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Galway Football thread

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I thought Darcy's lack of pace was really exposed in the league game against Mayo. He's improved with game time since but I would worry that he will struggle with Mayo's running game.

Interesting to see Tierney and Sam O'Neill on the bench. Only really McDaid left to come back now although a lot of the lads just back from injury have very little football played.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2348 - 03/05/2024 12:32:05    2542625

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Presume Maher will play as a midfielder with Kelly doing his usual roaming role.

Like the team. Hopefully all fully fit.

Sweeney give us something off the bench.

So does Tierney if fit.

Lot of talk about Sam O'Neill breaking through this year. Injuries stopped him getting game time in league. This would be a big one to throw him into. I don't know anything about him. Is he up to it?

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1915 - 03/05/2024 12:33:16    2542626

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Replying To togoutlads:  "I like the team. A lot of power and size around the middle third. The half forward line is physically very strong. We need to insanely contest every ball and we won't be cleaned in the air this time, I'd be thinking.
If Durcan is out then Mayo not quite as pacy breaking from the half back line, but who picks up breaks from Callanan and McLaughlin? I guess Callanan will be tasked with marking Shane Walsh, hope to God that Shane is fit and that the hunger is back.
This Connacht Final being downplayed by some is a nonsense in my mind. Beating Mayo now is massively important in Galway's trajectory - for team, mgmt and supporters alike. Give us something to believe in and cheer about. We've played second fiddle to their rebuilt team for too many games and we need to man up and settle a score. Our lads have a chance to make Connacht football history and be the first team to break the 50 Connacht titles barrier, plus a first Connacht 3 in a row in over 40 years. This piece of silverware is hugely important - think of the chance to make it 50 titles and all that effort and history in the maroon and white that it took to get to that milestone. The ferocious grit and never say die determination that Purcell, Stockwell, McDonagh, Tierney, Newell, John & Pateen Donnellan, Keenan, Gilmore, McManus, Mannion, DePaor, Meehan, Walsh, Fallon, M Donnellan, Joyce and so many more Galway warriors brought into a showdown like this with the auld rivals. We need to see our lads step up again to be leaders on the field and drive it home. Gaillimh Abú!!!"
I'm going to vote for you in the next election for president (or even a TD) as you just brought a tear to me eye with those last few sentences! lol

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 03/05/2024 12:54:24    2542635

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Replying To Eire89:  "Happy enough with that team. He has gone with maher & darcy in half forward line to help in midfield. not sure how fit tierney is but if we could get a good 20 mins from him for a darcy or conroy most likely. We will need an impact off bench. So much depends on that middle thrid espec with our kickouts (usually just as long as can go). enough of this nonsense about losing gives us a better group a connacht medal & confidence building will do so much more for the group."
True we hope for the win no doubt but the stupidity of being in a much easier group if we lose is just laughable. A question one has to ask is if it is better to beat our closest rivals next Sunday / win Connacht or get knocked out in the next round of games? That is what the GAA wants us to decide - Sophie's Choice indeed! lol

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 03/05/2024 13:03:24    2542640

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Replying To Mayonman:  "Presume Maher will play as a midfielder with Kelly doing his usual roaming role.

Like the team. Hopefully all fully fit.

Sweeney give us something off the bench.

So does Tierney if fit.

Lot of talk about Sam O'Neill breaking through this year. Injuries stopped him getting game time in league. This would be a big one to throw him into. I don't know anything about him. Is he up to it?"
He is big and athletic and can score so well suited to county football. He will need time but must be doing something right if he's back getting a jersey after injury. His grandfather Billy won an All Ireland in 1956 with Purcell and Stockwell so the pedigree is good too.

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 464 - 03/05/2024 13:16:05    2542646

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Replying To Mayonman:  "Presume Maher will play as a midfielder with Kelly doing his usual roaming role.

Like the team. Hopefully all fully fit.

Sweeney give us something off the bench.

So does Tierney if fit.

Lot of talk about Sam O'Neill breaking through this year. Injuries stopped him getting game time in league. This would be a big one to throw him into. I don't know anything about him. Is he up to it?"
Sam O'Neill was probably the best club player in Galway last year until he got injured. He would be best left until next year given he has missed so much but we clearly aren't going great.

crankyincorofin (Galway) - Posts: 101 - 03/05/2024 13:34:55    2542651

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Replying To tommy k:  "True we hope for the win no doubt but the stupidity of being in a much easier group if we lose is just laughable. A question one has to ask is if it is better to beat our closest rivals next Sunday / win Connacht or get knocked out in the next round of games? That is what the GAA wants us to decide - Sophie's Choice indeed! lol"
The worst possible scenario if ye end up in Group 1 is coming third and in a prelim QF. The same scenario of a prelim QF will happen if ye come 2nd in the group or lose the Connacht final and end up in our group. There is no way Galway will be exiting at the group stage whichever group ye are in.

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1000 - 03/05/2024 13:45:46    2542654

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Replying To tommy k:  "I'm going to vote for you in the next election for president (or even a TD) as you just brought a tear to me eye with those last few sentences! lol"
Lol! I'd just had the morning coffee Tommy K but sure damn it, I mean every word of it. I love this old derby more than anything else in the game, save for an AI final. There's still a mighty history and a romance to the Connacht Final and the Galway v Mayo match up is my El Classico! I've too many tremendous memories of Connacht Finals going back over many decades now and the gloss certainly still hasn't gone off the Nestor Cup for me. In my mind, as a bit of a Connacht championship traditionalist, it's second only to Sam. With 3 (maybe 4) of our teams in this province as even and as strong as they are, it's not to be sniffed at. Only the Ulster title is harder won, in my opinion. JJ Nestor was a Galway man, from Dunmore. His son Brendan won two All Irelands with Galway, 1934 and 38. The Connacht council named the cup in JJ Nestor's honour and the first man to lift this cup in 1958 - The Master, Sean Purcell. Now, that's me history lesson for the day :-) more history to be made on Sunday. Let's get the maroon and white out and cheer these lads on to a great win!! Gaillimh go deo!!!

togoutlads (Galway) - Posts: 1026 - 03/05/2024 14:01:46    2542660

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Looks like Galway going with big men from 8-12 prib not much scoring in them hopefully full forward line do the business prob need around 2-10 to win ,, I for one can't figure out how Rory Cunningham not on bench must be injured I'm guessing otherwise it's baffling as there are 3 other forwards there who have got games in championship and not done the business bar Mcdaid galway at full strength so no more excuses time to produce ,,

Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 1020 - 03/05/2024 14:26:05    2542669

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I couldn't care less about the All Ireland draw.. all I want is to bate the bejasus out of them Mayos..

Belclare7 (Galway) - Posts: 197 - 03/05/2024 15:01:38    2542677

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Hernon and McLoughlin are back with the squad now.

galway19 (Galway) - Posts: 830 - 03/05/2024 15:05:06    2542679

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Replying To Mayonman:  "Presume Maher will play as a midfielder with Kelly doing his usual roaming role.

Like the team. Hopefully all fully fit.

Sweeney give us something off the bench.

So does Tierney if fit.

Lot of talk about Sam O'Neill breaking through this year. Injuries stopped him getting game time in league. This would be a big one to throw him into. I don't know anything about him. Is he up to it?"
Sam O Neill.. definitely up to it.
Just a pity that he got injured because he really could have become a key player with NFL game time. Its a bit of an ask to come into the heat of championship given a) long lay off and b) the fact that he hasnt played at this level before. However if he is any way fit it would be great to get 15 minutes in to him.

anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 974 - 03/05/2024 15:25:01    2542684

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On paper a strong enough Galway team and bench options to beat Mayo on Sunday however it's about doing it on grass and management getting match ups right.

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 324 - 03/05/2024 18:24:52    2542707

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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer:  "On paper a strong enough Galway team and bench options to beat Mayo on Sunday however it's about doing it on grass and management getting match ups right."
Unfortunately, games aren't played on paper. But, no doubt, it's a strong team.
Intensity levels will need to be maintained, and the question is, will the returning players have it in their legs. I can't see them losing.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 623 - 04/05/2024 02:24:33    2542744

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A lock of tickets bought! Here we go. Get yer backsides in there. We're gonna do it! Up Galway.

togoutlads (Galway) - Posts: 1026 - 04/05/2024 10:18:56    2542766

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Replying To togoutlads:  "Lol! I'd just had the morning coffee Tommy K but sure damn it, I mean every word of it. I love this old derby more than anything else in the game, save for an AI final. There's still a mighty history and a romance to the Connacht Final and the Galway v Mayo match up is my El Classico! I've too many tremendous memories of Connacht Finals going back over many decades now and the gloss certainly still hasn't gone off the Nestor Cup for me. In my mind, as a bit of a Connacht championship traditionalist, it's second only to Sam. With 3 (maybe 4) of our teams in this province as even and as strong as they are, it's not to be sniffed at. Only the Ulster title is harder won, in my opinion. JJ Nestor was a Galway man, from Dunmore. His son Brendan won two All Irelands with Galway, 1934 and 38. The Connacht council named the cup in JJ Nestor's honour and the first man to lift this cup in 1958 - The Master, Sean Purcell. Now, that's me history lesson for the day :-) more history to be made on Sunday. Let's get the maroon and white out and cheer these lads on to a great win!! Gaillimh go deo!!!"
Tuam is the only town for a Galway v Mayo championship game Togout. Can't beat the buzz in the town and the short stroll to the pitch. Probably being too nostalgic but hopefully someday the seniors will clash again in Jarlath's Park.

If both teams play close to their potential tomorrow ye'll beat us by a point or two. Neither team out of first gear yet this year, ye have more scoring options than us. We're over-reliant on Ryan to score, create something or win a free. Have been so far anyway. I live in hope rather than expectation that we'll get more balance in attack and more confidence in front of goal. May the best team win.

Maigh Eo Abú!

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GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7819 - 04/05/2024 11:32:02    2542781

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If Galway field as selecter its about 5 to 6 point win for ye. Joyce needs a win over McStay.

jacktheboy (Donegal) - Posts: 468 - 04/05/2024 12:06:32    2542791

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Tuam is the only town for a Galway v Mayo championship game Togout. Can't beat the buzz in the town and the short stroll to the pitch. Probably being too nostalgic but hopefully someday the seniors will clash again in Jarlath's Park.

If both teams play close to their potential tomorrow ye'll beat us by a point or two. Neither team out of first gear yet this year, ye have more scoring options than us. We're over-reliant on Ryan to score, create something or win a free. Have been so far anyway. I live in hope rather than expectation that we'll get more balance in attack and more confidence in front of goal. May the best team win.

Maigh Eo Abú!

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I remember great championship games in Tuam in the early seventies. A short skip up through the mart and you were there. Willie Magee at full forward was unstoppable at times - great tussles with Jack Cosgrave.
I never liked the name change to St. Jarlath's park. Tuam stadium or "The Stadium" it was affectionately known as, to locals.

Really (Galway) - Posts: 623 - 04/05/2024 12:44:50    2542800

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On paper Galway look grand but these games take on a life of their own. Best to Galway and Mayo tomorrow, may the great tradition survive the GAA reformists.

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1713 - 04/05/2024 12:48:10    2542803

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Tuam is the only town for a Galway v Mayo championship game Togout. Can't beat the buzz in the town and the short stroll to the pitch. Probably being too nostalgic but hopefully someday the seniors will clash again in Jarlath's Park.

If both teams play close to their potential tomorrow ye'll beat us by a point or two. Neither team out of first gear yet this year, ye have more scoring options than us. We're over-reliant on Ryan to score, create something or win a free. Have been so far anyway. I live in hope rather than expectation that we'll get more balance in attack and more confidence in front of goal. May the best team win.

Maigh Eo Abú!

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Ah come on - Galway are still missing McDaid, Tierney and Culhane. They are much better footballers than many of those in the subs bench for tomorrow.

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 04/05/2024 12:52:34    2542804

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