Alwaysencourage (Galway) - Posts: 625 - 29/07/2026 09:47:52    2687947

As we see now after Mayo's mighty and fully deserved win, football has changed, changed utterly, since most teams have got a handle on the new rules. First and Foremost it is now a young mans game, with pace and super levels of fitness required in all areas. Outside of the AI Final itself, Donegal's first half effort V Kerry was probably the next best display of the year. I really hope Galway change the management and adept a new approach to several aspects of team preparation. Steven Poacher dropped every Leitrim player who was unable or unwilling to 100% commit to Leitrim Football, and took a hammering in the media for it, suffering massive defeats in the league and even unable to field on one occasion. He said it was a 5 year mission, but has really brought on the team hugely. As PJ himself stated "It was just as well Barry McNulty had an off day" when we played them. If Leitrim had pulled off the shock it would surely have forced a change of tack that might have brough a least one big preformence. The idea that players can live abroad half the year due to work or other commitments and still play intercounty football at a top level was doable back in the 60s and 70s but out of the question now. Listening to reporters asking PJ if Thompson would be available for the QF was laughable, a man who had not played since the FBD and also suffered an injury. Every year same story with the great Damo. I humbly suggest that any player who is not starting every game and finishing most for his club in the upcoming championship has no place on an intercounty team. Finally on positive note one would hope that Mayo's win might ignite a bit of hunger in our lads, I think it will.

giveitlong (Galway) - Posts: 1332 - 29/07/2026 10:11:22    2687950

gaillimhboy (Galway) - Posts: 423 - 29/07/2026 10:29:48    2687954