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Galway Football thread

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Replying To smallfrank:  "I think our biggest problem at the moment is the HF line, we are playing converted defenders and midfielders there and that means that the ball going into the FF line is non existent. Daly, McHugh, O'Flaherty and to some degree Maher are the ones creating but with runs from deep. Our main score creator last year was Sean Kelly, with incisive runs.

In 22, Comer had a great year but it was Daly playing in the right ball to him inside. In the final, Walsh did his own thing and fair play to him but Comer had no impact, because he wasn't supplied with the ball.

The Half Forwards we are picking are not heads up type players like Daly. The likes of Molloy, Sweeney, Heaney, Darcy even Tierney. The team is crying out for a heads up ball player in the HF line. David Clifford creates havoc because Paudie Clifford plays it into the space in front of him. Same as Con, Paddy Small, Costello."
What I would say about that, having a ball playing half forward, Finnerty plays 11 to good effect for Salthill. We don't really have ball playing half forwards unless they draft Antaine O Laoi back in. I was surprised he wasn't in the league panel but he won't be called in this late.

Any word on Patrick Kelly?

jobseekersbent (Galway) - Posts: 383 - 04/03/2024 12:26:31    2529695

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Replying To Kickitout:  "My championship team with everyone fit
Gleason
McGrath. Kelly. Glynn
Mchugh. Daly Silke
Mcdaid / Maher
Tierney. Finnerty. Heaney

Cunningham. Walsh. Comer"
Decent team with plenty of scoring forwards, something we have been lacking.
My one worry is Walsh getting in any vein of form, hopefully I am wrong.

hopballref (Galway) - Posts: 424 - 04/03/2024 12:41:24    2529702

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Replying To Jellybaby:  "Good kicking yesterday, fair play to the lad. I won't be changing my view or opinion until I see more of the same yesterday over the season."
I admired the way he took on goal chance as he was moving away from goal - a lesser marksman would have tried to make more space for himself before shooting, probably losing the chance. Also, the point selection when keeper was outfield was the correct mature decision, as all that was needed was to keep score board ticking.

As a previous poster alluded to, centre forward is the hardest slot to fill. At the moment, all being fit, the three contenders are Tierney, Walsh and Conroy. imho, Conroy is the best option, with the caveat - he may not last full games. So, would have to consider having Sean Kelly fill that role going down the home straight. Hopefully, Cathal Sweeney continues to improve - needs to work on handling skills (as do several other players). He is very competitive and has the knack of coming in on breaking ball in the square.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 623 - 04/03/2024 13:17:54    2529716

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Replying To galwayman2:  "Presume Walsh on the bench is a mistake (as you have him centre forward also).
Not a bad team.
Only thing I would say is they won't play 3 inside in all likelihood so it will be Comer plus one other (Finnerty, O Curraoin, Cunningham etc).
That opens the door for Tierney to come in as an extra body around the middle (or Conroy).
Mulkerrin has to be dropped - he's not at the races at this level."
I feel a bit for Mulkerrin as he's a 3 or a 6 but they have played him wing-back and corner back. He never plays those positions usually and I don't think they suit him. Fair play to him for sticking with it especially just back from serious injury but you probably won't see the best of him unless he plays centrally.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2341 - 04/03/2024 14:49:57    2529742

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Replying To Really:  "I admired the way he took on goal chance as he was moving away from goal - a lesser marksman would have tried to make more space for himself before shooting, probably losing the chance. Also, the point selection when keeper was outfield was the correct mature decision, as all that was needed was to keep score board ticking.

As a previous poster alluded to, centre forward is the hardest slot to fill. At the moment, all being fit, the three contenders are Tierney, Walsh and Conroy. imho, Conroy is the best option, with the caveat - he may not last full games. So, would have to consider having Sean Kelly fill that role going down the home straight. Hopefully, Cathal Sweeney continues to improve - needs to work on handling skills (as do several other players). He is very competitive and has the knack of coming in on breaking ball in the square."
I'd definitely be trying Finnerty center forward he great vision and good from distance a center forward is more of a link player and finnert good passer need that if Cunningham, Walsh ,comer inside but unfortunately management will probably never try that it mighr make sense ,

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 1020 - 04/03/2024 15:26:04    2529750

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My take away from the last few games is that we should be playing Cein D'Arcy all the time, he scored goal two weeks in a row, it is that simple. We need goals against Dublin and Kerry.

Gearoid1998ffowaed (Galway) - Posts: 140 - 04/03/2024 15:44:36    2529755

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Replying To Kickitout:  "I'd definitely be trying Finnerty center forward he great vision and good from distance a center forward is more of a link player and finnert good passer need that if Cunningham, Walsh ,comer inside but unfortunately management will probably never try that it mighr make sense ,"
Would probably do the same, and have Walsh come out a bit to half forward line where bit more space. Comer and Cunningham mostly inside. Sweeney and Heaney on wings with Tierney, Conroy, O' Curraoin decent options from bench.

hopballref (Galway) - Posts: 424 - 04/03/2024 15:59:02    2529762

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Replying To Kickitout:  "I'd definitely be trying Finnerty center forward he great vision and good from distance a center forward is more of a link player and finnert good passer need that if Cunningham, Walsh ,comer inside but unfortunately management will probably never try that it mighr make sense ,"
Finnerty is a good baller, but you need a strong competitive player with vision, good passing ability and box to box athleticism for such a specialised role. The last really good centre forward we had was Ja Fallon. Finnerty imo lacks these qualities.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 623 - 04/03/2024 16:05:26    2529764

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Replying To Marooned:  "I feel a bit for Mulkerrin as he's a 3 or a 6 but they have played him wing-back and corner back. He never plays those positions usually and I don't think they suit him. Fair play to him for sticking with it especially just back from serious injury but you probably won't see the best of him unless he plays centrally."
I just dont think he is good enough Glynn Mcgrath better corner backs OFlaherty Silke Molloy Heaney better half backs. Does not offer enough to be tried at 3 or 6 imo. Daly has 6 nailed & Fitzgerald has given us the option of Kelly out the field. Granted will know alot more about Fitzgerald after the Dublin & Kerry test but alll in all our back have been fairly solid. McGrath really turning into a top class defender but again look forward to him against OCallaghan/Small & Clifford Oshea etc

Eire89 (Galway) - Posts: 317 - 04/03/2024 16:22:22    2529772

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Replying To Gearoid1998ffowaed:  "My take away from the last few games is that we should be playing Cein D'Arcy all the time, he scored goal two weeks in a row, it is that simple. We need goals against Dublin and Kerry."
Darcy didn't score a goal yesterday - that was Maher at the end of the first half when Darcy pressurized the goalie but Darcy is not doing enough from general play given that he is a big man and has ability. Niall Daly could be put into the same bracket.

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 04/03/2024 16:29:19    2529775

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Just on the turnovers (sloppy passes, losing possession etc.) that Galway had yesterday, I counted 20 of them in total that led directly / indirectly to 5 points being conceded to Monaghan. There were 13 of them in the first half and 7 in the second half with Fitzgerald, McHugh and O'Flaherty responsible for 3 each, Mulkerrin 2 , Heaney 2 and 1 each by 7 other players. Those are just basic, stupid errors that should not be happening at that level and they would cost us dearly against the better teams. I know PJ alluded to them afterwards but he thought they happened mainly in the second half which was a bit strange if he was keeping count!

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 04/03/2024 16:38:58    2529776

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Lots on here think backs doing well. As individuals not bad but as a unit not good conceded 3-11 v Derry ( I know down to 13 at stages ) 14 points yesterday against a average Monaghan team conceded well v mayo I know people mighr say weak team out but all them players have being training snd working 2 a system but definitely not as tight as a unit as 2 years ago agsin only my opinion,

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 1020 - 04/03/2024 16:42:48    2529778

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Replying To Gearoid1998ffowaed:  "My take away from the last few games is that we should be playing Cein D'Arcy all the time, he scored goal two weeks in a row, it is that simple. We need goals against Dublin and Kerry."
Darcy didn't score yesterday. Maher scored the 3rd goal.

jobseekersbent (Galway) - Posts: 383 - 04/03/2024 17:12:34    2529785

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Replying To tommy k:  "Just on the turnovers (sloppy passes, losing possession etc.) that Galway had yesterday, I counted 20 of them in total that led directly / indirectly to 5 points being conceded to Monaghan. There were 13 of them in the first half and 7 in the second half with Fitzgerald, McHugh and O'Flaherty responsible for 3 each, Mulkerrin 2 , Heaney 2 and 1 each by 7 other players. Those are just basic, stupid errors that should not be happening at that level and they would cost us dearly against the better teams. I know PJ alluded to them afterwards but he thought they happened mainly in the second half which was a bit strange if he was keeping count!"
Ya I thought McHugh had lost the ball a few times. Don't know how he got man of the match. Cunningham was a shoe in for it.

jobseekersbent (Galway) - Posts: 383 - 04/03/2024 17:15:52    2529786

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Replying To jobseekersbent:  "Ya I thought McHugh had lost the ball a few times. Don't know how he got man of the match. Cunningham was a shoe in for it."
Yes and GBFM gave it to Maher who was more deserving than McHugh in fairness. I would agree with you that Cunningham probably deserved it but McGrath was a close second IMO.

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 04/03/2024 17:34:20    2529794

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Replying To jobseekersbent:  "Ya I thought McHugh had lost the ball a few times. Don't know how he got man of the match. Cunningham was a shoe in for it."
Should have, and PJ afterwards crediting him with 2 goals... will definitely start next game so! lol. I suppose in the distance, he could be forgiven for mistaking him for C. Sweeney.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 623 - 04/03/2024 18:37:33    2529804

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Replying To Marooned:  "I feel a bit for Mulkerrin as he's a 3 or a 6 but they have played him wing-back and corner back. He never plays those positions usually and I don't think they suit him. Fair play to him for sticking with it especially just back from serious injury but you probably won't see the best of him unless he plays centrally."
Honestly don't think he has the ability to man mark as a 3 though.
He won't get in at 6 ahead of Daly obviously.
But even there he isn't good enough attacking wise - he poses no threat to the opposition.
While sixes tend to hold the middle look at the best sixes around - they punch holes in an attacking sense also (apart from Tadhg Morley but he plays a different defined role).
John Daly creates a huge amount for us with his passing.
Sixes like John Small, McKinless etc. are weapons going forward.
Mulkerrin has none of these attributes in his locker,

galwayman2 (Galway) - Posts: 1302 - 04/03/2024 19:26:00    2529815

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Replying To Really:  "Should have, and PJ afterwards crediting him with 2 goals... will definitely start next game so! lol. I suppose in the distance, he could be forgiven for mistaking him for C. Sweeney."
In fairness a lot of those Galway forwards look like each other especially Sweeney and Cunningham. I had to look at their numbers to distinguish them!

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 04/03/2024 19:34:27    2529817

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Replying To tommy k:  "Just on the turnovers (sloppy passes, losing possession etc.) that Galway had yesterday, I counted 20 of them in total that led directly / indirectly to 5 points being conceded to Monaghan. There were 13 of them in the first half and 7 in the second half with Fitzgerald, McHugh and O'Flaherty responsible for 3 each, Mulkerrin 2 , Heaney 2 and 1 each by 7 other players. Those are just basic, stupid errors that should not be happening at that level and they would cost us dearly against the better teams. I know PJ alluded to them afterwards but he thought they happened mainly in the second half which was a bit strange if he was keeping count!"
Tommy, spot on that is our biggest failing and has been last few years. We don't mind the ball like Dublin or Kerry when we attack, turning it over or going down dead ends. We have great footballers but are very naive in possession. The top teams suck us in and we fall into their traps.

conordee (Galway) - Posts: 451 - 04/03/2024 22:24:18    2529854

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Replying To conordee:  "Tommy, spot on that is our biggest failing and has been last few years. We don't mind the ball like Dublin or Kerry when we attack, turning it over or going down dead ends. We have great footballers but are very naive in possession. The top teams suck us in and we fall into their traps."
I never seen a 'great footballer' who was naive in possession.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4006 - 04/03/2024 22:45:50    2529860

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