|
Replying To FatLadySinging: "Could you please lay off our excellent goalkeeper Gleeson, your Eminence. He has done very well for us and he (and we) can do without the knockers. It is becoming boring and tiresome. As is this constant talk of Flaherty as our savour. It is like the hurler on the ditch or indeed the great footballer who had a brother twice as good at home who would be a real star altogether if he wasn't too lazy to play and got up off his ass. Real Galway supporters should back the players who put in the effort week after week and make all kinds of sacrifices to do their best for the county." Agree with ya. Tis like hearing Dunphy asking for Andy Reid!
Coolockweigan (Galway) - Posts: 29 - 05/07/2023 09:47:30
2492323
Link
0
|
|
Replying To anotheralias: "Exactly. But don't make him out to be such a major loss because he is so brilliant. If he commits and earns his place and plays brilliantly...then we will call him brilliant. Until then he ( or any else who decides, as they are entitled to do) has proven nothing. Case in point is Ian Burke...if he had stayed in county exile people would continue to be lamenting his absence, but he came back on to the fray and , well , just read back on recent posts re his performances and I think you will see the point. Mike Daly is another example . He has never got positive praise on this forum until injury has stopped him playing for the last 2 years." Ian Burke more hyped up by people from outside the county, one good performance against Roscommon and all the pundits got far too carried away. He kicked some greats points from distance in 2018 but that was a long time ago, whether he's still capable of that I don't know. I'm fairly confident in stating that he needs to play alongside Comer to look good.
Tierney and Daly are similar enough players but Tierney has put in better performances.
People always get carried away, really don't think this group are far off it. Finding a way of playing without Comer is imperative, Galway need to find someone who can play in there who's quick and powerful when Comer is missing. I'd like to see Patrick Kelly given a a bit of run in there in the league, no guarantee it would work but we all know he's capable of scoring goal.
TheBishop (Galway) - Posts: 294 - 05/07/2023 10:21:22
2492333
Link
0
|
|
We seem to have a serious issue with injuries.
Sean Kelly, Damien Comer, Kieran Molloy, Dylan McHugh, Neil Mulcahy, James McLaughlin, Patrick Kelly, Cian Hernon only back, Cillian McDaid, Conor Flaherty got injured when he last played, Ian Burke has been injured this year, Shane Walsh, Rob Finnerty
Then you have the likes of Mike Meehan, Armstrong and Michael Donnellan who were injured when they should have been in their prime.
We had the mental scenario last January where Matthew Tierney and Rob Finnerty are playing mid week in the Sigerson and then a full FBD game at the weekend, we needed these lads in June and July and they were either injured or exhausted by the time it came around. Need a plan to get all of the above right for next year. No interest in the FBD or league at this stage.
smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 544 - 05/07/2023 10:44:01
2492340
Link
0
|
|
Replying To TheBishop: "Ian Burke more hyped up by people from outside the county, one good performance against Roscommon and all the pundits got far too carried away. He kicked some greats points from distance in 2018 but that was a long time ago, whether he's still capable of that I don't know. I'm fairly confident in stating that he needs to play alongside Comer to look good.
Tierney and Daly are similar enough players but Tierney has put in better performances.
People always get carried away, really don't think this group are far off it. Finding a way of playing without Comer is imperative, Galway need to find someone who can play in there who's quick and powerful when Comer is missing. I'd like to see Patrick Kelly given a a bit of run in there in the league, no guarantee it would work but we all know he's capable of scoring goal." Comer is just so important to us.
We could do with finding someone with real pace to play inside alongside him.
Shane won't be played inside all the time and always seems to be not fully fit anyway.
Not sure if that player is out there though.
galwayman2 (Galway) - Posts: 1322 - 05/07/2023 10:55:12
2492347
Link
0
|
|
Replying To galwayman2: "Comer is just so important to us.
We could do with finding someone with real pace to play inside alongside him.
Shane won't be played inside all the time and always seems to be not fully fit anyway.
Not sure if that player is out there though." After looking at the 4 games at the weekend on thing that stood out was our lack of pace especially in attack the speed at which dublin Kerry and even mayo moved from defence to attack is light year's ahead of us our first instinct is to slow everything down with lateral passing and backwards passing giving the opportunity to the opposition to set their defence insitue we won't win an all Ireland playing like this
minor77 (Galway) - Posts: 281 - 05/07/2023 13:39:31
2492407
Link
3
|
|
Replying To minor77: "After looking at the 4 games at the weekend on thing that stood out was our lack of pace especially in attack the speed at which dublin Kerry and even mayo moved from defence to attack is light year's ahead of us our first instinct is to slow everything down with lateral passing and backwards passing giving the opportunity to the opposition to set their defence insitue we won't win an all Ireland playing like this" McDaid and Walsh are the only two 'front 8' players with the sort of pace required to trouble the top defences (with pure pace alone anyway). Coincidentally, and probably not coincidentally at all, these two players were also the only two players to trouble the scoreboard greatly against Kerry at the 2022 all-ireland final.
Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4296 - 05/07/2023 13:58:10
2492416
Link
1
|
|
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "McDaid and Walsh are the only two 'front 8' players with the sort of pace required to trouble the top defences (with pure pace alone anyway). Coincidentally, and probably not coincidentally at all, these two players were also the only two players to trouble the scoreboard greatly against Kerry at the 2022 all-ireland final." Spot on my thoughts exactly Cooke Tierney Finnerty and Thomo are too slow for modern football they will never beat defenders with pure pace alone all the more reason that when we do turn over the opposition we should try and move the ball quickly from defence to attack preferably by accurate kick passing like some of the dubs moves on Sunday
minor77 (Galway) - Posts: 281 - 05/07/2023 19:57:57
2492527
Link
0
|
|
Have heard from a few different sources that Cian O Neill won't be with us in 2024.
That is simply a disaster if true.
galwayman2 (Galway) - Posts: 1322 - 05/07/2023 23:40:39
2492554
Link
1
|
|
Replying To galwayman2: "Comer is just so important to us.
We could do with finding someone with real pace to play inside alongside him.
Shane won't be played inside all the time and always seems to be not fully fit anyway.
Not sure if that player is out there though." You won't find me arguing about Comer, his performance levels are as good as anyone when he's fit, about as consistent as they come. Clearly one of the best forwards in the country when fit but thats the issue, he's had issues in 4 of the last 5 summers so Galway need to find a way of playing without him. Finnerty showed what he can do last summer, thought he might kick on again this year but injuries again prevented that.
Looking within the panel would like to see Patrick Kelly given a few games in there, he's such a big man and very confident when given a goal chance.
TheBishop (Galway) - Posts: 294 - 06/07/2023 09:10:07
2492561
Link
0
|
|
Replying To TheBishop: "Ian Burke more hyped up by people from outside the county, one good performance against Roscommon and all the pundits got far too carried away. He kicked some greats points from distance in 2018 but that was a long time ago, whether he's still capable of that I don't know. I'm fairly confident in stating that he needs to play alongside Comer to look good.
Tierney and Daly are similar enough players but Tierney has put in better performances.
People always get carried away, really don't think this group are far off it. Finding a way of playing without Comer is imperative, Galway need to find someone who can play in there who's quick and powerful when Comer is missing. I'd like to see Patrick Kelly given a a bit of run in there in the league, no guarantee it would work but we all know he's capable of scoring goal." Ian Burkes game is quick supply with runners coming at him at pace for quick creative passes.
He will find the open runner "if" there is an open runner.
We didn't play that game this year.
Shane Walsh's strength is running at defenses from wide or midfield positions.
He spent half of the Mayo game wasted in the full forward line, static with no supply.
When Shane Walsh was missing, Matthew Tierney scored 2-7.
Shane Walsh comes back and even though he wasn't in great free taking form, the duties we're handed straight back to him.
Tierney should be taking all the left footed frees regardless.
Shane should have been forced to "earn" his place on the team for starters, then, "earn" the free taking duties and not be given a free pass on the back of Last years All Ireland Final.
This doesn't happen in other serious footballing counties.
StopTheLights (Galway) - Posts: 432 - 06/07/2023 09:30:06
2492563
Link
2
|
|
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "McDaid and Walsh are the only two 'front 8' players with the sort of pace required to trouble the top defences (with pure pace alone anyway). Coincidentally, and probably not coincidentally at all, these two players were also the only two players to trouble the scoreboard greatly against Kerry at the 2022 all-ireland final." Damian Comer has deceptive off the mark pace. Against Kerry he was very closely marked due to Semi Final performance , and there is an argument that this contributed to the space that allowed Shane Walsh to blossom that day.
anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 999 - 06/07/2023 09:50:01
2492568
Link
0
|
|
Replying To minor77: "Spot on my thoughts exactly Cooke Tierney Finnerty and Thomo are too slow for modern football they will never beat defenders with pure pace alone all the more reason that when we do turn over the opposition we should try and move the ball quickly from defence to attack preferably by accurate kick passing like some of the dubs moves on Sunday" You could also include Paul Conroy who is probably the slowest of all the players mentioned. I think the lack of pace amongst those players mentioned is the primary root cause of the slow, ponderous build-up play that led to many turnovers and sloppy scores conceded at the other end this year (along with a rigid game plan that allowed for no improvisation or spontaneity). It is clear now that you cannot have Conroy, Cooke, Tierney, Finnerty and Culhane (I know he was mainly used as a sub in a few games) all starting as that will lead to the same type of ponderous build-up play that won't cut it against the "top teams". Also players out of form like Walsh, Burke and Heaney should not be "guaranteed" a starting place and Comer is too injury prone to be relied on so a place on the bench may do them the world of good. Look at what Dublin did the last day against Mayo having the likes of Kilkenny, Rock and Small on the bench and how effective they were when introduced. It looks like "its back to the drawing board" as Conor Whelan said after the Leinster hurling final this year!
tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 06/07/2023 12:24:36
2492629
Link
0
|
|
We didn't manage the group championship at all.
Using injured players, leaving healthy men on bench.
Lessons will be learned. Other counties in same boat.
We are upset being the best county not to make final 8.
PJ needs one more year.
Let's get behind him.
Gaillimh Abu
suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1758 - 06/07/2023 13:38:33
2492654
Link
0
|
|
Replying To tommy k: "You could also include Paul Conroy who is probably the slowest of all the players mentioned. I think the lack of pace amongst those players mentioned is the primary root cause of the slow, ponderous build-up play that led to many turnovers and sloppy scores conceded at the other end this year (along with a rigid game plan that allowed for no improvisation or spontaneity). It is clear now that you cannot have Conroy, Cooke, Tierney, Finnerty and Culhane (I know he was mainly used as a sub in a few games) all starting as that will lead to the same type of ponderous build-up play that won't cut it against the "top teams". Also players out of form like Walsh, Burke and Heaney should not be "guaranteed" a starting place and Comer is too injury prone to be relied on so a place on the bench may do them the world of good. Look at what Dublin did the last day against Mayo having the likes of Kilkenny, Rock and Small on the bench and how effective they were when introduced. It looks like "its back to the drawing board" as Conor Whelan said after the Leinster hurling final this year!" I can make allowance for Coroy because of his age but the others are all young but are lacking pace
minor77 (Galway) - Posts: 281 - 06/07/2023 13:42:58
2492656
Link
0
|
|
2023 Post mortem:
I guess we will have varying opinions on 2023 and what we should for 2024.
But one thing every county manager needs to consider is the training/player usage plan.
The demands on inter county players are huge and its a savage balancing act.
I see that there are 7 blocks of time
1. August - October ( +/- depending on progress) Club Championships
2. November- December - S & C work
3. January - Pre season competitions e.g. FBD
4. Feb-April - National League
5. April - May - Provincial Championship
6. May- June - Qualifier Groups
7. June-July - AI Knock Outs
I recall years ago reading about the US 100m sprint trials which were held months prior to Olympic qualification and the challenge was for athletes to optimise the training plan to peak for the Olympics , whilst still being at a level to get in to the USA top 3 in order to qualify.
How do you balance the above 7 blocks of time
1. Club Championship is a must . I dont want any player playing for Galway that gives anything less than 100% for his club. This is just not negotiable, in my opinion.
2. S & C work may be targetted i.e. some lads need it , others may need different levels.
3. Pre season comps - Suggestion is to rest key players. But many others will have to be going full tilt to establish themselves. We all know that some lads were dropped for a bad 60 minutes in the FBD.
4, League . Priority is to stay in Div 1, but after that we need to be using a mix of players... I think we went full strength ( or as strong as possible ) this year and I think we paid the price for this later.
5 & 6 . These are interesting ones. We saw this year that direct qualification to QF is important...and by winning Province you get potentially an easier draw in the qualification groups. Its a difficult balancing act. Kerry got lucky this year i.e. they knew they would get through Munster under cooked, were still under cooked v Mayo and then got lucky with Mayo collapse v Cork
7. AI Knock outs - This is where we need to peak, but how to do it based on 1-6??
anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 999 - 06/07/2023 14:58:21
2492683
Link
3
|
|
Molloy played ok and scored a mighty peno v Tuam, but is a long long way from championship intercounty level, expect to see him involved in every game from FBD onwards in 2024, hopefully he can get back to his best.
giveitlong (Galway) - Posts: 1289 - 06/07/2023 16:42:47
2492715
Link
0
|
|
Galway football needs to reassess their club arrangements or face loosing players to other sports!!! One club up through league divisions and one club up through championship is not going to work, 16 senior teams is fine but they need to look at the format lads are not going to hang around or be motivated to play with such little chance of progress, this suits big city clubs and big populations a lá moycullen, salthill, barna, claregalway, micheals, Tuam, corofin big area clubs
Sportsfanatic90 (Westmeath) - Posts: 233 - 06/07/2023 19:01:01
2492741
Link
1
|
|
Replying To anotheralias: "2023 Post mortem:
I guess we will have varying opinions on 2023 and what we should for 2024.
But one thing every county manager needs to consider is the training/player usage plan.
The demands on inter county players are huge and its a savage balancing act.
I see that there are 7 blocks of time
1. August - October ( +/- depending on progress) Club Championships
2. November- December - S & C work
3. January - Pre season competitions e.g. FBD
4. Feb-April - National League
5. April - May - Provincial Championship
6. May- June - Qualifier Groups
7. June-July - AI Knock Outs
I recall years ago reading about the US 100m sprint trials which were held months prior to Olympic qualification and the challenge was for athletes to optimise the training plan to peak for the Olympics , whilst still being at a level to get in to the USA top 3 in order to qualify.
How do you balance the above 7 blocks of time
1. Club Championship is a must . I dont want any player playing for Galway that gives anything less than 100% for his club. This is just not negotiable, in my opinion.
2. S & C work may be targetted i.e. some lads need it , others may need different levels.
3. Pre season comps - Suggestion is to rest key players. But many others will have to be going full tilt to establish themselves. We all know that some lads were dropped for a bad 60 minutes in the FBD.
4, League . Priority is to stay in Div 1, but after that we need to be using a mix of players... I think we went full strength ( or as strong as possible ) this year and I think we paid the price for this later.
5 & 6 . These are interesting ones. We saw this year that direct qualification to QF is important...and by winning Province you get potentially an easier draw in the qualification groups. Its a difficult balancing act. Kerry got lucky this year i.e. they knew they would get through Munster under cooked, were still under cooked v Mayo and then got lucky with Mayo collapse v Cork
7. AI Knock outs - This is where we need to peak, but how to do it based on 1-6??" I wonder is retention of div1 status such a big deal for a relatively established mature team like Galway? I think myself that it isn't. Look at Dublin this year. They know what's required to win in July, and being in div1 wasn't a part of that preparation in 2023. The Galway hurlers won the League, Leinster and All-Ireland treble in 2017 in a season that they hurled with the div 2 'minnows', and failed to promote from div2 that very same season of '17 also.
I think div1 League status is important for team building, but once you have the team/squad built to a fairly mature level, there isn't always a gain to be made in overcommitting your energies to league status.
Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4296 - 06/07/2023 20:58:35
2492759
Link
1
|
|
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "I wonder is retention of div1 status such a big deal for a relatively established mature team like Galway? I think myself that it isn't. Look at Dublin this year. They know what's required to win in July, and being in div1 wasn't a part of that preparation in 2023. The Galway hurlers won the League, Leinster and All-Ireland treble in 2017 in a season that they hurled with the div 2 'minnows', and failed to promote from div2 that very same season of '17 also.
I think div1 League status is important for team building, but once you have the team/squad built to a fairly mature level, there isn't always a gain to be made in overcommitting your energies to league status." Good question. There is no issue playing in Division 2 in terms of impact to prep for AI. But the fear I have with Div 2 is that you could end up near the bottom. I agree with you that it shouldn't matter with a mature team like Galway but with dangerous teams like Cork, Meath, Louth, Kikdare and a bad run you could end up in a position that jeopardises Sam Maguire participation. Of course for 2024 we are guaranteed qualification but you have to think of the years ahead. Also playing in Div 1 increases profile/ TV coverage and this influences the younger generation and the years ahead.
Complete forfeiture of the league to maximise 2024 chances is like selling the family silver to go on holidays,
anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 999 - 07/07/2023 10:01:29
2492798
Link
0
|
|
Replying To anotheralias: "Good question. There is no issue playing in Division 2 in terms of impact to prep for AI. But the fear I have with Div 2 is that you could end up near the bottom. I agree with you that it shouldn't matter with a mature team like Galway but with dangerous teams like Cork, Meath, Louth, Kikdare and a bad run you could end up in a position that jeopardises Sam Maguire participation. Of course for 2024 we are guaranteed qualification but you have to think of the years ahead. Also playing in Div 1 increases profile/ TV coverage and this influences the younger generation and the years ahead.
Complete forfeiture of the league to maximise 2024 chances is like selling the family silver to go on holidays," If we're as good as we think we are, we shouldn't be worrying about relegation from Sam Maguire just because we'd be in div2. Dublin and Derry cruised out of div2 this year, went through the motions in the Croker final, and are in the all-ireland semis now, and div1 next year.
I thought the problem we were trying to solve was that we had no energy to go on our holidays this summer, we were so busy trying to play FBD, win div1 matches, and lift a Connacht title.
Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4296 - 07/07/2023 12:52:49
2492882
Link
0
|