Galway v Mayo Sunday May 19th 2013 - Pearse Stadium

[GAA_Punter]

Even the most optimistic of Galway supporter does not hold much hope that the current crop of footballers can deliver thier first All-Ireland since 2001.
The expectation levels of footballing supporters have dropped dramatically over the past few years with early championship exits now becoming the norm. The All-Ireland successes of 1998 and 2001 are now a distant memory and even trips to Croke Park are becoming a thing of the past.
Galway's inability to win outside of Connacht has been the biggest hindrance to the development of this young team as backdoor exits at the hands of Antrim and Wexford, the past two years have caused discontent among followers. It is now ten years since Galway last won a game outside of Connacht and an even more harrowing statistic is that the last Galway team to win in Croker was the All-Ireland winners of 2001.
Unfortunately for Galway this year's Connacht Championship draw has done them no favours as they face arch rivals Mayo in the first round. While playing in Pearse Stadium is a huge advantage it is probably the only reason this game will be close. They are 4/1 with Boylesports.com to win the Connacht title.
Unlike years gone by when Galway-Mayo Connacht derbies were fiercely contested games the teams have since gone in two different directions. Galway are currently in a period of transition which started last year with the appointment of Alan Mulholland as senior boss.
Mulholland was given a three year deal and the general consensus around Galway is that he will be given the full three years to try and develop the county's youth into a top inter county side. Mulholland has promoted many of his U21 All-Ireland winning team of 2011 to the senior set up and some have established themselves as regular starters.
The likes of Manus Breathnach, Mark Hehir, Colin Forde and Johny Duane have started most championship games in the past two years and are all beginning to mature and prosper at this level but all still have much to prove. Mulholland will also most likely hand championship starts to current U21s Fiontain O'Curraoin and Tommy Flynn who are midfield partners on this year's U21 team who have just reached the All Ireland final.
Galway's progress under Mulholland will be severely tested by a Mayo side who are progressing nicely and will no doubt be in contention yet again at the business end of the championship. In recent years Mayo have performed above the expectations of many pundits and have far outshone Galway on the national stage. All Ireland semi-finalists in 2011, they then followed that up by reaching the All-Ireland final last year when they were far from disgraced by an exceptional Donegal team. Under James Horan Mayo are a formidable outfit and will not fear a first round trip to Galway in the slightest.
While Galway are in the process of developing the potential of their young stars much of the hopes for the season ahead lie with Michael Meehan. Meehan is without doubt one of the most talented footballers in the country and when fit can torment any defence and be a real match winner for Galway. He can be the man they look towards to carry them through tight games and maybe lead them an extended run in the backdoor. With Padraic Joyce retiring there is even more pressure on Meehan's shoulders but leading this young team is something he will cherish.
Galway's league campaign was average at best finishing fifth in division B which was a bit disappointing after last year's promising third place. The league however is only a stepping stone and all will be judged on championship results. Realistically Mayo will beat Galway in the first round of the Connacht championship and Galway will be put into the backdoor, a place which has not treated them well in recent years. If they are to have a decent campaign they will have to first overcome the awful statistic of not having won a game outside of Connacht in ten years. The resolve and metal of this young side will be tested is the gruelling backdoor but a couple of easy draws and they could build momentum.
Playing at home I feel is key to Galway's chances as in recent years Galway have lost on the road to Antrim, Wexford and Donegal, a much weaker Donegal team than they are today. For whatever reason Galway have been unable to grind out results away from home in the backdoor, and it is something that has to change if they are to be successful this time around.
Galway have unquestionable natural ability and young players with huge potential however I believe that they are still a year or even two away from reaching the level Mayo are at and it may be three years before we see Galway involved in the latter stages of the all-Ireland series. For the coming year two or three victories in the backdoor would be progress and something to build on, any more than that and they're in bonus territory.

As appeared on http://sportsnewsireland.com/gaa/galway-footballers-prospects-in-2013-2013-04-22/

[Farrandeelin]

The above article is another prime example of why Galway may be 'lying in the long grass' and come out all guns blazing on Sunday. I can't see Galway go down without a fight.

Regarding the 'ongoing injury crisis' Mayo currently have, Barry Moran will definitely not have any part in the game.

[Tubberman]

The above article is another prime example of why Galway may be 'lying in the long grass' and come out all guns blazing on Sunday. I can't see Galway go down without a fight.

Regarding the 'ongoing injury crisis' Mayo currently have, Barry Moran will definitely not have any part in the game.

That article isn't going to have any bearing on Sunday's match.
Wherein you hear that about Barry Moran - that's something that could have a bearing.

[mouview]

Well-written article but anyone that knows Galway football will know that Meehan's powers have seriously diminished and that he's simply physically incapable of giving the type of leadership referred to. Incidentally, Galway lost to Meath on the road 2 years ago, to Wexford at home the year previously.

[Farrandeelin]

The above article is another prime example of why Galway may be 'lying in the long grass' and come out all guns blazing on Sunday. I can't see Galway go down without a fight.

Regarding the 'ongoing injury crisis' Mayo currently have, Barry Moran will definitely not have any part in the game.

That article isn't going to have any bearing on Sunday's match.
Wherein you hear that about Barry Moran - that's something that could have a bearing.

Source close to the panel.

[From the Bunker]

All this talk of Galway not having won a game outside of connacht in 10 years (think it's 9 - Louth 2004). And not having won in Croker since 2001. That's all well and good but it has nothing to do with the Connacht Championship! They still could beat Mayo, that's the beauty of the Connacht Championship. Galway will not look at Mayo the same way the media do.

[AMayoFan]

That's all well and good but it has nothing to do with the Connacht Championship! They still could beat Mayo, that's the beauty of the Connacht Championship. Galway will not look at Mayo the same way the media do.

I couldn't agree more with #From the Bunker'

[western exile]

What are the roadworks like on the N17 these days? Is there some sewage works going on? We'll have to leave earlier in the morning if that's the case.

I was up and down the N17 at that weekend and there were no roadworks or other traffic problems (at least not between Milltown and Galway City).
The real traffic problem on the day with be crossing the city.

[spuds]

What are the roadworks like on the N17 these days? Is there some sewage works going on? We'll have to leave earlier in the morning if that's the case.

I was up and down the N17 at that weekend and there were no roadworks or other traffic problems (at least not between Milltown and Galway City).
The real traffic problem on the day with be crossing the city.

Temporary traffic lights between Ballindine and Milltown.

[muppet]

What are the roadworks like on the N17 these days? Is there some sewage works going on? We'll have to leave earlier in the morning if that's the case.

I was up and down the N17 at that weekend and there were no roadworks or other traffic problems (at least not between Milltown and Galway City).
The real traffic problem on the day with be crossing the city.

Temporary traffic lights between Ballindine and Milltown.

Border checkpoint.

More to keep them in than us out.

[seafoid]

What are the roadworks like on the N17 these days? Is there some sewage works going on? We'll have to leave earlier in the morning if that's the case.

I was up and down the N17 at that weekend and there were no roadworks or other traffic problems (at least not between Milltown and Galway City).
The real traffic problem on the day with be crossing the city.

Temporary traffic lights between Ballindine and Milltown.

Border checkpoint.

More to keep them in than us out.

Galway city must be at least 30% Mayo diaspora. It is probably the biggest Mayo conurbation in  Connacht.   So it will mostly be the rural Mayo crowd coming in via Milltown .

[GalwayBayBoy]

Martin Carney's (fairly brief) thoughts.

Potency in attack an issue for Mayo

Beaten All-Ireland finalists Mayo travel to Salthill on Sunday in the knowledge that some of their better performers are unavailable due to injury.

Mickey Conroy's absence is a big blow and coupled with the likely unavailability of Jason Doherty this robs the team of their best finishers.

Two goals scored (one by corner-back Keith Higgins) since the All-Ireland quarter-final is a worry, as is the absence of a genuine match-winner in the attack.

The team will be well prepared, ambitious and won't lack belief. Midfield can provide a winning platform and provided the defence is disciplined they are good enough to overcome this hurdle.

Mayo's odds of 11/1 for Sam contrast sharply with the 33/1 odds being offered on Galway.

Very soon Galway are going to awaken from the slump in which they find themselves, but as of now Green and Red have the upper hand.

[seafoid]

It's funny how marked the difference is between winning and losing an AIF.
If Mayo had won they would be unbackable on Sunday. The players would be immortal.
Now they are kind of flaky. 

[Syferus]

You'd swear Galway were a team of Goochs who just happened to take too many sleeping tablets. Counties fortunes can shift on a dime - look at Mayo's 2011 championship - but I have to imagine even a lot of Galway supporters groan at this notion that they have so much potential that a return to the top table is little less than a done deal. One step at a time, Martin.

[ross4life]

Martin Carney's (fairly brief) thoughts.

Potency in attack an issue for Mayo

Beaten All-Ireland finalists Mayo travel to Salthill on Sunday in the knowledge that some of their better performers are unavailable due to injury.

Mickey Conroy's absence is a big blow and coupled with the likely unavailability of Jason Doherty this robs the team of their best finishers.

Two goals scored (one by corner-back Keith Higgins) since the All-Ireland quarter-final is a worry, as is the absence of a genuine match-winner in the attack.

The team will be well prepared, ambitious and won't lack belief. Midfield can provide a winning platform and provided the defence is disciplined they are good enough to overcome this hurdle.

Mayo's odds of 11/1 for Sam contrast sharply with the 33/1 odds being offered on Galway.

Very soon Galway are going to awaken from the slump in which they find themselves, but as of now Green and Red have the upper hand.

Decent hard working players & Conroy is probably Mayos best ball winner in the forward line but their best finishers? Jason Doherty is like Sean Armstrong with Galway both for one reason or another haven't been able to show their best at senior championship level.