Messages

I think the delay in announcing Payne's replacement is to see length if any of O Brien's suspension. Having 4 genuine backrowers ( Henderson with O Connell gone can really only be considered a 2nd row now as they unlikely to put Mc Carthy on bench) is very low with potentially 3 games left and it would make more sense to bulk up that area rather than at best a 5th choice centre.
Indeed alternatively I would also think that Isaac Boss will be seriously looked at as well now to replace Payne for the same reason that having a 3rd choice scrum half covers more bases ( late short term injury  or going forward concussion or suspension to either scrumhalf)  at this stage of the tournament that a 5th choice centre ( Henshaw. Earls , Fitzgerald , Cave and if Sexton fit even Madigan)

Clare side Kilmurry-Ibrickane upset the form book as they gave an outstanding display to see off Portlaoise at the Gaelic Grounds in the AIB Club SFC semi-final.

Michael McDermott's charges, qualifying for the club's first final, led from the off against an off-colour Portlaoise outfit that finished with 13 men.

The Laois and Leinster champions were left stunned after barely 20 seconds, when defender Brian Mulligan was given a straight red card for a dangerous challenge.
Kilmurry-Ilbrickane capitalised immediately to land three quick-fire points.

Referee Michael Duffy had no option but to dismiss Mulligan after a one-handed swing on his opposite number Shane Hickey.

Interesting memories Seanie. Presume the 2 that started were Gilligan and Mc Mahon ?? Ken O Neill was one of the standout players on that team I think. was there a Lindsay lad/Clinton as well or is memory playing tricks ?? T Cullinane been another I recall from distant memory.

Can you stick up the main guys on your Feile winning team Seanie also for the sake of it. D Gildea who would have peaked around then , J Joyce , S Carty ,R Fabozzi , S o Neill presume were all playing but cant help but think I am forgetting a couple of the star guys. Funnily Carew would have been a year too old and I imagine John Mac was too young to be involved ?

Sweeney will get plaudits with goals, Harrison probably was MotM but I was hugely impressed by Mullen and Costello. Both were key in the new kick the ball into full forward line policy that paid huge dividends for particuliarily Sweeney. Costellos vision,ability to hold onto ball under pressure and pass the ball are a joy and his pass for Marrens game turning 1st goal was McDonaldesque. Mullens workrate, general cop on and surprising excellent passing were also very impressive. Concur with OMS on phillips and thought Ewing had an excellent game and he gives depth to full back line when Donovan comes back. Leitrim were awful and rarely does one see McKeon so ineffective. Why play Maxwell anywhere other than full forward perplexes me also.

Presume by the lack of nomination information in local papers, the county board will be returned en masse next week. Motions regarding the structures of underage football seem interesting. I am not in any way involved in underage football at the moment but there appears to be alot of disenchantment at timetabling of underage competitions. In a competitive marketplace for young kids playing sport, it is imperative that Sligo GAA has the optimium timetable for underage football rather than trying to play off competitions as quickly as possible.

Cooleras proposal on restructuring senior competition is interesting and is something that is regularily discussed here. Overall I would have praise for CCC who year on year have beenconsistently improving scheduling but I would be happier with Coolera proposal backed up with changing "warm up" competitions to the summer time, particuliarily that top 24 teams have 3 matches less per annum, than the current starting of matches in mid February with 4 week gaps in July and August between matches. Obviusly the main theory behind Coolera is the availability of county players for league matches which can only be good for football standards. Could you clarify Seanie , if my reading of motion is correct that its intention is no promotion or relegation out of Division 3 and no promotion out of Division 4 in 2009. If so , think thats a flaw in proposal but long term would like a playoff between 2nd placed team in a lower division and 2nd bottom team in higher division to negate the yo yo effect that is very prevalent in Sligo club football at athe moment.

As I was watching it , I had a similiar thoughts on Harps as Sligonian. Naturally when a team is getting well beaten , its very easy to be negative but these are my reasons as to why harps wont win Sligo next year.

1. Ye are concentrating on wrong Taylor I believe. Without Tony , they will struggle in midfield and whilst they may be close without him owing to the overall strength of team, they will struggle against the big clubs in midfield witness 2007 county final.
2. Paul taylor will be a year older and I believe seldom trains due to various injuries.His participation next summer is in th elap of the Gods really at 34.  He naturally will be hard to replace and feel his influence goes beyound frees and perhaps is more a leadership issue more than a footballing issue

3. Harps have not been as competitive underage in recent years and whilst they may only need a couple coming through each year, Tourlestrane and Curry obviously have more.

4. 20 years since a team won 2 in a row.

No other team in county would have resources to leave a star intercounty U21 on bench like Peter Rafferty so whilst dont expect them to win next year , i would expect another championship within 3 years. Agree with paddy as well about their style of play. Every Harps team has played the same way over last 15 years and this undoubtedly has help give them an edge.

Have also heard that Tony Taylor is on the way to Australia as well which would be a huge blow. Harps notes in champion confirmed players were leaving after Connaught final but no names mentioned. Hopefully its just a rumour but hard to blame young tradesmen from a jobs and lifestyle point of view at the moment. Mc hugh played well enough for seniors last year ( strangely better than for U21's and club) but a strong U21 campaign would get him back in contention. With Ewing also omitted perhaps the U21's are been left out of it ?? Gary Gaughan and Stephen Gilmartins positions would confirm one way or the other

Just a few comments on Sligo management situation which has unfolded in last few days.

The current county board does not spend money on management and will always take the cheapest option ( Dom lasted weeks of this era) . Struck gold with Brehony but not so with Jordan but they are the perils of recruiting unproven intercounty managers. It is debatable whether Sligo a division 4 team is an attractive proposition for proven intercounty managers or even high profile club managers and also and more pertinent, Sligo County board is well within its rights and ( I agree with this approach) to spend that money in developing underage structures and teams than in "expenses" for Senior manager. That said, if Kevin Walsh is the answer, it shouldnt have take 4 months to put a candidate with his CV in place. With his CV , he shouldnt have even got an interview but a combination of the previous point ( unwillingness to spend and unattractiveness of position) and then presumably an excellent interview and excellent reference checks has led us to Kevin Walsh. Hopefully he is a future Galway manager and grating as all that may seem , that will be a sign of the success of his Sligo career. I take issue with comparisons with Jason Ryan and Tommy brehony as not been correct as both those had managed senior clubs within the county to club championships before becoming intercounty managers. Hopefully whatever shone through at interview stage will come to the fore in the next couple of years and K Walsh revives the fortunes of Sligo football.

Dont overly like the selector combination to be honest. All are from same era and all are very recently retired and theres even a touch of the Ja Fallons appointment about Taylor. Dont like a selector having been part of 3 regimes as Durcan now will. If he is that astute give him the main job at one of the underage teams to progress him. Taylor and Sloyane need huge strentgh of character to put aside loyalties to players they soldiered with , clubmates , friends and even family and I hop e they have it but would have preferred another couple of years to have passed before they got senior job. Imagine the response they would have gotten if  they put their undoubted class and experience and obvious pride in their county into say U14 development team for next 2 years ?? I would have felt that served Sligo football much better and prepared them much better for an involvement in senior team in the future.

Walsh can sleep easy in any rate that it will be much harder for the panel to call a meeting in the Radisson to get rid of this management team.

On O Flahertys appointment, I felt last years U21's played with the best structure of any Sligo team for a number of years for most of their 2 matches until it fell apart in 2nd half against Roscommon. O flaherty and his selectors ( Hi Con , Sligonian will be the guy in the black jersey in Dubias heat ) deserve alot of credit for this and will undoubtedly learn from mistakes last summer and in what they did right , showed alot of intercounty managerial potential. My only gripe was irrespective of guys abilities , it is unfair on them and that particuliar group of underage players who may only have one chance, to be used as a learning curve for a manager. In my view , O Flaherty should have served an apprenticship as a manager at an adult club for a year and then be given the position. I think the same held true for Moyles at minor. O flaherty will have learnt more in 1/2 an hour in Roscommon last Spring that all year and I would be confident that with the style of play he brought last year, the learning curve and with a relatively easy draw that he can get a team together that will reach Connaught Final in 2009 and be competitive there.

Thanks Seanie. Postings around midnight are normally the domain of Sligonian and OMS but wasnt required for the every important hand holding duties at that stage so was trying to keep busy. The joys of been 5 minutes from the hospital should never be understated. As one wit said yesterday , I am building a tag rugby team rather than  a GAA team (regardless they would all want to inherit a bit of pace from their mothers side though !!).

Between the above and Sligonians father and indeed in recent posts his granny , we are in danger of turning this forum into a family orientated forum rather than that of Sligo Club Football and Hurling !!

Actually thought Kieran O Donnell was a deceptively good ref albeit at Division 3/4 standard but by all accounts he wasnt alone in having a bad game on Sunday in a dissappointing final. Hopefully for Mholaisses , the result will have knocked any complacency out of them but then again Coolaney may now truly believe they can win.

Should be a very attractive senior final on Sunday with Harps slight favourites against a Tubber team improving by the game.

Ray Hannon was standout minor at centre half back on Sligo minor team that lost the 98 minor final to Leitrim. Has always looked a cclassy player. Of the 3 intermediate forwards you mentioned Sligonian, I dont think any of them would make it at intercounty football and indeed think they are a step below intercounty level with Taafe being the closest. But they are probably worth a look at an old fashion trial. What we should be trying to unearth is big strong aggressive forwards as we seem to have an adunbance of "nice classy" footballers who lack the pace and agression for intercounty football

Intermediate final on Sunday and with relegation not having taken place in circa 3 years coupled with 3 teams actually been relegated for next summer, this has been the weakest intermediate in a very long time or will likely to be in a long time.

Mholaisse are like Dublin in that they are brilliant when 5 points up but when things dont go their way , they tend to lose their heads and if they are expecting a comfortable win on Sunday and it is very tight after 1st 20 minutes they are liable to fall apart. I dont think there is any relevance in a Division 4 match 10 weeks ago and I hope for the clubs sake that JJ's and Sligonian overconfidence isnt prevalent throughout the camp. Mc Hugh , R Gallagher , Kivlehan , Shane O brien and K Finan are in my view as strong as the marquee plyers on the St Mholaisses team and Coleman was a better standout minor than Gilsenan this year but Mholaisse have undoubtedly stronger fringe players. Like Sligonian , I worry about Aaron mc Hugh on Kieran Finan particuliarily if Johnie Kelly is out as backup.Finan is very fast but not very physical hence why I would have had no problems in a County Minor marking him if he were available. On the other side Martin Feeney was outstanding vrs Harps by all accounts, though think he suits Mc Hugh ideally or even the unheralded Walsh brothers indeed could do a job .Without him scoring alot , its  hard to see where Mholaisse will kick a winning total particuliarily the way they are set up. Actually expect Shane O brien and Mark Quinn to have more of an influence than the County players or Feeney/Finan.

If Mholaisses are over confident and thats very possible , then Coolaney will win. However if they are properly prepared and expecting a close game , then their overall better footballers and actually their desire to get up senior will make the difference and they should win a close match.

Like Stenson as Europes leading scorer at 7/1. Top 10 player in world with excellent matchplay record playing this afternoon in a strong looking partnership with Casey ( i would have thought they are Europes best match up against USA respective opponents in todays foursomes) and likely to play certainly 4 out of the 5 times. If Kim and Michelson beat Harrington/Karlson they are likely to be up against Garcia/westwood at stages over this evening and Saturday but Stenson is always likely to be playing against "weaker" partnerships in the middle order. Casey at 8's looks good value too but concerned he will end up with Rose/Poulter in fourballs.

Despite Faldo,I am still expecting Europe to win.

Interesting stuff there Seanie and Sligonian on the minor semis. Is there any truth in the rumour ye are putting your names forward as joint managers of minor team for 2009 ?    On a more serious point , feel that while the adult CCC are improving year on year , the underage CCC seems all over the place with scheduling of competitions that does nothing for development of Sligo football.

Expect Harps to beat Curry. Alot of people are expecting Currry to come good at weekend but their form all summer has just been average and I dont believe you can simply turn it on. Tony Taylors return has greatly improved harps and has made their weakest part of team last year competitive again. This coupled with a much bigger half forward line than in previous years gives them greater ball winning abilities which I felt was their achilles heel in last few years. With a frightenly strong bench also , I am expecting a Harps win by 4 points plus.

Hasnt been much between Tubber and Coolera in last few years and expect likewise at weekend. INteresting clash between Gilmartin and Quinn at midfield but perhaps the battle between Niall Quinn and Brian Murphy will be more important. How tubber deal with Costello will be critical . Just actually fancy Tubber to win simply because of their harder last 2 matches since the season recommenced. Coolera had a nothing match against Harps and a 1/4 against an average Castleconnor whilst Tubber had a must win match over Marys and a titanic battle against Ballymote. In a match where there will be little in it , the sharpness accrued by Tubber is what I expect to be the difference.

Expect Mholaisses to beat Harps. In fairness Sligonian , the harps team that beat ye 3 times last season is a much different team that this year. Think Mholaisses will win comfortably.

Coolaney are greatly inconvenienced by a very easy group , flattering 1/4 final win ( their opposition was deceptively poor) and a year in division 4 against reserve teams and this would be the  crucial difference in a close match against a more battle hardened Michaels. That said if Michaels are missing a few , this disadvantage is negated and Coolaney can win. Expect Michaels though to be near full strength and win.

Geevaghs easy win 4 weeks ago against Drumcliffe vrs Marys harder game and more frequently games against the bunnies tips the balance towards Marys in relegation final. The "most crucial game in their history" tab in my view is ill conceived and heaps pressure on Marys and whilst saying that in dressing room is fine, publicising it could easily backfire in a tight game.

Havent posted for awhile for various reasons so want to cover a few different things.

Owenmore Gaels got what they deserved on Sunday and no complaints here. Afraid very worried about next few years with a major attitude change amongst players a prerequisite for any turnaround. Sadly it would appear being the 10th best minor team in Sligo for a couple of years a few years ago is the highlight of the ambition of that generation and with one of the worst underage record of any club in the county this year at boys (but one of best at girls) a major shakeup is required. Coolaney can beat a injury ravaged Michaels and historically have always played well against Mholaises so there must be a pep in the step in Achonry training these nights. Undeniably they are much weaker than 3 years ago but their potential success this year is a byproduct of the lack of relegation from senior in the intervening period.

Watched the 2nd game as well and extremely disappointed by Mholaises also. Tactically they make no sense and to me it looks like paralysis by analysis. Choice of full forward was bizarre particullarily with no one running of him. Carraway and No. 6 impressed me way more than your county guys, Sligonian. Mc Hugh looks like a footballer but he should be trying to dominate these games rather than appearing to saunder about as if he is a proven inter county star. Excellent kicker of ball from hands but technically a horrifically poor free taker from ground. The dominanation of a 40 year old soccer player at midfield against Wilson and his lack of general involvement in this game is at odds with your hope Sligonian that he will be a mainstay of Sligos midfield next year but perhaps its unfair of me to judge him on one game. St Mholaisses have definitely the best players but as Sligonion has been saying all year perhaps its their tactics that may cost them rather than anything else this year.

Very disappointed for Geevagh and their landslide. They had a fantastic clubhouse but to be honest a very diappointing pitch . Surely now they have to think about moving grounds altogether but that writes off the value of their excellent clubhouse. It seems in hindsight a strange decision to put all that money into the sight of a previous landslide particuliarily when the surface is so poor on the actual pitch.

Expect Harps , Curry to win but both in slightly tighter matches than generally expected. Coolera would be raging hot favorites against Castleconnor anywhere but Enniscrone but they should just about come through still. Expect Ballymote to beat Tubber in other match but againwont be much in it. In fairness there is a lack of grounds in the center of the county capable of holding Championship semis but surely the Curry and Coolera matches in Ballymote and the Farnans and Ballymote matches in the park would have been a more reasonable scheduling. As OMS says there isnt much point complaining about attendances with scheduling like it is at moment.

For various reasons Baoithe, proposed deals with Coolera and Owenmore Gaels have both fallen away. Only thing I'd say is that €4 million was a multiple ofthe figure that they felt they could contribute 12 months ago. Would question the strategic wisdom of talking about €4 million when they have ads in local paper looking for land.Smacks of soundbytes rather than strategic thinking.

Funny over the last few years , I have grown very uneasy about the exalted position "Friend of Sligo Football" have got within the County Board structure and from recent posts I dont appear to be alone. From the last PRO piece and it was no once off , they feel that their position in raising some money for the County Board gives them the right to talk down to gaels throughout the county who contribute time and effort in clubs and in the words of Sligonian , pay through the gate to watch Sligo teams. Friend of Sligo football was a very worthwhile committee certainly 5-10 years ago but in my mind has become way too politically involved in Sligo football and needs to take a hard look at itself and its purpose.

Fair play to CCC in finishing league on time but personally feel they need to take a look at fixture list of one game in 7 weeks in the middle of summer for most clubs. Indeed for a lot of teams that game is meaningless and its extremely hard to survive on a diet of challenge matches in the middle of the summer. Our chairmans address at county agm last year advising us to play our games in the summer rather than in the winter is getting more and more ironic by the week. Having 6 matches by Patricks day and 1 in 7 weeks in the middle of summer is not developing Sligo football only turning people away from GAA and causing undue stress financially for clubs and players ( lights , training , ground maintenance in the depths of winter). In fairness to CCC they have improved year on year and I hope this scheduling wont be repeated next year.

Club of the month is St Mholaises winning 2 leagues and having minor and U16 captains. Urge slight caution to Sligonian in his dreams of county domination within a few years. They wouldnt have to look too far away for a club who dominated underage football for approx 7 years in the not too dstant past and then never even threatened at senior level. But obviously they are doing huge work underage producing high quality footballers and that can only bode well for them and Sligo football.