HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

National Forum

Galway Football thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post

You need to Login to Post

Replying To tommy k: "Yes but there's no point being anywhere on the pitch unless you put in effective tackles on the players in possession. Too often I saw Galway players marking space for the sake of it or running alongside Roscommon players in possession who were getting ready to give a pass inside or take a score without a single tackle going in. Dublin or Kerry would not do that in similar circumstances. You have to "get in their faces" as Ciaran Whelan was saying on TSG." That needs to be a given. Pressuring the ball means tackling whoever has the possession. We did a good job of this for the first 20-25 minutes of the 2nd half and forced quite a few turnovers. We dropped off late in the game and afforded them the space to pick out passes. WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2033 - 31/05/2022 14:14:22 2421391 Link
Replying To Belclare: "People here saying if the Rossies scored this and that... Galway left two other glorious goals behind them.. If they got them then it would have been 4 19 to 1 15 in the dying seconds. Interested to hear P J says after the game he was very annoyed with our subs etc down on the sideline ready to rush on before Roscommon got the last goal. He feels it led to a lack of concentration etc for that score and said it won't happen again.. as in subs getting carried away.." The two goals Galway got was hugely important to how the game played out. The first a big turning point. Roscommon had more shots on goal than Galway 30 v 28 all the more remarkable when you consider Roscommons defence was wide open all match and rarely tackled at all while Galway had the clear tactics with numbers back to hold Roscommon to a low score. it wasn't about concentration but a failure to deal with a high ball played in. These late fade outs are becoming common under Joyce management and if not addressed it will come back to bite in All-Ireland series match. Yondu (UK) - Posts: 845 - 31/05/2022 16:07:39 2421420 Link
Replying To Tarismelting22: "Well DOne to Galway by far the better team on the day and the scorelined flattered us in truth. We will have to pick ourselves up and hope for a favourable qualifier draw. Would Galway be concerned conceding such a high score again while playing that defensive?" You wouldn't be concerned, because you couldn't be surprised really. There are no 'hardmen' 'in defensive terms', in that Galway defense. Sean Kelly is only a stopgap no3, until Mulkerrin returns, and then Kelly will move up the field, to do some more of what he can do best. All of Galway's 'defenders' are ball players imo, better going forward than defending for the main part. John Daly is probably the closest we have to a hard defender back there, and that's just because there's a bit of cut to him going for the ball etc. Even John Daly though, would be far more renowned as a quality footballer, than as a hardman defender, I would imagine. Would 'Galway' be concerned with that? It is what it is, as I've outlined. Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3410 - 31/05/2022 16:20:18 2421426 Link
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "You wouldn't be concerned, because you couldn't be surprised really. There are no 'hardmen' 'in defensive terms', in that Galway defense. Sean Kelly is only a stopgap no3, until Mulkerrin returns, and then Kelly will move up the field, to do some more of what he can do best. All of Galway's 'defenders' are ball players imo, better going forward than defending for the main part. John Daly is probably the closest we have to a hard defender back there, and that's just because there's a bit of cut to him going for the ball etc. Even John Daly though, would be far more renowned as a quality footballer, than as a hardman defender, I would imagine. Would 'Galway' be concerned with that? It is what it is, as I've outlined." Have we any up and coming dogged defenders. Sean Fitz looks promising but probably needs a bit of time. Any one in the club scene that could make the jump? Not this year obviously but for the future. Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1826 - 31/05/2022 20:22:22 2421477 Link
Replying To Mayonman: "Have we any up and coming dogged defenders. Sean Fitz looks promising but probably needs a bit of time. Any one in the club scene that could make the jump? Not this year obviously but for the future." I have said it here before that we are missing teak tough, dogged defenders like Eoghan Kerin of Annaghdown or Kieran McGrath of Corofin i.e. they may not be fancy ball players but they can get in the face of forwards albeit Kerin had a tendency to overdo it at times getting himself booked or giving away soft frees. tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3314 - 01/06/2022 10:24:33 2421514 Link
Kerin was discarded to early, got far too much criticism in 2019. Sean Andy at fault for so many scores Roscommon got in that Connacht Final, from memory think Kerin had injury issues leading up to the Mayo game. He had some great games under Kevin Walsh but whilst Joyce is at the helm he's unlikely to return. McGrath has always looked to have good defensive qualities at minor/20 level, he's very quick and despite not been too tall he's certainly not slight. TheBishop (Galway) - Posts: 260 - 01/06/2022 10:32:16 2421516 Link
Replying To tommy k: "I have said it here before that we are missing teak tough, dogged defenders like Eoghan Kerin of Annaghdown or Kieran McGrath of Corofin i.e. they may not be fancy ball players but they can get in the face of forwards albeit Kerin had a tendency to overdo it at times getting himself booked or giving away soft frees." Jonathan McGrath is in that mould. Bit small but very tough. galway19 (Galway) - Posts: 672 - 01/06/2022 10:48:06 2421522 Link
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "You wouldn't be concerned, because you couldn't be surprised really. There are no 'hardmen' 'in defensive terms', in that Galway defense. Sean Kelly is only a stopgap no3, until Mulkerrin returns, and then Kelly will move up the field, to do some more of what he can do best. All of Galway's 'defenders' are ball players imo, better going forward than defending for the main part. John Daly is probably the closest we have to a hard defender back there, and that's just because there's a bit of cut to him going for the ball etc. Even John Daly though, would be far more renowned as a quality footballer, than as a hardman defender, I would imagine. Would 'Galway' be concerned with that? It is what it is, as I've outlined." Do you think a fully fit Mulkerin would make the staring 15 now if h was to return? PJ seems very settled in his starting 15 bay maybe 1 of the wing forwards that he like to switch around depending on who theyre playing. The_DOC (Galway) - Posts: 705 - 01/06/2022 10:49:46 2421524 Link
Replying To tommy k: "I have said it here before that we are missing teak tough, dogged defenders like Eoghan Kerin of Annaghdown or Kieran McGrath of Corofin i.e. they may not be fancy ball players but they can get in the face of forwards albeit Kerin had a tendency to overdo it at times getting himself booked or giving away soft frees." On the teak tough, dogged defenders issue, I think we need one or more real enforcers over time alright but we may be underestimating just how tough some of the existing setup are. For example, Kieran Molloy put a clean hit on big Enda Smith on Sunday that you could clearly hear from 60-70m away - he absolutely emptied him with a shoulder. There were plenty more big hits you could hear and see going in but it happens so quickly now and most lads taking the hit are so conditioned that they bounce up almost immediately after it. The days of the half-psychotic full back or corner back standing over the lad he just buried are moving on. Razor sharp, no foul tackling technique; speed, quick hands and ability to counter attack from deep are more prized. togoutlads (Galway) - Posts: 898 - 01/06/2022 11:03:44 2421528 Link
Replying To The_DOC: "Do you think a fully fit Mulkerin would make the staring 15 now if h was to return? PJ seems very settled in his starting 15 bay maybe 1 of the wing forwards that he like to switch around depending on who theyre playing." He was the full-back pretty much every game under PJ and no sign he wouldn't have been against this year. I think it's more likely they would have moved Sean Kelly upfield or maybe even moved him into one of the corner back slots as they did occasionally before this year. Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2208 - 01/06/2022 13:35:37 2421569 Link
Replying To togoutlads: "On the teak tough, dogged defenders issue, I think we need one or more real enforcers over time alright but we may be underestimating just how tough some of the existing setup are. For example, Kieran Molloy put a clean hit on big Enda Smith on Sunday that you could clearly hear from 60-70m away - he absolutely emptied him with a shoulder. There were plenty more big hits you could hear and see going in but it happens so quickly now and most lads taking the hit are so conditioned that they bounce up almost immediately after it. The days of the half-psychotic full back or corner back standing over the lad he just buried are moving on. Razor sharp, no foul tackling technique; speed, quick hands and ability to counter attack from deep are more prized." Liam Silke is a very tough lad. He has put in plenty big hits and never shirks a challenge. In last year's Connacht Final, when Mayo were running riot in the 2nd half, they were on their way to rattling in another goal. I think it was Loftus who had the ball bearing down on goal when Silke absolutely flattened him a huge shoulder. While it made no difference to the end result, it prevented a certain goal. He had a big one in this year's game in Castlebar too. I'd never question his bravery. WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2033 - 01/06/2022 13:47:24 2421575 Link
Replying To togoutlads: "On the teak tough, dogged defenders issue, I think we need one or more real enforcers over time alright but we may be underestimating just how tough some of the existing setup are. For example, Kieran Molloy put a clean hit on big Enda Smith on Sunday that you could clearly hear from 60-70m away - he absolutely emptied him with a shoulder. There were plenty more big hits you could hear and see going in but it happens so quickly now and most lads taking the hit are so conditioned that they bounce up almost immediately after it. The days of the half-psychotic full back or corner back standing over the lad he just buried are moving on. Razor sharp, no foul tackling technique; speed, quick hands and ability to counter attack from deep are more prized." You've a lovely turn of phrase Togout. The 'half-psychotic full back'. Lovely! There's been a few fully psychotic half backs too. Keith Barr was tougher than he looked and by god did he look tough! GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7335 - 01/06/2022 14:43:44 2421591 Link
Replying To PressureKick: "Having the better players probably helped a tad also" For me there isn't a big difference in the talent pool of the two sets of squads. Galway simply had a had better set system of play for 60 minutes which made them much hard to score against. Galways main forwards was given the freedom of Pearse Stadium to score for fun. Roscommons best forwards was double marked and influence curbed. Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3337 - 01/06/2022 15:41:44 2421612 Link
If you'd ask any neutral to name the best 3 players between the Galway & Roscommon a high percentage would say Walsh, Comer & Conroy, if you'd ask them to name the best defender between both panels the majority would say Sean Kelly. Galway have a more talented side, thats very obvious. TheBishop (Galway) - Posts: 260 - 01/06/2022 16:02:12 2421620 Link
Replying To Gaa_lover: "For me there isn't a big difference in the talent pool of the two sets of squads. Galway simply had a had better set system of play for 60 minutes which made them much hard to score against. Galways main forwards was given the freedom of Pearse Stadium to score for fun. Roscommons best forwards was double marked and influence curbed." The cheek of Galway to have a better set system of play against well matched opposition. Guess they might try that again. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7335 - 01/06/2022 16:10:04 2421623 Link
Replying To Gaa_lover: "For me there isn't a big difference in the talent pool of the two sets of squads. Galway simply had a had better set system of play for 60 minutes which made them much hard to score against. Galways main forwards was given the freedom of Pearse Stadium to score for fun. Roscommons best forwards was double marked and influence curbed." For you on your own I'd imagine... Belclare (Galway) - Posts: 904 - 01/06/2022 16:11:10 2421625 Link
Replying To TheBishop: "If you'd ask any neutral to name the best 3 players between the Galway & Roscommon a high percentage would say Walsh, Comer & Conroy, if you'd ask them to name the best defender between both panels the majority would say Sean Kelly. Galway have a more talented side, thats very obvious." That is probably true but the narrative pre match is that it could he argued the Ros forwards as a collective would be more effective. Also Tierney while correctly pointed out did trajan work (unseen largely), interestingly things turned slightly in Roscommon's favour when he went off. I would still like to see him start scoring a bit more though given he certainly has this in his locker. Another positive is that with Conroy held others took up the mantle. McDaid springs to mind here. Granted Harney dominated Paul to some extent but equally Ros found it hard to contain McDaid. A real find for us this season in the midfield sector as we have been struggling for depth in this area with young McLaughlin out for the season. kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1946 - 01/06/2022 16:18:23 2421629 Link
Replying To TheBishop: "If you'd ask any neutral to name the best 3 players between the Galway & Roscommon a high percentage would say Walsh, Comer & Conroy, if you'd ask them to name the best defender between both panels the majority would say Sean Kelly. Galway have a more talented side, thats very obvious." Galway are and always will be the more high profile team than Roscommon and the key players on a more high profile team always rolls off the tongue much easier for any neutrals. Around for years also helps, Conroy in his 30s,Walsh,Comer are in their late 20s meanwhile Sean Kelly not around as long as that trio doesn't get the same credit from the majority of neutrals even though he's just as important to the team. Plenty of neutrals and I include journalists in that, struggled to tell the difference between Ciaran and Diarmuid Murtagh and for a while Donie and Enda Smith even though there is a foot in the difference in height. So they stick with the Smiths and Murtaghs to save any confusion. Not getting into the debate as to who is better however for comparison. Sean Kelly and Brian Stack. Both will do a job in any position because are pure footballers but are probably wasted at full back. Kelly had a good game Sunday with plenty of protection around him it was the opposite for Stack with such exposed full back line. Paul Conroy and Ultan Harney both leaders that can deliver a high influence on a game and kick long range points. Comer won the duel in the league final, Harney on this occasion. Shane Walsh and Enda Smith both pure athletes who have the capabilities of destroying opposition with his speed,direct running and skillset. On Sunday Enda Smith was man marked his direct running curbed. Shane was given the freedom of Pearse Stadium. Damien Comer and Conor Cox, both as strong as an ox. team players and leaders. Galway double marked Cox while Roscommon left their smallest defender on Comer. Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3337 - 01/06/2022 17:36:05 2421656 Link
I am amused to read about the need for teak tough aggressive defenders in the shape of Eoghan Kerin or Ciaran McGrath. It is a different game now. The main requirement all over the field is for speed, athleticism, endurance and heart. You could be teak tough but unable to get anywhere near the player you're marking and left sitting on your backside. This results in giving away needless fouls and risk of black cards. In years gone by you would never waste a player of Sean Kelly's ability by putting him in at fullback. You would reserve that spot for the big hefty slow player (mullacker) who was able to command the square and frighten the life out of any forward who had the temerity to encroach too near. The game is now all about retaining possession and running, running and more running. The old-style man markers, even great players in their era such as Mick Lyons, Meath or Paddy McCormack, Offaly, wouldn't get a place on the team at all now. This is down to the evolution of the game whether we like it or not. FatLadySinging (Galway) - Posts: 86 - 01/06/2022 17:43:09 2421660 Link
Replying To kiloughter: "That is probably true but the narrative pre match is that it could he argued the Ros forwards as a collective would be more effective. Also Tierney while correctly pointed out did trajan work (unseen largely), interestingly things turned slightly in Roscommon's favour when he went off. I would still like to see him start scoring a bit more though given he certainly has this in his locker. Another positive is that with Conroy held others took up the mantle. McDaid springs to mind here. Granted Harney dominated Paul to some extent but equally Ros found it hard to contain McDaid. A real find for us this season in the midfield sector as we have been struggling for depth in this area with young McLaughlin out for the season." Harney was brilliant, potential to be one of the best midfielders in the game if they keep him fit. Agree on Tierney doing a lot of donkey work, don't worry about his lack of scores as Galway have the ability to get scores from all over the pitch, even Silke & Kelly are well able to get scores. The key to a good forward line is getting the right balance, Roscommon don't have that. There's a lot of similar forwards in their front 6. TheBishop (Galway) - Posts: 260 - 01/06/2022 17:48:13 2421663 Link