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On a separate note and after reading the Pearse Stadium Tuam stuff last few weeks. Galway support numbers this evening were embarrassing. 17k and us top of the league. I don't understand it, will post my game thoughts in the morning

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 465 - 16/03/2025 00:17:15    2596650

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Replying To Keephimthere:  "Galway are an ageing team with too many players who were exceptional now well into their 30s. They are exposed in particular in Croker the game tempo is so high, re Conroy tonight. Also as teams evolve to a kicking game like Dublin and Kerry did today the Galway backs are not quite up to it. Flaherty did great winning ball and took a good score but was roasted when it came to man on man defending. I still expect them to win Connacht but can't see SAM going anywhere outside of Dublin or Donegal."
Who are these footballers "well into their 30's" you speak of? Aside from Conroy. Liam Silke is 30, Comer just turned 31 and Walsh will be 32 in June. That's it.

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1646 - 16/03/2025 02:01:51    2596653

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Replying To realdub:  "I'm not a fan of the new rules. It was an enjoyable game, it was only a league match, nothing at stake."
I was all in favor of the new rules but am not sure now, I had hoped they would have heralded a return to man for man football but the swarm tackle is still a curse. Since the new rules arrived it seems it has gotten much harder to win a free and almost anything goes when it comes to tackling. I thought Dublin really exposed the Galway backs as being not natural defenders, not even Silke, our best man marker avoided a bit of a roasting.

giveitlong (Galway) - Posts: 1262 - 16/03/2025 07:20:14    2596657

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Replying To smallfrank:  "On a separate note and after reading the Pearse Stadium Tuam stuff last few weeks. Galway support numbers this evening were embarrassing. 17k and us top of the league. I don't understand it, will post my game thoughts in the morning"
Cannot wait for your game thoughts... I really cannot sleep waiting in anticipation...

Belclare7 (Galway) - Posts: 197 - 16/03/2025 09:35:22    2596667

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Replying To giveitlong:  "I was all in favor of the new rules but am not sure now, I had hoped they would have heralded a return to man for man football but the swarm tackle is still a curse. Since the new rules arrived it seems it has gotten much harder to win a free and almost anything goes when it comes to tackling. I thought Dublin really exposed the Galway backs as being not natural defenders, not even Silke, our best man marker avoided a bit of a roasting."
I suppose its like Nancy when she kissed the cow..Everyone to their own fancy.. or their own opinion. I love the new rules. Whats wrong with the swarm? GAA rules are heavily weighted towards the team in possessiing which makes one on one turnovers very difficult without the swarm. Rules are even better on calm days like yesterday making non wind assisted 2 pointers more difficult...i think was a factor in less 2 pointers more because of that than than the modified new rule. On a
seperate note Galway need to work on kick outs. Even the full match stats dont reflect it when the match was in the melting pot after our 2nd goal we couldnt get win a kickout at either end for a crucial 5 or 6 minutes

anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 975 - 16/03/2025 10:28:00    2596673

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Look end of the day it's the dubs in their favourite ground in league. They were way fitter than us on a massive pitch. We were ran off field by them last year too and still beat them when it mattered so I wouldn't go panic stations yet.
In all likelihood we'll get them in league final again as I don't see us losing to Kerry or at least not by that much & Donegal won't win another game.
Ref was reffing swarm tackles like champ game really nearly all by book were free ins but all either turnover or free for over carrying. He was also very against calling frees for hijinks in kickout battles & the dubs quickly learned that he wasn't punishing the punch ball/man from behind tackle - I'm aware in some cases that's a legitimate tackle but wasn't aware you could apparently lead with closed fist if you can't see the ball??

systematic (Galway) - Posts: 139 - 16/03/2025 10:48:20    2596678

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Replying To Belclare7:  "Cannot wait for your game thoughts... I really cannot sleep waiting in anticipation..."
A bit like the rest of us waiting on a positive, relevant post from you…waiting in anticipation.

Gleeson, some great saves but kicking want great. It's going long every time now and they competed in the air.
McGrath, he was 1v1 all the time but did well. Not easy in the first half
Fitzgerald, looked a bit at sea at times.
O'Flaherty, one of our best. Made for Croke Park, our only 2 pointer and very unlucky with goal effort, needs to be out around the middle.
McHugh, wasn't himself but great point before going off
Silke, I thought he did very well on Con, he's a class defender. I'm not sure where is he needed most
Kelly, back to his best, carried very well like O'Flaherty
Conroy, slowed it down too much last night. Very little impact when moved in, need more from him.
Maher, worked really hard. One of the first names on the team sheet I'd say.
Thompson, I was very impressed. Looked composed. Took his chance well. 1 point, 1 wide and 1 hawk eye.
McDaid, looked back to himself as well, line breaker and carried well
Darcy, good game, worked hard. Needs to threaten the score board more.
Finnerty, very poor. He can't have a huge amount of chances left. He has everything except consistency.
Tierney, one of his better games. Good in the air, carried well and unlucky with the goal
Walsh, not good. Looking for the 2 pointer all the time and Dublin had it covered. First miss was poor and hand pass across to Finnerty not much better(I was in line).

O'Conghaiole, not convinced
O'Curraoin, set up the goal but decision making poor at times
Glynn, very good cameo. Good defender and can't be far away from starting.
Comer, very good and no where near fit. Was blowing hard after 10 minutes. We so need him fit this summer
O'Neill, did the basics but there is way more in him.

On the line, made the changes personnel wise quick. We were looking for 2 pointers first half which Dublin had closed off, we didn't kick a ball in until the Tierney chance and did a lot of it second half. Kick out strategy is go long every time but Dublin had Lahiff, Howard out to compete so we needed a plan B. The other puzzling thing was Conor Flaherty warming up constantly in the second half. Give him 20 minutes last night.

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 465 - 16/03/2025 10:54:02    2596680

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Replying To smallfrank:  "On a separate note and after reading the Pearse Stadium Tuam stuff last few weeks. Galway support numbers this evening were embarrassing. 17k and us top of the league. I don't understand it, will post my game thoughts in the morning"
Galway waiting fans for the final.

CorkLiamMcCarthy24 (Cork) - Posts: 124 - 16/03/2025 12:01:14    2596692

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