Galway team to play Offaly:
2 Changes for Galway
Date : 17/06/2010
There are 2 changes on the Galway team to play Offaly in the Leinster Senior Hurling Semi-final on Sunday At 4pm in Croke Park. Aonghus Callanan and Iarla Tannian come for Andy Smith & Joe Gantley.
Galway S.H. Team v Offaly
Colm Callanan
Damien Joyce
Shane Kavanagh
Ollie Canning
Donal Barry
Tony Og Regan
David Collins
Ger Farragher
David Burke
Damien Hayes
Cyril Donnellan
Aonghus Callanan
Aidan Harte
Joe Canning
Iarla Tannian
Offaly will be up against it, but maybe we could catch Galway napping.
It doesn't seem likely though.
A tight match would be the best for both teams. If Mexico can beat France surely Offaly can put it up to Galway.
The very slow turnover of the hurling part of this site is noteworthy. It must be less than 5% of posters who are interested in the game.
Would hope to see Offaly give Galway a good game and not have Galway completely run away with it. It should be noted that Offaly only barely overcame a poor Antrim side so I don't hold out much for them in this game.
Quote from: youbetterbelieveit on June 18, 2010, 11:14:03 AM
Would hope to see Offaly give Galway a good game and not have Galway completely run away with it. It should be noted that Offaly only barely overcame a poor Antrim side so I don't hold out much for them in this game.
Galway don't carry the favourites mantel too well and the Biffo's know they'll need to up their game considerably. I still fancy Galway but it won't be a walk in the park.
Galway by 5 or so.
Offaly will give it a rattle, thats for sure. They seem to be at their best this year when they feel they have nothing to lose. But even in those games they've often come up short. Their best win to date is probably that over Dublin in the league, where they were underdogs, and fully expected to lose.
I wouldn't be worried about the Antrim game. That was on a tight field in Parnell Park, which Antrim teams typically love (both club and county), and Offaly mindset might well have been questionable.
I can't see them beating Galway, though no great shakes themselves. It'll be interesting to see what Galway are like actually. In the league they seemed to want to mix it a little more physically than in recent years. When a team changes their style of play that way, often their skill level might decline somewhat. But, Galway will still get their scores, through Canning, and a mixture of other players.
I think Galway by 5 is probably a fair shout, though I expect it'll be a match right to the death.
Its hard to know how Offaly will do.
For the last few years, Offaly have shipped plenty of double digit beatings teams from the upper end of the top 8.
Typically they've gone out with all guns blazing in the first half, kept the scores even but and collapsed in the second half, usually when a goal is conceded.
Often the games finish with a procession of cake walk scores for our opponents, to make the scoreboard look woeful.
If Offaly can get beyond the 45-60 minute spell without Galway putting 10 points onto the margin - and be within touching distance it would be progress. The bigger Croke Park pitch will suit Galway who will rather keep the game open and high scoring.
The glimmer of hope for Offaly is that the Galway forward line doesn't have a big spread of scoring machines.
At the other end Offaly will be hoping Shane Dooley keeps on his scoring streak and Joe Bergin has one of his good days.
I hope itys a good match. I don't buy the uibh fhaili beal bocht. If they do lose I hope Offaly can tip tipp out of the championship and if they win I would like to see them beating Kilkenny. It is a real pity that 2 such fine counties have to play each other when the real job is to shift the noble 3 off their F%^&*9 perch.
Quote from: seafoid on June 18, 2010, 09:44:47 PM
I hope itys a good match. I don't buy the uibh fhaili beal bocht. If they do lose I hope Offaly can tip tipp out of the championship and if they win I would like to see them beating Kilkenny. It is a real pity that 2 such fine counties have to play each other when the real job is to shift the noble 3 off their F%^&*9 perch.
Jesus.......... its easy to have the beal bocht when the spuds have been black in the ground for the last 10 years.
Hard to see Offaly finishing within 10 points of the connacht men. Hope I'm wrong.
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 18, 2010, 03:55:38 PM
Offaly will give it a rattle, thats for sure. They seem to be at their best this year when they feel they have nothing to lose. But even in those games they've often come up short. Their best win to date is probably that over Dublin in the league, where they were underdogs, and fully expected to lose.
I wouldn't be worried about the Antrim game. That was on a tight field in Parnell Park, which Antrim teams typically love (both club and county), and Offaly mindset might well have been questionable.
I can't see them beating Galway, though no great shakes themselves. It'll be interesting to see what Galway are like actually. In the league they seemed to want to mix it a little more physically than in recent years. When a team changes their style of play that way, often their skill level might decline somewhat. But, Galway will still get their scores, through Canning, and a mixture of other players.
I think Galway by 5 is probably a fair shout, though I expect it'll be a match right to the death.
Antrim teams HATE parnell park, both club and county and with the possible exception of Cushendall performance against St Joseph's a few years back have never played to their potential.
As for the Galway Offaly game like many i fancy Offaly to make a decent fist of it but for galway to run out 7 points plus winners in the end.
Galway 2-14 Biffos 3-8 but that's after 2 Galway goals in 2 minutes. Sounds like a great match.
Fair play to the 14 Biffo men, super finish to great game. Dooley showed some balls with the equaliser after missing a few before that
So it's a draw. The biffos aren't as bad as their press.
... or Galway aren't as good. Looking ominous as Tipp and Galway considered biggest obstacles to Kilkenny's 5-in-a-row don't appear to be all they were cracked up to be. Don't think Cork can trouble the Cats either.
Antrim could maybe win it this year!!!
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on June 20, 2010, 08:27:35 PM
Antrim could maybe win it this year!!!
Still kicking ourselves! May not have beaten Galway today but I feel at least that we could have given them a decent game. I fancy a crack at Limerick though at Casement!!!!! ;)
Reeling in the years for Offaly today. It was the sort of gutsy performance that hasn't been seen in a decade.
And for the second game in a row, Offaly managed to pull back a deficit with 14 men.
It looked ominous at the start. Galway cruising into a 4-0 ahead. Joe Ramhar shooting for goal from an early close in free showed how easily the Tribesmen thought they'd have it.
The Offaly burst of goals in the first half fired the team with self-belief and showed the weakness in the Galway full back line. It wasn't a perfect performance from Offaly, but the way the players fought for every against their much hyped opposition was admirable.
David Kenny did well on big Joe Canning, as every Galway attack seemed to seek him out. As I suspected, the supporting cast of Galway forwards are nothing to write home about.
Dylan Hayden had his best performance in an Offaly jersey. James Rigney is playing like an Offaly version of Tommy Walsh these days. James Dempsey also looks more reliable than his predecessor Brian Mullins.
For the second time in 2 weeks Shane Dooley stood over the last puck of the game, both being difficult frees with Offaly about to exit the Leinster championship. This is the sort of clutch player that the Offaly football team lack.
The Tipp ref did his bit for Galway - a couple of handy frees to the maroons and a couple of blatant ones not awarded to Offaly. However, one of his umpires was even worse.
The second point awarded to Galway from a sideline cut was well wide, but the clown of an umpire didn't even look upwards to see it tail a few feet wide.
The same fella waved wide when Joe Bergin's shot was deflected over the endline. Luckily the linesman was able to overrule.
There are all sorts of committees assessing and meddling with referees, but where is the quality control on the various nameless and bewildered characters who don the white coats?
They say that underdogs only get one chance and I'd expect Galway have more scope to improve for the replay. Offaly are unlikely to smash and grab 3 first half goals, which is what launched them into the game. Galway may have a few lads who wouldn't go into a dark room, but I think they that little bit more ability than Offaly and a deeper squad to draw from.
However this was a performance for Offaly to be proud of.
Very enjoyable game. Fair play to Offaly who really showed a great hunger -something which Dublin sadly lacked.
Kilkenny still the team to beat though
Quote from: Bord na Mona man on June 21, 2010, 12:29:52 AM
Reeling in the years for Offaly today. It was the sort of gutsy performance that hasn't been seen in a decade.
It would be nice to see Offaly back in the big time winning all-Irelands. I think it is great to have Galway playing in Leinster for a bit of a change and matches like that one yesterday will bring everyone on. The 5 in a row looks ominous though but if either team could win an all-Ireland in the next 3 years it would represent a welcome change to the natural order of things. Great to see young Carrolls and Dooleys shining.
It will be interesting to see how this type of game brings Galway on. While they were in Leinster last year they only played KK so wouldn't have seen that much benefit from it.
A few questions I suppose we will find out later on this summer... Have Offaly improved significantly or are they showing they were good all along and Kilkenny have just broken their spirit? Are Galway just not as good as they(or most people) think they are? Do Galway just lack match sharpness and will they improve?
A few names of old starting to appear for Offaly in Dooley and Rigney. Is Rigney the son of the CHB from the 90s?
I'm not sure Damien Hayes in WHF is working out for Galway. Like someone else said aside from Canning the rest of the forwards seem much of a muchness.
Quote from: maxpower on June 19, 2010, 03:28:44 PM
Antrim teams HATE parnell park, both club and county and with the possible exception of Cushendall performance against St Joseph's a few years back have never played to their potential.
thats exactly the game I had in mind when I wrote that.
I'm not too surprised by that outcome yesterday. I just wonder how many times Galway are going to turn in performances like that before people stop lauding them and stop considering them as potential all-Ireland champions. When is the last time Galway have turned in a good performance in a game that mattered? Or more specifically, when is the last time Galway turned in a good performance in a game that mattered, and won it? 2005 perhaps?
That Galway team are awful. It wasn't a below-par performance. Its a typical performance from them. Canning is an obvious shining light, but if he can't do enough by himself to beat a team, then forget it. The others aren't going to chip in any.
The fullback and halfback lines were porous as can be. When John Lee was warming up, we were figuring it'd be Kavanagh called ashore, Tony Og moved back to 3, and Lee at 6. That would maybe have given the defense more of a stable look. But Lee is not a natural 5 in my book. Their midfield did not work hard enough. Both Burke and Farragher are good on the ball, but neither work hard enough to win possession. Galway need to play one or the other of these alongside a mullocker whose gonna win the dirty ball. And the forwards, Canning aside, are too full of bluster. Tannion is a good-trier, but if hes not going to be played on the wing and be used as a target man, then I don't think hes worth a start. Hayes for me should be midfield on that team. His shooting is too wayward to be that near the goals, and he needs to be somewhere where he can get the ball in space, kind of like what Cathal Naughton is doing for Cork these days.
Where was that young corner forward who captained the minors last year? I can't recall his name - Kinvara I think. He looks a class act and I'd have had him in there ahead of Healy anyday.
As for Offaly, well I'm not really surprised they put on the show that they did. They're fierce skillful hurlers, and showed that often enough during the league. On such a perfect day for hurling, their touch was always going to be far superior to Galways'. I thought Rigney was the best player on the field. His battling, his touch, and his overall attitude were all spot-on. Best moment of the game was when Shane Dooley blocked, dispossessed, and controlled the ball, from Ollie Canning in a single move. I've never seen Ollie humbled like he was yesterday. Taken for 2 goals when at 15-a-side, he was clearly not comfortable as the extra man when Currams went off.
The ref was shocking too. Anytime anyone got within 2 foot of Joe Canning in the first half he gave a free. I felt sorry for Kenny because he was called unjustly at least twice. I'd be less critical of the ref over the Currams sending-off. It was reckless, and though maybe a little harsh, I think the ref was probably justified enough in his own opinion that it deserved a red. Still, overall he was awful.
I'd guess the replay will be in Kilkenny or Portlaoise? Both smaller fields, both will suit Galway's more physical team more than Offaly. Hard to write the biffos off, but if it comes down to a physical battle, and I expect it will on those 2 fields, its hard to see Offaly being able to mix it with them for the full 70. Galway to scrape by.
Not surprised by Offaly's show, liked the cut of them against us in the League. Especially Hayden. How did he go at midfield? I saw 2 points against his name, how was his general play?
"The Tipp ref" is an interesting one alright. I wonder was he some sort of covert equalizer for Kirwan's erraticicism last September? Hardly?
I thought the red was fair enough. I was sitting in the hogan stand and immediately thought red card. Ger Loughnane said it didnt look like a red card from the hogan stand side ???
As for Galway, they are better than what we saw today. The likes of Damien Hayes & Joe Canning will have much better games on other days. In a way, I think it is the best result for Galway and will bring them on a lot. In 1998, Galway footballers were awfully lucky to draw with Roscommon in the Connacht final. Many people following Galway that year agreed that it was that draw & the replay with Roscommon that brought that team to a new level and allowed them to go on to win the all ireland. I think we could see something similiar happen with the hurlers this year. I prefer seeing a drawn match like yesterday than seeing Galway giving Offaly a hammering. Interestingly, Galway have found it tough against Offaly every time they have played this year. Maybe Offaly is just a team that doent suit Galway
Antrim teams HATE parnell park, both club and county and with the possible exception of Cushendall performance against St Joseph's a few years back have never played to their potential.
As for the Galway Offaly game like many i fancy Offaly to make a decent fist of it but for galway to run out 7 points plus winners in the end.
[/quote]
we beat the Galway champions at Parnell this year in Club semi finals in football and hurling!!!
Great game yesterday, without Shane Dooley Offaly would have been out a long time ago.
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 21, 2010, 10:27:07 AM
Quote from: maxpower on June 19, 2010, 03:28:44 PM
Antrim teams HATE parnell park, both club and county and with the possible exception of Cushendall performance against St Joseph's a few years back have never played to their potential.
That Galway team are awful.
I think there is a danger of ridiculous hyperbole here over one game in fairness. That Galway team are far from "awful" and in fact it's a knock on Offaly to say they are. Offaly played really well on the day and I think would probably have given any team in the country bar maybe Kilkenny their fill of it yesterday.
For Galway I don't think the attitude was right coming into the game no matter what they say. The work-rate from the league final and most of the Wexford game had disapperared. Offaly lads had acres of space yesterday. In contrast in the first game Cody again had Kilkenny players swarming in numbers over Dublin players until they coughed up the ball. Cody nearly always has Kilkenny primed like that even when they are hot favourites. Which is one of the reasons why they have won so much. Galway just seemed to think it would happen without putting the work in yesterday and before they knew it they had leaked 3 goals in the first 20 minutes. Cody himself said if Galway are not right on the day then Offaly would beat them and Galway were not right but they just about got away with it.
Whoever wins the replay will be all the better for it for the remainder of the championship but either way Kilkenny will go into the Leinster final as red hot favourites after their destruction of Dublin.
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 02:52:00 PM
I think there is a danger of ridiculous hyperbole here over one game in fairness. That Galway team are far from "awful"
how about answering the question I asked then?
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 21, 2010, 02:56:21 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 02:52:00 PM
I think there is a danger of ridiculous hyperbole here over one game in fairness. That Galway team are far from "awful"
how about answering the question I asked then?
Which was what?
Galway usually beat Kilkenny when nobody expects it ;)
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 03:22:58 PM
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 21, 2010, 02:56:21 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 02:52:00 PM
I think there is a danger of ridiculous hyperbole here over one game in fairness. That Galway team are far from "awful"
how about answering the question I asked then?
Which was what?
when is the last time Galway turned in a good performance in a game that mattered, and won it? 2005 perhaps?
(what seafoid said)
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 21, 2010, 03:26:14 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 03:22:58 PM
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 21, 2010, 02:56:21 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 02:52:00 PM
I think there is a danger of ridiculous hyperbole here over one game in fairness. That Galway team are far from "awful"
how about answering the question I asked then?
Which was what?
when is the last time Galway turned in a good performance in a game that mattered, and won it? 2005 perhaps?
(what seafoid said)
Well they beat Cork and Clare last year and those games mattered because if they lost them they were out. Only the Cork game was a "good" performance though.
Really enjoyable game. 1st of Farragher's ( I think)sidelines was well wide (I had a perfect view from the Hogan stand). Amazed that Ollie Canning lasted the whole game........... was cleaned out (even while the extra man). A blip or father time calling?????................... remains to be seen.
Galway lads were physically very big. In Tannian they must have the biggest corner forward to grace the game.
Offaly fans should be rightly proud today.
Expect Galway to win replay easily.
Quote from: Canalman on June 21, 2010, 04:03:19 PM
Really enjoyable game. 1st of Farragher's ( I think)sidelines was well wide (I had a perfect view from the Hogan stand). Amazed that Ollie Canning lasted the whole game........... was cleaned out (even while the extra man). A blip or father time calling?????................... remains to be seen.
Galway lads were physically very big. In Tannian they must have the biggest corner forward to grace the game.
Offaly fans should be rightly proud today.
Expect Galway to win replay easily.
Tannian is a huge corner-forward alright but I don't really think he's a natural corner-forward. In fact finding the right position for him is a bit of a puzzle. Think he needs to be more central to be more involved as his mind seems to drift when he's at the margins of the game.
Is Currams for Offaly related to the beardy fella that won hurling and football medals one year after the other?
Quote from: seafoid on June 21, 2010, 05:15:38 PM
Is Currams for Offaly related to the beardy fella that won hurling and football medals one year after the other?
Nephew.
Regarding the Rigney's though, they're different clubs so I'd be amazed if they are any relation - certainly not that I'm aware of. Rigney would be a common enough name down these parts. Bearing in mind the build of Hubert set alongside the build of James, you'd barely think they were the same species to be honest.
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 03:33:35 PM
Well they beat Cork and Clare last year and those games mattered because if they lost them they were out. Only the Cork game was a "good" performance though.
ah ok, the Cork team that had been on strike all winter?
and then what happened in their next game?
how about the Cork game the year before that?
Galway should have gone into Leinster way before they actually did.
They got left behind after the 2005 season. I remember the 2006 match against Kilkenny and how hopeful everyone was and it ended up as a pasting and they didn't really move beyond that until last year.
I think it was enda mcEvoy who said that galway were like a catalyst for change in the game after the beat the cats in 2001 and again in 2005. They started some sort of a revolution but weren't subsequently part of it.
The big question is where they go from here. At least they are getting decent matches now.
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 21, 2010, 03:26:14 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 03:22:58 PM
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 21, 2010, 02:56:21 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 02:52:00 PM
I think there is a danger of ridiculous hyperbole here over one game in fairness. That Galway team are far from "awful"
how about answering the question I asked then?
Which was what?
when is the last time Galway turned in a good performance in a game that mattered, and won it? 2005 perhaps?
(what seafoid said)
Umm.. May 2, 2010. They beat Cork in the league final, if memory serves. (Not sure if that matters, though if they'd lost it there'd be something else wrong I suppose.)
Anyway, as for the game itself v Offaly, the backs have been fairly castigated, and while they're culpable for a certain amount, the forwards were just as bad. Time and again, ball was banged into them, especially in the first half, and it usually came straight back down again. No wonder the backs were under pressure. The replay is a great opportunity disguised as a threat. McIntyre must now take his courage in his hands and make badly needed changes to the team. Aidan Harte is now not good enough, even if Niall Healy is only fractionally better, and how any sideline mentors can think that Cyril Donnellan is a county hurler is baffling. Every time the pressure comes on he's called ashore. On this alone they must stand indicted. Donal Barry must learn quickly that there's a big difference in the pace between league and c'ship. Aongus Callinan needs to up it too. Adrian Cullinane, if he's fit, must now come into the equation too, possibly at the expense of (whisper it) Ollie, with David Collins dropping back to the corner. Andy Smyth will probably regain his place at wing-forward, though this is one of McIntyre's problems in that he's so focussed on picking hard workers and forgetting that a large skill element is required also. The bench is nothing to write home about either; Niall Hayes is not of the required standard, Chunky and Eanna Ryan probably not either. Richie Cummins if fit must be named and the likes of development panellists Keith Kilkenny and Kerril Wade must be called in to beef things up a bit - they're surely plenty good enough. A fit Kevin Hynes would be a plus too.
To repeat, the management have arrived at a crossroads in the year; if they've balls they will change the team now while they have a good chance. If they don't, I'd still expect them not to be caught napping at the second attempt v Offaly, but there's not a hope as they stand of beating the Greatest Collection of Individuals That Ever Came Together As A Team In The Worldwide History of Sport.
Quote from: mouview on June 22, 2010, 11:49:32 AM
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 21, 2010, 03:26:14 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 03:22:58 PM
Quote from: bottlethrower7 on June 21, 2010, 02:56:21 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on June 21, 2010, 02:52:00 PM
I think there is a danger of ridiculous hyperbole here over one game in fairness. That Galway team are far from "awful"
how about answering the question I asked then?
Which was what?
when is the last time Galway turned in a good performance in a game that mattered, and won it? 2005 perhaps?
(what seafoid said)
Umm.. May 2, 2010. They beat Cork in the league final, if memory serves. (Not sure if that matters, though if they'd lost it there'd be something else wrong I suppose.)
Anyway, as for the game itself v Offaly, the backs have been fairly castigated, and while they're culpable for a certain amount, the forwards were just as bad. Time and again, ball was banged into them, especially in the first half, and it usually came straight back down again. No wonder the backs were under pressure. The replay is a great opportunity disguised as a threat. McIntyre must now take his courage in his hands and make badly needed changes to the team. Aidan Harte is now not good enough, even if Niall Healy is only fractionally better, and how any sideline mentors can think that Cyril Donnellan is a county hurler is baffling. Every time the pressure comes on he's called ashore. On this alone they must stand indicted. Donal Barry must learn quickly that there's a big difference in the pace between league and c'ship. Aongus Callinan needs to up it too. Adrian Cullinane, if he's fit, must now come into the equation too, possibly at the expense of (whisper it) Ollie, with David Collins dropping back to the corner. Andy Smyth will probably regain his place at wing-forward, though this is one of McIntyre's problems in that he's so focussed on picking hard workers and forgetting that a large skill element is required also. The bench is nothing to write home about either; Niall Hayes is not of the required standard, Chunky and Eanna Ryan probably not either. Richie Cummins if fit must be named and the likes of development panellists Keith Kilkenny and Kerril Wade must be called in to beef things up a bit - they're surely plenty good enough. A fit Kevin Hynes would be a plus too.
To repeat, the management have arrived at a crossroads in the year; if they've balls they will change the team now while they have a good chance. If they don't, I'd still expect them not to be caught napping at the second attempt v Offaly, but there's not a hope as they stand of beating the Greatest Collection of Individuals That Ever Came Together As A Team In The Worldwide History of Sport.
Wholesale changes will ruin Galway as it'll send waves of doubt through the whole team and Galways confidence is still pretty fragile. They need to work better as a team in terms of positional sense especially in defence. Shane Kavanagh got the wrong side of Joe Brady for one of the goals where he was outcaught and once Bergin turned he was in on goal. Maybe he should have batted the ball down but it was hard to see if he'd any cover in front of him to get away with that, he certainly had none behind him. The Kilkenny and Cork corner and wing men would be round their fullback like flies round shite. Ollie Canning refreshingly for us mere mortals had a bad day but I don't think he's finished just yet.
Good defences defend as a unit and that's why you'll see the likes of Tommy Walsh in and around his own 21 when the need arises. Galway still have work to do in this regard.
QuoteAnyway, as for the game itself v Offaly, the backs have been fairly castigated, and while they're culpable for a certain amount, the forwards were just as bad. Time and again, ball was banged into them, especially in the first half, and it usually came straight back down again. No wonder the backs were under pressure. The replay is a great opportunity disguised as a threat. McIntyre must now take his courage in his hands and make badly needed changes to the team. Aidan Harte is now not good enough, even if Niall Healy is only fractionally better, and how any sideline mentors can think that Cyril Donnellan is a county hurler is baffling. Every time the pressure comes on he's called ashore. On this alone they must stand indicted. Donal Barry must learn quickly that there's a big difference in the pace between league and c'ship. Aongus Callinan needs to up it too. Adrian Cullinane, if he's fit, must now come into the equation too, possibly at the expense of (whisper it) Ollie, with David Collins dropping back to the corner. Andy Smyth will probably regain his place at wing-forward, though this is one of McIntyre's problems in that he's so focussed on picking hard workers and forgetting that a large skill element is required also. The bench is nothing to write home about either; Niall Hayes is not of the required standard, Chunky and Eanna Ryan probably not either. Richie Cummins if fit must be named and the likes of development panellists Keith Kilkenny and Kerril Wade must be called in to beef things up a bit - they're surely plenty good enough. A fit Kevin Hynes would be a plus too.
To repeat, the management have arrived at a crossroads in the year; if they've balls they will change the team now while they have a good chance. If they don't, I'd still expect them not to be caught napping at the second attempt v Offaly, but there's not a hope as they stand of beating the Greatest Collection of Individuals That Ever Came Together As A Team In The Worldwide History of Sport.
Christ, one mediocre draw and you want to make all those changes. He needs to leave the team pretty much as it is. The players playing against Offaly are the only ones who can learn from their mistakes. No point in dropping the lot of them now. I actually thought Callanan did well at No. 12. Is Smith back for the replay? If so, I could see an argument for bringing in him at number 10 and moving Hayes to the corner. I'd also bring in Lee for Barry,Could be a bit harsh on Barry though considering it was just one bad game but Lee is too good a player to have on the bench.
Quote from: mouview on June 22, 2010, 11:49:32 AM
Umm.. May 2, 2010. They beat Cork in the league final, if memory serves. (Not sure if that matters, though if they'd lost it there'd be something else wrong I suppose.)
Anyway, as for the game itself v Offaly, the backs have been fairly castigated, and while they're culpable for a certain amount, the forwards were just as bad. Time and again, ball was banged into them, especially in the first half, and it usually came straight back down again. No wonder the backs were under pressure. The replay is a great opportunity disguised as a threat. McIntyre must now take his courage in his hands and make badly needed changes to the team. Aidan Harte is now not good enough, even if Niall Healy is only fractionally better, and how any sideline mentors can think that Cyril Donnellan is a county hurler is baffling. Every time the pressure comes on he's called ashore. On this alone they must stand indicted. Donal Barry must learn quickly that there's a big difference in the pace between league and c'ship. Aongus Callinan needs to up it too. Adrian Cullinane, if he's fit, must now come into the equation too, possibly at the expense of (whisper it) Ollie, with David Collins dropping back to the corner. Andy Smyth will probably regain his place at wing-forward, though this is one of McIntyre's problems in that he's so focussed on picking hard workers and forgetting that a large skill element is required also. The bench is nothing to write home about either; Niall Hayes is not of the required standard, Chunky and Eanna Ryan probably not either. Richie Cummins if fit must be named and the likes of development panellists Keith Kilkenny and Kerril Wade must be called in to beef things up a bit - they're surely plenty good enough. A fit Kevin Hynes would be a plus too.
To repeat, the management have arrived at a crossroads in the year; if they've balls they will change the team now while they have a good chance. If they don't, I'd still expect them not to be caught napping at the second attempt v Offaly, but there's not a hope as they stand of beating the Greatest Collection of Individuals That Ever Came Together As A Team In The Worldwide History of Sport.
In my opinion no, the league doesn't matter. When is the last time winning the league has made anyone's year a success? Say including Tipp, Cork, Kilkenny and Galway?
I completely agree with the rest of your post. I'll defer to you superior knowledge of Donnellan. Personally It though he looked decent in the league and might have what it takes to establish himself. But otherwise, yes, wholesale changes are needed, if the personnel are there.
Richie Cummins was the ex-minor whose name I couldn't remember.
And Kilkenny are the one team Galway seemingly can lift themselves for. Against Kilkenny I'd give them a sporting chance. Against every other team I'd be less sure.
QuoteAidan Harte is now not good enough, even if Niall Healy is only fractionally better, and how any sideline mentors can think that Cyril Donnellan is a county hurler is baffling. Every time the pressure comes on he's called ashore. On this alone they must stand indicted.
Thats a typical reaction from a Galway supporter to a couple of bad performances by a Galway player. Scrap him he's crap, try someone else. Its actually the reason we never have a settled team, players have no confidence, therefore no success, absolutely infuriating. Donnellan was a GPA nominated All Star last year, had a very good campaign and this year was excellent in the league. For the league final he was after Canning the first forward on the team sheet.
He had a bad game against Wexford where Darran Stamp completely dominated him, no doubt. As he did Tannion when he replaced him. no argument there. On Sunday the game completely bypassed him as it did the centre back Paul Cleary. Donnellan was in no way dominated, he just didnt get into the game. But sure lets take the easy option and drop him along with Donal Barry altogether ::)
If one was to extrapolate your point somewhat, bt7, then the only game that really matters is the AI final. Do Provincial finals matter more than a league final, as both contestants still progress in the c'ship anyway? Bar KK, Cork may be the last team to win a match that 'matters'....?
Not advocating widespread changes; however, even leaving Thurles last year after the stinging defeat to Waterford, I said to myself that if any good should come out of it, it's that McIntyre must learn from his mistakes and where the team went wrong. On that day, I thought Eoin Lynch didn't look good enough a hurler at wing-back, Niall Healy had no nerve at corner-forward and Donnellan, who was subbed, continued to look fearfully limited at CHF. The first 2 are not currently first choice, but I've seen a lot of Galway's games over the past 2 years and Cyril, with the odd exception, has never looked up to it. He's too one-sided, hasn't a great touch and isn't good at bringing teammates into play when in possession, instead taking potshots at the posts. Similiarly, Harte, not really rated by a lot I know within the game, doesn't always take the correct decision in possession - e.g. pulling first time instead of lifting and striking - but will hopefully improve with experience. Any cute team manger will know that a swift corner-forward can now beat Ollie for pace and will so target him - perhaps a an of his great ability could be deployed in midfield? Donal Barry will probably hold his spot, but even in the Wexford match it was noticeable that he was beaten in the air quite often.
I know in Galway that we haven't always been the most patient in persevering with players; the flip side to that is that weaknesses in a team should be addressed in time in order to improve incrementally.
Jeez, I'm up late!
Quote from: mouview on June 23, 2010, 01:11:55 AM
If one was to extrapolate your point somewhat, bt7, then the only game that really matters is the AI final. Do Provincial finals matter more than a league final, as both contestants still progress in the c'ship anyway? Bar KK, Cork may be the last team to win a match that 'matters'....?
Its just a personal opinion mouview. The word 'matter' is a subjective term, and one open to ones own interpretation.
For example, had Galway dished out the expected beating to Offaly, personally I would have thought that a game that doesn't really mater (in the grander scheme of things). For me I read the hurling championship in a particular way, and different games can mean different things to different teams. Some teams will be at nothing losing a game in their provincial championship and having to struggle through the qualifiers. Other teams may prosper in the qualifiers (Cork, Kilkenny among the former, Dublin (I'm hoping) among the latter).
There are only a handful of teams that are seriously competitive in hurling anymore. Its when a team comes up against one of these sides that anything real and tangible is learned. And I don't include any game in this year's league (that I saw anyway) in this. I was at most of Kilkenny's games, as well as a handful of Dublin's games. The high-scoring outcome of a lot of these matches tells its own tale. Games were ridiculously loose, and while it can be pretty to watch hurling of that type, its just not championship stuff. It tells nothing of how a forward may cope in the heat of close championship intensity, or likewise any player in any other position.
I never saw the league final. I had the good fortune to be out of the country that weekend (in attendance at the Galway-New York football match that very day actually), but the reports I read seemed to suggest it was played in the same vane as the games that preceeded it in the league.
When it comes to championship there is a loose classification of teams into different categories, based on what people (and the media mostly), feel is that team's place in the pecking order. People would put Kilkenny a little ahead of everyone, with Tipp, Galway, Waterford and Cork next in line. All other teams are a little back the ways from that group.
There are games that teams are just expected to win, plain and simple. For example, Dublin vs Laois. Dublin were in a no-win situation that day, they won, but the manner of their victory had the the naysayers preaching their doom and gloom. Likewise Galway on sunday (bar the winning bit). In truth though, the real measure of a team like Dublin, or of Galway, will be when they meet teams at their own, or one level above them. When the intensity is high, when the game is close, thats when we really learn about a team.
So, in that context, when I asked when the last game Galway won in a game that mattered, what I actually meant was, when did Galway last win a game of this type - where it was a winner-takes-all scenario, against a team of like (or arguably slightly better) standard. They've fallen flat in the last 5 years that I can see. You can argue about the Cork game last year, but really I'd beg to differ.
Maybe the hurlers aren't there, but if thats the case then maybe Galway need to be a little more realistic about their goals for a particular year. In that light, I think you've been cursed with some of the most god-awful management blunders too. Putting Ger Loughnane in charge was a mistake I think, as his lethal mouth was always going to have a negative impact (my personal favourite from him was his 'there isn't a team around that can beat Galway at the moment' comment). McIntyre seems a little more calculated, but then there was that outburst following the league game against Kilkenny in 2009 when he said the players simply 'weren't good enough'.
Its a unique one though. You've had the underage success, but it hasn't translated to senior, either in terms of honours, or in terms of players coming through in the numbers and to the standard they should be.
Things seem better than they were when Athenry were dominating the county though. The politics of that time seem not as pronounced as they once were, and that can only be a good thing.
Hmmm.. ok, though I think all (c'ship) games that you win, especially if they're tight, matter because you (should) learn from them and progress; e.g. last year's games v Clare, Cork and W'ford - Galway were favourites in all three but were under new management at the time and were fragile in belief. The Cork victory in particular was big because it was very tight, winner-take-all and because of the manner of Galway's defeat 12 months previously. You're correct about Loughnane, he killed Galway hurling stone-dead for 2 years.
Quote from: mouview on June 23, 2010, 10:06:11 AM
Hmmm.. ok, though I think all (c'ship) games that you win, especially if they're tight, matter because you (should) learn from them and progress; e.g. last year's games v Clare, Cork and W'ford - Galway were favourites in all three but were under new management at the time and were fragile in belief. The Cork victory in particular was big because it was very tight, winner-take-all and because of the manner of Galway's defeat 12 months previously. You're correct about Loughnane, he killed Galway hurling stone-dead for 2 years.
I would not necessarily agree that Ger Loughane killed Galway hurling stone dead for two years, three of the four years that Conor Hayes was in charge were an unmitigated disaster, Hayes got lucky in two games in 05, and apart from that nothing apart from a few bad beatings. The biggest problem with Loughnane was that he was all hype and bluster, plus we all expected huge things from him. From the outside most people including Ger Loughnane see a thriving club scene, Galway regularly winning All Irelands at Minor and U-21, so they naturally think that Galway should be winning All Irelands at Senior level. Loughnane came in with that belief, and proudly declared that he would win an All Ireland within two years, only to discover that things were not as they seemed, and that it takes more than a few good underage players to win a senior All Ireland. I personally don't have the answer, I too have been taken in by all of the underage and club success, but maybe we in Galway need to realise that we are nowhere near as good as we think, or the national media think, and we need to be more realistic in our aims. Somebody pointed out to me after the Offaly match, that Galway reminded him of the England football team, always been talked up by their own supporters and the media, only to inevitably fall flat on their backsides. I personally hope that I am badly wrong, but when you look at a team that contains five of the six defenders from '05, is massively reliant on Joe Canning, and has more than a few very average players, it's very hard to see them even troubling Kilkenny. There is no doubt that there is one big game in this team every year, but going forward this team does not have the players or the consistency to be All Ireland Champions.
It fell apart for Loughnane in Galway when he tried to move a stray bull off the road with hurleys.
He lost the dressing room after that.
So who is going to win tomorrow? Will Galway follow england and perform as they did against Algeria?
Will Offaly follow the Swiss and lose Chile style following a first performance that was almost as good as beating Spain?
Quote from: gilly2308 on June 25, 2010, 12:13:39 AM
Quote from: mouview on June 23, 2010, 10:06:11 AM
Hmmm.. ok, though I think all (c'ship) games that you win, especially if they're tight, matter because you (should) learn from them and progress; e.g. last year's games v Clare, Cork and W'ford - Galway were favourites in all three but were under new management at the time and were fragile in belief. The Cork victory in particular was big because it was very tight, winner-take-all and because of the manner of Galway's defeat 12 months previously. You're correct about Loughnane, he killed Galway hurling stone-dead for 2 years.
I would not necessarily agree that Ger Loughane killed Galway hurling stone dead for two years, three of the four years that Conor Hayes was in charge were an unmitigated disaster, Hayes got lucky in two games in 05, and apart from that nothing apart from a few bad beatings. The biggest problem with Loughnane was that he was all hype and bluster, plus we all expected huge things from him. From the outside most people including Ger Loughnane see a thriving club scene, Galway regularly winning All Irelands at Minor and U-21, so they naturally think that Galway should be winning All Irelands at Senior level. Loughnane came in with that belief, and proudly declared that he would win an All Ireland within two years, only to discover that things were not as they seemed, and that it takes more than a few good underage players to win a senior All Ireland. I personally don't have the answer, I too have been taken in by all of the underage and club success, but maybe we in Galway need to realise that we are nowhere near as good as we think, or the national media think, and we need to be more realistic in our aims. Somebody pointed out to me after the Offaly match, that Galway reminded him of the England football team, always been talked up by their own supporters and the media, only to inevitably fall flat on their backsides. I personally hope that I am badly wrong, but when you look at a team that contains five of the six defenders from '05, is massively reliant on Joe Canning, and has more than a few very average players, it's very hard to see them even troubling Kilkenny. There is no doubt that there is one big game in this team every year, but going forward this team does not have the players or the consistency to be All Ireland Champions.
agree 100% with all of that (not being from Galway of course). And whatever about Loughnane's thinking he'd win Galway an all-Ireland within 2 years, he should have kept it to himself. Stating that publicly was going to nothing other than put even more pressure on the players.
Galway were able to use the excuse of being caught out cold due to not having a competitive provincial championship to contest. Now they do that excuse no longer holds sway. Now we're starting to get a much clearer picture of how good Galway actually are in comparison to the rest.
After the Cork game 2 years ago, part of me naively believed that Galway might have played better if Joe Canning wasn't on the pitch. It seemed that day as if they were willing to let Joe take to fight to Cork on his own and had he not been playing, others might have upped their game. I revised that opinion last year to one where I was convinced Galway would have been absolutely hockeyed but for Joe.
Theres no harm being ambitious, but one has to stay realistic at the same time. Galway have lost any sense of reality over the last few years. Maybe they're knocking on the door, but really if Galway were to win an all-Ireland you could be sure that it would take nothing less than a super-human effort from Joe Canning to achieve it.
Quote from: gilly2308 on June 25, 2010, 12:13:39 AM
Quote from: mouview on June 23, 2010, 10:06:11 AM
Hmmm.. ok, though I think all (c'ship) games that you win, especially if they're tight, matter because you (should) learn from them and progress; e.g. last year's games v Clare, Cork and W'ford - Galway were favourites in all three but were under new management at the time and were fragile in belief. The Cork victory in particular was big because it was very tight, winner-take-all and because of the manner of Galway's defeat 12 months previously. You're correct about Loughnane, he killed Galway hurling stone-dead for 2 years.
I would not necessarily agree that Ger Loughane killed Galway hurling stone dead for two years, three of the four years that Conor Hayes was in charge were an unmitigated disaster, Hayes got lucky in two games in 05, and apart from that nothing apart from a few bad beatings. The biggest problem with Loughnane was that he was all hype and bluster, plus we all expected huge things from him. From the outside most people including Ger Loughnane see a thriving club scene, Galway regularly winning All Irelands at Minor and U-21, so they naturally think that Galway should be winning All Irelands at Senior level. Loughnane came in with that belief, and proudly declared that he would win an All Ireland within two years, only to discover that things were not as they seemed, and that it takes more than a few good underage players to win a senior All Ireland. I personally don't have the answer, I too have been taken in by all of the underage and club success, but maybe we in Galway need to realise that we are nowhere near as good as we think, or the national media think, and we need to be more realistic in our aims. Somebody pointed out to me after the Offaly match, that Galway reminded him of the England football team, always been talked up by their own supporters and the media, only to inevitably fall flat on their backsides. I personally hope that I am badly wrong, but when you look at a team that contains five of the six defenders from '05, is massively reliant on Joe Canning, and has more than a few very average players, it's very hard to see them even troubling Kilkenny. There is no doubt that there is one big game in this team every year, but going forward this team does not have the players or the consistency to be All Ireland Champions.
Having 5 out of the 6 backs from '05 isn't necessarily bad, given that none of them bar Ollie are all that old - I thought everyone was advocating continuity in the senior team FFS!!! And we have as good a midfield as back then, maybe better. It's the forwards that haven't improved - too many ordinary men there.
We should indeed be more realistic in Galway - realistically we should be winning Senior AIs. We're winning at every other level (bar schools) and the club scene is strong. It's belief and a bit of temper that may be missing; bad and all as last Sunday's display was, the game will really stand to them in terms of testing their mettle. Realistically Cork shouldn't be seen as contenders as they've done very little at any level in the past 5 years, yet they don't attract the criticism Galway get. Remember, no county has tested The Most Wonderful Group Of Sportsmen In Antiquity more than Galway. Tomorrow will reveal more.
Quote from: mouview link=topic=16554.msg806434#msg806434
/quote]
We should indeed be more realistic in Galway - realistically we should be winning Senior AIs.
Definitely. No All Ireland since 1988 is just shocking. Off the pace for 21 years. Never by that much but what a litany of failure. and I remember as a young fella thinking 1982-1984 were lean years.
Quote from: gilly2308 on June 25, 2010, 12:13:39 AM
Quote from: mouview on June 23, 2010, 10:06:11 AM
Hmmm.. ok, though I think all (c'ship) games that you win, especially if they're tight, matter because you (should) learn from them and progress; e.g. last year's games v Clare, Cork and W'ford - Galway were favourites in all three but were under new management at the time and were fragile in belief. The Cork victory in particular was big because it was very tight, winner-take-all and because of the manner of Galway's defeat 12 months previously. You're correct about Loughnane, he killed Galway hurling stone-dead for 2 years.
Somebody pointed out to me after the Offaly match, that Galway reminded him of the England football team, always been talked up by their own supporters and the media, only to inevitably fall flat on their backsides.
I actually think this is nonsense. Well not the media part but Galway hurling fans are usually incredibly negative about the team and are ready to jump on their back at a moment's notice. The media talk up Galway (and one or two other teams) as they are desperate for someone other than Kilkenny to win the All-Ireland thereby avoiding another procession for the cats.
I actually think this is nonsense. Well not the media part but Galway hurling fans are usually incredibly negative about the team and are ready to jump on their back at a moment's notice. The media talk up Galway (and one or two other teams) as they are desperate for someone other than Kilkenny to win the All-Ireland thereby avoiding another procession for the cats.
GalwayBayBoy Galway fans are usually incredibly negative after yet another disastrous defeat for the hurlers, however every year we start out with high hopes, only for them to be inevitably dashed. I would be like that at the start of every year, hoping against hope that this is the year that Galway will finally win Liam Mc Carthy, and then jumping all over them when they play poorly like they did against Wexford and Offaly, or Tipp in the league. I'm hoping against hope that Galway learnt a lot of valuable lessons against Offaly last week, we shall see tomorrow in Portlaoise, and can then revaluate Galway's chances again on Monday. However my biggest fear for this Galway team is their alarming inconsistency, Mc Intyre has brought this up several times, yet Galway have probably only played well for 70 mins once this year, and that was in the League Final?
I think the odds of 6/1 on Offaly are amazing odds for a replay and will be snapped up by more than a few punters. In the league Galway defeated Offaly by 4 points with the puck of a ball between them for most of the game. I can understand why people persieve offaly to be a bad hurling team as they often do get beat by 10 - 12 points by the big 5 as i call them, but if you scratch the surface you find that offaly were always well in the hunt with 10 - 15 minutes to go in nearly all these matches with the exception of Kilkenny.They have shown on the odd occasion (when they hurl for the full 70 minutes) that they can be a match for quite a few teams in the country and the most painful thing watching them has been to see the potential not being utilised. I expect Offaly to give Galway a right rattle again today, I wouldnt predict an Offaly win but I doubt there will be more than 3 - 4 points in it either way.
Hard luck to the Biffos. Sounds like a great match again.
Offaly should do some damage in the qualifiers. Another 3 goals leaked by Galway is worrying but sure onwards to the cats anawez.
Another great showing from the Biffs, could they do some damage through the back door?
I thought they deserved extra time at least, but despite being relatively quiet, Cannings point from the sideline at the end was an awesome score
The important thing for us now is to beat Limerick or Clare. 2 good games against Galway is great, and I'm not surprise we gave them their bellyful of it. I'm delighted we found a way to come back and lead after being 8 points down. Maybe the old fight is returning, the footballers did the same against Clare as well.
Having said all that, I can't shake a sneaking suspicion that for Offaly's long term development, maybe a 2 point defeat with a great comeback included is better that Kilkenny coming in and being keen to put a boot on your throat again. Kilkenny are the only ones that don't want to see the 90s revisited in Leinster, and they'd glory in putting Offaly through the combine (as they should).
However for this to be true, we need to win a couple of qualifier games at least.
From an Offaly point of view im happy with the two performances, the sheer effort and fight shown by the offaly players was exceptional. They have restored a lot of pride in Offaly hurling and have won a lot of admirers both inside and outside of the county.
I think one of the most significant things was no second half fade out for the second game in a row, also there was a sizeable offaly crowd at the game possibly the biggest in a decade which should encourage the players and build a bit of expectation in the county.
We need to kick on from here, no more false dawns!
From a Galway point of view it must be very worrying, up 8 points and cruising, they were pegged back yet again, one thing is for sure, this team loves to take their foot off the pedal, when the chips are down they look to Joe Canning time and time again, and last night they got lucky, they wont get as much joy against Kilkenny, Also the Galway full back line and goalkeeper are extremely dodgy, if offaly had pushed more for goals they would have gotten them last night.
Quote from: awfulynice on June 27, 2010, 02:47:54 PM
From an Offaly point of view im happy with the two performances, the sheer effort and fight shown by the offaly players was exceptional. They have restored a lot of pride in Offaly hurling and have won a lot of admirers both inside and outside of the county.
I think one of the most significant things was no second half fade out for the second game in a row, also there was a sizeable offaly crowd at the game possibly the biggest in a decade which should encourage the players and build a bit of expectation in the county.
We need to kick on from here, no more false dawns!
From a Galway point of view it must be very worrying, up 8 points and cruising, they were pegged back yet again, one thing is for sure, this team loves to take their foot off the pedal, when the chips are down they look to Joe Canning time and time again, and last night they got lucky, they wont get as much joy against Kilkenny, Also the Galway full back line and goalkeeper are extremely dodgy, if offaly had pushed more for goals they would have gotten them last night.
Its our biggest problem at the moment. Leaving aside the national league final v Cork, we seem to have these "valley periods" in all our games where we go for 15 - 20 mins wiithout troubling the scoreboard. Replicate that again next Sunday and we will be beat out the gate by the cats. Kudos must go Offaly for their excellent comeback on Sat, they showed a lot of that old offaly fighting spirit that has been missing for a very long time. I actually think they are a far better team than people are giving them credit for and are well placed to take a big scalp ot two yet this year!
Are we witnessing the rebirth of Offaly hurling? Hopefully so as Leinster needs them...
Quote from: Croí na hÉireann on June 29, 2010, 05:38:39 PM
Are we witnessing the rebirth of Offaly hurling? Hopefully so as Leinster needs them...
I second that motion - A repeat of 98!!!
Quote from: Louth Exile on June 30, 2010, 12:43:39 AM
Quote from: Croí na hÉireann on June 29, 2010, 05:38:39 PM
Are we witnessing the rebirth of Offaly hurling? Hopefully so as Leinster needs them...
I second that motion - A repeat of 98!!!
I think a rebirth of Louth football would be even a bigger boost to the GAA. Come on the wee.
a louth renaissance is long overdue and should be followed by one from the rossies