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Galway Football thread

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Replying To anotheralias:  "Moycullen and Claregalway are technically Gaeltacht areas. But it should be pointed out that there 2 key differentiators between these areas and what I would consider to be more quintessential Gaeltacht teams.
1. Extremely low percentage of native speakers compared to the south/west Connemara regions
2. They are effectively sub urban sprawls with high populations and would definitely not be considered as rural areas, in my opinion."
You are 100% correct and if there are people disagreeing, they should revaluate.

Not nice to see the Connemara clubs struggling. Proud GAA clubs who have produced some Galway greats, however, it is just a consequence of the decline of rural areas.

Commuter areas and extensions of the city such as Moycullen, Claregalway and Barna have benefitted from an influx of players/families living in the area, whilst the decline in numbers in places such as Carraroe, Litir Mor, Spideal means they will simply struggle to compete with larger clubs and population bases.

Of course these are proud clubs with a unique sense of pride of place, but understanding the difficulties they have with numbers living locally (players being abroad or in Dublin etc), would an amalgamation of Connemara clubs be a possibility?

No doubt if certain clubs joined forces they would be good senior teams.

I'm not sure how this would go down with the individual clubs but I think it would be great in theory for football back west.

GalwaysFinest (Galway) - Posts: 190 - 29/08/2023 15:01:32    2502864

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Looking at intermediate tables if it was run same as last 2 years the 8 teams would have being know now with one round left 2 teams in each of the 4 groups have won no games ,, at least now the games in each group won't have be played at same times as it has no baring on it

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 895 - 29/08/2023 15:36:22    2502874

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Replying To GalwaysFinest:  "You are 100% correct and if there are people disagreeing, they should revaluate.

Not nice to see the Connemara clubs struggling. Proud GAA clubs who have produced some Galway greats, however, it is just a consequence of the decline of rural areas.

Commuter areas and extensions of the city such as Moycullen, Claregalway and Barna have benefitted from an influx of players/families living in the area, whilst the decline in numbers in places such as Carraroe, Litir Mor, Spideal means they will simply struggle to compete with larger clubs and population bases.

Of course these are proud clubs with a unique sense of pride of place, but understanding the difficulties they have with numbers living locally (players being abroad or in Dublin etc), would an amalgamation of Connemara clubs be a possibility?

No doubt if certain clubs joined forces they would be good senior teams.

I'm not sure how this would go down with the individual clubs but I think it would be great in theory for football back west."
Negotiating such amalgamations with near neighbours is a tricky task. Here in Mayo, even underage temporary amalgamations have their wrinkles to be ironed out.

And even so, short term success wont guarantee prolonged happiness between both clubs. All it takes is one or two disgruntled locals to stir up a storm.

BiasedNeutral (Mayo) - Posts: 5 - 29/08/2023 15:50:20    2502877

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Replying To Kickitout:  "I totally agree anyone think Dunmore have arrived at senior after a draw they have lost to Michael's next 2 matches will tell where they are if they lost next 2 they be in relegation ,, and no I don't think they will get relegated as there are 5/6 very poor senior teams ,"
They arrived at senior after winning the intermediate championship? That shouldn't have to be explained to you, but I will anyway.

streaker (Galway) - Posts: 499 - 29/08/2023 15:55:48    2502878

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Replying To PierreBezuhov:  "Claregalway and Moycullen are both Gaeltecht teams."
Go to Claregalway and say Go Raibh Maith Agat to the first person you see. Then tell me it's in the Gaeltacht.

streaker (Galway) - Posts: 499 - 29/08/2023 15:58:42    2502879

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Replying To Kickitout:  "Looking at intermediate tables if it was run same as last 2 years the 8 teams would have being know now with one round left 2 teams in each of the 4 groups have won no games ,, at least now the games in each group won't have be played at same times as it has no baring on it"
It's a different format this year, so top teams into quarter finals 2nd place teams will play 3rd place teams in a preliminary quarter final winners go onto last 8, bottom 4 teams in relegation, this is so the last game there is still something to play for, I think I am correct in saying that,

Fox.1n.7he.b0x (Galway) - Posts: 112 - 29/08/2023 16:10:13    2502886

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I think the points being made about the deterioration of the competitiveness of Gaeltacht sides are valid , but the argument really is a broader one rather than being confined to Gaeltacht areas,
It is an issue for all rural clubs with declining population . You could argue similarly that if Mountbellew were to be relegated there would be no senior club in the Eastern section of the county. Caltra , Brendans, Kilkerrin , Killererin Ballinasloe, Menlough, Monivea, Glenamaddy, Cortoon, St Gabriels, , all former senior clubs playing at a lower level.
These are all proud , passionate clubs that have suffered with population decline ( or at least a decline relative to clubs in the city belt which have all become "super sized clubs"). Football is still fairly strong in this region but there is limited chance of success at senior level without amalgamations.

anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 884 - 29/08/2023 16:52:40    2502891

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Replying To Fox.1n.7he.b0x:  "It's a different format this year, so top teams into quarter finals 2nd place teams will play 3rd place teams in a preliminary quarter final winners go onto last 8, bottom 4 teams in relegation, this is so the last game there is still something to play for, I think I am correct in saying that,"
Yes that way it this year ,, after 2 rounds 8 teams have won both games and 8 lost both games a good few poor teams in intermediate and unfortunately not going change much as most are rural clubs who are struggling for numbers some of them actually have no under age teams they joined up with other clubs ,, killerrin and Gabriel's be like a junior county final winner is safe looser in serious trouble I think my prediction for bottom 4
Clifden
Killerrin
Cortoon
Willamstown
I could be way out

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 895 - 29/08/2023 17:11:19    2502896

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Replying To streaker:  "Go to Claregalway and say Go Raibh Maith Agat to the first person you see. Then tell me it's in the Gaeltacht."
They might bump into Hector though!

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 418 - 29/08/2023 17:38:15    2502901

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Replying To Galwaymaster9:  "Just wondering about Tuam upping their progress?
Do you mean to Dunmores supposed high level!!??"
Dunmore have put a lot of emphasis on development from the bottom up, and fair play to their dedicated volunteers. Of course Tuam have more resources, and I get the impression they could/should be doing better. Any time Galway ever achieved AI success there was always a strong representation from these two clubs. They had style and class to their play, that was a joy to watch.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 604 - 29/08/2023 20:39:11    2502917

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Replying To Fox.1n.7he.b0x:  "It's a different format this year, so top teams into quarter finals 2nd place teams will play 3rd place teams in a preliminary quarter final winners go onto last 8, bottom 4 teams in relegation, this is so the last game there is still something to play for, I think I am correct in saying that,"
Feels a bit mad that coming 3rd in a group of 4 and you are still in championship!! Monivea look favorites to go straight back up but I do think MB will have a major say along with Kilconly!! Carraroe really struggling which is a sad sight for a team that was a mainstay of senior until last year!!

Eire89 (Galway) - Posts: 263 - 30/08/2023 08:12:59    2502927

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Replying To streaker:  "Go to Claregalway and say Go Raibh Maith Agat to the first person you see. Then tell me it's in the Gaeltacht."
You could bump into Hector you know.... :-)

Corofin123 (Westmeath) - Posts: 8 - 04/09/2023 10:45:37    2502949

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A lot of underage finals been played out..
U 19 Claregalway Corofin and Tuam left in the North.. Dunmore well bet by Corofin last week
Salthill, Moycullen, killanin in West..

Tuam won North board u 17 yesterday beating Claregalway. Oranmore destroyed Salthill in the West. They look the team to beat there.

Galwaymaster9 (Galway) - Posts: 397 - 04/09/2023 11:05:15    2502955

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Replying To Galwaymaster9:  "A lot of underage finals been played out..
U 19 Claregalway Corofin and Tuam left in the North.. Dunmore well bet by Corofin last week
Salthill, Moycullen, killanin in West..

Tuam won North board u 17 yesterday beating Claregalway. Oranmore destroyed Salthill in the West. They look the team to beat there."
That Oranmore u17 team is supposed to be very good. I see the final wasn't remotely competitive against Salthill

galway19 (Galway) - Posts: 733 - 04/09/2023 13:27:31    2502989

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Oranmore just about beaten by St. James' in U17B. Good to be fielding two strong teams. Not many teams playing "A" ?

ref (Galway) - Posts: 247 - 04/09/2023 15:43:53    2503022

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What games are on this weekend?

Gearoid1998ffowaed (Galway) - Posts: 88 - 06/09/2023 01:41:08    2503223

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So it looks like we could lose our great future hope for Galway midfield to Aussie rules - this crack is infuriating! James McLaughlin from Moycullen is heading down there on trials with a few other rising stars from around the country as the multi-million professional AFL franchises vulture swoop in again. It's the lads' prerogative and good luck to them if that's their call but so annoying for Club and County coaches who've put massive work, time, burned diesel and more to bring these players on and the AFL lifts them with not so much as a set of jerseys or a bag of footballs as a thank you to those clubs and coaches for 15+ years of prep and guidance. AFL scouts are a blight on our game and should be ran out of the place imo. They're laughing at us but putting our primed athletes on a silver platter for them, and this I know for a fact from guys involved in the scene in Melbourne.

togoutlads (Galway) - Posts: 924 - 06/09/2023 09:35:15    2503233

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Replying To togoutlads:  "So it looks like we could lose our great future hope for Galway midfield to Aussie rules - this crack is infuriating! James McLaughlin from Moycullen is heading down there on trials with a few other rising stars from around the country as the multi-million professional AFL franchises vulture swoop in again. It's the lads' prerogative and good luck to them if that's their call but so annoying for Club and County coaches who've put massive work, time, burned diesel and more to bring these players on and the AFL lifts them with not so much as a set of jerseys or a bag of footballs as a thank you to those clubs and coaches for 15+ years of prep and guidance. AFL scouts are a blight on our game and should be ran out of the place imo. They're laughing at us but putting our primed athletes on a silver platter for them, and this I know for a fact from guys involved in the scene in Melbourne."
I coach players underage to try to help them develop and also with the hope that they'll continue to play through to adult level.
The priority though should be the development of the player. So if the coaching they've received helps them in any way to get an opportunity to play a professional sport then that's something to be proud of. You've played a part in getting them a potential career in sport.
If I had coached McLaughlin, I'd be delighted for him and also very proud. Of course he'll he a big loss to Moycullen if he makes it over there, but I'd be hoping for him that he'd succeed, if that's what he wants.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2098 - 06/09/2023 10:42:20    2503250

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Replying To togoutlads:  "So it looks like we could lose our great future hope for Galway midfield to Aussie rules - this crack is infuriating! James McLaughlin from Moycullen is heading down there on trials with a few other rising stars from around the country as the multi-million professional AFL franchises vulture swoop in again. It's the lads' prerogative and good luck to them if that's their call but so annoying for Club and County coaches who've put massive work, time, burned diesel and more to bring these players on and the AFL lifts them with not so much as a set of jerseys or a bag of footballs as a thank you to those clubs and coaches for 15+ years of prep and guidance. AFL scouts are a blight on our game and should be ran out of the place imo. They're laughing at us but putting our primed athletes on a silver platter for them, and this I know for a fact from guys involved in the scene in Melbourne."
Best of luck to him - a great opportunity for a young man. He, and anyone like him, doesn't owe his club, county or the GAA anything at all.

PierreBezuhov (UK) - Posts: 226 - 06/09/2023 11:09:12    2503256

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What do Galway expect, when their management weren't picking him anyways? James is absolutely right to go and pursue this opportunity down under. Galway wont see a midfield prospect like him for another few decades.

Mayo52 (Mayo) - Posts: 44 - 06/09/2023 11:50:51    2503265

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