National Forum

Football Championship 2026

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To Dmoa95:  "Every time Galway get criticised, the go‑to defence seems to be, "At least we won an All‑Ireland 25 years ago." If anyone outside Mayo said it, ye wouldn't be half as worked up. And whether people like it or not, there is truth in what Keegan said harsh as it might sound. He's operated at the very top level, so his opinion carries far more weight than someone firing off takes from behind a throwaway username pretending to be from Leitrim on a GAA forum."
You realise you're replying to someone from Leitrim or wherever, not Galway. You won't find many defending Galway from within, based on what we did 25 years ago. It's irrelevant and not too far off the length of time we waited from 66 to 98.
Have a look in the Galway thread and there are very few resting on any perceived laurels.
Galway underperform at the highest level in senior intercounty. We've had some success, definitely less than we should have had. We have a good record at most other levels, underage and club.
This might sound harsh, but as a county we're just not as demanding as we should be. While people get frustrated, there's a general acceptance of our inability to get over the line.
It's very hard to change that culture, but Limerick certainly managed it in hurling. They didn't just say, we're Limerick and they're Kilkenny, do that's the way it is.
When Peter Keane got the chop in Kerry after 3 years, there was a queue of people eager to get the job. You won't the find the same in Galway.
A certain ruthlessness is required to keep everyone on their toes, but also some very proactive planning. I've no doubt people are working very hard in Galway but pointing to getting to finals here and there and general overall competitiveness isn't good enough if you want to deliver at the top level.
We're doing a lot right in many ways, but we just don't have the same mentality that success is a must.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2928 - 02/07/2026 14:54:36    2683685

Link

Replying To Dmoa95:  "Every time Galway get criticised, the go‑to defence seems to be, "At least we won an All‑Ireland 25 years ago." If anyone outside Mayo said it, ye wouldn't be half as worked up. And whether people like it or not, there is truth in what Keegan said harsh as it might sound. He's operated at the very top level, so his opinion carries far more weight than someone firing off takes from behind a throwaway username pretending to be from Leitrim on a GAA forum."
Says the user with 9 posts, no county displayed (my county is my county no hiding there), using a throwaway username like myself (whatever that has to do with anything). Right got ya... :rolleyes:

Anyhow back to the truth of the matter, Mayo are no great shakes themselves and if there was a game between the two tomorrow, I'd be fairly confident Galway would win regardless of what Lee's opinion is.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2211 - 02/07/2026 14:55:49    2683687

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "It's a bit rich coming from him now. Whatever about the Galway team and their All Ireland chances, as least Padraic Joyce & John Divilly have their Celtic Crosses in their back pockets which is more to be said for Lee and the Mayo management team."
What has John Divilly got to do with it?

Cumann1 (Mayo) - Posts: 172 - 02/07/2026 15:57:25    2683703

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "Says the user with 9 posts, no county displayed (my county is my county no hiding there), using a throwaway username like myself (whatever that has to do with anything). Right got ya... :rolleyes:

Anyhow back to the truth of the matter, Mayo are no great shakes themselves and if there was a game between the two tomorrow, I'd be fairly confident Galway would win regardless of what Lee's opinion is."
Congrats you have 2205 posts, that says a lot about you

Cumann1 (Mayo) - Posts: 172 - 02/07/2026 16:02:34    2683707

Link

Looks like galways chances of winning an all Ireland with this team are gone. Joyce has to take the hit for it. A heap of quality players with huge physicality and athleticism. Definitely underachieved.
Hard to see how much further he can bring them

richiepmurphy (Kilkenny) - Posts: 129 - 02/07/2026 17:20:27    2683736

Link

How about everyone concentrating on the 3 matches to come and forgetting about the past. It's like a school playground at times on here. Kerry rightfully favourites but Dublin have started to kick more 2 pointers and that's vital. Mayo Louth, can't call. Louth finish stronger. Either way, two good matches to come.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2827 - 02/07/2026 17:27:12    2683737

Link

Replying To Beelzedub:  "Galway move on? Sure they are still aggrieved about 1983."
Im not sure ive ever heard a fellow galway man mention 1983 when discussing Gaa,ever.

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 95 - 02/07/2026 21:19:55    2683782

Link

Replying To Saynothing:  "How about everyone concentrating on the 3 matches to come and forgetting about the past. It's like a school playground at times on here. Kerry rightfully favourites but Dublin have started to kick more 2 pointers and that's vital. Mayo Louth, can't call. Louth finish stronger. Either way, two good matches to come."
Thats a very unfair post.
School playgrounds aren't half as bad as this place!!

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 95 - 02/07/2026 21:46:23    2683783

Link

Replying To brayballer:  "So what? That just means Galway fouled more than Dublin. The free count is irrelevant. .Do you think the ref should give an even amount of frees to both teams? Some teams foul more than others. Dublin were the better team. Move on."
It's a huge gap though, surely we weren't THAT much more indisciplned?

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 95 - 03/07/2026 05:14:02    2683813

Link

Replying To Saynothing:  "How about everyone concentrating on the 3 matches to come and forgetting about the past. It's like a school playground at times on here. Kerry rightfully favourites but Dublin have started to kick more 2 pointers and that's vital. Mayo Louth, can't call. Louth finish stronger. Either way, two good matches to come."
You can't vall it but Louth to finish stronger ? Why is that ?
Their first semi sinxe 1953 and ones have them won already. ..Mayo have experience in big match days at croker Louth do not .
Louth hype is insane I think they will fal flat on their feet .where aa no one is talking about mayo..

S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 1173 - 03/07/2026 05:53:23    2683814

Link

Replying To S1234:  "You can't vall it but Louth to finish stronger ? Why is that ?
Their first semi sinxe 1953 and ones have them won already. ..Mayo have experience in big match days at croker Louth do not .
Louth hype is insane I think they will fal flat on their feet .where aa no one is talking about mayo.."
1957

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 711 - 03/07/2026 09:48:31    2683829

Link

Replying To S1234:  "You can't vall it but Louth to finish stronger ? Why is that ?
Their first semi sinxe 1953 and ones have them won already. ..Mayo have experience in big match days at croker Louth do not .
Louth hype is insane I think they will fal flat on their feet .where aa no one is talking about mayo.."
Ok then, Mayo will definitely win the All Ireland, they're the best team in Ireland.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2827 - 03/07/2026 09:56:49    2683833

Link

Replying To Seniorleague:  "Thats a very unfair post.
School playgrounds aren't half as bad as this place!!"
Check out 51234 reply to my post.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2827 - 03/07/2026 09:58:03    2683834

Link

Replying To S1234:  "You can't vall it but Louth to finish stronger ? Why is that ?
Their first semi sinxe 1953 and ones have them won already. ..Mayo have experience in big match days at croker Louth do not .
Louth hype is insane I think they will fal flat on their feet .where aa no one is talking about mayo.."
Louth have played in 3 Leinster Finals plus V Dublin in Croke Park this year, all massive games not to mention last Sunday V Monaghan. We have also played Leinster semi finals in Croke Park to get to the 1st 2 Leinster Finals (massive games for Louth considering the length of time since we last played a Leinster final)

No doubt Mayo have more experience throughout their team, but to say Louth have no experience of big matches in Croke Park is laughable. Over the last 4 years, id say Louth have played alot more BIG games in Croke Park than Mayo

DundalkGael (Louth) - Posts: 971 - 03/07/2026 10:21:01    2683843

Link

Replying To Seniorleague:  "It's a huge gap though, surely we weren't THAT much more indisciplned?"
If those figures are correct, I can't find them, Gaelic Statsman has nearly every stat from the game but not frees, some reasons maybe. Firstly Dublin had a lot more possession so more likely to be fouled. Dublin played a zonal defence and with the lateral play by Galway the Dublin defence was able to stand off with very little effort by Galway to penetrate.
Much more aggressive running by the Dublin ball carriers at the Galway team, forcing fouls.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1153 - 03/07/2026 10:38:13    2683850

Link

Replying To ColmFlaherty:  "Keegan giving his opinion on Galway... pass. He's known for projecting his dislike of us throughout the years. I still remember the time he awarded Diarmuid Murtagh MOTM in the Connacht Final and later tweeted an apology saying it should be Damien Comer."
The boys on the maroon and white podcast were poking fun at Mayo a few weeks ago including a former Galway player. There's no love lost between the counties. That said Keegan would be as well keep quiet while Mayo are still in the championship because it could be us that's being laughed at after next sat or if we go on to lose another final. Lee was a great player but is a poor pundit.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 12180 - 03/07/2026 10:50:40    2683854

Link

Replying To S1234:  "You can't vall it but Louth to finish stronger ? Why is that ?
Their first semi sinxe 1953 and ones have them won already. ..Mayo have experience in big match days at croker Louth do not .
Louth hype is insane I think they will fal flat on their feet .where aa no one is talking about mayo.."
Would you calm down. He said Louth v Mayo hard to call. Louth finished strong v Monaghan, that's a fact. Very fit team.
Mayo will need to improve on the last day but they probaby will. Should be a great match.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 1035 - 03/07/2026 10:51:46    2683856

Link

Replying To yew_tree:  "The boys on the maroon and white podcast were poking fun at Mayo a few weeks ago including a former Galway player. There's no love lost between the counties. That said Keegan would be as well keep quiet while Mayo are still in the championship because it could be us that's being laughed at after next sat or if we go on to lose another final. Lee was a great player but is a poor pundit."
Check this out…. Lee talking on Talksport about Dublin, with Owen Mulligan…


https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BLJM6n9H5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 5136 - 03/07/2026 15:11:51    2683949

Link