Watching the laois game and it got me thinking. Galway are not even playing well yet they're 15 points up before half time.

Why?

The answer is obvious. Laois's basic skills are utter tripe. They can't catch the ball, pick it up, pass it long or shorty, first touch, line ball, shooting accuracy. Basically every basic skill under the sun. They are not mentally tuned it. They are crap.

Like so many teams before they bought into the hype when in reality they needed to knuckle down and just do it. It's exactly like wexford. They will create a million chances and convert very few. Last year came under the radar and performed but the minute they got their big day in semple they shut down and forget how to hurl.

As a Meath man I've seen us do the same many times over the years. Anyway it's infuriating because a game like today could have an upset on the cards but any chance of even a half competitive match is gone simply because laois have imploded. What a waste of all the effort. They were obviously dreaming of a leinster final instead of just doing what they can do.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 20/06/2015 17:37:56    1739892

Just want to add an example in relation to meath. The most recent match we played vs a team it'd be considered a shock to beat was Dublin in January, the obyrne cup.

In the second half we missed about 10 decent scoring chances but Dublin miss almost none. Especially at the end when it was level. Meath get a few attacks to win the match, implode with terrible errors. Dublin get 2 chances and take them both.


Another example is Armagh v Donegal. Had more possession and more chances but the difference is Donegal actually had the basic skills to kick the ball over the bar and into the net.

For all the work us has been minnows put in it's just all wasted because the most important things like basic skills and scoring are not being prioritised. Shame.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 20/06/2015 17:48:37    1739897

I don't think that's what happened to Wexford last year and in fairness this is not typical of laois. They are ubalbe to match Galway's intensity and that's a serious Galway side.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 2660 - 20/06/2015 18:00:07    1739900

Jack_Goff
County: Meath
Posts: 1506

1739897
Another example is Armagh v Donegal. Had more possession and more chances but the difference is Donegal actually had the basic skills to kick the ball over the bar and into the net.



The statistics are false though, they don't tell the full story and that is the downside of statistics. They can't show when one team has lifted the foot of the peddle and are killing the game off.

Donegal went 9 or 10 points up against Armagh, and even had a wide or two, all while Armagh managed 1 point in the entire opening 20 minutes. Donegal then went into cruise control, and everybody and their granny knew the game was over at half time.

2nd half, Armagh got a few more scores and Improved the end of match stats. But Donegal were like a big cat playing with their food at that stage.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 20/06/2015 18:07:25    1739907

I was at the wexford vs limerick match last year and wexford had a million decent chances early on.They literally couldn't hit the ball over the bar and missed easy goal chances.

It was an open game and limerick had just as many chances. The difference is they took them whether it was goals or points.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 20/06/2015 18:19:22    1739913

I was at every Wexford game for the last 20 years. THey didn't turn up. Podge Doran missed one early goal chance when we were in the game. We just weren't in it on the day. I put it down to mental fatigue

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 2660 - 20/06/2015 18:25:24    1739916

Laois have played a lot of games so far so maybe they also had mental fatigue

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 20/06/2015 19:10:28    1739935

so your point is more skillful teams usually win??

How have we never noticed that before!?

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 20/06/2015 19:15:28    1739938

The problem is some of these teams display less skill than a half decent club side. Dublin are awesome at scoring and I firmly believe they dedicate a lot of their time to those skills. And not at the expense of all the other stuff. on top of it .

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 20/06/2015 19:21:00    1739939

Bad teams DO win , they win when they play other bad teams , Truth is bad teams are not succesfull thats a different point ,

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 20/06/2015 19:22:21    1739941

Sligo could be considered a bad team. Division 3 v division 1.

They get a gameplan. Defensive but combine it with hard work, attacking in numbers. The last piece is basic skills. They're taking chances and actually scoring.

Now they might not win but at least they're giving themselves a chance.

So many bad teams have zero chance because they implode mentally and forget how to do the basics right. Like Laois today, wexford last year, etc etc

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 20/06/2015 19:39:27    1739949

Why bad teams never win ?

Because the cream almost always rises to the top.

Simple as that.

It takes something spectacular for poor teams, like Meath for example, to beat better teams like Dublin.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 20/06/2015 20:33:08    1739982

No it doesn't Wayno.

My recent obyrne cup example. Last 20 mins meath had about 10 wides Dublin hardly any. Dublin win in extra time . That's the difference between many a good and bad teams.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 20/06/2015 20:47:37    1740002

bad teams not being abe to finish the job is down to nerbe and bottle and the ability they have to hold their head under pressure , which none of these teams have. Thats why its so refreshing to see a team come from nowhere and show a bit of confidence and arrogance ie Down 2010

stekhli (Dublin) - Posts: 3121 - 20/06/2015 20:53:02    1740006

No it doesn't Wayno.

My recent obyrne cup example. Last 20 mins meath had about 10 wides Dublin hardly any. Dublin win in extra time . That's the difference between many a good and bad teams.

_________________

It does

If you use the O'Byrne cup as the base of your argument, then its a nonsense point as that particular tournament is akin to an "emirates cup" in the soccer. Or International friendlies.

If you are saying the difference between good sides and bad sides is taking your scores, Well then no way sherlock!!

Ie, the best teams, with the best skill and bottle will almost always rise to the top.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 20/06/2015 21:31:16    1740051

I've always said that the real difference between Kilkenny and the chasing pack in hurling is just ruthless efficiency. Wexford can be top class for 55 minutes,galway or tipp for 60-65 but sooner or later your concentration will drop even for a minute and Kilkenny will punish you to the full extent of their ability which is usually pretty damaging. ie Galway in 07. Galway rattled the hell out of them and dominated for long periods throughout the game in an enthralling encounter until a tiny lapse allowed Eddie Brennan in for a handy goal in the 62nd minute when the sides were level. Kilkenny got 2 more goals and won the game by ten points. That was terrifying to watch.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 2660 - 20/06/2015 21:54:09    1740075

Jack_Goff
County: Meath
Posts: 1521

1739897
Just want to add an example in relation to meath. The most recent match we played vs a team it'd be considered a shock to beat was Dublin in January, the obyrne cup.
In the second half we missed about 10 decent scoring chances but Dublin miss almost none. Especially at the end when it was level. Meath get a few attacks to win the match, implode with terrible errors. Dublin get 2 chances and take them both.
Another example is Armagh v Donegal. Had more possession and more chances but the difference is Donegal actually had the basic skills to kick the ball over the bar and into the net.
For all the work us has been minnows put in it's just all wasted because the most important things like basic skills and scoring are not being prioritised. Shame.


it has to be the leinster councils fault yet again
they are not allowing meath and other counties go out to a field and pracise shooting
they only allow dublin do this

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 21/06/2015 09:53:32    1740105

also you refer to sligo as a bad team
roscommon played as a bad team last night
sligo played as a team
played better on the night and looked by far the better team on the night
thats why they won

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 21/06/2015 09:56:06    1740107

The skill levels between football and hurling are different but it is harder to compete at hurling. You could set up in football to make a game of it at most levels but in hurling the skill level, pace, touch, scoring ability at the top is vast. In hurling if more resources were devoted to teams such as Antrim, Down, Laois, Meath, Kerry, Derry then there maybe a chance of one or two stepping up.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 21/06/2015 10:19:53    1740116

Jack_Goff
County: Meath
Posts: 1506

1739897
Another example is Armagh v Donegal. Had more possession and more chances but the difference is Donegal actually had the basic skills to kick the ball over the bar and into the net.



The statistics are false though, they don't tell the full story and that is the downside of statistics. They can't show when one team has lifted the foot of the peddle and are killing the game off.

Donegal went 9 or 10 points up against Armagh, and even had a wide or two, all while Armagh managed 1 point in the entire opening 20 minutes. Donegal then went into cruise control, and everybody and their granny knew the game was over at half time.

2nd half, Armagh got a few more scores and Improved the end of match stats. But Donegal were like a big cat playing with their food at that stage.

---
100 pc agree - Mcgeeney made the point last week that Armagh had as many attempts at scores as Donegal
To someone with his knowledge of the game its a nonsense statistic. Armagh were hitting hail Mary's from outside the 45 because they had no way to get inside -
A wide from there is not the same as a "scoring chance "

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 21/06/2015 12:38:46    1740173