks are still there, IMHO.

Galway were nowhere near beating Kerry, they were beaten by a Kerry team in 2nd gear. My comments were based on the 2 lads who held their own in midfield for most of the game. We were beaten comfortably in all other aspects of the game.

Don't deny there aren't plenty of question marks either, as for the Mayo match Kevin Walsh I thought the tactics were odd at the time but having watched the game a few times since the biggest problem was getting well beaten at midfield, it led to quick ball into the Mayo forwards and Galway were far more open at the back which they weren't in general play when they were far more organised. It may well be a huge issue again on Saturday, only time will tell.

TheWestIsAwake (UK) - Posts: 529 - 27/07/2015 13:31:10    1759671

MonaghanExile,
I'm not saying Monaghan are not good, but that will be determined in Croke Park out of the white heat of Ulster. The Ulster final was poor, will an Ulster team lift SAM this year? I'd seriously doubt it. Could this be the year that Monaghan get to September I wouldn't mind if they did and you deserve all credit for winning two Ulsters. It's an interesting year and if Galway beat Donegal then it will be even more interesting. IMO

jonno (Kildare) - Posts: 260 - 27/07/2015 18:05:01    1759929

It's a deal Yew-tree! I think you boys have a great shot at it this year. The debacle of the Connacht final showed ye to be firing on all cylinders so I don't see why ye can't go all the way this year.

Do you have the feeling that if it doesn't happen this year, then it won't happen at all for this bunch of players? I'd hate to see some of ye're lads go the way of the great hurlers we've had over the last 30 years who never managed to get the only medal that really counts...

festinog (Galway) - Posts: 3097 - 27/07/2015 19:23:15    1759978

jonno
County: Kildare
Posts: 81

1759929
MonaghanExile,
I'm not saying Monaghan are not good, but that will be determined in Croke Park out of the white heat of Ulster. The Ulster final was poor, will an Ulster team lift SAM this year? I'd seriously doubt it. Could this be the year that Monaghan get to September I wouldn't mind if they did and you deserve all credit for winning two Ulsters. It's an interesting year and if Galway beat Donegal then it will be even more interesting. IMO

Beware the emerging Red Hand's, I fancy Tyrone to beat Monaghan and I wouldn't be shocked if the reach an All Ireland final this year.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 27/07/2015 19:44:00    1759987

Galway are too nice. Need a centre back, experienced centre fielder and a powerful corner forward

HughHunt24 (Cork) - Posts: 841 - 27/07/2015 20:16:05    1759998

The big G are clearly on the rise but still remain the second best team in Connacht. Mayo have raised the standard so high and we are forcing Galway to up their game. It will take Galway some more time to catch up but they could shake a few tree at national level before the year is out. If Donegal are not at the races no better side than Galway to take advantage.

JamesH (Mayo) - Posts: 465 - 27/07/2015 20:29:15    1760010

Monaghan Exile
County: Monaghan
Posts: 197

No doubt Galway are on the rise. However, you being a Kildare man, would know that Kildare possibly have won more back-door matches than anyone else, but it has'nt led to a Sept. CP appearance YET. Yes, Galway have beaten good teams so far, especially up in Armagh. But the physic of teams in the back-door quite often is questionable. The back-door always seems to work for a team "on the up"(which Galway are), as it is a means of getting to another level.
Armagh were "on the up" until that crushing defeat to Donegal.
The Ulster final was actually a good watch (maybe you enjoyed the Leinster & Connacht one better, thats your perogative!). A GOOD Monaghan team beat a GOOD Donegal team. Maybe I'm being sensitive, so to put it in your terms, overated Monaghan have played in the last 3 rubbish Ulster finals & won 2 of them.......... In that case I like us being overrated

----

Don't get that. Galway we're on the up before their defeat to Mayo as were Armagh before their defeat to Donegal. What's your point? Both teams were on equal standing going into that game as far as I could tell.

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1572 - 27/07/2015 21:56:19    1760048

festinog
County: Galway
Do you have the feeling that if it doesn't happen this year, then it won't happen at all for this bunch of players?

Well I had that feeling last year but they keep coming back. Many people don't reliase that this Mayo team while alot of milage are still young enough. We might see the end of Dillon, Andy Moran but outside of that there will be no retirments. Aidan O Se and Cillian will be arounf for another 8 years at least. I don't think we will be as dominant in Connacht for the next 5 years with Galway coming back and possibly Roscoomon might nick a title or two if they get their act together.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11232 - 28/07/2015 08:47:00    1760059

ahsure.
County: Galway
Posts: 1186

Before the Championship, there were maybe slight signs of a Galway revival. Galway basically kept their "status-quo" in the league. Mayo were very much favs going into your champioship game. Roscommon were 2nd favs with the bookies for Connacht.

Donegal were favs against Armagh, but Armagh were many peoples "tip " to win ulster, due to their excellent performance in last years Championship + strolling through div.3 + the kieran McGeeney factor.

I was at the Galway v Mayo game. Galway played quite well, but by no means were outstanding. Therefore, their brilliant win in Armagh, I believe, was a MAJOR turning point for Galway. As I live in Galway (I also follow their hurlers), I have many fiends who are Galwayy GAA people, & I am delighted for them.
...let the rise continue! .......( but no at Monaghan's expense)!

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 442 - 28/07/2015 12:49:22    1760204

Galway football probably is on the rise. Lot of young talent coming through. They finally seem to have a structure in place that allows them to compete in the way modern football is currently played. However I'm not sure if they are ready to beat a team like Donegal in Croke Park just yet.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2216 - 28/07/2015 14:08:11    1760262

On the rise. No one walking through the middle for goals anymore. Capable of a big scalp but that's about it at this stage. KW has got us solid much like Jim MCG did in first year with Donegal. The next step is to bring some attacking fluency, which is definitely in them, but not at the expense of the defensive solidity. Also need to brush up on tackle technique.

Capable of beating Donegal but not many in galway would expect to. We have a shot if we get rub of the green. Donegal still a serious team

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1829 - 28/07/2015 14:51:49    1760292

I don't think they are at all.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 02/08/2015 15:32:28    1762446

Had a few pound on Galway to win by 2 points but really should have had more sense. Only read yesterday that they havent won a game in Croker since 2001 which is a sobering statistic. Donegal were there for the taking as they looked tired and had a few lads carrying injuries. I fully expect Mayo to progress the next day as their gameplan will cause Donegal major problems and have a good bench. Galway really are a poor team and have no leaders whatsoever on the pitch. They have made little or no progress this year and have major problems in every central position bar full forward. Their midfield was completely non existent yesterday and was the same against Mayo in the Connacht semi final.. Paul Conroy was anonymous yesterday and is lucky to have his place never mind being captain. Shane Walsh looks like a good prospect but looks very light and could be eaten up by a Fionn Fitzgerald or a Colm Boyle. They badly need to get into Division 1 as they are light years behind Kerry, Mayo, Donegal, Dublin and Monaghan in terms of strength fitness and conditioning.

kingdomfan (Kerry) - Posts: 393 - 02/08/2015 15:40:33    1762457

The only thing that is rising in Galway is the tide!!!!

Always_Mayo (Mayo) - Posts: 29 - 02/08/2015 16:21:43    1762499

I was optimistic before yesterday but yesterday was a reality check for Galway football fans. We just ain't at the races these days I'm afraid.Watching Kerry tearing Kildare apart was an even bigger dose of reality today.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 02/08/2015 20:59:00    1762779

Well always mayo I have no issue with the result and certainly we have a lot to do. But I would be slow to twist the knife because life has a way to come round and go round. Moreover if ye fail to win Sam during the most purple patch of your recent history winning 5 provincials in a row I think ye have a lot to worry about yourselves than kicking Connacht's most successful football county when they are down.

kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1946 - 02/08/2015 21:14:56    1762792