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[Saturday,May 26th-]

Well we're finally off with the football championship. This weekends fixtures:

Saturday,May 26th-

Micheal Breathnachs v Cortoon SFC 6pm Pearse Stadium
Corofin v Carraroe SFC 7.30pm Pearse Stadium

Kilkerrin Clonberne v St.Brendans SFC 6pm Tuam Stadium,
Menlough v Caltra SFC 7.30pm Tuam Stadium,

Moycullen v Williamstown IFC 6pm Corofin,
Tuam Stars v Claregalway SFC 7.30pm Corofin

Headford v Carna Cashel IFC 6pm Clonbur,
Oughterard v Kilconly IFC 7.30pm Clonbur.

Sunday,May 27th-
Spiddal v Corofin IFC 2pm Pearse Stadium,
Salthill Knocknacarra v Barna SFC 3.15pm Pearse Stadium,
Oranmore Maree v St.Michaels IFC 4.30pm Pearse Stadium,

Glenamaddy v Dunmore McHales SFC 2pm Tuam Stadium,

St.James v Clonbur IFC 2pm Corofin,
Killanin v Mountbellew Moylough SFC 3.30pm Corofin,

Monivea Abbey v Clifden IFC 3pm Moycullen,
Micheal Breathnachs v Leitir Mor IFC 3pm Carraroe,

Killererin v Annaghdown SFC 6pm Tuam Stadium,
Milltown v Caherlistrane SFC 7.30pm, Tuam Stadium

Still on a high after that win lads!It was good to see a Galway team finally fired up for a big game for a change.With Padraic Joyce and Mike Meehan fairly quiet it was reassuring to see Nicky Joyce and Cormac Bane taking a bit of responsibility, too many times in the past couple of seasons there's been too much dependency on Padraic and Mike. Backs were immense, Damien Burke especially, had Mortimer in his pocket for most of the game and his mother of a shoulder (legal shoulder at that!) on Kieran Mc raised the roof in Salthill. One of the best corner backs in the country at the minute. Kieran Fitz seems to be coming back to his best also after a tough winter. Hanley is getting better with every game. Doherty did fairly well too, dealt confidently with whatever came his way. Mike Comer was alright but still think he'll make way for Coyne when he recovers from his injury. (Burst vessel in his eye apparently, hope he makes a full recovery) Blake did well after coming in as did Dec Meehan. Joe Bergin finally stepped up to the mark and delivered a great performance. Covered acres of ground. Niall Coleman, well what can you say about him, can be oh so good but sours the lot with rash and careless tackling. Has calmed the aimless balls a bit, had a great point and set Bane up brilliantly for his goal but lets himself down with the agression a lot. Needs to settle a bit! Himself and Bergin could be a great partnership if they can continue to play well but  have worries about Coleman's temperament. That said maybe he wanted to get off the field fairly lively to escape David Brady in case he kissed him again! In the forwards Nicky Joyce and Cormac Bane really stepped up to the mark. It's good to know if Padraic and Mike have bad days at the office we have these two to rely on though Bane can be a bit erratic at times.Ja, had his moments I suppose, scored a point but really isn't up to 70mins at this level. Savage was in and out of the game but can still leave defenders on their arse when he feels like it. Padraic and Mike, as I've said weren't up to the standards we usually expect from them but they'll come good, Meehan brought Higgins out of his comfort zone of the corner and was more involved in general play from centre forward, hope he's left there for a couple of games to see how he fares out.Heaney did a job on Padraic but he was still involved in a lot of what Galway did up front.

Great to get the win but not getting too carried away with it. Think Mayo were a bit shell shocked by the early goal and didn't expect the intensity shown by Galway. This thing about Galway being dirty and cynical is only a lazy excuse being used by some Mayo supporters to explain their teams performance. (note I said some, the majority, including those on here, are gracious in defeat) Yeah Galway hit hard but that's part and parcel of today's game. Think it was James Horan in the Western People today that said Mayo need to stop giving out about the physicality of teams and start hitting back. (Legally now, not elbows or forearms to the face. ) Galway were also very lucky on a few occasions, Mortimer hitting the bar, James Nallen getting pulled for over-carrying when a goal looked likely, and Cormac Bane not getting pulled for over-carrying for his first goal. All in all, a good Galway performance, roll on Leitrim on the 24th June. We'll need to be careful though, Leitrim aren't the pushovers they used to be and the last hing we need is this win going to players heads and thinking all they have to do to win is show up in Carrick.

As an aside, I've said it before but whoever had the big idea of redeveloping Pearse Stadium seriously needs to be hung, drawn and quartered. Left Barnaderg (note spellig An Fhairice ) at about ten to 2, didn't get parked until about ten to 4, f*****g traffic! I know all the city and west lads now are going to say how they had to come to Tuam for years and what not but at least every Mayo man, woman, chicken and child weren't going the same way!Absolutelt crazy!Youre nearly better off booking in somewhere on Saturday night and not even thinking about leaving until Monday morning. Anyway rant over, for now anyway!

Blake not fit enough to start Sunday, massive blow.Anyway team in full:

1.Paul Doherty
2.Kieran Fitzgerald (Capt)
3.Finian Hanley
4.Damien Burke
5.Declan Meehan
6.Niall Coyne
7.Mike Comer
8.Joe Bergin
9.Niall Coleman
10.Derek Savage
11.Ja Fallon
12.Nicky Joyce
13.Mike Meehan
14.Padraic Joyce
15.Cormac Bane

Half forward line looking dodgier by the minute.  Ah come on seriously, Billy Joe at full back?!Who does Johnno think he's foolin!

Mayo to be named tonight aswell from radio reports today.

Nicky Joyce a man with a great future behind him ros na run?! He's 24 at most! DJ you're very pessimistic! you're right about Meehan I think though, couldn't do any harm to give him a run at no.11. Leaving him to get roasted by Higgins for another 70mins isn't going to do him any good.

Blake supposed to be fit but Alan Burke and Paul Geraghty are now very doubtful. Team to be named Thursday night I think. Yeah Kieran Fitz is captain, probablyon the basis that he's there longer than Damien Burke. Still think it's a daft way to pick the captain.

PS:don't start the Tuam versus Salthill argument, it could get nasty!

Yeah agree about the half forward line GBB, Niall Coleman in there might give them a bit more ball winning ability though I can see him being drafted into mid field. I'm just hoping Ja isn't thrown in for that bit of experience, not a whole lot between himself and Savo but Derek can be vital in winning frees and he's quicker than Ja. It's times like this you realise what a vital part of this Galway team Paul Clancy really was.Nicky Joyce will probably be named at 12 and Bane at 15 but I think they might be better suited the other way round, Bane is that bit stronger than Joyce I'd say and able to handle the rough and tumble better, Nicky is also more dangerous nearer the goal. It's also time for Mike Meehan to come back to his best, we're going to need everyone on top of their game if we're to get anything out of this clash.

Well boys and girls, only a week to go to the big show down! Impossible to know how it will go, here's my go at the naming the Galway team:

1.Paul Doherty 

2.Kieran Fitzgerald(Capt)
3.Finian Hanley
4.Damien Burke

5.Declan Meehan
6.Diarmuid Blake
7.Niall Coyne

8.Barry Cullinane/Paul Geraghty (Nothing between them as I said before)
9.Joe Bergin

10.Niall Coleman
11.Derek Savage (Hopefully not Ja, not up to league pace never mind championship but you never know with Ford)
12.Cormac Bane

13.Mike Meehan
14.Padraic Joyce
15.Nicky Joyce

Padraic Joyce scored 1-22 up to but not including semi final with Mayo. He should be in that list too shouldn't he or have I the wrong end of the stick?

Jaysus lads ye're getting started good and early, Trying to forget about yesterday already! Think the Galway team will be along the lines of

1.Paul Doherty (Dodgy as hell and we thought Alan Keane was bad)

2.Kieran Fitz
3.Finian Hanley
4.Damien Burke (Back line picks itself really, no reason to make any changes)

5.Deccie Meehan
6.Diarmuid Blake
7.Niall Coyne (has the makings of a classy half back line)

8.Barry Cullinane/Paul Geraghty
9.Joe Bergin (Still shaky enough in mid-field, Geraghty/Cullinane as good/bad as each other)

10.Niall Coleman
11.Derek Savage
12.Cormac Bane (Ja has to go, doesn't have the legs for it as witnessed in the league, Armstrong could be in line for a spot here too)

13.Mike Meehan
14.Padraic Joyce
15.Nicky Joyce  (Nicky needs to be closer the goal, has played well consistently throughout the league, Mike needs to find from again but wouldn't be too worried about him, he can be anonymous all day and then turn a game on its head. Padraic just needs to keep playing the way he has been in the league, our best player on the field and the leader of this team.)

What I'd like to see is Mike M given a run at centre forward, the change of scenery might give him a bit of a boost performance wise. Other than that I think Niall Coyne will move to the wing allowing Blake back in at no.6 with Mike Comer making way.Wouldn't play Padraic at 11 MaroonandWhite, that rarely works, apart from the replayed Kerry game in 2000 I don't think he's ever had a really good game there for Galway. It'd give the ha;f forward line a boost no doubt but he's needed inside where he's at the most dangerous.We'll also have a new captain heading into this game, so Galway lads will it be Kieran Fitz or Damien Burke I wonder?It's a ludicrous system of picking captain we have, surely to God it should be up to the team management and the team themselves who their captain is and not the committee of the county champions.

Enjoyable enough game, lacked the tension and intensity of championship though. Lot of mistakes from both sides. Galway still have yet to win their first match in Croke Park since 2001. Hopefully they'll have the chance during the summer!

1. Paul Doherty: Did well to save the penalty but he's dodgy as hell. Should have come out on Brady but stayed on his line and didn't give himself a chance. From what I know of Colm King he's a decent enough keeper, would be interesting to see if he's any improvement. Just don't trust Doherty to be honest.

2. Kieran Fitzgerald: Did fairly well, was unlucky to be caught for the penalty, hadn't a chance to get rid of the ball and from where I was sitting it looked like he was fouled beforehand. Still played ok though.

3. Finian Hanley: Has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few games. Has made the no.3 jersey his own at this stage.

4. Damien Burke: One of our best and most under-rated backs . Gets better with every game he plays. Honourable mention here has to go to the pigeon of course! Played a blinder. Can't understand why one of the linesmen or grounds men didn't move it.

5. Declan Meehan: Covered acres of ground, didn't do too badly, still has a bit to go to get back to his usual best though.

6. Niall Coyne: I was very impressed with Coyne, Blake will be hard pressed to get him moved out of the no.6 position I'd say. Was brilliant yesterday.

7. Mike Comer: Not one of his best days. If Blake is to dislodge one of the halfback line I'd say it'll be him.

8. Diarmuid Blake: Didn't do too badly at all, won a fair amount of ball and is a much better footballer than Geraghty or Cullinane.

9. Joe Bergin: Has a few good moments but gets nervous on the ball when the pressure is on and tends to lose it easily. Hope his form improves because he's about the only half decent mid-fielder we have.

10. Derek Savage: Quiet enough, scored one good point but the forward line need more from him.

11. Ja Fallon: Ja's best days are behind him. He'd probably be better utilised as an impact sub. He doesn't have the legs for it and shot some absolutely brutal wides. His place will probably go to Coleman or Armstrong for the championship.

12. Nicky Joyce: Had a good game, can't understand why he was taken off. Has played well throughout the league but I think he's a better option in the full forward line, not really able to tackle and scores more closer the goal. Also nice to see we have a consistent free taker from the left wing now, would I be right in saying he's probably the first since Niall Finnegan?

13. Mike Meehan: Started badly with a missed free and this trend continued throughout the game. That said, although he didn't score, he still set up some scores for the other lads. Strange though how he never seems to play well against Mayo.

14. Padraic Joyce: Easily the best player we have and God help us when he retires. Was involved in nearly every score we got. Seems to have the hunger back for this year, hopefully he'll keep it up for the championship. Unlucky not to level it at the end.

15. Cormac Bane: Can hit monsters of points but he's about as predictable as the weather. didn't do too badly yesterday, will probably start on May 20th but needs to up his game a bit. I'd swap himself and Nicky Joyce though.

One bit of a rant I have to vent is why the hell did Peter Forde take off Mike Meehan and Nicky Joyce? If any of the forwards were going to get a score these would be two of the most likely. Takes them off and leaves on Ja and Savo. Absolutely ridiculous. Anyway, leaves things nicely poised for May 20th.

Cormac Bane is Galway's 3rd highest scorer with 0-11/ Padraic Joyce is top with 1-22, Nicky Joyce next with 1-15 and then Bane. It's all in yesterdays match programme if you have it.

Well this was seriously unexpected!Don't think either camp would have chosen to meet at this time of year again but that's neither here nor there!Mayo will probably be favourites for this one and justifiably so. Gaway still have a poor enough mid-field, Bergin was very poor today. Doherty is a bit shaky in goal tendsto come off his line a bit too often and it cost us a goal today. Backs were a bit loose at time. They'll have to tighten up an awful lot of we hope to get anything out of next Sunday, Conor Mortimer scored 3 goals today and will need watching.Damien Burke is probably the best we have for that particular job. Finian Hanley, Deccy Meehan and Niall Coyne did well, hopefully we'll see more of the same next week. Geraghty/Cullinane, not a lot between them but Geraghty did alright today, some great catches. Cormac Bane played in fits and starts today, needs to be more consistent on Sunday, Ja wasn't really at the races at all, wouldn't be surprised to see Armstrong or Savage start ahead of him next day. Obviously, Padraic and Nicky Joyce and Mike Meehan are our main scoring threat. They'll be up against a tough back division and will need to be on their game. Anyway, this game is a little earlier than expected but looking forward to it already! Oh and Mayo will win it I'd say. 

Agreed Belleaqua, midfield is a worry, yet again. Kevin Walsh and to a lesser extent Sean O Domhnaill were never replaceed. As you said, if midfield are beaten the forwards wil be living off scraps.Bergin, while he's the best midfielder we have at the moment is fierce windy as my old lad would say and he's not that difficult to dispossess. But like you Belleaqua, there's an air of complacency surrounding the Down match, hope to God we don't slip up.

Did he score 3 points!Wasn't at the game either so was basing my opinion on the two cowboys on the radio and was doing about ten things at once so wasn't paying the best of attention!if he did fair play and I take back what I said.  :)Yeah Mike Meehan seems to be having a dip in form but he's bound to be a bit rusty. Hopefully it won't last too much longer.Cullinane and Geraghty-not a whole lot between them in terms of ability. Alan Burke got a bit of a roasting yesterday, plenty of lads waiting to take his place if he doesn't raise his game a bit, namely Blake and Fitzy. Down in Tuam next week. A win is being almost taken for granted at this stage which is a bit worrying.Hopefully the team are taking nothing for granted and go out with all guns blazing.