National Forum

Galway Football thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To Really:  "That's it. A nice win and let's face it, not easy for players to show so positively after the AI disappointment. I'll admit, I overly criticised the AI performance, and accept my comments were out of order. I have an inkling the players will want to do it this year, and I'd love to see "Scan" lift it in July. He's basically Trump on steroids!"
Who is "scan" , I'm trying to understand the Trump reference? Yes I think the hunger is there this year for them to come back.

Gearoid1998ffowaed (Galway) - Posts: 137 - 26/01/2025 01:47:10    2587557

Link

A steady rather than spectacular performance by Galway, once going in front before at half time Galway never looked like losing. Neighbours Mayo up next who failed to beat a patched up Dublin so a good opportunity to get four points on the board this soon in the league.

As for the new rules, too many in a short space of time that will only serve to frustrate players,managers and supporters more than before.

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 295 - 26/01/2025 02:23:16    2587559

Link

Old habits for hard and the first twenty mins were like the all Ireland final, Galway slow to bring the ball up, Armagh had a wall of defenders on the arc and Galway hadn't the balls to take a man on once. Countless handpassing. Armagh on the other hand were fast and direct and brave and started building a lead.
On early evidence there's better coaching of Armagh. They bunched players in the square and the remaining players passed around much further out than the arc, meaning there was an acre of space free for a run around 30 yards from goal. Hopefully this will happen on the Galway training pitches.
Hard to know what flicked the switch for Galway, ref gave Galway a huge amount of frees out to get back on the game. They tried to move the ball faster in broken play at end of first half and on second half. Broken play is about the only time Galway get brave, they're going to have to man up and take a man on. Ethan Rafferty caused havoc because he soloed at Galway men and got inside, he had to be hauled down. I hope Galway's new coaches can instill a bit of bravery in their play,. especially Dave Morris.
Gleeson shouldn't be taking 45s. Has he scored since the one against mayo?
Overall happy with the second half but it seemed to come from helter skelter stuff which is fine, but the level or lack of coaching was evident again when they were up against a blanket. However there were 3 less Armagh men this time in the defence compared to the all Ireland, yet Galway had no ideas in the first half.

jam83 (Galway) - Posts: 179 - 26/01/2025 09:29:05    2587581

Link

Replying To Drax_the_destroyer:  "A steady rather than spectacular performance by Galway, once going in front before at half time Galway never looked like losing. Neighbours Mayo up next who failed to beat a patched up Dublin so a good opportunity to get four points on the board this soon in the league.

As for the new rules, too many in a short space of time that will only serve to frustrate players,managers and supporters more than before."
Maybe everyone was benevolent last evening but in the games I saw Galway/Armagh and Dublin/Mayo I saw no frustration.
I was surprised that the 4 (I think 3 in the first game and just 1 in the second) infringements for the 3up/3back rule were all for defenders marginally crossing the line without ever being near the play.
On a downside while Dublin/Mayo gave us(as they nearly always do) a fine open game with 31 scores from play, Galway/Armagh managed to serve up much the same "excuse for football" as they gave us last July with just 12 scores from play. If some teams are determined to dog it out negatively will rule changes make any difference?

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 835 - 26/01/2025 09:37:21    2587584

Link

Definitely a spot for Daniel O'Flaherty somewhere in this team. Huge engine. He was still flying up the field with 5 minutes to go.

galway19 (Galway) - Posts: 817 - 26/01/2025 10:01:56    2587591

Link

Was at match yesterday evening though it was very poor Galway lacking scoring forwards big time think first point from play from forward was about 52 mins 1 half forward scored 1 full forward line if old scoring system was in place Galway score 1-08 got 11 scores in all Ireland they have plenty of players who run around but are not forwards so these new rules not sure if they help Galway unless a few 2 point scores and even one yesterday ball was brough forward not sure where we will find a few scoring forwards either it's big problem one would have question all these so called development squads I'm not being negative buts it's a problem and cost all Ireland last year no option,,

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 985 - 26/01/2025 10:51:21    2587600

Link

Replying To Marooned:  "No official word but I don't think he's been in any squad yet either for challenge games or for Sunday. So not looking good for his availability. I presume someone will ask PJ on Saturday."
The word is he wasn't even invited to return, but it's hard to tell if that's just gossip. It's unfortunate because he would be a fantastic addition given the new rules; he's capable of scoring two-pointers and the new rules would suit him. Is there any possibility of him playing against Galway in New York?

Gearoid1998ffowaed (Galway) - Posts: 137 - 26/01/2025 14:21:29    2587668

Link

Replying To Kickitout:  "Was at match yesterday evening though it was very poor Galway lacking scoring forwards big time think first point from play from forward was about 52 mins 1 half forward scored 1 full forward line if old scoring system was in place Galway score 1-08 got 11 scores in all Ireland they have plenty of players who run around but are not forwards so these new rules not sure if they help Galway unless a few 2 point scores and even one yesterday ball was brough forward not sure where we will find a few scoring forwards either it's big problem one would have question all these so called development squads I'm not being negative buts it's a problem and cost all Ireland last year no option,,"
Comer and Finnerty still have to come back into that inside forward line so they will make a big difference. If Galway can keep them fit of course. I think O'Curraoin has a good chance of nailing down a corner forward position this year as well. Excellent free taker and even though his shot selection can be dodgy at times. He's got a big boot on him and is not afraid to shoot and can score from anywhere. I felt a bit for Sam O'Neill last night. He's not related to an inside forward really. Definitely either a midfielder or half-forward. He needs to be coming onto the ball where he can use his pace and power to break lines. Not playing with his back to the goal.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2323 - 26/01/2025 14:50:13    2587683

Link

Replying To Marooned:  "Comer and Finnerty still have to come back into that inside forward line so they will make a big difference. If Galway can keep them fit of course. I think O'Curraoin has a good chance of nailing down a corner forward position this year as well. Excellent free taker and even though his shot selection can be dodgy at times. He's got a big boot on him and is not afraid to shoot and can score from anywhere. I felt a bit for Sam O'Neill last night. He's not related to an inside forward really. Definitely either a midfielder or half-forward. He needs to be coming onto the ball where he can use his pace and power to break lines. Not playing with his back to the goal."
100% agree re O'Neill.
I don't understand why management played him there. It wasn't as if he was just named 15 but actually played deeper - he played as an inside forward.
Now saying that we don't tend to deliver early ball inside so maybe he's there to come around on the loop who knows

galwayman2 (Galway) - Posts: 1296 - 26/01/2025 15:19:26    2587689

Link

Replying To Gearoid1998ffowaed:  "The word is he wasn't even invited to return, but it's hard to tell if that's just gossip. It's unfortunate because he would be a fantastic addition given the new rules; he's capable of scoring two-pointers and the new rules would suit him. Is there any possibility of him playing against Galway in New York?"
Let's move on from this, it feels like this conservation pops up every year for the last 5 years. He obviously can't commit with work, move on we have plenty of other talented players in the county.

Okayish performance the last day considering the conditions. Let's not forget the league means nothing when it comes to championship. I'd be holding our more experience players until the end of the League. So don't be getting excited if we don't see much of Comer and Finnerty.

All the league should be for is getting experience into younger players and fine tuning game plans etc for Championship. Would not be worried about results.

Green&Gold2013 (Galway) - Posts: 21 - 27/01/2025 05:39:51    2587813

Link

Replying To sligo joe:  "Maybe everyone was benevolent last evening but in the games I saw Galway/Armagh and Dublin/Mayo I saw no frustration.
I was surprised that the 4 (I think 3 in the first game and just 1 in the second) infringements for the 3up/3back rule were all for defenders marginally crossing the line without ever being near the play.
On a downside while Dublin/Mayo gave us(as they nearly always do) a fine open game with 31 scores from play, Galway/Armagh managed to serve up much the same "excuse for football" as they gave us last July with just 12 scores from play. If some teams are determined to dog it out negatively will rule changes make any difference?"
Galway played Dublin and Mayo last summer and both games were two of the games of the championship. As free flowing as modern GAA allows. The semi with Donegal was a great game also

Do you ever ponder to think why those were different to the final and the league game Saturday? Yes the opposition

Also there was a gale blowing in Salthill and the pitch had withstood a literal Hurricane the night previous and was in bad shape. It offers a bit more nuance and reasoning than Dublin/Mayo = good and Galway = bad

PressureKick (UK) - Posts: 244 - 27/01/2025 07:13:22    2587819

Link

Galway have a huge squad, great strength in numbers from the full back line upto the half forward line.

Full forward line the issue that needs resolving, Walsh, Comer & Finnerty all clearly start in there. Lets hope O'Curraoin can have a good league, no idea why he's not on 45's.

Galway beat the reigning All Ireland champions by 6 points without Comer, Walsh, Finnerty, Maher, Silke & Hernon starting who are all in my starting 15 and without even playing well so there's certainly some positives in that.

Flaherty was my man of the match, he has some engine on him! Fitzgerald also did very well, won a lot of 50:50 balls that came his way. O'Laoi did reasonably well although he should have come away with 3 points. Sean Kelly looked like he's getting back to his best too.

Galway struggled to break Armagh down although Galway looked very dangerous once they turned Armagh over, could easily have scored a few more goals. Felt sorry for O'Neill the position looked very alien too him and Galway definitely started the match with too few natural forwards.

But we are blessed in defence these days, he has 10 players vying for 6 positions and 11 if Molloy can get back too his best and probably a 12th in Cathal Sweeney as I think half back in his best position.

TheBishop (Galway) - Posts: 289 - 27/01/2025 10:10:14    2587835

Link

The conditions definitely helped Armagh in the first half. They could go into their normal defensive shell and hit us on the break in the knowledge that the wind pretty much meant there was never a 2 point option on the cards. So that nullified that aspect of the new rules and they did not have to push out.

Saying that, we fell into slow, ponderous, lateral passing even when there was a break on or a kick pass on. Bringing the keeper up is of no benefit if all he does is pass it sideways. To be fair to Joyce, he called it out himself after the game, so I am sure they will work on this.

in the second half we were much better.

Other positives:
Great to see some new faces even if it was a tough night to shine
COC played well.
Sean Kelly seemed to be running freely even if he was brilliant
Shane Walsh was moving well
2 points on the board
No injuries
Remember how rubbish we were last year in the first game against Mayo!

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1904 - 27/01/2025 10:37:51    2587843

Link

Good win against a poor Armagh team but just nice to get points on board early. When you consider absentees it is a very strong panel no Comer, Finnerty, Silke Walsh & Maher only came on. Hopefully likes of Kelly & Walsh get an injury free run at league. O flaherty was MOM in my opinion was also impressed with O laoi but left 2 points behind him. O Curraoin will be worth his spot for frees alone and leave him at them. Is comer injured or jsut not being risked early on which I havbe no problem with jsut hoping its not an injury.

Eire89 (Galway) - Posts: 309 - 27/01/2025 11:28:14    2587851

Link

Yes all in all a good performance for this time of year. Attitude was spot on, even when McDaid was coming off he was not happy, he wanted to play on which is a good sign. No hiding out there. O'Flaherty was my MOTM, he was excellent.

If we can keep everyone fit we will be there or there about again, no doubt about it. I see James Mc broke down in the warm up again, not good.

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1641 - 27/01/2025 11:35:17    2587855

Link

Replying To ahsure.:  "Yes all in all a good performance for this time of year. Attitude was spot on, even when McDaid was coming off he was not happy, he wanted to play on which is a good sign. No hiding out there. O'Flaherty was my MOTM, he was excellent.

If we can keep everyone fit we will be there or there about again, no doubt about it. I see James Mc broke down in the warm up again, not good."
James Mcloughlin what kind of injury do you know? Not sure how he is on Galway panel as he has never been fit and available for the last 3 years.

Eire89 (Galway) - Posts: 309 - 27/01/2025 12:34:30    2587871

Link

We have a great panel now.. need to work on our attack and the slowness of direct balls..
I think Gleeson will come under more pressure, just not comfortable out the field on the ball, but in fairness a good start against a terrible Armagh team.
Mayo next ...

Belclare7 (Galway) - Posts: 161 - 27/01/2025 13:20:57    2587893

Link

Replying To Eire89:  "Good win against a poor Armagh team but just nice to get points on board early. When you consider absentees it is a very strong panel no Comer, Finnerty, Silke Walsh & Maher only came on. Hopefully likes of Kelly & Walsh get an injury free run at league. O flaherty was MOM in my opinion was also impressed with O laoi but left 2 points behind him. O Curraoin will be worth his spot for frees alone and leave him at them. Is comer injured or jsut not being risked early on which I havbe no problem with jsut hoping its not an injury."
PJ said afterwards that Comer is in better shape than he was this time last year. I'd say they are just going to be careful with him. They want him fit for May, June and July.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2323 - 27/01/2025 13:28:57    2587895

Link

Another thing they have to consider is are they going to persist with Gleeson in goal if every team is going bring their keeper up to make it 12 v 11? Which they seem to be doing. Gleeson is not comfortable on the ball at all and is no threat to do anything positive up in the opposition half.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2323 - 27/01/2025 13:37:21    2587900

Link

Replying To Eire89:  "James Mcloughlin what kind of injury do you know? Not sure how he is on Galway panel as he has never been fit and available for the last 3 years."
Not sure, left the warm up early limping and togged in. Hopefully precautionary, he can be a big player for Galway if he can get a run of games under his belt.

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1641 - 27/01/2025 13:50:22    2587912

Link