Messages

[but it took cards to have them removed - why?]

It was surprising (and pleasing) to beat Donegal as comfortably as we did. Sadly, management once again appear to be molasses-slow in learning anything. Midway through the second half and well in control, Comer should have been whipped off immediately. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think he was just another card away from being suspended, on 2 successive sendings-off. Instead he was left on til near the end; it was mighty to see Meehan return, but, like McDaid, why not give him more meaningful game time? Sweeney and Kyne to a lesser extent were cleaned all evening, but it took cards to have them removed - why? Like all fans, I worry greatly for our FB line on Sunday, but, as game as he is, Sweeney in particular looks like an imminent-catastrophe. Any of the anticipated Kerry front 3 could easily go to town on him.

It's great to be there and we could have a punchers chance but if KW stubbornly persists with picking underperforming players in defence yet again, it's really a forlorn chance.

As GBB has said it's a lack of options at this point, Galway bench on Saturday wasn't overflowing with defenders:
Ruairi Lavelle
David Wynne
David Walsh
Cillian McDaid
Michael Farragher (Is he even a defender really?)
Enda Tierney
Eamonn Brannigan
Gary Sice
Danny Cummins
Michael Meehan
Ronan Steede

McDaid is at least a lot quicker than Sweeney; Farragher mightn't be but is a better footballer all round. I'd even chance Wynne at this stage in place of poor Cathal.

Wynne has had a shockingly poor year so far. He was roasted v Down in the league. And in the Mayo match. I would stick with Sweeney.

[In the modern intercounty game the FB line is almost an impossible place to play if you're isolated]

In the modern intercounty game the FB line is almost an impossible place to play if you're isolated and the opponents are semi competent. If there's no proper defensive system in place you're goosed. Owenmoresider made a great point earlier - I was probably giving Walsh too much credit for our defensive system. We had and absolutely amazing FB line at that time. You're probably not going to develop one in his famous A v B games any time soon.

This is very true. However, Galway's full back line appears particularly suspect.

Positive start definitely. Plenty of tougher tests ahead now.
Couldn't make Portlaoise today in the end as had club training but I would be concerned about our current fb line. Don't think Kyne is up to it in our problem position & also believe that Kerin in the corner is too small and light for county.he can be exposed by bigger forwards.
I havent seen much of the other corner man Wynne from Moycullen so will be interested to see him in action now.

Presumably they would hope to have Cathal Sweeney back in time for the championship? I know with his injury he's not expected to play much if at all in the league anyway.

Did well last year but I think he might need a good league behind him to have a good year.
Wynne looks good going forward but he was extremely loose in the FBD final. Not so sure corner back is his best position. Where does he play for his club?

I would be feeling very negative about the year ahead if I was a Laois fan this evening as this Galway team are definitely no great shakes.

[Should not be sacked. Doctor wanted him substituted when he was attending him but Keegan insisted he was ok to continue. Unless the Doctor dragged him off he was not leaving.]

Should not be sacked. Doctor wanted him substituted when he was attending him but Keegan insisted he was ok to continue. Unless the Doctor dragged him off he was not leaving.

Obviously we need some guidelines put in place for a scenario like this where there are head injuries and a team doctor feels a player has possibility of concussion that the ref sends the player to the line like in the case of a blood injury. The player can then be assessed on the sideline like they do in rugby.

This would get rid of any ambiguity and unseemly rows between medical staff and players about coming off or not.

This medic got criticism a couple of years ago when some people thought he was too cautious with Aidan O Shea and Cillian O Connor in Limerick after a head clash. He kept them on the line for a lengthy period for assessment.

It is not up to the player. The very nature of concussion means they are in no way placed to make the call of whether they should continue. The doctor should make the call and inform the manager that he has to be taken off. And the manager should ALWAYS listen to medical advice.

This was clearly a failing of the medical & management team. However, saying the medical team should be sacked is going too far.

[James O Donoghue had to be subbed in AI final]

Did they ask for 2 out of town transfers to bring some scoring power to this outfit??

Sadly they are few and far between.

Bernard Brogan is now in his 30's. Alan probably retire.
Gooch has gone back and will be @33 next championship. James O Donoghue had to be subbed in AI final.
That leaves Conor McManus and Michael Murphy. I wish but I doubt they would be up for sale. Outside those 2 there is nobody that would be a game changer.

He also scored 3 points from play in that final. He would be Mayos best forward if he played for them.

There are a hell of a lot of forwards out there that would improve on Jason Doherty & Kevin McLoughlin (based on this years performances)

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22848:large-delegation-of-mayo-squad-attend-crisis-meeting&catid=14&Itemid=100008

From that report they seemed to just state their case speaking with Board officials for approximately ten minutes before leaving, and they had no comment to make when exiting.

A case of this is what we want, have a look at it! We're not hanging about for the circus inside and we're not dealing the circus outside either.

Geez, I'd hope they had a case that was more than 10 minutes!

To me, it sounds like the county board said the management weren't resigning and the players walked. That would take about 10 minutes!

[You picked the CB vice-chairman's brother]

I can't believe that the players have embarked on this course of action without a couple of moves ahead worked out in advance. I'd say that they will next put a gun to the county boards head, threatening to pull out of the squad en masse unless they get new management with guarantees of higher level of preparation/coaching/medical etc. They may not have any say in names but the likes of Rochford might be acceptable to both sides.

Rochford is the obvious choice. With Buckley alongside. Spoke to a couple of the Corofin lads, before they won their all-Ireland, and they said his level of preparation both on themselves and opposition was like nothing they'd ever seen. Seems to be exactly what the Mayo players feel the current setup is lacking.

K-Mac was the obvious choice last year too Shark.

No he wasn't. I know you're excited but he's not proven at senior intercounty level. Neither mgmt team on offer last year stood out

After Horan you needed a man with a plan.  You picked the CB vice-chairman's brother. Hard to make the case that McStay wasn't Mayo's last best hope of winning an AI with this team.

In all honesty I have huge respect for the current Mayo team - easily the second best Connacht side in my lifetime - but I am very happy Mayo scuffed the choice last Autumn and let us get McStay, a man I rate very highly. If we give him time we'll be well placed.

Who picked him?

In a perverse way I'm kinda enjoying this!

There is no shock or surprise about the place by this development. A couple of high ranking officers pulled a stroke a year ago ( people seem to forget a member of the executive resigned because he disapproved of how things were going) and chickens have come home to roost. Zero sympathy for H/C because they were part of the conspiracy and had the ego to think they could do the job and be heroes. Now it looks like their ego will maintain them to draw out a damaging end game.

The chairman and secretary are trying to sing off the same hymn sheet, but haven't a note in their head between them ( sound bites about processes and bullshit), but they are out of their depth and drowning - beyond treading water.

The day is well gone when county board officers ( hang around long enough and you ll get a top job) have the power to appoint a manager. Many of the fells that do that are older, conservative and reactionary. Out of touch and time on their hands and in this case have a family member to look after. It's all bad.

To see Martin Carney rant like he did was sad. Alright there is a generation gap but he worked with kids all his life. I m sure he knows Pat well but that was cringe worthy.

Anyway, as I said, looking forward to see how this resolves itself. It ll shorten up the winter.

As a Mayo fan I'm delighted the players have done this. The alternative was to keep quiet, go travelling, work commitments, retire before their time. That was a real scenario. The ball is now in Mike's court and he has a big decision to make. He was the liaison officer as well on the management team and behaved all confused about turn of events. What did he say again 'I said we ve had the process to eliminate this happenin'

Christ Mike! you were the bloody process!!

WTF can he possibly be thinking now by talking to player representatives?  I dunno but I would suspect that the players regarded him with deep suspicion. More likely riding shotgun for the management than having rapport for the players. Obviously a trouble shooter for an unwanted management imo. He's under unreal stress right now but did not do his credibility any good when interviewed last night. Did not make sense. Vincent was sent out to bat as well but it was tough listening. Sound man in wrong place at the wrong time.

Or maybe there was an alternative to actually approach the management throughout the year with their concerns, and try to get them addressed. As far as I can make out, there was nothing like that done at all. I don't think this is as black & white as you make it out to be.

But like you, I'm enjoying the prospect of sitting back and watching how it all works out!

[You picked the CB vice-chairman's brother]

I can't believe that the players have embarked on this course of action without a couple of moves ahead worked out in advance. I'd say that they will next put a gun to the county boards head, threatening to pull out of the squad en masse unless they get new management with guarantees of higher level of preparation/coaching/medical etc. They may not have any say in names but the likes of Rochford might be acceptable to both sides.

Rochford is the obvious choice. With Buckley alongside. Spoke to a couple of the Corofin lads, before they won their all-Ireland, and they said his level of preparation both on themselves and opposition was like nothing they'd ever seen. Seems to be exactly what the Mayo players feel the current setup is lacking.

K-Mac was the obvious choice last year too Shark.

No he wasn't. I know you're excited but he's not proven at senior intercounty level. Neither mgmt team on offer last year stood out

After Horan you needed a man with a plan. You picked the CB vice-chairman's brother. Hard to make the case that McStay wasn't Mayo's last best hope of winning an AI with this team.

In all honesty I have huge respect for the current Mayo team - easily the second best Connacht side in my lifetime - but I am very happy Mayo scuffed the choice last Autumn and let us get McStay, a man I rate very highly. If we give him time we'll be well placed.

That's putting a bit of an unfair spin on it. Last Mayo, there were 2 candidates that many Mayo fans saw as potential managers: Connelly & McStay (Holmes was never really considered as a serious standalone candidate). Both had credentials to get the job - Former Mayo players & both a success at management (Connelly with Mayo underage & McStay at club level). Connelly would have been a serious candidate regardless of his connection to the county board.

[easily the second best Connacht side in my lifetime]

I can't believe that the players have embarked on this course of action without a couple of moves ahead worked out in advance. I'd say that they will next put a gun to the county boards head, threatening to pull out of the squad en masse unless they get new management with guarantees of higher level of preparation/coaching/medical etc. They may not have any say in names but the likes of Rochford might be acceptable to both sides.

Rochford is the obvious choice. With Buckley alongside. Spoke to a couple of the Corofin lads, before they won their all-Ireland, and they said his level of preparation both on themselves and opposition was like nothing they'd ever seen. Seems to be exactly what the Mayo players feel the current setup is lacking.

K-Mac was the obvious choice last year too Shark.

No he wasn't. I know you're excited but he's not proven at senior intercounty level. Neither mgmt team on offer last year stood out

After Horan you needed a man with a plan.  You picked the CB vice-chairman's brother. Hard to make the case that McStay wasn't Mayo's last best hope of winning an AI with this team.

In all honesty I have huge respect for the current Mayo team - easily the second best Connacht side in my lifetime - but I am very happy Mayo scuffed the choice last Autumn and let us get McStay, a man I rate very highly. If we give him time we'll be well placed.

I have to ask - what team do you consider the best? And what age are you (so I know what teams are within your lifetime)?

[It would be mighty to see Galway doing well for a change. I kinda miss the buzz that went with good Galway-Mayo]

C'mon the 'chokers.
Here's wishing ye the best od luck.
Knock football outa  them feckers heads for all time.
It would be mighty to see Galway  doing well for a change. I kinda miss the buzz that went with good Galway-Mayo championship match.  fun unless we beat a good Galway side after a rip=roaring game!

It would really set the championship alight if Galway & Mayo met again this year in the AI series. Galway fans would be extremely optimistic after beating Donegal and I could see a lot of support coming out of the woodwork!

However, in all likelihood, Galway wont be beating Donegal. So it'll probably be a drab enough QF between Donegal & Mayo!

Interestingly enough, a lot of people sitting around me in Pearse Stadium felt the black card was a black card. It is easy to see it wasn't a black card in the replay. But in real time, it was not so easy.

At the risk of repeating myself, I can't for the life of me understand how anyone involved with a club would be anything other than underwhelmed by the prospect of being exploited to enhance the 'profile' of some Z-list nobody. 

In fairness, there is more to it than that. I knew a few of the lads involved in one of the teams last year. They didnt have any home matches, and were saying how great it was to go away for the match, felt like they were professional footballers, staying in hotels etc.

Ah will ya quit. He could have booked Kerry lads but he didn't and he could have booked Dublin boys but he didn't.
He could have given some frees to Dublin but he didn't and he could have given some frees to Kerry but he didn't.
It wasn't the best refereeing performance I have ever seen but the best team won on the day. And that's all that matters.

I wasnt taking away from Dublins victory. I was merely pointing out that this "evening out" argument is flawed. I was frustrated yesterday watching the match because I disagreed with almost every decision the ref made. I had no preference who won yesterday, I didnt care it if it was Kerry or Dublin.
Just because a referee is consistent in his wrongness does not mean his perfromance should be overlooked. Likewise, just because the best team won (And that is debatable in yesterdays game, I thought a draw would have been a fair result and if it was a draw, everyone would be saying how a draw was the fair result today) does not mean a referees performance should be overlooked.

Over the whole game I felt that things evened out.

Just because things "evened" out does not mean the ref did a good job.....

82,300

So does that mean that absolutely every single ticket was used? I think the capacity of Croke Park is 82300 (Although I though it was slightly reduced when they put in the Hill 16 barriers.... Is this a record?