Still cannot figure out how Galway can dominate senior club hurling and much of the underage hurling for the last 20 years with some swashbuckling displays and still we get abject performances like we saw against Dublin, Westmeath and Tipp in the league. My only answer is they do not care enough about intercounty as seniors only their clubs which is a sad state of affairs. I wouldn't be putting any money on us beating Clare even if we are at home as surely there is psychological damage done from such defeats and no-show performances.

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 20/06/2011 14:22:26    960969

tommy k:

You see the article in the indo on sunday had the opinions of a few old school galway lads, to be honest their were a few honest home truths pointed out, I think galway were in the same boat as tipp were in the 70's and 80's they felt their is sense of entitlement (be it from club success or underage success) but don't go out and fight tooth and nail to win a game.

I said it before and I'll say it again they are one of the must frustrating teams to watch. Every year at the start of the championship i always have galway done as dark horse depending on what galway team turns up. There no doubt the skillful hurler galway has had over the years but there something else missing in relation to galway hurling and many a man has failed to put his finger on what it actually is.

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 20/06/2011 14:49:29    961012

Ive always said that galway prob have the beat club championship in the country and gifted hurlers but there has also been a lot of bad blood and incidents down through the years most notably the joe canning incident a while back .I could be way off the mark here and would like the views of galway folk but given that they play as individuals is it an indication that the bad blood between lads on the club scene manifests itself when the county team gets together?? If not can someone please explain how so many gifted hurlers with multiple AI minor and u21 medals havent won since the 80s im baffled id love some of their players on our team

booboo (Cork) - Posts: 1382 - 20/06/2011 15:05:35    961035

Well they certainly did have much in the way of teamwork as was pointed out on the Sunday Game last night, irrespective of the talented individuals in their squad

Are we discerning a problem within the Galway camp I wonder?

gigoer (Wexford) - Posts: 1998 - 20/06/2011 15:11:36    961046

It's a very valid point booboo makes. With the exception of Wicklow, Galway are probably one of the most common counties in the media in terms of ill discipline in games, be it between players or between referee and officials. Every county has their club rivalries but I reckon you could be onto something here booboo. I wonder is all still forgotten about that match between Loughrea and Portumna a few years ago.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 20/06/2011 17:06:41    961246

Saying the club Championship in galway is too competitive is a lame excuse. for anyone as old as me who remembers when Galway's breakthough in the late 70's they will know that Club hurling in Galway was a lot more physical and rivalries were even more intense. the cashel team that made the breakthough for galway at AI level in 1980 were no angels to say the least and would not have been liked throughout a lot (if not most of the county). The main problem with Galway right now is we are developing the wrong type of hurler. They are excellent minors where physicality is not that important and the emphasis is almost all on skill. Look at the Kilkenny players in the last 10 years with 6+ AI medals but would could not make the minor KK team. Modern senior intercounty hurlers need a balance of hurling skill, strength, athletisism, dedication and bravery. The is a love of hurling in galway that is equal to anywhere in the country. We must learn but we will and we will have good days again.

onlyhurling (Galway) - Posts: 800 - 20/06/2011 17:41:08    961285

gigoer:
Are we discerning a problem within the Galway camp I wonder?

I thought this was all sorted after a league match against tipp last year in which was one of the worst second half performances I've seen from a galway team. It seemed after that they started playing as a team and if they had beaten tipp in the champioship last year I don't think anyone would have said they didn't deserve it either team could have won it. I thought then galway could drive on from this and looked that way in the early stages of the leage aswell. Looks like the wheels came off against tipp in the league terrible performance and the one against dublin ranks up there with it I'm sorry i just don't understand galway hurling it's a mystery wrapped in a riddle and no-one seems to have the answear. It's sad to see when so many excellent hurlers pass throught the team of the last 20 odd years and did not get the reward they should have. There been plenty of excuses but yet no lasting solution.

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 20/06/2011 18:19:33    961327

At this stage you would nearly make Clare favourites against Galway, the only thing in Galway's favour is the fact that the match is on in Pearse Stadium. A few people have already said that Galway could not possibly be that bad again, but the fact of the matter is that Galway have not played well since arguably the quarter final defeat to Tipperary last year, although I would probably go back to last year's league final for the last time that Galway put in a complete performance. Without going into the ins and outs of it again, there is something rotten in Galway hurling, no bottle or no pride, and it is shameful to see how easily Galway hurling teams give up. My only fear is that if Galway somehow manage to beat Clare that all of a sudden everything will be okay again, however it is far from it, and a complete and utter overhaul of the entire hurling structures in Galway is badly required. I give Galway a very reluctant vote, however if we get Cork in the next round it will be curtains anyway, so all we will be doing is delaying the inevitable. As regards Wexford and Limerick, I would like to see Wexford win this, but think that Limerick will just have too much for them?

gilly0512 (Galway) - Posts: 1176 - 20/06/2011 20:02:06    961411

gilly2308
County: Galway
Posts: 677

961411 At this stage you would nearly make Clare favourites against Galway, the only thing in Galway's favour is the fact that the match is on in Pearse Stadium. A few people have already said that Galway could not possibly be that bad again, but the fact of the matter is that Galway have not played well since arguably the quarter final defeat to Tipperary last year, although I would probably go back to last year's league final for the last time that Galway put in a complete performance.

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I agree Gilly - it's a bad state of affairs, and it shocks me how far backwards we have gone. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a backlash against the Banner, but as you say, it's hard to see us beating Cork. If we go out before the q/f I think it's curtains for the management, which will only mean that we'll have someone new in and the same ill founded optimism as every year! That said, I'll be there, believing, on July 2, and every other day our team take the pitch. They have been poor, but they don't deserve some of the complete vitriol that's been thrown at them - they are young lads giving up their time for the cause.

abhainn (Galway) - Posts: 1000 - 21/06/2011 09:48:42    961579

abhainn, your defence of your team is admirable and we all know GAA teams are created by young fellows giving up their time to do it

I think I speak for the majority when I say that the comments in these threads are born more out of disappointment than cynicism. We all want a more competitive championship, we all want more than just Tipp or KK battling it out for Liam, I suppose after Galway's fantastic exploits last year, particularly the match against Tipp, we were just hoping for more of the same

That Galway have had a very indifferent season so far is just disappointing to the masses, that's all, we are not trying to crucify Galway (well, not all of us anyway, I'm sure Thurlestool will spout some childish rubbish on the subject) but let's not forget that Galway are still in the championship, hopefully they can pick themselves up

gigoer (Wexford) - Posts: 1998 - 21/06/2011 10:21:41    961612

gigoer
County: Wexford
Posts: 307

961612 abhainn, your defence of your team is admirable and we all know GAA teams are created by young fellows giving up their time to do it

I think I speak for the majority when I say that the comments in these threads are born more out of disappointment than cynicism. We all want a more competitive championship, we all want more than just Tipp or KK battling it out for Liam, I suppose after Galway's fantastic exploits last year, particularly the match against Tipp, we were just hoping for more of the same

That Galway have had a very indifferent season so far is just disappointing to the masses, that's all, we are not trying to crucify Galway (well, not all of us anyway, I'm sure Thurlestool will spout some childish rubbish on the subject) but let's not forget that Galway are still in the championship, hopefully they can pick themselves up

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cheers gigoer, well said! What are your thoughts on your own game? I think Wexford might well be waiting in the long grass for this one - everyone will be expecting Limerick to go on after the Waterford game.

abhainn (Galway) - Posts: 1000 - 21/06/2011 10:24:56    961615

Hurling supporters in 29 of the 32 counties have been hoping for a break-through from Galway over the last 5 or 6 years. A lot of the other counties were rebuilding and Galway with all their under-age success were seen as the only ones capable of getting up there quickly. In many ways therefore we have all been disappointed that they have not made a greater impact and perhaps the opportunity may have been missed. However hurling is strong in Galway and no doubt their day will come. It just again proves that under-age success is no guarantee of success at senior level. Wexford in the 50s and both Offaly and Clare in the 80s proved that you can win senior without any under-age success.

lochgarmanabu (Wexford) - Posts: 1022 - 21/06/2011 12:06:22    961747

Abhainn, I think that in the last few times Wexford have met Limerick in the championship, there has never been more than a point or 2 between us.

We are 2 teams who have had successes in the past, both provincial & AI and we long for that success again but at the end of the day, we have been in the doldrums for the past few years. Both teams have put in fine efforts to get ourselves out of the mire and back competing with the best this year, as shown by Wexford's dogged determinationto stay in Division 1, a fine display against Antrim & a gutsy display against KK. Limerick to their credit, have stampeded their way out of Division 2 and were a bit unlucky to lose against Waterford.

Both teams are in an ascendancy, neither can really afford to lose this game, encounters between them have always been tight, so it has the potential to be a great game. Limerick may be favourites due to the home advantage but I don't that will bother Wexford too much - Wexford have never been phased by Thurles for example so I don't see them cringing under the Gaelic Grounds and Wexford don't usually carry favourites tag too well which will suit them

However, I still think Limerick have that bit more in terms of youth & talent who will want O Grady to be in charge for as long as possible (he said he'd only stay 1 year didn't he?) and I think they will do everything to maintain that for as long as possible

It gould go either way really, but I think Limerick will have a touch more drive than Wexford, I think we will give them a great game but I reckon Limerick will win it by 2-4 points

Here's hoping I'm wrong.....

gigoer (Wexford) - Posts: 1998 - 21/06/2011 12:45:10    961781

Think gigoer has summed up my thoughts on our game in one. Probably Limerick by 2-3 points.
abhainn - is there a sentiment in Galway that managing the senior hurlers is now a poisoned chalice?

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 21/06/2011 13:09:42    961819

Possibly Galways success underage is part of the problem. Sometimes when young fellas constantly win underage they expect to follow on in Senior.
They need a Liam Griffin type character to go in their and take over their lives for a year, bring them together and get the blood boiling (in the right kind of way).

I think they will beat Clare after a battle, maybe they need a few battles to get a bit of reality back.

Limerick and Wexford, if we play like we played against Kilkenny the players will at least be able to get on with the club championship. I don't believe that we can play that bad again (or at least I hope we can't). Also if we get all our players back and fit we will be a different proposition. I think the fact that Kilkenny didn't hammer us into another world (and to be honest they could have) means that the players won't be totally disheartened. I think maybe Limerick have had their big game and we might just edge this one. Both games are going to be close. On previous performance you'd think Clare and Limerick but saying that I don't believe that Wexford or Galway could play as bad as they did in their first games.

Nick (Wexford) - Posts: 1100 - 21/06/2011 13:24:20    961838

If Clare show the heart for battle that they showed against Tipp then they will probably beat Galway. I can't see this Galway team digging deep when the heat comes on. I hope I'm wrong but the evidence of the last few games suggests that this is a fragmented bunch with no direction or gameplan. I was in Tullamore and I've never been so disgusted with a Galway performance. No heart or passion......How can we suddenly expect them to put it all together for Clare?
Going to Castlebar on Sunday, let's hope the footballers get stuck in and at least give a performance that puts a bit of pride back into the Galway jersey....

moonwalker (Galway) - Posts: 9 - 21/06/2011 13:38:54    961855

Pinkie
County: Wexford
Posts: 1627

961819 Think gigoer has summed up my thoughts on our game in one. Probably Limerick by 2-3 points.
abhainn - is there a sentiment in Galway that managing the senior hurlers is now a poisoned chalice?

_____

Its been a long time since anyone got a good run managing the team - there's definitely an expectation that you have to win something within 2 years. Hayes and Lane both got to a final and were on their bikes soon enough afterward, albeit for various reasons. Nobody gets enough time - but everyone gets huge expectation! So a poisoned chalice might be a bit too far, as there is certainly potential in the county, but with the c. board having you on a short string and players who are used to winning wondering why they are not, you tend to be the scapegoat.

abhainn (Galway) - Posts: 1000 - 21/06/2011 13:54:54    961879

I think you've hit the nail on head there Abhainn. In Galway no manager is given enough time. Noel Lane got us to an All Ireland in 2001, the following year i think Tipp knocked us at around the Quarter Final stage and he was given the boot. Conor Hayes got us to a final, and he was gone a year after. Then we had Ger. No-one is given the time, immediate results are sought after and maybe that's not the way to go.

I honestly thought when he came in McIntyre could change the whole thing round and get us where we want to be. Unfortunately this hasn't happened yet. More worryingly has he lost the dressing room. I hope not because i have great time for McIntyre. He's always honest in his views and that's all you want.

As for Clare, quite frankly i hope it's a god awful game of hurling and we come out it with a win of any sort. Anything would suffice after what happened in Tullamore. But maybe Saturday could be a watershed. Maybe the lads will group together, come out fighting and show some pride in the jersey. After all that's all we want to see. If we get beat by a better team, fair enough, but make sure you left everything on that pitch in getting bet. I don't think we dd that at the weekend, and hopefully we will do it against Clare at Pearse.

Limerick and Wexford will be a tasty one. Hopefully RTE show both games because both have the potential to be crackers.

tribeinbrum (Galway) - Posts: 4155 - 21/06/2011 14:16:24    961911

"In Galway no manager is given enough time. "

Think that is part of the problem, but you have to question the mentality of the team aswell, they can be fantastic one day and horrible the next you can't always blame the manager for that the players have to take a fair bit of the blame too.

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 21/06/2011 16:28:42    962106

abhainn and tribeinbrum, that was exactly where I was heading. It seems as though expectation in Galway is always huge, with no manager ever given enough time. It seems like everyone has had a go but nobody has had a proper go, i.e. 3-4 years to stamp their authority on the team and get the team as they want.
I would love to know what someone like Donal O'Grady or Liam Sheedy would do with that team.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 21/06/2011 17:15:45    962178