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Galway Hurling thread - 4 Like(s)
Replying To TanCanRan: "Exactly, this. It's the most embarrassing thing ever that we've invented a competition rather than just call teams exactly what they are." Exactly. What is this stigma with a club being called intermediate...even Henry Shefflin and Ballyhale were down intermediate in the not too decent past, they seemed to do well since they came up. Some clubs have an awful napoleon complex. Everyone can't be senior.....might as well call intermediate Senior C next year too.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 04/10/2022 20:19:33
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To galway19: "There is the other side to that though which is I'm sure the Galway winner would complain if we finished the championship in early October that they would be waiting 5+ weeks to face a provincial winner. The way the system is at the moment, there is no incentive for county board to run the championship off early. Only solution that would force them into it is having the Galway winner go into the Leinster provincial championship." I think the only reason Galway clubs haven't been put in Leinster yet is due to how competitive the Ulster clubs have been, their record isn't all too dissimilar to the munster clubs performance since 2000, both have appeared in similar number of finals and won 4 between them. If the Antrim clubs were walking it every year they too could've been put in Leinster with Galways, much like at county level, but with Slaughtneil and even Ballycran from Derry and Down performing very well and Salualghtneil dominating the antrim clubs ATM you can't do that. If Galway are put in Leinster it means there will have to be a rotation of provincial winners getting a bye to the all Ireland final. It's not like the u21 were the put galway in Leinster and the final is just the winners of munster vs Leinster because the weakness of Ulster allowed this. Ulster club champions are usually very strong and have even given out some beatings to Galway teams (just ask Sarsfields) I would love to see Galway clubs in Leinster, would really add to it and for the last 30 years the all Ireland winners have usually been Galway/Leinster winners. It's just ATM it'd leave a very uneven all Ireland series with just 3 provinces. I would an open draw all Ireland series if I had my way, set up some unbelievable fixtures but that may be too much to ask and a bit unrealistic.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 25/10/2022 10:42:25
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
NIWas at double header in stadium. First game wasn't too bad but Turloughmore always had a nice gap without blowing Moycullen away. Some nice scores from both sides didn't ever have that much bite in it. 22 - 14.
Second game after a sluggish start from Ardrahan definitely had that some bite in it on the pitch and on the sideline. Two management teams were at each other for whole game, Sean Doyle and Niall Moran renewing Clare and Limerick rivalries on the line anytime they got near each other and had to be split a few times. Ardrahan showed great determination in their fightback and will be kicking themselves, especially missing 3 scores in last few minutes to go ahead once they leveled and it felt if they got ahead with any of those shots they would've won. Huge credit to Niland who came up with a huge score to push them back ahead by 1 in dying mins. Ardrahan pushed up looking for equalizer or winner they got caught at the back for a goal. Some game, one of the first proper all on the line championship games of the year. Ardrahan had their chances but like the Sars game let a bad start get the better of them again. Johnny Glynn a huge loss for them and probably could've swung game in their favor. Clarinbridge at times look like a great team and at other times can look rudderless for all the talent they have. Niland gave an exhibition of free taking and while quiet enough from play still came up with probably the biggest moment of the game. After seeing two of the main challengers to Thomas's and even loughrea, I don't see them really beating either tbh. Clarinbridge struggled big time once Ardrahan started going direct in second half and looked very suspect once TJ Brennan was bypassed as a sweeper by ball going in. Turloughmore just don't have the fire power up front to put up a big enough score to beat those top 2 teams and always leave teams in the game no matter how much better they are playing than them. Both have no shortage of good hurlers but maybe lack a bit at opposing sides of the pitch.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 17/09/2023 09:56:33
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Tiger1: "Good player yes one of the greatest midfielders to have played the game? .Think the exc might be getting to you." Over the last 30 years I'd 100% have Michael Fennelly and David Burke as 8 and 9. Won everything and level consistency is incredible, 13 years after winning motm in a fitzgibbon final and 10 months after a cruciate to get motm at midfield in a club all Ireland final in only 2nd full game back. Throw in the 4 all stars, motm in a senior all Ireland and few more medals with Galway and Thomas's, I think he has a fairly strong case. He's peak from 2015-19 he was untouchable as top midfielder in the country. 2nd greatest galway hurler of all time and that includes Joe Cooney, John Connolly and host more. Think because he's such an unassuming type of lad he didn't get the credit but winning every honour in the game and winning motm in nearly every major final all the way along...I cat see too many to match him for that and his longevity. Some scoring record in all Ireland finals too. Also along with Noel McGrath and Cathal Mannion the nicest strike on a ball in the modern game, closest in style to striking to John Fenton, makes the perfect C strike when hitting the ball. Amazing player, don't know how or why anyone underrated him. Even his Last county game v Limerick in 2022 semi final he was outstanding. A real leader. Just have to listen to Henry Shefflin talk about him too.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 22/01/2024 23:06:54
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "You might be 25 years waiting for a player remotely as good as David Burke imo." Don't even think that does it justice. He's galway greatest ever midfielder and tbh probably the best leader galway have ever had. Biggest loss this year for galway and not too many analysts said it. I remember John McIntyre saying in the paper before that he told David Burke in 2010ish that if he didn't win 5 all stars it wouldn't do his talent levels justice...whatever about that but he was a leader of men and fought for everything, be it a ruck or even a sideline ball, small things like that were missed this year. He was absolutely immense v Limerick last year. Shane O'Neil wasted two years of David Burkes career while over them imo. I think if a team of the 21st century so far is to be picked and David Burke and Michael Fennelly aren't the two midfielders, it's just wrong.
In ways he's probably equally hard to replace as Canning. After Canning, him and Joe Cooney the greatest galway hurler ive ever seen, all 3 had huge longevity. Still dont think he gets credit outside of Galway.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 26/07/2023 14:25:38
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
My Limerick contacts who were in attendance at the Ardrahan v Patrickswell challenge game told me Johnny Glynn played the first half and bagged himself 3-2 in the process while also catching the world of ball and did look physically ahead of everyone on show, before heading off at half time (surely to some training that extended panel members do on game day when not on match day 24) I know at early year challenge game but any day you bag that in 30 mins is a good sign.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 10/03/2024 21:53:01
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All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2023 - 3 Like(s)
My power ranking and performance review so far. All Ireland will only effect 1 and 2.
1. Limerick, clearly no.1, I think all the plaudits are pretty self explanatory. Greatness already achieved and continuing to push on.
2. Kilkenny, I don't think there's any dispute about who's no.2 in the country. I think Clare and Galway aren't that much worse than them but I just don't think Kilkenny loose to either of them in games that actually matter. Similar way with Limerick, just don't loose to Galway or Clare when it comes to the crunch. Unlike those 2, not afraid to win and have a lot more self belief and steeliness. Can't not admire them. Limerick might be beyond them.
3/4. Im putting Clare and Galway here together cus I think they've similar 2 years. Clare ran Kilkenny close enough this year, hammered by Kilkenny last year. Galway ran Limerick close enough last year, hammered this year. Two mentally weak counties with Croke Park hang ups since they last won all Ireland's. Both have topped round Robin's last two years, lost provincal finals in dissapointing ways. Both probably at cross roads now, what their doing isn't going to be enough. I know they can look to close calls or near misses but fact is no cups, no finals and 2 back to back semi final losses. Hard to know how they'll go next year, some of their best players are their best players from nearly a decade ago. Think Lohan and Shefflin do one more year but both in last chance saloon (if not already maybe gone past that) but both need shake up tactics or backroom teams, both very slow to make decisions in game and have both experienced getting walloped and missing big chances in croke Park and don't seem to learn from either. Don't fancy either to be winning an all Ireland next year as of now, could all change, who knows really.
5. Tipp. Year started great but they got progressively worse as the year went on. Don't but the overtraininy in November at all, if anything they didn't look fit. Think that's a easy fix compared to some things. Thought Davy was raving when he said Waterford weren't fit when he got them but maybe some truth in it. Some positive signs and progress none the less. Played some great stuff but didn't ever put in a full 70 min performance. Clare game first half (yes, the goalie mistakes) showed what they can do. New lads mighnt be as good as what they've had but I think they'll be better next year.
6. Cork, hard to know. After munster it seemed like an OK year but looking back they didn't really do much. Beat Waterford and lost tight games. Do have talent coming but we're a while waiting for this to come. They've been in 5 of the last 6 u21/20 finals and the first of that crew are in Their mid to late 20s now and haven't really pushed on at all at senior. Harneddy and Horgan still their top performers this year. Ciaran Joyce is a super centre back already and will only get better. Need to be doing better really.
7. Dublin. Not a bad first year under Donoghue. Think they had some wasted years under Mattie Kenny who had a much better and stronger team. Dublin if they get back some of their best players and keep Donal Burke fit could trouble some big teams next year, Donoghue very good manager. Had a tough day v Clare and probably showed up the losses from the panel hugely and Donal Burke going off injured early on. But progress none the less.
8. Waterford. Good performances v Limerick (second half) and Tipp sandwich in some absolutely horrendous performances. Time is ticking on their good crop and look to be sliding away from them, pity that a clearly talented bunch haven't found consistency and can't seem to get a handle on the round Robin at all. Not even going to attempt to predict Waterford for next year, they could end up in an all Ireland or end up floundering again. They're like a more extreme and somehow even more inconsistent Galway, like 2000s Galway teams maybe. Can't trust them.
9. Wexford. Probably worst year since pre Liam Dunne. But then they beat Kilkenny again but somehow lost to Westmeath, makes no sense. Maybe like Clare when they play Limerick, Wexford play above themselves when playing Kilkenny and then struggle v other top teams. A lot their 2019 lads are getting older now and Lee Chin (what a hurler) needs to stay fit and injury free for them to have any chance of making an impact. I don't think they're as bad as they showed this year but until they prove otherwise next year they are where they are.
10. Antrim, solid year. Should've beaten Dublin and ran Wexford close. Won the big one v Westmeath to ensure safety. Have potential to do more, probably the best of the McDonagh teams to come. Have had some good days in recent years but waiting for that big win v a big county to push on, in last couple of years ran Cork pretty close, beaten Clare in League, drew with Dublin, drew with Wexford in league, gave Kilkenny a fee decent games etc but just a small bit off it, have some good hurlers but just don't have the depth or same pool of high quality talent to take that next step.
11. Westmeath, probably one of the unluckiest teams to be relegated but ultimately didn't win the game they targeted all year in the Antrim game. Where one more Kilkenny goal away from being saved. They were down a fee of their better players this year and had probably their greatest win ever this year. You would expect them to bounce back pretty quick to Liam McCarthy. Joe Fortune has done a very good job and relegation shouldn't take away from that either.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 11/07/2023 15:22:14
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To tiobraid: "There arent too many that can jump like Tommy could though! Having said that I couldnt imagine Mike Casey is much taller and a lot said he couldnt handle Johnny Glynn in the air in 2018 and he was excellent that day. Height shouldnt be a barrier but it is to an extent.
I heard JJ Delaney saying before that he preferred taller players as they were the ones who didnt jump and didnt practice it either. The likes of Richie Hogan is supposed to hit crazy heights from a standing jump. The smaller players of this generation are generally exceptional talents. I often wonder whether Galway fail to nurture really talented and skilful minors and instead focus on taller and stronger players. Evan Niland is an example of that - albeit not to the extent of others. The same could be argued about Kilkenny. Workrate and size seems to trump skill these days." A happy medium probably the best, can't have the exact same player all over. That being said for about 20 years until Cunningham took over really Galway only seemed to play small fast outrageously skillful hurlers...there was a time where the forwards were all tiny. Fergal Healy, Kevin Broderick, Alan Kerins, etc all good hurlers but all 6 forwards could Neary be that build for some games, once Joe Rabbitte went in 2002 I'd say there was nearly 10 years without any ball winner or even a man over 6ft in the galway forwards....2015-2020 then nearly the entire team were giants bar maybe 2 or 3. It's just the way the game has gone. Still room for the small skillfull lad though, Peter Casey for example all add something different. It would be a pity if there was no room for these lads. These lads probably have to put in even more work in the gym and off the pitch, just look at the way Conor Whelan turned himself into a bull, Cian Lynch too.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 06/01/2023 14:47:00
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "Does it become less impressive because they lost the All-ireland final the subsequent year, you ask?
Against the very same opposition, the logical answer would be yes in many cases. That's why you get all this malarkey about good teams winning one, and great ones winning two etc.
Winning 1/2 rather than 2/2 v Ballyhale in 2009-2010 leaves Portumna somewhat vulnerable to the argument that the 2009 semi was a bit flukey, with Shamrocks getting caught on the hop. Ballyhale let in 5 goals etc, but kept a clean sheet just 12 months later, when they had the 2009 semi well processed on their harddrives. Very impressive or what." Portumna got to 5 all Ireland finals and won 4 of them, you're hardly going to use that 1 against them as proof they weren't great? They beat 4 time all ireland winners Birr in the 2008 all Ireland which at the time was probably as big a statement win than beating Ballyhale around then. Ballyhale hadn't become the beast they have been the last 4/5 years. The teams Portumna beat in their glory period were no soft touches. They beat Athenry, Clarinbridge, James Stephen's, Ballyhale, Birr, Newtownshandrum, Na Piarsaigh all were all Ireland club champions during the years so they definitely didn't do it the easy way. It's some CV of clubs beaten. If by that measure this current Ballyhale team cat be called great either because they didn't win the 3 in a row either loosing to Ballygunner (maybe them beating Ballygunner in the semi final in 18 was flukey too?)
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 12/11/2022 10:57:12
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To TanCanRan: "Because you earn your spot in a grade or league based on merit of playing in that competition." We seem to have an awful record of actually implementing this in Galway though....the fact we've a senior B competition because clubs kicking up a fuss about being called intermediate and how it would ruin hurling in their parish. Didn't Kiltormer ask not to be relegated from intermediate because it would be bad for them? Clubs that should be intermediate or junior being saved by swelled championships, refusals to relegate etc a lot of clubs not there on merit
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 24/11/2022 10:48:38
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Jackson88: "Actually a very interesting post. I'd say the pick of thomas' and loughrea would beat the current Galway team!" Gort didn't have anyone playing in 2012 as reigning Champs, Mellows didn't have anyone in 18....galway did alright those years. Loughrea like Mellows previous were good teams without having any unbelievable intercounty players (or ones still playing with galway or in their prime or had just retired...like David Collins, Aonghus Callanan, Johnny Coen etc) The gap between county and club is huge, just cus you've 15 very good club hurlers that make up a very good team doesn't mean they make good intercounty players.
Loughrea couldn't beat the pick of Thomas's and Thomas's couldn't beat the pick of Dunloy not to mind Beat oneof the top county teams in Ireland. (Still two terrific club teams, especially Thomas's at full strength, one of the great galway club teams, probably just outside the Portumna, Athenry, Sarsfield bracket but there probably in the top 5 clubs team of all time in the country not to mind Galway so no dig)
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 06/07/2023 12:03:09
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To The_DOC: "Im not sure any club team even at this level have much depth off the bench, good players but at this level off the bench will USUALLY (please dont slate me) be a fair aul step down." Ballygunner have a lower level county level panel and winning every division/age group in Waterford and didn't use a sub till extra time. Tbh I don't think anyone on either side was playing too poorly either, was a great game. If anything Thomas's seemed to use their panel better than Ballygunner. O'Loughlins have a tight enough squad too but so did Ballyhale. If you can avoid injuries at club level its as good as having a big panel...probably Thomas's first time to have a full hand to pick from over the last 6 years. Ballyhale had injuries this year and it caught them too. Even at county level no one has a that luxury, even Limerick havent really added anyone new to the team bar maybe Cathal O'Neill but it's the same 17/18 guys since 18
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 20/12/2023 10:13:08
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Galway Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Flaherty: "I think that's being very unfair on Gmac! Saturday evening was our best defensive performance of the year so why would we change anything? Gmac was admittedly a little sloppy clearing before the Tipp goal but otherwise he was very solid.
After all the much vaunted Tipp full forward line of Kehoe, Callanan and Morris failed to score even a point between them in the match. Two of them were in fact called ashore by halftime so let's give GMAC some credit for his part in those outcomes.
GMAC will be fine and anyway you couldn't move Daithi from 6 as he's playing a stormer there all year. Daithi at 6 together with Cathal Mannion is the platform for most of our best hurling, let's not mess with that please." Didn't think Gmac was that big an issue, I think he's legs were gone for the last 15 mins, got caught for goal because of it, but Fintan Burke came on and did well for the last bit, Shefflin used more subs when game was going a bit and didn't have as many tired bodies on the pitch for a finish like the Leinster final.
The Daithi Burke stuff, I think he's the best no.6 in the country atm and the best 6 Galway have had since Keady or Gmac 2017/18. He's been super there, he's definitely proved anyone who questioned his striking ability. He scores, he's good in the air, he very rarely gives ball away, he's athletic and he's quick, he's the perfect back, I actually think he looks revitalized at 6, thought he looked a little below his best at 3 last year (still not bad by any means but didn't have the same energy or influence but was still very good) He's a great back, he's the best full back Galway have ever produced and tbh himself and Sean Finn are easily the two best defenders of this generation, so I get why people want him back there but I think he's doing great at 6 and he's had so many big moments from 6 this year, even the amount of scores. It would be great if there was two Daithis and have one at 3 and 6. Gearoid hasn't been that bad full back but he has had a few shaky moments but at least you know you'll get a guaranteed standard and effort from him. Very surprised Fintan hasn't been given more time at full back but he's still a good option to have there if Mac does have a terrible performance but it hasn't happened yet, I don't think he has 70 mins in him anymore though.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 27/06/2023 04:46:36
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All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2023 - 2 Like(s)
Replying To foreveryoung: "Wouldn't you think that Clare might approach Colm Collins (great football manager) to come aboard with the hurlers? The good manager knows his limitations. Dessie was man enough to ask Pat Gilroy for a hand. To me, that was a sign of Farrell's strength not his weakness. Lohan undoubtedly has the passion, drive, and hunger and he's instilled that in his players. However, he seems as if he could do better on the line when the game is in full swing; a shrewd, experienced head like Collins could be a great help. Small margins can make huge differences.
Perhaps after 10 years, great years let me add, at it, Colm has had enough. However, were I in any way involved with Clare hurling, I'd be knocking on Colm Collins' door." I don't think I've ever ever seen Munster hurling as weak. Limerick is very dominant. But I've never seen munster as far away from 2nd and 3rd ever. It goes Limerick (gap) Kilkenny, Galway (gap) the rest. ... "Munster is extraordinarily useless right now, Jesus... Tipp/Cork right now are equal rights night to 2004 Offaly or Wexford. So poor"
Are we better off just playing Limerick v Kilkenny, Galway and Clare????? @ourgame
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 07/08/2023 03:46:28
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Wexford Intercounty Hurling 2023 - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Viking66: "Disagree about the dual players in other counties. I wasn't actually just talking about underage most of our Senior hurling panel play football at Senior or Intermediate club level also. That's not the case for 80% plus players of any of the other top 9 counties. Numerous friends from other counties have flagged this up as a reason also." Cant see that as reason for failing at senior level, You know as well as I do that football is given a very token gesture in a lot of the big hurling clubs in this county,it's not exactly an amazingly high standard that most of our hurlers are still the best clubs players in Wexford while giving it maybe less than 10% of the same time commitment between county hurling and club hurling. Ive no doubt when theyre playing the games they give their all but i dont think uts having that big an impact. I dont see it holding back Tipp, Dublin, Cork, Limerick and even a strong percentageof th Clare team are dual club players, Galway have dual players too but maybe not as many those other top counties. A lot of our lads have given football a miss at stages in their careers too and didnt have any added effect. They mightnt have a same percentage of everyone playing everything but it's madness to say because lads are playing both at club level is effecting them at county level. We might be a dual county in the sense people play both but it in terms of people interest and players (if were tbh) caring, it's a hurling county.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 22/05/2023 17:47:21
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Galway Hurling thread - 2 Like(s)
Great game to watch but the Galway enigma rolls on. They had all the hard work done, a ten point turnaround with 10 seconds left. Cruel but way better performance than last year, they're in a better place performance wise than last year when thy beat Cork and could've beaten Limerick only for David Reidy heroics for a finish. Since 2009 Galway, including replays, between, national league, Leinster and all Ireland have played in 19 finals and only won 5. In one way it does show a consistency in getting there but there is some mental blockage going on, even in 2017 when they won 3 of those 5 wins, they were about 10 points better than everyone but just about got over the line and 2018 there were still about 4/5 points better than everyone but couldn't get it done. It's very frustrating watching Galway with everything you'd want in a county not fulfill their promise, the last 10 years there's been generational talent but with such modest return. I'd love to see Caroline Currid go with Galway for a while just to see would it have any impact. A few people saying Shefflins tactics mighnt be the best but the one impact I've definitely seen him make is they are tbf to them a team that never gives up, yesterday, the Dublin game, Kilkenny in nowlan Park are prime games when galway teams would give up completely and let 6 points turn into a 12 point loss. But still that almost allergy to seeing out finals remains. It was a decent enough performance but there was too big a gap between the good lads and the lads who played poor, it was either one or the other. Goalie and full back line, the usual Galway Achilles heel. Eanna Murphy seems to dive for the sake of it, doesn't seem to be any confidence in him ever pulling off a save. He had one save from Eoin Cody but it was very easy save. 2nd time coming on here saying he needs to do better and I don't want to be calling him out, he was actually very good last year but seems to have reverted back 2020,2021 form. Padraic Mannion having to go back corner back robbed half back line of aerial and passing ability. He did well on Cody and will have nightmares about that goal but did well considering the amount of one on one ball he had to deal with but shows the lack of quality in man marking corner backs, Morrissey, Grealish and Brennan are all fine but not great one to one defenders, Grealish probably the best of them but can't seem to deal with Cody's power with the ball at all. Two very very even teams but Kilkenny have 4 Leinsters in a row now with is mad when you consider how even them and Galway are and how they both have similar records in the all Ireland series. It's going to be a hard road for Galway now but I'd be backing them to beat Tipp (once they dont take Offaly for granted) and they're surely due a win against Limerick going on how tight those two have been the last 5 years. But still I think it's going to be another Limerick v Kilkenny final, Limerick are a freak ot a team and Kilkenny are Kilkenny so wouldn't now. A lot of hurling still to be played.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 12/06/2023 12:28:08
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Galway Hurling thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To katser: "Regarding the Co.Final on Sunday.......the Loughrea crowd are cock sure they are going to win, nothing but blue and yellow "come on the town" everywhere!!
Yeah right......St.Thomas' by comfortable 6 or 7pts.
Looking like another Co. Title for South Galway!" Another county title for Thomas's you mean, it'd be theirs and theirs alone. Once again this whole South vs East thing, no one cares about that part of it at all. That hasn't been relevant since the 70s when they got rid of it. I hardly think Ardrahan or Gort will care about a victory for South galway if Thomas's win. Neighbour's will always be rivals and clubs you play often but making out this South board vs east board things is relevant is tiresome. Clubs only care about how they're getting on themselves and don't look further than that, we're all Galway too, you think people in Kilkenny care that Ballyhale are a South Kilkenny club or whatever, so stupid and irrelevant.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 17/11/2022 14:18:59
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Galway Hurling thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "Did you not see how badly cut up Kenny Park was by the end of the 2nd game on Saturday. There were even parts of it where water stayed on top. No way would Athenry be able to take another match so soon again not mind two." It's one thing we don't have in galway is a top class playing pitch. Always get so jealous looking at county finals in Cork, Limerick, Tipp, Kilkenny when they play in such great facilities and their playing surface always looks immaculate come the big days. The only ones that seem to suffer the same problem as us is Waterford. I know from personal experience that playing in Pearse Stadium is awful from a playing point of view, and I'd say majority of players will also agree with that and even supporters dread it. It's bad when it would be easier get in and out of Ennis or Gaelic Grounds for a match than one in our own county for a lot of Galway. Kenny Park is an outstanding summer pitch but it's rare it sees summer and probably hasn't been invested in half enough, same for ballinasloe (although that is probably the best of thm in winter) Pearse Stadium is bad no matter what time of year you go in to it and has nearly became a joke to a lot of people...inside and outside of galway. Wexford park is the only one that comes close to it in terms of wind but even that doesn't have the same level of cold and rain.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 01/11/2022 15:53:53
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Galway Hurling thread - 2 Like(s)
Ardrahan v Sarsfields was decent game, some good displays on both sides. Sarsfields fairly dominated first 35/40 mins and Ardrahan dominated the last 20/25. Seen enough chinks in both teams Armour that Thomas's or Loughrea would be able to exploit when it comes down to it. Ardrahan lacked a bit of pace up front and looked a lot more dangerous when Donagh Fahy and Iain Lynskey came on. Ardrahan probably very dissapointed not to get at least a draw at the end. Missed about 4 goal chances. Don't know how that wasn't a penalty after goalie took out man. But good game to watch, very lively, lot of intercounty experience on both sides. Can see maybe a semi final at max for both, would be expected for Sars and if Ardrahan got a favorable draw could sneak there too. But big take away from weekend is that Loughrea and Sarsfields look very clear of the rest and any two of 8 teams could make up the other semi finalists.
Johnny Glynn incident doesn't look good at all. Getting the yellow during the game might save him from missing next game as refs report will say he dealt with issue. Don't know if there's some rule about using video evidence to appeal at club level, all comes down the refs report. Open to correction on that. Johnny had a very good game and Sars struggled big time with him in the air even with Hynes and Joe Cooney on him as nearly a double team (I'd imagine Henry will want him in) but no excusing what he done, looks terrible, I know that he probably got some off the ball treatment too but he went too far in retaliation.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 04/09/2023 14:10:03
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Galway Football thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To jobseekersbent: "Goalkeeper has been an issue for a long time now, there hasn't been a long term keeper since Martin Mac. Keane, Donohue, Doherty, Faherty, Breathnach, Healy, Donohue again Power, Lavelle have all had a handful of seasons each as number one. Gleeson has been around a bit now and is probably the worst of the names (but still a decent keeper) mentioned above but is still in goal with Power on the bench. All the names mentioned were and are good keepers but weren't given backing unlike keepers in other counties were. Beggan made plenty of mistakes over the years but was backed.
There is a keeper playing today for Roscommon, Conor Carrol from Oranmore. Have seen him in sigerson and club and looks very good on the ball and can pick players out. Not sure if he was asked into the Galway panel or not but would be as good as what's there if not better. Could be an idea for next year especially if Faherty isn't available." Galway and goalkeeping have a very volatile relationship in both codes to be fair, not exactly a new problem. Even the best goalie in each code over the last 30 years, Martin Mac and Colm Callanan, were very average in comparison to other goalies of their eras and made some howlers in big games but in comparison to their predecessors and lads that came after them were still the best of a bad bunch. I don't know is it a lack of goalkeeping coaching at underage or what but we've yet to produce an all time great goalie.(in the last 50 years) It's the only position I can say that about, we've produced some of the best forwards, midfielders and backs of all time but dodgy goalie is a long running tradition in galway. We've been super competitive and successful at minor/u20 level the last 10 years and yet we've yet to get a goalie of any great quality. There always seems to be one glaring weakness in their game, Gleesons I think is pretty clearly the high ball. I thought Conor Flaherty would be the best hope but he's not in this year and for whatever reason that's his own decision and have to respect that. Bernard Power is probably a better bet than Gleeson at this stage I think.
Don't know how we change this goalkeeping culture in galway but it's a 40/50 year old problem not to mind a new problem. Even at club level no goalie sticks out at all really, Bernard Power probably still the best at club level and I think he's been tried a nice bit at county level already and doesn't say a whole pile for the rest if he's the answer now....still a fine goalie and his record at Corofin is unbelievable but Corofin probably suited his approach more than Galways. Conor Flaherty was playing outfield and was actually very very good for Claregalway but doesn't do his long term goalkeeping ambitions for Galway any great help, if he still has any and if not that's his choice and can't hold a lad back if he has other interests.
It cost us big time last year and it will cost us again this year.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (National) - 29/01/2023 21:07:45
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