West,obviously Kilkenny up the gears in the second half,but Galway totally collapsed.Ive been to a lot of All Ireland finals,going back to 1988 Tipp v Galway(as a 12 year old),and bar Waterfords collapse to Kilkenny in 2008,i dont recall a more inept,insipid second half non-performance.Its one thing to die with your boots on.Another to wave the white flag at the interval.Kilkenny were good,but there was no excuse for Galways pathetic 38 minutes of hurling.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 18/11/2015 10:53:38    1808191

The first thing Anthony's replacement should do is cut the older crew altogether. They've bottled plenty of big games over the years for us.
1. 2 AI finals
2. tipp in 2014
3. dublin in the 2013 leinster final when we were awful

Huge matches the players waved the white flag.

Galway people are very angry about this- the players won't be well supported next year at all.

lowballplease (Galway) - Posts: 935 - 18/11/2015 11:12:17    1808198

Are we just looking for excuses? Are the players just looking for excuses? As somebody pointed out already, Galway were having a relatively poor year until they scraped over Tipp. In the Final, Kilkenny had more chances of goals than Galway in the first half. The Cats know how to work hard for the full match, Tipp don't. Galway mistakingly felt, as did many others, that they had the game won at half time.

As much as some want to believe Galway collapsed in the second half you must give credit to Kilkenny for upping the anti. It's Kilkenny after all.

I was at the match too and I always felt that Kilkenny would storm into the match in the second half. Galway were coming under pressure, even in the first half when Coen should have walked. And had he walked AC wouldn't be to blame.

westisthebest (Galway) - Posts: 444 - 18/11/2015 11:23:43    1808201

Can I ask a simple question?

Why are we continually making reference to Kilkenny on this thread, What have Kilkenny to do with this situation? Scanning through the thread the word "Kilkenny" is frequently popping up. I am talking specifically to Galway posters. We have an obsession in Galway with Kilkenny. This is an internal affair for Galway to resolve. No other county contributed to this, a homegrown problem that we need to fix.

Finally just to clarify, yes previous poster you are correct Cunningham had 4 years. I mistakenly said 3 earlier.

TheFullBack (Galway) - Posts: 110 - 18/11/2015 12:22:56    1808226

Timeline of events leading to the resignation of Anthony Cunningham as Galway Senior Hurling manager.

- April 2015
The Galway squad convened at the end of April, in the wake of their dismal exit to Waterford in the League, to gauge the mood about the management. The conclusion drawn then was that the management wasn't equipped to lead them to an All-Ireland title, with the players voting 27 to 3 in favour of changing the management. But it was felt by a majority that it was too close to the commencement of the Championship to 'make a move.'

- 6th September 2015
Galway lose the All-Ireland SHC final to Kilkenny

- 26th September
Many of the Galway players convened to discuss management and coaching issues, they passed a motion of no confidence in the management and it was agreed to inform Cunningham of the outcome of that meeting. 4 players were nominated to inform Cunningham of the players decision.

- 27th September
The Galway manager was met by a delegation of four players comprising of team captain David Collins, vice-captain Andy Smith and two members of the players leadership group, Joe Canning and David Burke, to inform him of the mood for change among the squad and that they had lost faith in his ability to take them further. However, the players' heave was not revealed to the County Board.

- 28th September
Anthony Cunningham was reappointed as Galway Senior Hurling manager for 2016 at a County Committee meeting in Loughgeorge

- 4th October
A number of players, representing the 2015 senior hurling panel, met with officers of the County and Hurling Committees to outline some issues and their position in relation to the proposed 2016 management team set-up.

- 15th October
A Mediator was appointed in an effort to resolve the dispute.

- 12th November
Talks between manager Anthony Cunningham, the players and the county board broke down.
A statement was released "The mediation process has concluded and the Independent Mediator has determined that despite best efforts, there was little, if no, possibility of the parties reaching common agreement on the substantive issue," the statement read.
The mediation process had failed and the dispute would then be discussed at a county board meeting on Monday 16th November in an effort to resolve the situation.

- 15th November
The Mediation process that had been taking place between the players, management and county board ended without any progress, leading to the Galway Hurling panel calling a meeting amongst themselves ahead of the County Board meeting the following night.
At the meeting the players took a vote.
The 32 players were asked two questions. The first was 'Have you confidence in the current management?' with 26 voting no and six voting yes. And in answer to whether or not they would hurl for the current management team in 2016, the panel voted 23-9 against.
The vote was done by secret ballot and was overseen by an independent observer.

- 16th November
Anthony Cunningham steps down as Galway Senior Hurling manager.
A County Board meeting was due to take place to discuss Cunningham's future, however, Cunningham made his decision prior to the meeting.
Following his resignation, Cunningham released a statement where he lashed out at the players who forced him out as Galway hurling manager accusing some of them being 'motivated by a desire to unjustly extend their lifespan as inter-county players'.

SamandLiamSoon (Galway) - Posts: 591 - 18/11/2015 13:50:28    1808254

The above timeline was posted on Galway Facebook page. It is a rough outline of events going back to the league last spring. Some posters seem to think the issues began after the All Ireland. They didn't. Some small points on the whole thing.

The core group of players that Cunningham says cost him his position are the exact same ones that kept him in the job. Three in particular were instrumental in keeping him in the job after the Waterford loss were ultimately three of the main people that pushed to remove him. I think this contradicts Cunninghams opinion that these players were "self serving". They did what they thought was best. Rightly or wrongly. They sacrifice so much. I think the players opinion matters to some extent.

People that say Cunningham should have stayed as he had the support of the clubs and County Board are a bit wide of the mark. The clubs knew nothing of the grievances of the players before the meeting was held. And this is the biggest mistake the players made. If there feelings were made clear before the meeting I don't think Cunningham would of been rubber stamped for another year. Most delegates on the night thought it was simply filling in the paper work for another year for him. Got to an AI everything is rosy. Not the case.

People saying they want a statement from the players: What do ye want them to say? That they didnt like to have to travel to Athlone for a gym? Or get food after training sitting in a dressing room? Or that they have major reservations about the way certain players were treated, training methods and tatical ability of the current management? I doubt any statement will be released. They've made their decision. They need to try and prove it was a correct one.

I wonder if Cunningham was removed after Waterford what would be said? Most in Galway wanted him gone. I doubt this furore would of been as big. But he was kept becauce they believed it was the chance to win an AI. And they believe removing him is now the best chance to win an AI. Only time will tell.

SamandLiamSoon (Galway) - Posts: 591 - 18/11/2015 14:20:35    1808264

18/11/2015 12:22:56
TheFullBack
County: Galway
Posts: 47

1808226
Can I ask a simple question?

Why are we continually making reference to Kilkenny on this thread, What have Kilkenny to do with this situation? Scanning through the thread the word "Kilkenny" is frequently popping up. I am talking specifically to Galway posters. We have an obsession in Galway with Kilkenny. This is an internal affair for Galway to resolve. No other county contributed to this, a homegrown problem that we need to fix.

Finally just to clarify, yes previous poster you are correct Cunningham had 4 years. I mistakenly said 3 earlier.

TheFullBack,
Could it be something to do with the fact that they have been the team who has mostly been associated with preventing Galway getting to the promised land over the last few years. Yes they have caused other teams similar problems but considering the fact that there was the replayed AI final and this years defeat to them while a fair bit of sideline disagreement was involved also.

SLLY (Dublin) - Posts: 463 - 18/11/2015 14:26:41    1808267

Cheers for all the replies lads.I can see both sides but i still dont like the way AC was got rid of.I don't feel the need to add anymore on the matter.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 18/11/2015 14:50:25    1808278

"April 2015
The Galway squad convened at the end of April, in the wake of their dismal exit to Waterford in the League, to gauge the mood about the management. The conclusion drawn then was that the management wasn't equipped to lead them to an All-Ireland title, with the players voting 27 to 3 in favour of changing the management. But it was felt by a majority that it was too close to the commencement of the Championship to 'make a move'."

Anyone else see the irony in that vote?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 18/11/2015 15:00:53    1808283

The GPA and player power are destroying our game

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 18/11/2015 18:18:03    1808327

TheFullBack the main reason Kilkenny are mentioned so much is because some of the so called Galway posters on here are actually from Kilkenny. It's so blatantly obviously. I won't name names but westisthebest is definitely up there.

The only way Galway players can save this situation now is if they come out and say what the problem was. Cunningham has made Galway the most consistent they've been in 25 years. He has brought belief into the panel and the County as a whole. Once the whistle blows though the players are responsible. Maybe some of the Senior players were told they were getting dropped and they kicked off. Galway have been there or there abouts the last 5 years. They have been unfortunate like every other County that Tipp and Kilkenny were at the height of their powers and the year they didn't perform Clare slipped in through the cracks.

Big pressure on Galway in 2016, if they don't perform the players will have to accept 100% of the blame.

Faithfull (Offaly) - Posts: 573 - 18/11/2015 20:34:46    1808353

Lads as an outsider looking in here I think that you are all being a bit harsh on the players. It is clear from the secret ballot that happened that the vast majority of them were unhappy in the way things were going and that they laid a lot of the blame for that at the door of the manager. Don't forget these are the lads who are putting in the hard work, the 5-6 training sessions a week, minding their diets (or not as the case may be) forgoing on social lives etc. If they do not feel that it is right then they have every right to question it. Cunningham had the chance to walk away with some dignity. They expressed their concerns to him but he dug his heels in and didn't step down. That to me was arrogant. He may be a decent chap but the one thing I have to say that he has come across to me over the years between club and county management is that he is arrogant. Not a brash, in your face arrogant but arrogant nonetheless. He could have walked with some integrity intact on the 27th September but stuck in here. The result now is the same and I'm sure he probably knew that would be the case but he has left under a major cloud. The players have to really step up now though and walk the walk, they must feel they can. If they do then they are really vindicated.

RangerDanger (Armagh) - Posts: 101 - 19/11/2015 10:01:27    1808381

How can players who on the greatest sporting day of their lives fail to contest 50-50 balls when the game was there for the taking??? These same players now voting a lack of confidence in the manager. Maybe it's should have been the other way about? IMO Joe Canning should have been taken off in the 2nd half. He goes missing far too often in big games . Wonderful hurler there's always 1 flash of brilliance in him in every game. But if question his and others work rate when the chips are down. You have to win the odd 50-50 ball even in an All Ireland Final . And Galway didn't

Awwwwnow (Cavan) - Posts: 1050 - 19/11/2015 11:06:36    1808401

Rangerdanger...I for one thought what is AC staying on for when it came out that the players were trying to heave him out.
But in all fairness staying on somehow he remained dignified and that statement at the end was as good an ending he could possibly have hoped for.
He really cut the players deep and walked away with his head held high at the same time.

Enermous pressure on the Galway players next now to do something big....they have wilted in the past when pressure has come on them, the only result to make this upheaval worth it is winning the AI

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 19/11/2015 11:14:33    1808405

Those Galway hurlers must be truly remarkable Awww considering they only lost by 4 points to Kilkenny despite not contesting 50-50 balls! Surely the would have lost by 20 points if what you say is correct ?
I don't buy this notion that Galway didn't show up in the 2nd half or that they bottled it .That is simple minded lazy analysis in my opinion.
There was another team on the field, a superb team of hurlers endowed with all the skills required , bullet proof belief in themselves and the best manager the game has seen in charge of them.They won the game by 4 points which is not a huge margin in hurling.
I find it downright insulting to Kilkenny to say that Galway didn't turn up or that Galway bottled it.
Kilkenny won it.

Condorman (Dublin) - Posts: 983 - 19/11/2015 12:17:55    1808422

Galway go in at the break leading 0-14 to 1-8.For the full 38 minutes of second half their midfield and forwards score the sum total of 1 point from play.That is a total collapse of that vital 8 player unit!How do you explain it condor?The Kilkenny backs are excellent,we all know that.But with JJ Delaney on board,perhaps the greatest defender of the last 20 years, just 12 months previously,Tipperary took them for 1-24 from play!!!!

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 19/11/2015 12:53:53    1808435

Condorman has a point there.

Kilkenny upped it several notches and Galway couldn't last with the intensity. Kilkenny have done this time & again. V Limerick in 2014, in the replayed 2012 and 2014 finals. Their belief, work rate and of course skill won those battles.

The views from the Galway hurling fans on these threads have been interesting. My reading of it is that there is far less support for the players in Galway than there was for the players in Cork or Limerick.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 19/11/2015 13:15:08    1808440

Condorman.... Not taking anything away from Kilkenny whatsoever . If you check the facts Galway scored 1-4 in the 2nd half with the goal coming from a free in injury time . So I'd suggest 4 points is a very poor return for 35 mins of hurling in an All Ireland final. Now I cannot see how management could be blamed for that return when you take the chances that Galway had in that 2nd half that they didn't take .

Awwwwnow (Cavan) - Posts: 1050 - 19/11/2015 13:37:38    1808456

I'll throw this out there, maybe the reason that KK blew them away in the second half was because they were fitter than them due to the training program that they management team had put in place? Maybe the Galway men blew their load in the first half and had nothing left to give? Game management is as much part of the game as anything else. This may be one of the reasons that the players didn't have faith in the management? It's not all black and white and while the players have a responsibility so do the management have a responsibility to facilitate the players to get the best out of their talents. Perhaps the players felt that the management had taken them as far as they could and could't see there being any improvement? Many teams have gotten to finals on pure talent over the years and never made the breakthrough under a management team then get a new manager in and straight away make the break through. My own county Armagh being a prime example of this, the management could get them so far but couldn't push on to the next level, a new man comes in and takes them to that level straight away. ostory will determine if the players actions were justified.

RangerDanger (Armagh) - Posts: 101 - 19/11/2015 14:08:24    1808461

Cuederocket Why did Tipperary have to come back from a three point deficit if they were that good if Kilkenny had to loose that all Ireland it would have been one they handed to Tipp .As regards Galway last year and 2012 I knew they would do the business in the end they have not the finishing power.

johnwhite12 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 306 - 19/11/2015 14:14:42    1808463