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Galway Football thread

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "What can you say after that? Some very nice stuff to go well ahead, but some of the mistakes we made in the second half were shocking. Completely careless with the ball. Even with all that we would have won it, but two very bad decisions at the end. We're lacking something upstairs and until we get smarter, it's going to be hard to progress.
When under pressure on a wet night with no outlet, the last thing a defender should do is hit a floaty ball out in front of his own goal. That ball needs to go long and down the line. If it goes out of play, that's ok. A ball floating out like that is only asking to be attacked, and is an almost certain goal chance if it's won by the opposition.
At the very end, I think it was Tierney who took a brilliant catch from the kickout and we had an easy punch to level it. The angle was awful tight get a goal from there.
While we did struggle on the kickouts for the last 20, we still had more than enough ball to work a few scores to keep them at bay. Some very poor passes gave the ball black and we got punished on the counter every time.
It's a league game on a wet February evening, so not a time for overreaction, but we have to start learning. It's worrying that we make the same mistakes over and over. I'll never question the heart and spirit of this team. They're warriors and put in an incredible amount of work. However, we need to get a lot smarter and show that we're learning or it'll be a short year."
I think this post sums it up perfectly.

galwayman2 (Galway) - Posts: 1361 - 22/02/2026 09:31:02    2657734

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On Fionn McDonagh, he hasn't quite matched the spark of the first two league outings. He seems more effective when he can drift,
There's a strong argument for Rob Finnerty wearing 14. He naturally plays on the shoulder and looks more at home operating as the main inside threat. McDonagh feels better suited to the corner where he can roam, while Finnerty gives you that sharper edge in the square, something that could be important against Donegal.
Liam O'C was very good. Shane McGrath, he got plenty of mentions on Galway Bay FM, has he done enough to hold his place?
As for Charlie Power, you can see potential, but he hasn't really stamped his authority on a game yet, not sure what he offerers. Colm Costello, he's always a goal threat, would have liked to see him given 20 mins. Sometimes you just need someone sniffing around for scraps. Not very optimistic going to into Donegal game.

WonTon5 (Galway) - Posts: 137 - 22/02/2026 11:37:06    2657749

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It is only the league. If that game was in the Hyde today ye could easily take the 2 points on offer. It's shadow boxing for the real thing in the Summer. The depressing weather highlights the real need to look at the calendar and not having teams playing in conditions like that last night. It's no way to treat players and managements.

moros (Roscommon) - Posts: 1275 - 22/02/2026 12:12:44    2657756

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Strange coming out of that a lot of good but 0 points

Maher was excellent and good to see Kelly mchugh kick 4 points.

I thought the first 15 minutes was worst part of night too slow and ponderous

LOC got a deserved start and once he got first score he visibly grow.

Surprised power is getting time ahead of others ive not seen him play well compared to others in challenges fbd or league

He surprised me with his mayo performance but feel Mcdonagh has been sussed out and would be better off letting tierney in for throw ins

Oisin Mcdonagh was hard done by coming in late

McGrath is really settled in and looks a proper option come championship in forward line

Mayo v Roscommon should be an absolute cracker come championship

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1957 - 22/02/2026 12:15:07    2657757

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "What can you say after that? Some very nice stuff to go well ahead, but some of the mistakes we made in the second half were shocking. Completely careless with the ball. Even with all that we would have won it, but two very bad decisions at the end. We're lacking something upstairs and until we get smarter, it's going to be hard to progress.
When under pressure on a wet night with no outlet, the last thing a defender should do is hit a floaty ball out in front of his own goal. That ball needs to go long and down the line. If it goes out of play, that's ok. A ball floating out like that is only asking to be attacked, and is an almost certain goal chance if it's won by the opposition.
At the very end, I think it was Tierney who took a brilliant catch from the kickout and we had an easy punch to level it. The angle was awful tight get a goal from there.
While we did struggle on the kickouts for the last 20, we still had more than enough ball to work a few scores to keep them at bay. Some very poor passes gave the ball black and we got punished on the counter every time.
It's a league game on a wet February evening, so not a time for overreaction, but we have to start learning. It's worrying that we make the same mistakes over and over. I'll never question the heart and spirit of this team. They're warriors and put in an incredible amount of work. However, we need to get a lot smarter and show that we're learning or it'll be a short year."
Agree with a lot of this. Let's just remember it's February and we are still in Pre Season. I couldn't tell you of the top of my head what results we had in the league this time last year. I think we will stay up but if we do drop it's not that big of a deal. We are building strength and depth in our squad. I'd be worried if we were going super well this time of the year as it's not possible to keep the accelerator down till June/July.

I'd be surprised if Donegal win this evening they don't start to pull the handbrake. Jimmy knows he needs to bring his squad back down before he can bring them back up for Ulster championship etc.

Unless we have everyone fit and firing come the Connacht final we are not going to be competing for an All Ireland. Unfortunately going on the last few years that's not going to happen is it ?

Green&Gold2013 (Galway) - Posts: 59 - 22/02/2026 12:22:50    2657760

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Replying To moros:  "It is only the league. If that game was in the Hyde today ye could easily take the 2 points on offer. It's shadow boxing for the real thing in the Summer. The depressing weather highlights the real need to look at the calendar and not having teams playing in conditions like that last night. It's no way to treat players and managements."
No player or manager is thinking championship at moment in time. league matters and retaining Division 1 status is minimal target for all 8 teams. It was far from shadow boxing last night either, a good competitive encounter where both had positives and negatives to learn from.

As for the weather, you do know your living in Ireland? A lovely country if it had a roof on it, our summer can and do be wash outs and I've attended numerous Pearse Stadium summer games in similar conditions as last night.

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 693 - 22/02/2026 12:48:56    2657766

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Replying To moros:  "It is only the league. If that game was in the Hyde today ye could easily take the 2 points on offer. It's shadow boxing for the real thing in the Summer. The depressing weather highlights the real need to look at the calendar and not having teams playing in conditions like that last night. It's no way to treat players and managements."
If you 'looked at the calender' with that motivation regarding Irish weather, you'd cut the Gaa season to 9months or so, and logically enough, you couldn't possibly play the volume of club&county games in a 9 month window , that are played currently in the 12 months.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4564 - 22/02/2026 13:11:39    2657771

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When was the last time Galway lost a lead like that, even with new rules that shouldn't happen, was line slow in doing something

jacktheboy (Donegal) - Posts: 532 - 22/02/2026 13:24:59    2657774

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On last night game it was game Galway were in control off for most part but decision making on the field and off it were poor last night showed the lack of natural forwards is massive problem and let's be honest has being for years even if Walsh and comer are fit there best years are behind them and as a county we don't develop players still have not found a reliable free taker I'd say last reliable one was Michael Meehan , bringing Paul conroy on after 10 days training not saying much for lads who have being there all winter he was a great servant to Galway but his day is done , Donegal will in my opinion take Galway easily , then Monaghan away be tough ( I expect Monaghan beat mayo ) I know that prediction might not last long ,,,, definitely need o Laoi and Mcdaid back v Monaghan and dubs division 1 is place to be ,,

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 1134 - 22/02/2026 13:44:21    2657777

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Replying To jacktheboy:  "When was the last time Galway lost a lead like that, even with new rules that shouldn't happen, was line slow in doing something"
Disrespect meant but are you watching any games recently these turnaround are regularly occurring weekly in club and county particularly with it blowing a gale

Go outside and run for a minute in both directions and tell me do you find a difference

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1957 - 22/02/2026 14:54:44    2657788

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I definitely got that prediction way wrong maybe Monaghan are worse than I imagined

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 1134 - 22/02/2026 15:11:44    2657797

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Replying To jm25:  "Disrespect meant but are you watching any games recently these turnaround are regularly occurring weekly in club and county particularly with it blowing a gale

Go outside and run for a minute in both directions and tell me do you find a difference"
The wind and rain actually died down considerably at half time. Which makes it even worse from a Galway perspective. Roscommon had a decent breeze behind them second half but nothing like Galway had in the first.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2492 - 22/02/2026 16:18:55    2657822

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Could it be a repeat of 2024? Lose all our home games and stay up with 5 points. Monaghan could end on 0 and Rossies and Armagh are two tough games for the Dubs.

gaillimhboy (Galway) - Posts: 404 - 22/02/2026 16:24:44    2657823

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Replying To Kickitout:  "On last night game it was game Galway were in control off for most part but decision making on the field and off it were poor last night showed the lack of natural forwards is massive problem and let's be honest has being for years even if Walsh and comer are fit there best years are behind them and as a county we don't develop players still have not found a reliable free taker I'd say last reliable one was Michael Meehan , bringing Paul conroy on after 10 days training not saying much for lads who have being there all winter he was a great servant to Galway but his day is done , Donegal will in my opinion take Galway easily , then Monaghan away be tough ( I expect Monaghan beat mayo ) I know that prediction might not last long ,,,, definitely need o Laoi and Mcdaid back v Monaghan and dubs division 1 is place to be ,,"
That Monaghan prediction wasn't good. Let's be honest Dublin,Monaghan are heading to Division 2 and Galway will beat both.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3843 - 22/02/2026 17:56:02    2657850

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Replying To Marooned:  "The wind and rain actually died down considerably at half time. Which makes it even worse from a Galway perspective. Roscommon had a decent breeze behind them second half but nothing like Galway had in the first."
That is true I did think it got up again towards end. We're totally dominant around middle too.

The kick out stats cant have been good last 20.

Funny enough nobody has posted them today like the opening 2 games

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1957 - 22/02/2026 18:13:25    2657861

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Replying To gaillimhboy:  "Could it be a repeat of 2024? Lose all our home games and stay up with 5 points. Monaghan could end on 0 and Rossies and Armagh are two tough games for the Dubs."
Armagh are in as much bother as Dublin.

Mayo Dublin Kerry left will prob need 3 min from that

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1957 - 22/02/2026 18:15:05    2657864

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Replying To Kickitout:  "On last night game it was game Galway were in control off for most part but decision making on the field and off it were poor last night showed the lack of natural forwards is massive problem and let's be honest has being for years even if Walsh and comer are fit there best years are behind them and as a county we don't develop players still have not found a reliable free taker I'd say last reliable one was Michael Meehan , bringing Paul conroy on after 10 days training not saying much for lads who have being there all winter he was a great servant to Galway but his day is done , Donegal will in my opinion take Galway easily , then Monaghan away be tough ( I expect Monaghan beat mayo ) I know that prediction might not last long ,,,, definitely need o Laoi and Mcdaid back v Monaghan and dubs division 1 is place to be ,,"
Lol was that just wishful thinking from you of Monaghan beating Mayo? Lol

S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 845 - 22/02/2026 18:39:50    2657883

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Replying To moros:  "What were Ros like?"
Impressive up front and got a much better grip of midfield in the last 20 minutes. Mainly winning breaking ball, but a lovely catch from a long kickout which got the attack going for the first goal. They took the majority of their chances. Daire Cregg and Murtagh very impressive, which was no surprise to me.
With the Brigid's lads back you'll have a good strong squad and capable of matching most teams in the country. You struggled badly in midfield in the first half, but that's not unusual in the modern game against a string wind. We've seen it happen to plenty teams in the league, including ourselves.
Championship is still a good bit away, but it should be a right battle in Connacht.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2731 - 22/02/2026 19:28:05    2657907

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A really frustrating watch as we let that one just ebb away. Supposedly seasoned All Ireland contenders shouldn't lose a thirteen point lead, end of. Poor leadership, application and decision making on and off the field. Lost both our local derbies on our home turf - which is so frustrating for the Galway faithful. Serious sides have to be winning their derbies at home. We're making Salthill more of a sand castle than a fortress. Not good enough.

togoutlads (Galway) - Posts: 1122 - 22/02/2026 20:57:03    2657940

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Replying To togoutlads:  "A really frustrating watch as we let that one just ebb away. Supposedly seasoned All Ireland contenders shouldn't lose a thirteen point lead, end of. Poor leadership, application and decision making on and off the field. Lost both our local derbies on our home turf - which is so frustrating for the Galway faithful. Serious sides have to be winning their derbies at home. We're making Salthill more of a sand castle than a fortress. Not good enough."
Kerry dud and didbt harn last year and drew last week it can happen but bigger cincern be inconsistent performances week to werk especially one half performances

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1203 - 22/02/2026 21:06:00    2657947

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