Yes folks, the traditional rivals meet again in Connacht Final.
Well the hay is saved but can we bate Mayo.

rhudson (Galway) - Posts: 1478 - 01/07/2014 17:47:00    1612240

Galway have no chance imo.

Mayo without getting having to hit top form for me.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 01/07/2014 17:56:59    1612247

rhudson I sense there is no point in starting this thread. sure are we not beaten already according to many. lets hope our young team can do their talking on the field like many of their predecessors.

kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1946 - 01/07/2014 19:05:31    1612314

Sligo going into the Galway game were well beaten in challenges against Meath and Leitrim and since the Connacht semi final they were hammered by Roscommon. Would have to really question the quality of the oppsotion that Galway have faced in Connacht this year. Mayo fell over the line against Roscommon and have probably used their get out of jail card already this year however for me the Connacht final in all but name was played on June 8th and it wouldn't surprise me if Mayo win this game against Galway pulling up.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3347 - 01/07/2014 19:12:47    1612319

Ye have to stop there half back line breaking the half way line at pace make them play it across the field or kick it in long to there full forward line who are poor at getting a 50 50 ball
There whole game is based on half back line getting space running at your defence and forcing backs come out to close them down creating space for the forwards who ate good when fed the ball
Galway midfield should more than hold there own its your half forward line that must have a huge energy stopping game
Are they physically strong enough to make and break the tackles didn't look like it against sligo to be honest

OhtobeARossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 1764 - 01/07/2014 19:28:40    1612326

Mayos graph is on the decline whereas galway is on the up. However not sure if the gap is closed yet. Mayo to shade it but wouldnt be surprised if galway came out on top. Should be close

Quarehawk (Roscommon) - Posts: 22 - 01/07/2014 19:52:25    1612342

Looking forward to this game as I expect it to have a lot of good football in it - the Galway performance against Sligo was enjoyable because the skill level was very high. Think Galway are nowhere near physically strong enough to really worry Mayo yet though.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 01/07/2014 20:23:36    1612359

What is it with Roscommon supporters and their "Mayo are in decline" line, every time.

Anyway looking forward to the Connacht final, hopefully will be a great day from our point of view and I except a huge crowd. Galway will want revenge for last year and you know on the day could beat us if we don't up it from the Roscommon game. We should win though but you never know, I still shudder at the thought of 1998.

Either way hopefully both Mayo and Galway are traveling east for the quarter finals.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11230 - 02/07/2014 09:58:06    1612452

Poor Galway to take a 5 point plus beating from Mayo. Galway's poor mid field and defence to be exposed again. People placing weight on galway victories over sligo and london would want to steady on.

pdempsey (Mayo) - Posts: 1313 - 02/07/2014 10:11:03    1612460

pdempsey I think it is called progress. yew circumstances were different in 1998 as we were a bit more experkenced than now. the commonality as I see it with '98 is that this is cyclical and while I don't necessarily subscribe to the notion that ye are in decline in most cases teams only get a few years at the top. whatever happens I think we will have our time at the top soon but we definitely are at work in progress stage.

kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1946 - 02/07/2014 18:30:23    1612804

Galway vs Mayo is the Game everyone wants to see in Connacht. The traditional superpowers. Something Roscommon will never be no matter how much they think they are.

Tizcold (Galway) - Posts: 239 - 02/07/2014 18:57:12    1612824

We'll never have the size,pick or money of the two "superpowers" of connacht anyway. I'll be at this final because our minors are playing and as a neutral I hope this mayo v Galway contest is a better game than the last two meetings I was at that were tbh truely woeful.

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 3755 - 02/07/2014 20:02:04    1612868

Mayo 2-14 Galway 1-10. I reckon Galway defence too loose and will concede a few goals and mayos defence doesn't give away many points so probably looking at 10 max points from the tribesmen.

Mr_Pundit (UK) - Posts: 677 - 02/07/2014 20:10:21    1612875

Kiltougher, I agree that Galway are improving but am also of the view that yee are still a bit behind Mayo. As I said, midfield and defence are problem areas for you in my view. Mayo are young team also and will improve on last yr. We still won't win big one unless Dublin slip up big style.

pdempsey (Mayo) - Posts: 1313 - 02/07/2014 20:16:34    1612880

pdempsey strangely our midfielders both only 21 have played together at underage since 2010 and have 2 u21 all ireland titles won. they are groeing into senior level and learning albeit slowly the nuances of football at thins level. yes our defence has to be really tested but outside of dublin there is no marquee forward line around. ye might be young but remember ye have plenty of miles on the clock. I do agree however that experience/physicality/conditioning all rolled into one is a serious advantage.
tizcold I think you are disingenous to the rossies. they are also moving in the right direction and if we were playing them I would have concerns albeit different ones to the ones we face the next day. the talk of a traditional connacht final is really for history books. the rossies have contributed to the big day in the province many times over the years and I have serious respect for them and where they are going.

kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1946 - 02/07/2014 20:39:11    1612893

If Mayo play without a half forward line again they might be in trouble. I could understand Horan wanting to give young players their head but going with both O Shea and O Connor seemed a gamble to far. Think at least two of Moran, Dillon or McLaughlin will be back in there to provide a bit of direction. Galway have the forwards to pick Mayo off if they're half cocked, Mayo might just want to lay down a marker here though.

roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 02/07/2014 21:14:21    1612914

should be a better game than last year and i'd say the gap in Connacht will close by next year

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1669 - 02/07/2014 21:19:43    1612917

There is a slight improvement in Galway but nothing to suggest that we can beat Mayo. Remember we have only beaten two very very poor teams, We struggled against Waterford and Tipp last year, we had a shocking league campaign and add in the fact that our best players in Galway are not togging anymore ( Gary Sice, Michael Farragher, Johnny Duane, Eoin Concannon and Michael Meehan i dont see where all the optimism is coming from.. Mayo will win and prob by 10 points plus again.

Belclare1 (Galway) - Posts: 1626 - 03/07/2014 08:19:57    1612965

I think Mayo are a shot Duck, Galway to win.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 03/07/2014 11:12:26    1613050

Belclare1....surely the best players in Galway are the one'e mentally and physically available.....time to move on my lad

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1669 - 03/07/2014 12:19:17    1613088