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Leitrim GAA thread

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Replying To timeforachange:  "Honestly lads, who are these local fellas that would take on the job? Would our players listen to them or respect them?"
Local lads would do no worse who would know the club or underage scene.

Under Moran and Solan

- Unable to gain promotion to Div 3 from two attempts

- first team to lose a championship match to New York

- failed to reach the last 4 of Tailteann Cup last year

- awful start to this Tailteann cup and will struggle to get out of the group now.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3504 - 14/05/2023 19:47:45    2478465

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Replying To Gaa_lover:  "Local lads would do no worse who would know the club or underage scene.

Under Moran and Solan

- Unable to gain promotion to Div 3 from two attempts

- first team to lose a championship match to New York

- failed to reach the last 4 of Tailteann Cup last year

- awful start to this Tailteann cup and will struggle to get out of the group now."
Looking at other results today Wexford drew, Carlow bet Wicklow and Longford came within 3 points of Limerick. If this management team stays on for 2024, mark my words, we'll still be in Division 4 next year. It's a complete joke at this stage.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1057 - 14/05/2023 20:16:51    2478479

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Replying To Gaa_lover:  "Local lads would do no worse who would know the club or underage scene.

Under Moran and Solan

- Unable to gain promotion to Div 3 from two attempts

- first team to lose a championship match to New York

- failed to reach the last 4 of Tailteann Cup last year

- awful start to this Tailteann cup and will struggle to get out of the group now."
You might have a point. But who are these locals that could change it? We are in a serious pickle.

timeforachange (Leitrim) - Posts: 88 - 14/05/2023 20:42:40    2478483

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Replying To Square_B:  "Looking at other results today Wexford drew, Carlow bet Wicklow and Longford came within 3 points of Limerick. If this management team stays on for 2024, mark my words, we'll still be in Division 4 next year. It's a complete joke at this stage."
It's not all doom and gloom. Leitrim beat Warwickshire in the hurling.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2114 - 14/05/2023 20:58:48    2478487

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Another bad day today, looking at the Fermanagh Wexford result we'll do well to get a point in this group we've problems everywhere now conceding way too much not clinical enough up front and been burnt for pace around the middle. Really starting to think this squad is just not good enough whenever the pressure comes on in the important games we seem to wilt. Andy Moran has also plenty of questions to answer too results haven't near matched the money been put into this management team I'd imagine there will be a mutual parting of ways after the next two games. Hard to believe we were a few minutes from promotion to division 3 , now less than 2 months later our season has completely fallen apart and is going to be a write off.

JimmyNail (Leitrim) - Posts: 253 - 14/05/2023 21:04:40    2478492

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I'm beginning to warm to Andy.

OhtobeARossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 1770 - 14/05/2023 21:21:40    2478497

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Things don't seem to be great however missed goal chances yesterday cost us early on exactly the same as what cost us in NY. Andy tbf can't go out on the pitch and put the ball in the net. The biggest issue I see is the S&C it's way off. Leitrim don't look fit and we have had so many injuries. We used to hear the excuse oh the clubs are flogging them but none of these players have been near the clubs. If Andy had a full squad to pick from we would be in Div 3 now. The likes of Ryan O Rourke, Jordan Renoylds, Conor Dolan, Donal Casey, Tom Prior, Conor Renoylds, Cillain McGlion, Evan Sweeney etc have all missed games this year and in some cases have not been able to get on the pitch at all. None of these men as far as I'm aware broke limbs it's all hamstring groin quad injuries Leitrim can not afford to lose these players.
I hope Andy Moran does another year and get a full squad on the pitch but to do that he needs to re-evaluate his S&C

Champotime18 (Leitrim) - Posts: 442 - 15/05/2023 08:59:43    2478551

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Theres no point in shying away from it. Things are at a very low ebb. We completely folded in the 2nd half yesterday.

Through injuries or players going back to their clubs an already weak squad is decimated. We have no depth and it shows when the pressure comes on. This effects everything - Morale, training standards and effectively the quality of the player we have on the field at any time.

Add then that we had to play both Keith Beirne and Mark Plunkett when they were clearly injured and you have the mess which we ended up in. Both players will now be under considerable pressure to stick with their club even if they can get themselves fit for the next few days - Where will we be then.


Once again we missed numerous goal chances when we were playing well which would have gave us a serious chance of winning the game. It killed our confidence.
Pearce Dolan was arguably our standout player but our kick outs are a nightmare. He's up there with the best midfielders in the Tailteann Cup but in 2023 when you are still just hoofing every kick out long and down the middle or across the sideline(3 times) you don't have a platform to win any game of Inter-County Football. How management have not changed this is nothing short of ridiculous. Killian Gaffey was hyped up by Andy Moran at the start of the year but wasn't fully fit - but now he is and has been fantastic for St. Mary's while winning the Shield yet wasn't called up to play and we stick with an outfield player from a different county. That's harsh but the reality of it.

On the point on management going forward. Its a tricky one. If you can get St Mary's manager - Alan Flynn to take the job - you give it to him straight away. But with the CV he is building he might not take a job where Leitrim are currently at. But then again he knows the quality of players that are coming through St Mary's etc. and our improvements at underage. and to be fair we have progresses S&C wise over the last few years. It would also be a more manageable journey from his base in Tuam. But he is onto a winner with St Mary's in the next few years if he sticks with them.

If you can't get him it is maybe wise to stick with who you have and try to add someone different to the backroom team - I find some of their decisions baffling but with the players they have been missing over the last few years its also hard to judge them. Some of the players we had starting in the last few days would not get on to some senior club teams in many counties.

There's no real contender from an actual Leitrim coach. There's a reason every championship that has been won in the last 10 years has been won by an outside manager, Our minor manager is also a Roscommon man. Same goes for our Ladies manager who is a Tyrone man- So we son't develop young, modern coaches.
Pauric Davis or the McCormacks could be outside shots? Or try chance your arm and try and poach a few of the coaches from Donegal who are disillusioned with what is going on up there.


How the squad and coaches try to regroup before next weekend is beyond me. Are Subs from yesterday who didnt play going to stay on the panel with little chance of game time and then not to be able to play in the Club League which starts next weekend?

Leitrim1234 (Leitrim) - Posts: 322 - 15/05/2023 10:22:51    2478596

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Yeah the S&c is a major issue. We seen to have a lot of hamstring issues and some pubis issue (not sure of medical term) even aside from that we aren't fit enough. i think its curtains for Andy but who comes in is a whole other problem. I can't see there being too many takers who are experienced. Roll on the club competitions, i think fans are chomping at the bit for the club league and championship at this stage.

meathbasedfan (Leitrim) - Posts: 133 - 15/05/2023 10:33:20    2478601

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Replying To OhtobeARossie:  "I'm beginning to warm to Andy."
Please dont try and take him from us

Thejampot (Leitrim) - Posts: 351 - 15/05/2023 10:36:31    2478603

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Replying To Leitrim1234:  "Theres no point in shying away from it. Things are at a very low ebb. We completely folded in the 2nd half yesterday.

Through injuries or players going back to their clubs an already weak squad is decimated. We have no depth and it shows when the pressure comes on. This effects everything - Morale, training standards and effectively the quality of the player we have on the field at any time.

Add then that we had to play both Keith Beirne and Mark Plunkett when they were clearly injured and you have the mess which we ended up in. Both players will now be under considerable pressure to stick with their club even if they can get themselves fit for the next few days - Where will we be then.


Once again we missed numerous goal chances when we were playing well which would have gave us a serious chance of winning the game. It killed our confidence.
Pearce Dolan was arguably our standout player but our kick outs are a nightmare. He's up there with the best midfielders in the Tailteann Cup but in 2023 when you are still just hoofing every kick out long and down the middle or across the sideline(3 times) you don't have a platform to win any game of Inter-County Football. How management have not changed this is nothing short of ridiculous. Killian Gaffey was hyped up by Andy Moran at the start of the year but wasn't fully fit - but now he is and has been fantastic for St. Mary's while winning the Shield yet wasn't called up to play and we stick with an outfield player from a different county. That's harsh but the reality of it.

On the point on management going forward. Its a tricky one. If you can get St Mary's manager - Alan Flynn to take the job - you give it to him straight away. But with the CV he is building he might not take a job where Leitrim are currently at. But then again he knows the quality of players that are coming through St Mary's etc. and our improvements at underage. and to be fair we have progresses S&C wise over the last few years. It would also be a more manageable journey from his base in Tuam. But he is onto a winner with St Mary's in the next few years if he sticks with them.

If you can't get him it is maybe wise to stick with who you have and try to add someone different to the backroom team - I find some of their decisions baffling but with the players they have been missing over the last few years its also hard to judge them. Some of the players we had starting in the last few days would not get on to some senior club teams in many counties.

There's no real contender from an actual Leitrim coach. There's a reason every championship that has been won in the last 10 years has been won by an outside manager, Our minor manager is also a Roscommon man. Same goes for our Ladies manager who is a Tyrone man- So we son't develop young, modern coaches.
Pauric Davis or the McCormacks could be outside shots? Or try chance your arm and try and poach a few of the coaches from Donegal who are disillusioned with what is going on up there.


How the squad and coaches try to regroup before next weekend is beyond me. Are Subs from yesterday who didnt play going to stay on the panel with little chance of game time and then not to be able to play in the Club League which starts next weekend?"
There's a few lads playing for the county that'd struggle to get on senior teams in Leitrim never mind other counties!
You reap what you sow. It's gone back to being harder to get off the team than on it. Some of the selections have been bizarre.
Lads have been living off reputations but are at least consistent in failing to perform. I doubt very much if any ambitious coach will touch the job. Success with St. Mary's would serve Alan Flynn better. Some of the current "stars" would get a rude awakening if he took over.
Unfortunately we have no choice but to go outside the county. A bit of Northern steel wouldn't go amiss but they wouldn't tolerate the culture and the players wouldn't "buy in"
Regardless, it's naive to think that any coach will make us successful. Our problems run deeper than the senior team. They're easily solved but that doesn't mean people are willing to do anything about it.

ThePowerhouse (Leitrim) - Posts: 145 - 15/05/2023 11:39:13    2478643

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It's been the same issue across numerous managers we've had for the last I don't know how many years. Teams running from deep we are unable to stop. They generally just run through for handy scores and we are unable to keep with them which I would assume is down to fitness levels.

Also thought it was pretty bad leaving Keith Beirne on for 15 minutes when he clearly was injured. He could barely walk to the sideline when he came off. This was the stage when Antrim wrestled control and us basically playing with 14 certainly cannot have helped.

Agree with whoever says Alan Flynn would be the standout candidate if Andy Moran was to leave

SeanMacDiarmada (Leitrim) - Posts: 408 - 15/05/2023 11:39:49    2478644

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Replying To Thejampot:  "Please dont try and take him from us"
I'm hoping he gets a 10 year deal with mayo next.

OhtobeARossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 1770 - 15/05/2023 12:49:35    2478663

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Replying To Champotime18:  "Things don't seem to be great however missed goal chances yesterday cost us early on exactly the same as what cost us in NY. Andy tbf can't go out on the pitch and put the ball in the net. The biggest issue I see is the S&C it's way off. Leitrim don't look fit and we have had so many injuries. We used to hear the excuse oh the clubs are flogging them but none of these players have been near the clubs. If Andy had a full squad to pick from we would be in Div 3 now. The likes of Ryan O Rourke, Jordan Renoylds, Conor Dolan, Donal Casey, Tom Prior, Conor Renoylds, Cillain McGlion, Evan Sweeney etc have all missed games this year and in some cases have not been able to get on the pitch at all. None of these men as far as I'm aware broke limbs it's all hamstring groin quad injuries Leitrim can not afford to lose these players.
I hope Andy Moran does another year and get a full squad on the pitch but to do that he needs to re-evaluate his S&C"
What exactly has Andy Moran done to prove he was ever worthy of a county job or even continue on after the Tailteann Cup for that matter? When are we all going to admit it was a mistake to appoint such an unproven manager who clearly hasn't the tactical nous or experience to work with what he's got? He's had this squad for 2 years... most of this squad played under Terry Hyland and some with Brendan Guckian before that so what's really going on? I see committed lads but I don't believe the management team are up to the job. I really don't know where we go from here because the next man is going to have a desperate job on his hands.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1057 - 15/05/2023 12:58:18    2478664

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Replying To Gaa_lover:  "Local lads would do no worse who would know the club or underage scene.

Under Moran and Solan

- Unable to gain promotion to Div 3 from two attempts

- first team to lose a championship match to New York

- failed to reach the last 4 of Tailteann Cup last year

- awful start to this Tailteann cup and will struggle to get out of the group now."
Ray Tubman is the only man fit 2 take it.

Zucker (Leitrim) - Posts: 156 - 15/05/2023 13:17:10    2478670

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Replying To Leitrim1234:  "Theres no point in shying away from it. Things are at a very low ebb. We completely folded in the 2nd half yesterday.

Through injuries or players going back to their clubs an already weak squad is decimated. We have no depth and it shows when the pressure comes on. This effects everything - Morale, training standards and effectively the quality of the player we have on the field at any time.

Add then that we had to play both Keith Beirne and Mark Plunkett when they were clearly injured and you have the mess which we ended up in. Both players will now be under considerable pressure to stick with their club even if they can get themselves fit for the next few days - Where will we be then.


Once again we missed numerous goal chances when we were playing well which would have gave us a serious chance of winning the game. It killed our confidence.
Pearce Dolan was arguably our standout player but our kick outs are a nightmare. He's up there with the best midfielders in the Tailteann Cup but in 2023 when you are still just hoofing every kick out long and down the middle or across the sideline(3 times) you don't have a platform to win any game of Inter-County Football. How management have not changed this is nothing short of ridiculous. Killian Gaffey was hyped up by Andy Moran at the start of the year but wasn't fully fit - but now he is and has been fantastic for St. Mary's while winning the Shield yet wasn't called up to play and we stick with an outfield player from a different county. That's harsh but the reality of it.

On the point on management going forward. Its a tricky one. If you can get St Mary's manager - Alan Flynn to take the job - you give it to him straight away. But with the CV he is building he might not take a job where Leitrim are currently at. But then again he knows the quality of players that are coming through St Mary's etc. and our improvements at underage. and to be fair we have progresses S&C wise over the last few years. It would also be a more manageable journey from his base in Tuam. But he is onto a winner with St Mary's in the next few years if he sticks with them.

If you can't get him it is maybe wise to stick with who you have and try to add someone different to the backroom team - I find some of their decisions baffling but with the players they have been missing over the last few years its also hard to judge them. Some of the players we had starting in the last few days would not get on to some senior club teams in many counties.

There's no real contender from an actual Leitrim coach. There's a reason every championship that has been won in the last 10 years has been won by an outside manager, Our minor manager is also a Roscommon man. Same goes for our Ladies manager who is a Tyrone man- So we son't develop young, modern coaches.
Pauric Davis or the McCormacks could be outside shots? Or try chance your arm and try and poach a few of the coaches from Donegal who are disillusioned with what is going on up there.


How the squad and coaches try to regroup before next weekend is beyond me. Are Subs from yesterday who didnt play going to stay on the panel with little chance of game time and then not to be able to play in the Club League which starts next weekend?"
Further to this. It must be said the players love the environment under Moran whereas under Hyland it became toxic.

I don't think that the actual fitness work being done is the problem or the players commitment to what they are being asked to do is an issue either but when you have such a huge turnover of players you don't just loose their playing ability you also lose the hours and money that have been put into their S&C and nutrition etc.

I've made a list off the top of my head of players who have been on the Leitrim panel over the last number of years that are still good enough to either start or be on the panel that are now not involved for various reasons. (Emigration, Injury and then not wanting to commit or being selected, or have left the panel) Only 1 of these players (Shane Moran) is over 30 I have put a * beside players who I believe are injured.

I'm more than likely missing a few on top of this. I've grouped them by their club teams.

Killian Gaffey
Nicholas McWeeney

Aaron Hoare
Ciaran Cullen
Conor Cullen*


Conor Dolan,

Oisin McCaffery,
Shane Moran
Dean McGovern
Niall McGovern

David Bruen
Brendan Flynn
Donal Casey*

Caleb Duffy
Diarmuid McKiernan

Oisin Madden
Jordan Reynolds*

Jack Gilheany,
Riordan O'Rourke,
Ryan O'Rourke*
Conor Dwyer*

Cillian McGloin**


Tom Quinn
Fergal McTague
Gary Plunkett
Noel Plunkett


That's 26 players and we have one of the smallest pool of players available. It's easy to see where our problems are. The solution to this is not just a Gaa issue when you consider emigration etc. But there are a good few players on the list that Moran just was not able to convince to commit which is not a good sign for his management going forward.

Leitrim1234 (Leitrim) - Posts: 322 - 15/05/2023 13:19:50    2478673

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Replying To Leitrim1234:  "Further to this. It must be said the players love the environment under Moran whereas under Hyland it became toxic.

I don't think that the actual fitness work being done is the problem or the players commitment to what they are being asked to do is an issue either but when you have such a huge turnover of players you don't just loose their playing ability you also lose the hours and money that have been put into their S&C and nutrition etc.

I've made a list off the top of my head of players who have been on the Leitrim panel over the last number of years that are still good enough to either start or be on the panel that are now not involved for various reasons. (Emigration, Injury and then not wanting to commit or being selected, or have left the panel) Only 1 of these players (Shane Moran) is over 30 I have put a * beside players who I believe are injured.

I'm more than likely missing a few on top of this. I've grouped them by their club teams.

Killian Gaffey
Nicholas McWeeney

Aaron Hoare
Ciaran Cullen
Conor Cullen*


Conor Dolan,

Oisin McCaffery,
Shane Moran
Dean McGovern
Niall McGovern

David Bruen
Brendan Flynn
Donal Casey*

Caleb Duffy
Diarmuid McKiernan

Oisin Madden
Jordan Reynolds*

Jack Gilheany,
Riordan O'Rourke,
Ryan O'Rourke*
Conor Dwyer*

Cillian McGloin**


Tom Quinn
Fergal McTague
Gary Plunkett
Noel Plunkett


That's 26 players and we have one of the smallest pool of players available. It's easy to see where our problems are. The solution to this is not just a Gaa issue when you consider emigration etc. But there are a good few players on the list that Moran just was not able to convince to commit which is not a good sign for his management going forward."
I think the bookies have underestimated the advantage of playing at home 9/4 Leitrim seems a but generous to me for the next game. Losing to Sligo so narrowly in the last NFL game took a big toll on the lads, as that game had been a target for the manager for a long time. Nobody wants blame the ref for losing to New York, but I thought he was inconsistent in a big way, including with the keeper off the line for all penalties. I see he has since been stood down from big games due to mor-ya fitness issues. It is hard for teams to get over bad/heavy defeats but I think Pairc Sean hummin could get ye firing again.

giveitlong (Galway) - Posts: 1258 - 15/05/2023 14:16:58    2478695

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Replying To Leitrim1234:  "Further to this. It must be said the players love the environment under Moran whereas under Hyland it became toxic.

I don't think that the actual fitness work being done is the problem or the players commitment to what they are being asked to do is an issue either but when you have such a huge turnover of players you don't just loose their playing ability you also lose the hours and money that have been put into their S&C and nutrition etc.

I've made a list off the top of my head of players who have been on the Leitrim panel over the last number of years that are still good enough to either start or be on the panel that are now not involved for various reasons. (Emigration, Injury and then not wanting to commit or being selected, or have left the panel) Only 1 of these players (Shane Moran) is over 30 I have put a * beside players who I believe are injured.

I'm more than likely missing a few on top of this. I've grouped them by their club teams.

Killian Gaffey
Nicholas McWeeney

Aaron Hoare
Ciaran Cullen
Conor Cullen*


Conor Dolan,

Oisin McCaffery,
Shane Moran
Dean McGovern
Niall McGovern

David Bruen
Brendan Flynn
Donal Casey*

Caleb Duffy
Diarmuid McKiernan

Oisin Madden
Jordan Reynolds*

Jack Gilheany,
Riordan O'Rourke,
Ryan O'Rourke*
Conor Dwyer*

Cillian McGloin**


Tom Quinn
Fergal McTague
Gary Plunkett
Noel Plunkett


That's 26 players and we have one of the smallest pool of players available. It's easy to see where our problems are. The solution to this is not just a Gaa issue when you consider emigration etc. But there are a good few players on the list that Moran just was not able to convince to commit which is not a good sign for his management going forward."
Just in relation to your point on having one of the smallest pools of players available.

Fermanagh who you are playing next have a smaller player pool available to them. Who are now a division 2 team.

Now I find it hard to believe that there's just better footballers in Fermanagh but one thing for sure is they are miles ahead when it comes to S&C.

drumalee11 (USA) - Posts: 330 - 15/05/2023 14:31:45    2478701

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Replying To martinjoe:  "Thought Andy was the man and have not given up on him just yet, but lack of fitness has been an issue from the get go and the overriding factor again today."
Do you mind me asking what make you taught he was the man?

Had next to no experience was one of the most baffling appointments ever.

sourmilk93 (Roscommon) - Posts: 1186 - 15/05/2023 16:27:34    2478749

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Replying To sourmilk93:  "Do you mind me asking what make you taught he was the man?

Had next to no experience was one of the most baffling appointments ever."
He had, as a player reached and played in All Ireland Finals under 3 different managers, including as captain, so would have seen a broad range of approaches to all aspects of preparing teams. He is a full time fitness instructor so I would have expected him to be very knowledgeable regarding S&C, cardio training etc. And while it is true he had no experience as a manager, Padraic Joyce also had very little when he took charge of a team with aspirations to win the ultimate prize. Andy was taking over a team more or less stuck in the bottom end of division 4. I suppose, and as I have pointed out before, when it comes down to it, can one really expect players in a team ranked 27 or 28 out of 32 to put in the time and effort of a player on a DIV 1 team. What must it be like for a player from Leitrim, Waterford or London, who in reality may never win a game over a couple of seasons let alone a trophy. The Tailteann Cup will certainly give counties with hunger and aspirations a platform to improve their level of ability. Sligo and Westmeath have improved from last year. As was pointed out by a Leitrim poster here after the New York game, the players are very well looked after and want for nothing. Perhaps there are lads happy to be "County Men" and take advantage of the status that may bring, I don't know. Hard to see Andy at the helm if Leitrim's season is over next weekend, even if the board still want him.

martinjoe (Mayo) - Posts: 516 - 15/05/2023 17:22:41    2478781

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