Took a day off before I could look back on the game on TV which sometimes gives an additional perspective. No doubt the best team won and fully deserved their 9 point win. The foundation was laid at midfield which led to Galway having 60% possession to Roscommon's 40%. As both teams were fairly accurate with their shooting, winning possession and aggression primarily decided the game. From my viewing Galway players cleaning caught 12 LONG kickouts (D'Arcy 7, Silke 2, Kelly 1, Thompson 1, Conroy 1) while Roscommon only managed 4 (Nolan 2, Cunnane 1, Neary 1). I have not included short kickouts and breaking ball in those figures. What was clear all day was that Galway were much better coached in blocking Roscommon players (legal & illegal) from competing for the ball allowing Cian D'Arcy clean runs. I was on the sideline looking at the match and John Divilly the senior Galway coach was loundly giving continuous instructions to the Galway players at that side of the pitch. I did not notice any Roscommon coach giving the same advice and motivation at the terrace side to the Roscommon players. I did not give enought credit to Ben O Carroll in a previous post who played very well. Only Ben and the two Murtagh brothers scored from play from the starting 6 forwards and 2 midfielders which is unusual when your kicked 18 points. Two of our starting backs really struggled and alternative players have to be considered along with a couple of additional changes elsewhere. (Don't like naming players on an open forum) Two additional things worth mentioned were 1. Roscommon should have had a clearcut penalty in the first half when Gleeson took Ben O Carroll down. Best of luck to a fine Galway team and there is no reason why you can't bring Sam over the Shannon again. Roscommon have an awful lot of work to do but teams can turn things around sometimes. ( Cork, Leitrim etc, etc)
Replying To letsgetgoing: "Took a day off before I could look back on the game on TV which sometimes gives an additional perspective. No doubt the best team won and fully deserved their 9 point win. The foundation was laid at midfield which led to Galway having 60% possession to Roscommon's 40%. As both teams were fairly accurate with their shooting, winning possession and aggression primarily decided the game. From my viewing Galway players cleaning caught 12 LONG kickouts (D'Arcy 7, Silke 2, Kelly 1, Thompson 1, Conroy 1) while Roscommon only managed 4 (Nolan 2, Cunnane 1, Neary 1). I have not included short kickouts and breaking ball in those figures. What was clear all day was that Galway were much better coached in blocking Roscommon players (legal & illegal) from competing for the ball allowing Cian D'Arcy clean runs. I was on the sideline looking at the match and John Divilly the senior Galway coach was loundly giving continuous instructions to the Galway players at that side of the pitch. I did not notice any Roscommon coach giving the same advice and motivation at the terrace side to the Roscommon players. I did not give enought credit to Ben O Carroll in a previous post who played very well. Only Ben and the two Murtagh brothers scored from play from the starting 6 forwards and 2 midfielders which is unusual when your kicked 18 points. Two of our starting backs really struggled and alternative players have to be considered along with a couple of additional changes elsewhere. (Don't like naming players on an open forum) Two additional things worth mentioned were 1. Roscommon should have had a clearcut penalty in the first half when Gleeson took Ben O Carroll down. Best of luck to a fine Galway team and there is no reason why you can't bring Sam over the Shannon again. Roscommon have an awful lot of work to do but teams can turn things around sometimes. ( Cork, Leitrim etc, etc)"
A very informative and thoughtful post. I haven't been able to face watching it back! Think I'd need a brandy beforehand. I noticed Dvilly as well giving instructions on the terrace side. Our sideline didn't seem to be able to do anything to combat Darcy. And maybe he was just unplayable but could they have had someone like Fallon to track him at kick outs after the first two or three he won. Ben O'Carroll did very well against one of the top man markers in the country which was a positive. We really lacked dynamism in the middle third and like the Brigids poster said, it is strange what has happened to Conor Hand. He was so effective for us in the league but seemed to fall out of favour in the last few games.
Replying To The_analyser: "John McManus and Conor Hand picked injuries in the warm up on Sunday ruling them out from playing any part."
Must have been an intense warm up....... More intense than the match performance it seems. 4 weeks now to save our season and 4 weeks for Davy Burke to prove he has a future as an Inter County manager.
Well done to our U20 footballers and management for reaching the Connacht final tonight. A tough battle whereby Sligo threw the kitchen sink at us.
0-6 to no score after ten minutes could have proved costly be thankfully we recovered to lead by 1 point at half time and out scored Sligo by two points 2nd half could have been more as at least two other goal chances wasn't taken and some bad wides.
Tough challenge v Mayo next Wednesday in Tuam but regardless it's a achievement In itself to reach the final with 10 starters who will be U20 again next year.