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Galway Football thread

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Replying To Kickitout:  "Can't figure out why people keep saying we missing Michael Daly he day is done ian Burke think he scored 2 points last year , the players who didn't start v mayo and should be available for championship
Jack Glynn
Liam silke
Sean Kelly
Cillian Mcdaid
Tierney
Finnerty
Comer
Not sure if I've missed someone"
Three of that list should probably start the next match. In the meantime Galway should have decent replacements to step in for Sean Kelly, Liam Silke, McDaid and Glynn before they return.

The biggest question I would have in regards to last Sunday is why was Joyce playing so many players out of position and leaving no balance or structure to the team. Trying to be too clever or not wanting to show their hand if they are to meet again come championship time?

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3439 - 30/01/2024 14:49:08    2523324

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Losing first round of the league is no big deal, getting relegated is not that big of a deal but from the outside something just doesn't look right in the Galway camp.

Someone mentioned this is PJ's 5th year in charge - bear in mind 2 of those were Covid years. Is his job at risk if Galway fail to get to a final or SF?

Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 314 - 30/01/2024 15:24:36    2523329

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Replying To Cbar:  "Losing first round of the league is no big deal, getting relegated is not that big of a deal but from the outside something just doesn't look right in the Galway camp.

Someone mentioned this is PJ's 5th year in charge - bear in mind 2 of those were Covid years. Is his job at risk if Galway fail to get to a final or SF?"
PJ brought in Cian O'Neill and in fairness is willing to share management responsibilities. However, I feel the backroom team is still on the light weight size. A disconnect seems to have manifested between players and management. By the way, the same thing happened in Dublin until Dessie brought in Pat Gilroy. Overnight, they became a different beast. So, imo the only way to salvage anything this year is to get in a person who has the respect of both players and management alike. For me, Gary Sice (if available) could be the type of individual to bring in and get the best out of the players. Imo a lot of tweaking needs to be done.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 610 - 30/01/2024 16:13:43    2523337

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Replying To NoughtiesFootball:  "While I wouldn't be as negative as several posters on here since last Sunday, there are several issues for Galway:

1. Lads unavailable because of injuries and other reasons. Galway have a very strong starting 15 and maybe 3-4 good subs, when everyone is fit. It has been the case that Galway struggle badly when they're missing key players like Comer, S Kelly or J Daly.

2. Galway forward line can't function without Comer. This has been the way for the last 9-10 years as I see it and remains the case. If he hadn't have had to come off v Mayo in Salthill last summer, Galway would have won.

3. Team selection. Anyone who has seen C Darcy play club, never mind county will know he isn't good enough for Galway. This was the case when he played for Caherlistrane. He seems an honest lad trying his best but Mayo's first goal came off him. Is S Mulkerrin really a wing back and if so is he good enough for Galway? I never saw Niall Daly play full forward until last Sunday.
Eoin Finnerty from Mountbellew-Moylough has been and still is one of the best club players in Galway. He destroyed Corofin twice as a full-forward in 2020 and 21 - doing more damage than anyone else, to end their brilliant run. Why isn't he given a chance at full-forward when Comer is unavailable? I know he played v Tyrone in league last year but good ball wasn't kicked into him. Brian Mannion from Tuam is also a consistent club player. Either E Finnerty or him would be a better option than Niall Daly at 14. I accept that if Comer, Walsh and Rob Finnerty all fit and firing, neither would start.

Rory O'Connor from Tuam was one of the best defenders in the senior championship in 2023 and has been consistent for a handful of years. Has he ever been called into the Galway senior set-up? I would have him, James Foley from MM or Cathal Sweeney as wing backs ahead of Mulkerrin. Sweeney has been probably the best club half back in the last 2 seasons.

Liam Costello from Milltown was excellent in senior championship last year. I know he's more of a scoring half forward or corner forward than a worker but surely he would have been a better half-forward option than Darcy? He wasn't that bad in the FBD final.

4. Style of play. Galway have gone from a team who looks to move the ball fast, as they did when Joyce first came in - to a methodical possession team. Last season it worked well until the defeat to Armagh. I can see some reasoning - most teams play that way and Galway have better forwards than all counties bar Kerry and maybe Dublin. So Galway probably reason we'll beat most teams playing that way. I thought it worked very well v Roscommon last year - Galway controlled and won the match. But there needs to be more pace and variety in the attack and a few 50-50s or 40-60s chanced into a good full-forward. Galway will not beat Kerry or Dublin by playing a methodical possession game.

5. Cian O'Neill. I would give him alot of credit for improving Galway's defence. But does he have too much influence? Kildare played a slow boring game when he was over them - they had one consistent season in 2017 and a few good results in 18 after beating Mayo but still lost out to Monaghan and Galway in last 8s. He was involved with Cork in 2020 and they were allergic to moving the ball fast. I can only think the slow possession game is coming from him. Does anyone else think this?

Overall, I think Galway on paper are the 4th best team in the country when everyone is fit - after Dublin, Kerry and Derry. But if problems like the above aren't solved, Galway will remain good on paper, but not on the pitch."
On the last point there, as Brian Clough said one time... "unfortunately games are played on grass, not on paper"

Knocknadrough (Galway) - Posts: 25 - 30/01/2024 16:16:29    2523338

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Replying To Knocknadrough:  "On the last point there, as Brian Clough said one time... "unfortunately games are played on grass, not on paper""
If that's not a dome statement! ;)

baire (Galway) - Posts: 1849 - 30/01/2024 17:07:59    2523349

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My team for Sunday without Kelly , silke and Glynn
Burke
McGrath. Fitzgerald. Mulkerrins

Molloy / sweeney. Mchugh. Daly

Maher / tierney

O conghaile. Walsh O curtaine

Cunningham. Finnerty. Comer

Obviously not sure on Walsh / comer fitness
Think it tone 2 put forwards in forwards and let them interchange definitely more scoring forward there actually they are all forwards ,,, I know not a hope of all 6 starting maybe 2-3 might Padraig under serious pressure to play players in there best possible positions for such a brilliant forward himself and he played on a Galway team with brilliant forwards he gone totally against what he believes in forwards win matches ,

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 899 - 30/01/2024 17:20:10    2523352

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Replying To Kickitout:  "My team for Sunday without Kelly , silke and Glynn
Burke
McGrath. Fitzgerald. Mulkerrins

Molloy / sweeney. Mchugh. Daly

Maher / tierney

O conghaile. Walsh O curtaine

Cunningham. Finnerty. Comer

Obviously not sure on Walsh / comer fitness
Think it tone 2 put forwards in forwards and let them interchange definitely more scoring forward there actually they are all forwards ,,, I know not a hope of all 6 starting maybe 2-3 might Padraig under serious pressure to play players in there best possible positions for such a brilliant forward himself and he played on a Galway team with brilliant forwards he gone totally against what he believes in forwards win matches ,"
this game we all love is all about opinion my thoughts on your team,
burke un likely to start as joyce seems to be a big fan of conor gleeson
people berate our midfield being slow and then you along with others select maher/tierney who are both not quick
o'conghaile and o'curraoin are not wing forwards, would not like to see them tracking pacy wing backs
cunnigham wasn't even on the 26 for mayo game

no reflection on your team but i think there is a notion out there that galway have great forwards and im not quite sure why. walsh is the big name and is hot and cold as we all know, comer is never available and the best of the rest finnerty struggles to start these days, sweeney is named in forwards generally and never scores, heaney more worried about tracking back rather than going forward, someone might let me know if ive missed anyone

cavan.galway (Galway) - Posts: 204 - 30/01/2024 18:43:11    2523371

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Replying To cavan.galway:  "this game we all love is all about opinion my thoughts on your team,
burke un likely to start as joyce seems to be a big fan of conor gleeson
people berate our midfield being slow and then you along with others select maher/tierney who are both not quick
o'conghaile and o'curraoin are not wing forwards, would not like to see them tracking pacy wing backs
cunnigham wasn't even on the 26 for mayo game

no reflection on your team but i think there is a notion out there that galway have great forwards and im not quite sure why. walsh is the big name and is hot and cold as we all know, comer is never available and the best of the rest finnerty struggles to start these days, sweeney is named in forwards generally and never scores, heaney more worried about tracking back rather than going forward, someone might let me know if ive missed anyone"
I do agree it's a myth that galway have good forwards have not had in years not a group of them only reason I put that forward line up is that they are all forwards ,,

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 899 - 30/01/2024 19:35:07    2523383

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Replying To cavan.galway:  "this game we all love is all about opinion my thoughts on your team,
burke un likely to start as joyce seems to be a big fan of conor gleeson
people berate our midfield being slow and then you along with others select maher/tierney who are both not quick
o'conghaile and o'curraoin are not wing forwards, would not like to see them tracking pacy wing backs
cunnigham wasn't even on the 26 for mayo game

no reflection on your team but i think there is a notion out there that galway have great forwards and im not quite sure why. walsh is the big name and is hot and cold as we all know, comer is never available and the best of the rest finnerty struggles to start these days, sweeney is named in forwards generally and never scores, heaney more worried about tracking back rather than going forward, someone might let me know if ive missed anyone"
Right on the money you are. Worse still where are the players within the County to replace them.

Brandyh (Galway) - Posts: 25 - 30/01/2024 20:00:43    2523388

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I don't want to single out any player, the sum is supposed to be greater than the parts in any team.
The sight of green and red in Pearse Stadium is supposed to get us ready for war. The way the first goal was conceded, not a finger laid on a Mayo jersey. Thank God Paul Conroy is available, he has passion and guts.

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1700 - 30/01/2024 20:53:03    2523395

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Replying To suckvalleypaddy:  "I don't want to single out any player, the sum is supposed to be greater than the parts in any team.
The sight of green and red in Pearse Stadium is supposed to get us ready for war. The way the first goal was conceded, not a finger laid on a Mayo jersey. Thank God Paul Conroy is available, he has passion and guts."
completely agree.

cavan.galway (Galway) - Posts: 204 - 30/01/2024 21:16:28    2523402

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Replying To cavan.galway:  "this game we all love is all about opinion my thoughts on your team,
burke un likely to start as joyce seems to be a big fan of conor gleeson
people berate our midfield being slow and then you along with others select maher/tierney who are both not quick
o'conghaile and o'curraoin are not wing forwards, would not like to see them tracking pacy wing backs
cunnigham wasn't even on the 26 for mayo game

no reflection on your team but i think there is a notion out there that galway have great forwards and im not quite sure why. walsh is the big name and is hot and cold as we all know, comer is never available and the best of the rest finnerty struggles to start these days, sweeney is named in forwards generally and never scores, heaney more worried about tracking back rather than going forward, someone might let me know if ive missed anyone"
Sweeney scored 0-6 in NFL 2023. 0-3 in a man of the match performance v Tyrone. Bit disingenuous against a player who has played in every position on the pitch for PJ bar goalkeeper and midfield. Probably best to keep opinions about young players to youself especially when you don't seem to be watching many of the games!

Megane (Galway) - Posts: 14 - 31/01/2024 00:55:04    2523420

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Replying To suckvalleypaddy:  "I don't want to single out any player, the sum is supposed to be greater than the parts in any team.
The sight of green and red in Pearse Stadium is supposed to get us ready for war. The way the first goal was conceded, not a finger laid on a Mayo jersey. Thank God Paul Conroy is available, he has passion and guts."
100%. Playing on the edge should be a prerequisite to play county football. We don't seem to have enough players with this mentality.
Conroy is a class footballer first and foremost but he plays with an edge also in every game. As it should be,

galwayman2 (Galway) - Posts: 1264 - 31/01/2024 09:21:53    2523428

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I do think Joyce and O'Neill are under pressure now as there was no fight in the team or discernable game-plan in place whatsoever and it will probably be more of the same again v Roscommon in The Hyde next weekend. Not good enough for a team of Galway's tradition.

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 31/01/2024 10:48:32    2523448

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Replying To Megane:  "Sweeney scored 0-6 in NFL 2023. 0-3 in a man of the match performance v Tyrone. Bit disingenuous against a player who has played in every position on the pitch for PJ bar goalkeeper and midfield. Probably best to keep opinions about young players to youself especially when you don't seem to be watching many of the games!"
Sweeney is still only 22 and played a lot more football for Galway then McHugh or Molloy had done by his age. Positionally he's been messed around a lot, still think half back is his best position and think he should be battling with Molloy for that half back spot.

Its just a shame Hernon isn't around, after making the breakthrough last year after a couple of really bad injuries he looked the part and I expected him to kick on but he's a year younger then Sweeney and will have plenty of time for Galway going forward.

The time to judge Galway is come the championship, no other team is missing this amount of players. Galway are currently decimated but this might work in Joyce's favour if he can find another couple of players during the league.

TheBishop (Galway) - Posts: 273 - 31/01/2024 10:51:38    2523449

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I don't think anyone suggested that sweeney not good enough he a good player but definitely a wing back that's my point playing backs in forwards is not the answer play forwards in forwards and see how they get on ,, unfortunately every year Galway have lots of injuries not sure if any other county as near as many so maybe questions need be asked how come it's happening year in year out snd one thing is for certain come championship it be the same situation and we all including myself talking about who we are missing ,,

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 899 - 31/01/2024 11:29:33    2523455

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Replying To Kickitout:  "I don't think anyone suggested that sweeney not good enough he a good player but definitely a wing back that's my point playing backs in forwards is not the answer play forwards in forwards and see how they get on ,, unfortunately every year Galway have lots of injuries not sure if any other county as near as many so maybe questions need be asked how come it's happening year in year out snd one thing is for certain come championship it be the same situation and we all including myself talking about who we are missing ,,"
good post but we could say the same thing about heaney..
no douth that he is much better in the half back line but we seem to have alot of players who seem
much better suited in the half back line..
there was a post about costello earlier on..im sure if he was given a proper chance and gain some experience in the 10/12 position he could do what boland did last sunday but like other we will never no..

i no its only February but another heavy defeat next sunday we will be looking at division 2 in the face
as we wont get anything up in tyrone in round 3 but tbh if they just pick lads in more suitable
positions and start kicking the bloody ball into the forwards much quicker and show a pattern of play
with a bit of desire then ill take that whatever the result..

with all these injuries you have to question the s@c team ability to manage these players..
sean kelly ankle not right after 7 months...
mcdaid coming back from a broken tibia and then his groin goes..
comer more injuries etc etc etc...
who's next i wonder...

gbay (Galway) - Posts: 261 - 31/01/2024 13:49:27    2523501

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Replying To gbay:  "good post but we could say the same thing about heaney..
no douth that he is much better in the half back line but we seem to have alot of players who seem
much better suited in the half back line..
there was a post about costello earlier on..im sure if he was given a proper chance and gain some experience in the 10/12 position he could do what boland did last sunday but like other we will never no..

i no its only February but another heavy defeat next sunday we will be looking at division 2 in the face
as we wont get anything up in tyrone in round 3 but tbh if they just pick lads in more suitable
positions and start kicking the bloody ball into the forwards much quicker and show a pattern of play
with a bit of desire then ill take that whatever the result..

with all these injuries you have to question the s@c team ability to manage these players..
sean kelly ankle not right after 7 months...
mcdaid coming back from a broken tibia and then his groin goes..
comer more injuries etc etc etc...
who's next i wonder..."
Shane Walsh gone for the year, major operation

MeAlone (Galway) - Posts: 75 - 31/01/2024 14:57:17    2523514

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KW left Galway in a very good place, it looks as if we are back to the starting gate after PJ, sorry to state. Needs another KW to do some heavy lifting to get us back to the top table in 3 to 5 years after this.

MeAlone (Galway) - Posts: 75 - 31/01/2024 15:00:03    2523515

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Last Sunday will be marked down as a bad experience whereby a lot of the experimenting simply didn't work. (better to try and fail with that in January than June)

Would be dragged into a relegation dog fight with another defeat this weekend so I would expect a big response and focus to pick up the two points on offer by selecting a balanced team and less trying players in positions that doesn't suit them.

Probably starts for Conroy, Comer, Finnerty, Tierney and maybe a first league start for Cillian O'Curraoin

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 175 - 31/01/2024 15:19:15    2523524

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