Have we any hope?
Worst draw possible from a Galway point of view, the rest of the qualifier winners are no great shakes, it's the toughest draw we could have got.
I reckon we will win it handy about 4-14 to 1- 13 (if only!!!). I am extremely drunk while posting this message, the Valk in Ballinrobe does that to ya.
Do you want a fight?
Based on all the evidence at hand Kerry should win but we wont be buying the "we havent a hope" stuff lads.
This is one that Galway definitely can win. Their midfield is the obvious weakness but Bergin is surely ready to return from injury now and he would definitely be an improvement out there. Kerry still looked like a side who are still trying to find their best form. Sluggish against Monaghan with question marks over their full back line. I think the Galway forwards have the class to exploit this plus as shown againt Mayo (and many times in the past) they have the ability to take their scores from half chances when they are being dominated further out the field. The ariel bombardment in to star and walsh will cause them problems but Hanly looked back to form in the Connacht Final and Fitzgerald has the height and mobility to do a job on walsh. The likes of Burke would make a good man marker for Gooch. On top of all this the tribesmen (Joyce expecially) are very fresh this season and seem to be enjoying their football under Sammon. I'd back them this time.
Kerry by 8.
Worst draw hat Galway could have got. Kerry looked a different class when they met in the league
Looking forward to seeing Hanley - Donaghy clash.
kerry will win this.galway have plenty of class but it will not beat a sly,cheeky and physical kerry team that know every trick in the book.
Bad draw for Galway but they have a big performance in them.
The backs flatter to deceive at times but can be tough and tight.
I don't think this will be as easy as many think. A 6 day turn-around is tough for Kerry and perhaps they might caught. They have to start favourites, and should have a bounce in their step but with Meehan and Joyce against you there is always a chance.
Should be a good game of football.
A woeful draw for Galway. The worst thing they can do is think they are going to get a nice football game next saturday. How is Joe Bergin?? Hardly likely to be matchfit. The 6 day turnaround for Kerry can't help them. Galway must hit them on the scoreboard early and often. Meehan never has a bad day in Croke Park(the team might). Too many wing and prayer merchants around the middle 8 who need to step up and be counted. 7 years is a long time.
This is the worst case scenario for us. I can't see us beating Kerry. They are just too strong all round for us I reckon.
Re previous posts -> Bergin will hardly be fit enough to play - he didn't play any part for his club in championship action last weekend.Even if he has improved in the interim, he won't be near fit enough to come into a game of that intensity in Croke Park.
Re Mike Meehan not having a bad game in Croker - as far as I recall he has only played their twice with the seniors vs Donegal in 2003 and Cork in 2005. Though he did bag goals on both of those occasions I think including 2 against Cork. I don't reckon he will get much change out of Marc O'Se next weekend. O'Se cleaned him in the league in Pearse Stadium earlier in the year.
I think we would have had a decent chance against any of the other 3 sides we could have got but I'm very pessimistic now I'm afraid. Sure feckit we'll turn up anyway :-)
AFA it's a good job I waited till now to post myself and not when I arrived home last night/this morning - was in that same Valkenburg myself last night :D
I don't know why everyone seems to think this is a bad draw for Galway if they are good enough they can win it, if they are not they may as well be beaten next weekend. I think Galway have a great chance though they may need to come up with a plan to win more of their own kickouts.
QuoteI don't know why everyone seems to think this is a bad draw for Galway if they are good enough they can win it, if they are not they may as well be beaten next weekend. I think Galway have a great chance though they may need to come up with a plan to win more of their own kickouts.
True, to win an all-ireland you have to beat the best and thats Kerry.
I can Joyce being up for this game in a big way. I kow many of the 98 generation have regretted nt beating Kerry during that era.
Well it's not the draw we wanted. I think we would definitely beat either Wexford or Kildare and I think we would have had a good chance against Tyrone. Considering we haven't won a game in Croke Park in a few years Kerry was not the team we wanted to run into for our first game up there this year. Personally I think they will have a bit too much for our lads and I will be travelling more in hope than expectation.
Thought Kerry were fairly impressive in beating Monaghan considering they hadn't played in a fair while and Monaghan were battle hardened. Hopefully that game doesn't bring them on too much.
In the league game against Kerry we were destroyed at midfield. Kerry played O'Se, Scanlon and Griffin and even though Barry Cullinane caught a couple of balls above Dara O'Se he was plouging a lone furrow. We just couldn't get any decent ball into our forwards at all. Finian Hanley actually did quite well on Donaghy that day. He will have to try and repeat the trick next weekend.
Joe Bergin is back training but difficult to see how he could last the pace of a championship match. You might get 20 minutes out of him at most. Nicky Joyce ruled out with a groin injury.
Who ever sets up the fixtures in the GAA must be the most clueless idiots in the world. Who the f**K sets up a minor QF for 12:30 in Newbridge with the Seniors playing in Croke Park at 4pm.......
Those who try to make it will miss the Armagh v Wexford game (despite paying full whack) and will struggle to get to Croker in time anyway.
No problem with the game in Newbridge but why not play it at 7:30 and let the fans go their way back from Croker go to the game. Annoyed as hell.
Too much negativity on here from Galway supporters, dont know why we are bothering headin to Dublin on Saturday at all. If this is the players attitude we are rightly f**ked. Bar the last few years we would be considered Kerry's traditional bogey team but sure that mantle has now passed to Tyrone ::)
We have every chance on Saturday, midfield and breaks being key. Think we might have the men to tie up Donaghy and Walsh. Cooper still poses the biggest threat to the Galway rearguard. Hope there's twenty minutes in Bergin, he will be needed.
O'Mahony well capable of sorting out Joyce and even poses a scoring threat when Joyce drops deep so we must be careful but its not beyond the bounds of possibility that Joyce will have a stormer.
As for Meehan in Croke Park, has in the main had good games there bar Tyrone in 04 but in his defence he was played at right half forward, something he definitely is not. I think Marc O'Se has difficulty with him too based on the All Ireland Club final and in the league tussles Meehan has won his own ball against O'Se easier than I have expected. If anything Tom O'Sullivan has a better record on Meehan. Meehan will have to have a stormer if we are to have a chance, as will Armstrong should he get the start with Nicky Joyce missing.
What's the story with tickets for this one lads?Are they going to go to the clubs or are they just going to sell them out of loughgeorge and salthill?
last few years?? Haven't beaten them in colour!!!
Quote from: Duine Eile on August 05, 2008, 10:54:48 AM
What's the story with tickets for this one lads?Are they going to go to the clubs or are they just going to sell them out of loughgeorge and salthill?
There will be any amount of them in the caravans on Drumcondra/Jones Rd areas so id not worry too much about travellin to Loughgeorge/Salthill to pick one up.
Joe Bergin is passed fit to play although id be very surprised if he started him. Maybe bring him in early in second half but he's played no games so Croke Park would take it out of the legs.
The rosary beads are out but in Joyce I trust so hopefully he and a few others will help pull a surprise out of the bag........another soft ould Breathnach goal would be gladly accepted!!!
Lads, looking forward to this one as an aftermath to the big game when I can relax after Armagh have booked their place in the semis. I do recall the 2002 encounter at the same stage and was amazed that there was hardly a hard tackle or shoulder charge in the game,instead you would have thought it was an exhibition match, and Galway were defending All Ireland Champions as well.
I trust there will be more of a cutting edge on Saturday?
I hope so the expectation would be that Galway like to play football and don't resort to the rough tactics but
I think we'll need to revisit this policy this weekend.
I feel that this game is probably beyond Galway but we cannot forget that Kerry lost an eight point lead in the Munster
Final and can still be fragile but I think we would need two or three goals to win this game.
With Nicky Joyce out, who will gets his place? Would Lydon or Conroy get a start to try to bolster the midfield area?
Quote from: T Fearon on August 05, 2008, 12:49:59 PM
Lads, looking forward to this one as an aftermath to the big game when I can relax after Armagh have booked their place in the semis. I do recall the 2002 encounter at the same stage and was amazed that there was hardly a hard tackle or shoulder charge in the game,instead you would have thought it was an exhibition match, and Galway were defending All Ireland Champions as well.
I trust there will be more of a cutting edge on Saturday?
Cutting edge? A cutting edge indicates incisive forward play and scoring passages of fine play. Depends whether you like football or rugby league without the tackle count Tony..
You mean a dour defensive struggle with gang tackles?
In all seriousness, we are going to have to match Kerry in the physical stakes if we have any hope..
Theres no point in trying to rough house Kerry......whatever chance we have in a game of football, we have no hope in a sledging match. Fair enough, give what you're gettin but dont go out to turn it into a clattering match. A few hardy lads there with Cullinane, Blake, PJ but apart from that, forget about it. Dara & Tomas O'Se, Aidan O'Mahony and some of these lads.......sure they ate young lads for breakfast.
Have something worked out for the kickouts so as to not rain ball down on Dara O'Se and feed decent ball to the forward line......then we have a chance. It will be bad enough if they are lorrying ball into Donaghy and Cooper off their own ball, the last thing we need is for them to start cleaning us on our own ball too. I'd like to see Conroy in at 10 and Bane inside with Fiachra Breathnach on the bench. Cant see him going for Armstrong on the basis that he needs something to strengthen the middle third as you said
If we are in it with 15 mins to go, we would have a fair chance so a good start is vital.
Quote from: belleaqua on August 05, 2008, 10:21:33 AM
Too much negativity on here from Galway supporters, dont know why we are bothering headin to Dublin on Saturday at all. If this is the players attitude we are rightly f**ked. Bar the last few years we would be considered Kerry's traditional bogey team but sure that mantle has now passed to Tyrone ::)
Well historically we had a pretty decent record against Kerry teams (compared to other counties at any rate). Up to 2000 we were pretty much neck and neck with them in championship wins between the two but they've stolen a march on us since after beating us in 2000 and 2002. Certainly though Galway generally have no inferiority complex when it comes to playing Kerry but that won't win you games by itself unfortunately and in the last few years they have definitely had the wood on us.
Just found a nice background piece on Hogan Stand
GALWAY v KERRY
They meet in the championship for the first time since 2002 when Kerry beat Galway by 2-17 to 1-12 in the All-Ireland quarter-final. They also met in the 2000 All-Ireland final which Kerry won in a replay.
The counties also clashed in National League finals in 2004 and 2006, both of which Kerry won. And Kerry also won when the teams met in a National League game in Pearse Stadium last April (0-15 to 0-10). Galway's last championship win over Kerry was in the 1965 All-Ireland final.
This will be the 19th championship meeting between the counties with Kerry winning nine of the previous eighteen to Galway's six while they have been three draws. Galway's best run against Kerry came in the 1960's when they beat the Kingdom in three successive championships (1963 semi-final; 1964-65 finals).
Joe Bergin has recovered from injury and could play some part in Galway's All-Ireland quarter-final clash with champions Kerry on Saturday.
Bergin has been sidelined for four months after having an operation on his Achilles, but it has been confirmed that he will be available for slection against the Kingdom.
The Mountbellew midfielder suffered the injury in the NFL Division One clash with Mayo last April and has not featured in a maroon jersey since.
"Joe has been training. He was doing some light training before the Connacht final but he's been available to do more in the last few weeks," Galway official Seamus Finnerty told The Star.
Bergin is unlikely to claim a starting berth on Saturday, but could be called into the fray if Kerry's Darragh O Sé manages a repeat performance of his midfield destruction of Monaghan on Sunday.
Some interesting calls to make:
Doherty --- Guaranteed to start
Cannot see a full back line other than this Fitzgerald, Hanley & D.Burke
Half back line, I'd imagine it will be three from Bradshaw, Blake, Sice & D. Meehan. Blake will start but can you drop Bradshaw after his performance aginst Mayo? But then do you leave a player of Dec Meehans experience off against Kerry?
Midfield: Has to be Cullinane & Coleman.
Half-Forward Line: Like the half back line, it is difficult to know exactly who will be picked. Joyce at number 11 for sure. Breathnach at 10 & Armstrong / Conroy at 12? I would opt for Armstrong. Keep Conroy as a sub for now maybe.
Full Forward Line: Matt Clancy (Obviously playing as a third midfielder), M. Meehan, C. Bane
According to news reports this morning Bergin is out and both Declan Meehan and Armstrong are doubtful.
Anybody got the latest?
While I can understand the distaste for defensive tactics and rugby league style robustness etc, the 2002 Galway Kerry clash was nevertheless virtually tackle free (and I mean tackles of any description). In all, the game was almost completely devoid of passion and I was amazed that the Tribesmen surrendered their title so tamely.
Quote from: T Fearon on August 06, 2008, 10:24:43 AM
While I can understand the distaste for defensive tactics and rugby league style robustness etc, the 2002 Galway Kerry clash was nevertheless virtually tackle free (and I mean tackles of any description). In all, the game was almost completely devoid of passion and I was amazed that the Tribesmen surrendered their title so tamely.
Its like anything Tony, there is a happy medium between both to be found and you will find no complaints from me over Galway matching Kerry physically should that enable us to win the game.
Galway's preparations for Saturday's All-Ireland quarter-final against Kerry have been hit by a series of injuries.
Joe Bergin, who was back fighting for a place after recovering from an Achilles injury picked up in a league game in April, had a setback at training last week when he damaged a quad muscle which rules him out of a return.
And stalwart Declan Meehan is also struggling to be ready after injuring his hamstring in the Connacht final.
Galway captain Padraic Joyce said yesterday that Meehan's prospects of playing any role on Saturday are rated as slim.
Sean Armstrong became the latest casualty at training on Monday night when he sustained a groin injury that rules him out of Saturday.
Add to that Nickey Joyce's absence due to a groin operation two weeks ago means Liam Sammon's options have become limited.
Padraic Joyce, who captains Galway in their first All-Ireland quarter-final for three years, has welcomed the staging of their quarter-final in Croke Park.
"It is very important and will help our lads, a lot people may think differently though. We have players who like carrying the ball, so it's a great boost. Obviously it will suit Kerry too as it is their second home now. But I'm delighted and I think we'll relish the open spaces.
Joyce also confirmed yesterday that he won't be involved with the International Rules squad later this year as either selector or player.
Joyce feels that any time he can give to football he will give to Galway.
Meanwhile, Aidan O'Mahony is Kerry's most serious doubt.
O'Mahony injured a leg in an early collision with Monaghan's Stephen Gollogly on Sunday but played on. However, an X-ray on Monday revealed severe bruising above the Achilles and he is currently on crutches.
Tipperary centre-back Conor O'Mahony will have the cast removed from his broken hand this week.
O'Mahony has been laid up since the Munster final, but Sheedy is confident he will be ready for next week's All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford. Lar Corbett and John O'Brien are also on the mend.
Well those injuries have not helped our chances. Bergin by the sounds of it would have played some part on Saturday even though he's hardly match fit. Well he's not fit at all now.
Armstrong had a good chance of starting after Nicky was ruled out and now he's gone.
Deccie at least we have decent cover for.
Forwards at a guess will be
Conroy PJ Bane
Mattie Meehan Breathnach
Either way it doesn't leave us with many options left on the bench for up front or in midfield.
It's true, we were underdogs even with a full deck to choose from, I would say that would be the starting line-up for the forwards,
Lydon will be the only player to be brought on with any big match game time this year, who else would be on the subs bench.
Sice will probably keep his place with Declan Meehan doubtful too.
It's a very tall order now.
Prob best to start with Darren Mullaly and Niall Coyne as half forwards (sweeping up from the half back line with Bradshaw & Sice who are both a bit on the small side for these big kerry boys)......and play PJ close to goal
QuoteProb best to start with Darren Mullaly and Niall Coyne as half forwards (sweeping up from the half back line with Bradshaw & Sice who are both a bit on the small side for these big kerry boys)......and play PJ close to goal
Just curious if you are being serious?
Starting two half backs in the half forward line in a match as big as this? I could see logic in bringing Mullahy on in the half-forward line of there was somebody struggling there but what you are suggesting is crazy!
we need a game plan to win our own kick outs and both bradshaw and mullaly are good going forward, we may need coyne's height and strength to mark the like of brosnan if he comes on (last few times he has killed us under the dropping ball...remember 2002 out wing backs got cleaned under every kick out)
we are seriously short on options if both bergin and armstrong are out (on top of nicky j and d meehan)
we need to be very mobile to pull this off on saturday
Galway Team V Kerry, 2 changes, Conroy in for Nicky and more surprisingly Lydon in for Coleman? Bit unexpected?
1 Paul Doherty Tuam Stars
2 Garreth Bradshaw Maigh Cuilinn
3 Finian Hanley Salthill Knocknacarra
4 Damien Burke Corofin
5 Niall Coyne Carna Caiseal
6 Diarmuid Blake Milltown
7 Gary Sice Corofin
8 Barry Cullinane Claregalway
9 Mark Lydon Maigh Cuilinn
10 Cormac Bane Caherlistrane
11 Padraic Joyce Killererin Capt
12 Paul Conroy St James
13 Matthew Clancy Oughterard
14 Michael Meehan Caltra
15 Fiachra Breathnach Leitir Mor
Quote from: Duine Eile on August 06, 2008, 09:57:20 PM
Galway Team V Kerry, 2 changes, Conroy in for Nicky and more surprisingly Lydon in for Coleman? Bit unexpected?
1 Paul Doherty Tuam Stars
2 Garreth Bradshaw Maigh Cuilinn
3 Finian Hanley Salthill Knocknacarra
4 Damien Burke Corofin
5 Niall Coyne Carna Caiseal
6 Diarmuid Blake Milltown
7 Gary Sice Corofin
8 Barry Cullinane Claregalway
9 Mark Lydon Maigh Cuilinn
10 Cormac Bane Caherlistrane
11 Padraic Joyce Killererin Capt
12 Paul Conroy St James
13 Matthew Clancy Oughterard
14 Michael Meehan Caltra
15 Fiachra Breathnach Leitir Mor
That's a decent looking team on paper and IMO will give Kerry a right good rattle if they can live with intensity of the game.
Quote from: Duine Eile on August 06, 2008, 09:57:20 PM
Galway Team V Kerry, 2 changes, Conroy in for Nicky and more surprisingly Lydon in for Coleman? Bit unexpected?
1 Paul Doherty Tuam Stars
2 Garreth Bradshaw Maigh Cuilinn
3 Finian Hanley Salthill Knocknacarra
4 Damien Burke Corofin
5 Niall Coyne Carna Caiseal
6 Diarmuid Blake Milltown
7 Gary Sice Corofin
8 Barry Cullinane Claregalway
9 Mark Lydon Maigh Cuilinn
10 Cormac Bane Caherlistrane
11 Padraic Joyce Killererin Capt
12 Paul Conroy St James
13 Matthew Clancy Oughterard
14 Michael Meehan Caltra
15 Fiachra Breathnach Leitir Mor
V surprised that Fitz didnt get the start in the corner and Bradshaw want moved out to 5. ts a fairly bulky backline....they'll need it all come Sunday
It was a bit of a toss up between Lydon & Coleman given that Coleman's not shown particularly good form but definitely expected him to get the start ahead of Lydon, mainly because of the extra physicality he'd bring.
Forwards along expected lines given the injuries to the continually injured Armstrong & Nicky.
Quote from: Zulu on August 06, 2008, 10:10:50 PM
Quote from: Duine Eile on August 06, 2008, 09:57:20 PM
Galway Team V Kerry, 2 changes, Conroy in for Nicky and more surprisingly Lydon in for Coleman? Bit unexpected?
1 Paul Doherty Tuam Stars
2 Garreth Bradshaw Maigh Cuilinn
3 Finian Hanley Salthill Knocknacarra
4 Damien Burke Corofin
5 Niall Coyne Carna Caiseal
6 Diarmuid Blake Milltown
7 Gary Sice Corofin
8 Barry Cullinane Claregalway
9 Mark Lydon Maigh Cuilinn
10 Cormac Bane Caherlistrane
11 Padraic Joyce Killererin Capt
12 Paul Conroy St James
13 Matthew Clancy Oughterard
14 Michael Meehan Caltra
15 Fiachra Breathnach Leitir Mor
That's a decent looking team on paper and IMO will give Kerry a right good rattle if they can live with intensity of the game.
Conroy had to come in simply as we have no one else to take the left hand side frees. Surprised that Fitz isn't in the fullback line with Bradshaw moving to half back.
Not too much on the bench though, even if that team has enough to rattle Kerry for a good period of the match (which I wouldn't be as confident of as yourself Zulu), the Kerry bench is far superior, which would be the difference even if we could keep it close.
I'm trying to be bullish about our chances but it's difficult to stay positive, we would need to be playing from a full deck and have a midfield on a par with Kerry to be rightly confident of causing an upset.
We need Galway playing above and beyond anything they have reached this year and Kerry at 80% to win.....It happened in Munster final though, could happen again
Lads Kerry were poor against Clare, brutal against Cork in the second half and only decent against Monaghan with the game turning on two goal chances. Galway are strong down the spine (midfield excluded) and Kerry have their problems too. Declan O'Sullivan was poor last week, the Gooch isn't firing on all cylinders, Tommy Walsh will be some player but he is still young, Donnacha Walsh isn't up to this standard IMO. There are question marks about the Kerry midfield and Adian O'Mahoney is the only Kerry back in line for an All Star at the moment IMO. Galway won't fear Kerry and like Kerry they tend to kick on when they get to Croke Park, so while Kerry are deserved favourites I wouldn't share the pessimisim of some Galway posters.
Quote from: MaroonAndWhite on August 06, 2008, 10:26:36 PM
We need Galway playing above and beyond anything they have reached this year and Kerry at 80% to win.....It happened in Munster final though, could happen again
No doubt, in my opinion we'll have to play at a level we haven't seen from a Galway team in a long time. In our favour is that the team has absolutely nothing to lose, we will be written off by everyone in the press and elsewhere. We're 3-1 rank outsiders with the bookies, we haven't won at match at those odds since the '98 final I'd say. Some Kerry lads are already planning ahead for the possible semi-final against Cork, hope the Kerry team have the same complacent attitude.
Quote from: Zulu on August 06, 2008, 10:43:45 PM
Lads Kerry were poor against Clare, brutal against Cork in the second half and only decent against Monaghan with the game turning on two goal chances. Galway are strong down the spine (midfield excluded) and Kerry have their problems too. Declan O'Sullivan was poor last week, the Gooch isn't firing on all cylinders, Tommy Walsh will be some player but he is still young, Donnacha Walsh isn't up to this standard IMO. There are question marks about the Kerry midfield and Adian O'Mahoney is the only Kerry back in line for an All Star at the moment IMO. Galway won't fear Kerry and like Kerry they tend to kick on when they get to Croke Park, so while Kerry are deserved favourites I wouldn't share the pessimisim of some Galway posters.
Fair play Zulu, that's the positive attitude we need. The team needs to come out respecting the test ahead but not fearful of Kerry (too many teams lie down when they go a few points down again the Kingdom), play the brand of Galway football that has served us well historically and give them a match they'll have to fight hard to win.
Quote from: T Fearon on August 05, 2008, 12:49:59 PM
Lads, looking forward to this one as an aftermath to the big game when I can relax after Armagh have booked their place in the semis. I do recall the 2002 encounter at the same stage and was amazed that there was hardly a hard tackle or shoulder charge in the game,instead you would have thought it was an exhibition match, and Galway were defending All Ireland Champions as well.
I trust there will be more of a cutting edge on Saturday?
they play football in galway tony, always have and do quite well at it too! i do think kerry will win this one tho as the monaghan game will have brought us on alot. having said that if joyce and co stay on their game for 70 minutes we could be eating humble pie on sunday.
ps tony, wexford have play bad just once this year. just once....
Quote from: magickingdom on August 06, 2008, 11:04:16 PM
Quote from: T Fearon on August 05, 2008, 12:49:59 PM
Lads, looking forward to this one as an aftermath to the big game when I can relax after Armagh have booked their place in the semis. I do recall the 2002 encounter at the same stage and was amazed that there was hardly a hard tackle or shoulder charge in the game,instead you would have thought it was an exhibition match, and Galway were defending All Ireland Champions as well.
I trust there will be more of a cutting edge on Saturday?
they play football in galway tony, always have and do quite well at it too! i do think kerry will win this one tho as the monaghan game will have brought us on alot. having said that if joyce and co stay on their game for 70 minutes we could be eating humble pie on sunday.
ps tony, wexford have play bad just once this year. just once....
Ah ya ould charmer Magic ;D Sure we'll give ye a good rattle anyway and see how it goes.
Whats the word on O'Mahony....will he make it? He'd be a huge loss if he was out....best no 6 in Ireland by streets
It's all fun and games till someone loses an eye !
(http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/images/1217984140551.jpg?ts=1218060193)
Padraic Joyce and Tomás Ó Sé in Croke Park yesterday, picture courtesy of Irish Times
I'm very surprised Fitz isn't on the team. Suppose he'll be a good option off the bench though. I just can't believe Lydon is back on the team - sorry for being blunt but he is simply not good enough. Not an intercounty standard player by any stretch of the imagination.
Galway certainly have nothing to lose - they're being written off by everyone. That idiot waffler Jim Carney as good as suggested the team might as well stay at home this weekend in his so-called "preview" of the game in the Tuam Herald. What a joke of a paper that is by the way. The preview consisting of a single short article full of statistics. Not much of a preview. Joke sports coverage.
Will there be many Galway fans travelling up do ye reckon?Support has been poor this year so far but I know a good few lasds heading up for this one
Ciarraí is the name that should be in the subject, fix it or we won't talk to ye and we might let Tommy Walsh and Kieran Donaghy loose on you.
The horse says there may be upto 3 changes on the Kerry team, its delayed being named until tomorrow, waiting to see how Lazarus is going once he throws away the crutches.
It is not good to see that Fitz has been left out. A clear sign that he cannot be going well in training. I guess we will eventually see if Bradshaw is up to it in the corner.
I would have chosen Coleman ahead of Lydon too (Or If I was to pick Lydon, Id have Coleman at number 10).
I assume Bane & Breathnach will switch from the start. Can see Coleman being introduced for Brethnach during the game. Would not be surprised to see Mullahy brought on in the forwards if we are not going well there also
Either way Gal, we're very limited now with what we can bring on, especially in the forwards where Armstrong's absence is in fairness a big loss. Rather surprised Savo wasn't called back in given his good form for Cortoon recently. Even at 3/1 Galway's odds look skimpy, 5/1 or 6/1 would be about right I'd say.
Never rule out Galway if any team is capable of bucking the trend its Galway you heard it here first but Galway won't be a million miles away on Saturday
Quote from: MaroonAndWhite on August 06, 2008, 11:14:09 PM
Quote from: magickingdom on August 06, 2008, 11:04:16 PM
Quote from: T Fearon on August 05, 2008, 12:49:59 PM
Lads, looking forward to this one as an aftermath to the big game when I can relax after Armagh have booked their place in the semis. I do recall the 2002 encounter at the same stage and was amazed that there was hardly a hard tackle or shoulder charge in the game,instead you would have thought it was an exhibition match, and Galway were defending All Ireland Champions as well.
I trust there will be more of a cutting edge on Saturday?
they play football in galway tony, always have and do quite well at it too! i do think kerry will win this one tho as the monaghan game will have brought us on alot. having said that if joyce and co stay on their game for 70 minutes we could be eating humble pie on sunday.
ps tony, wexford have play bad just once this year. just once....
Ah ya ould charmer Magic ;D Sure we'll give ye a good rattle anyway and see how it goes.
Whats the word on O'Mahony....will he make it? He'd be a huge loss if he was out....best no 6 in Ireland by streets
was i that transparent ;)
best plater in the country imo.. hopefully he'll be fully fit
Same team for the Kingdom. Having no luck at the moment with my chats to the horses.
(1) Diarmuid Murphy (Dingle) (2) Padraig Reidy (Scartaglin) (3) Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) (4) Tom O'Sullivan (Rathmore) (5) Tomás Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) Captain (6) Aidan O'Mahony (Rathmore) (7) Killian Young (Renard) (8) Darragh Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) (9) Seamus Scanlon (Currow) (10) Tommy Walsh (Kerins O'Rahillys) (11) Colm Cooper (Dr. Crokes) (12) Donnacha Walsh (Cromane) (13) Declan O'Sullivan (Piarsaigh Na Dromada) (14) Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks) (15) Brian Sheehan (St Mary's)
Subs TBC
Quote from: Kerry Mike on August 07, 2008, 12:22:25 AM
Ciarraí is the name that should be in the subject, fix it or we won't talk to ye and we might let Tommy Walsh and Kieran Donaghy loose on you.
The horse says there may be upto 3 changes on the Kerry team, its delayed being named until tomorrow, waiting to see how Lazarus is going once he throws away the crutches.
Nice to see ye are more worried about spelling than the Galway team, have you the hotel booked for the semi-final against Cork yet Mike ;).
In my defence I was hammered when I started the topic thread, be thankful I didn't title it Gaillimh-na hainmhithe!
Changed it for ya anyway.
Quotehave you the hotel booked for the semi-final against Cork yet Mike
No, like Paul Galvin we fellow Kerrymen are waiting for the final :P
I will be there on Sat hopefullly. Though the traffic restrictions in Newcastle West after the flooding is going to make a serious dent in whatever travelling support we might muster. Thankfully will be on the Langer train coming up from Cork tomorrow.
I love the way this thread is going. Kerry, as ever, c**k sure and Galway playing the 2nd class poor mouths.
A surprise this weekend is possible. The 2008 Kerry side has shown weakness that I am not used to from Kerry. Galway may just be the side to exploit them, if not arma will later.
From what I have seen of Armagh this year so far - Maybe Wexford could be the ones to exploit Kerry!
Its amazing to see the spread of clubs across the starting 15 for Kerry with An Gaeltacht the only club with with multiple representatives on the starting 15.
Kerry odds shortening, Galway's lengthening a little. Doesn't make much difference, put everything you have on Kerry tomorrow, there's no earthly way they will lose, absolutely not a hope. Seriously.
Quote from: mouview on August 08, 2008, 11:53:05 AM
Kerry odds shortening, Galway's lengthening a little. Doesn't make much difference, put everything you have on Kerry tomorrow, there's no earthly way they will lose, absolutely not a hope. Seriously.
Yerra I wouldn't put your money on Kerry in fairness, their is awful trouble in the camp between the the old guard and the young pups. See two can play that game ;).
Can't see a whole pile in it, if Galways forward catch fire they will win. From the stories I am hearing (not KM horse by the way) O'Mahony is not certain to start.
Still No better place for Darragh to set the appearance record than Croker.
Quote from: SuperDooperCooper on August 08, 2008, 12:11:41 PM
Yerra I wouldn't put your money on Kerry in fairness, their is awful trouble in the camp between the the old guard and the young pups. See two can play that game ;).
Can't see a whole pile in it, if Galways forward catch fire they will win. From the stories I am hearing (not KM horse by the way) O'Mahony is not certain to start.
Still No better place for Darragh to set the appearance record than Croker.
Seriously Colm, there's not a snowball's chance in hell that Galway will win tomorrow, I mean it, nada. Maybe if the day's wet it will be a bit of a leveller but that's only grasping at straws I'm afraid. I'm going up on the day purely to enjoy a day out and that's it. I repeat, put everything you own on Kerry amarach.
The last time a poster from one of the competing counties strongly tipped their opponents I lost a good few pound. I think Galway lads are being too pessimistic here and I'd give ye a decent chance, anyway I won't follow the advice to go heavy on Kerry this time. I will put them in my accumulator though with a more modest wager.
At best we have a modest chance of pulling something out of the fire. I just want to see our fellas give it 110% for the 70 odd minutes and if that proves to be good enough tomorrow, well then, happy days. Its a big ask but i will be there roaring them on in any case. Gaillimh Abú.
Quote from: mouview on August 08, 2008, 02:35:34 PM
Quote from: SuperDooperCooper on August 08, 2008, 12:11:41 PM
Yerra I wouldn't put your money on Kerry in fairness, their is awful trouble in the camp between the the old guard and the young pups. See two can play that game ;).
Can't see a whole pile in it, if Galways forward catch fire they will win. From the stories I am hearing (not KM horse by the way) O'Mahony is not certain to start.
Still No better place for Darragh to set the appearance record than Croker.
Seriously Colm, there's not a snowball's chance in hell that Galway will win tomorrow, I mean it, nada. Maybe if the day's wet it will be a bit of a leveller but that's only grasping at straws I'm afraid. I'm going up on the day purely to enjoy a day out and that's it. I repeat, put everything you own on Kerry amarach.
Were you one of the pessimistic bunch before the Connacht final as well mouview? Sure enjoy the day out anyway! ;) Seriously, it will be closer than most people think.
Mouview is right to add a dose of realism to proceedings, for Galway to win we need a whole lot of things to go our way during the match, much more so than Kerry do and I don't think you can win a match against top class opposition without a good midfield - it's the biggest piece missing from the Galway team at present.That said there is bound to be one shock result between now and the 21st of September, I'm hoping on the way out of Croke Park at 5.30 we'll be the county that has provided it.
I'll be there in hope more than expectation but if all 15 Galwaymen play well on the day we have a chance to beat anyone, even this Kerry team. If both sides play to potential and form however, it's Kerry by 5 or 6.
was away there, who got the kerry goal?
cracking scores here in contrast to other teams.
Halftime
Meehan doing whatever damage to the Kerry defence that is on, Lydon and Bane chipping in with a point apiece from play. Kerry look very good, helped in no small manner by the brutal Galway midfield. Matthew Clancy going off injured is a big blow when you consider their injury list. Some shot by Declan O'Sullivan, would've been goal of the year. O'Sullivan and Tommy Walsh doing the damage up front. Fair play to Galway for staying with them.
If Galway can compete better around the middle they'll have a chance.
Declan O'Sullivan is on fire as is Meehan. If O'Sullivan is left on Meehan he'll get cleaned out.
That Walsh fella is some athlete for the age of him - complete powerhouse.
Barry Cullinane too slow for intercounty football though Hanley one of the best full backs about.
This game is restoring my faith in football a bit.
Just a question for the football intelligentsia out there, is Tom O'Sullivan an untouchable on that Kerry team ?
How the hell did the umpire miss that going over the bar? ???
A lottery now.
Terrible shame that when we have the opportunity of watching two good footballing teams the weather makes skillful play near impossible.
Meehan is on fire.
Galway 0-10 Kerry 1-09 after 40 minutes
we have a game
What sort of gobshites are officiating at gaelic games? Seven of them on the pitch and they can't figure out whether the ball went between the posts or not.
some game though. wonder are the blanket defence artists watching real gaelic football now.
What's wrong with Niall Colman, ridiculous challenge. Has a history of having this red mist descending upon him.
Bloody good game this one
Hugely impressive from Kerry. I thought they might be gone, but despite the conditions their football is excellent. They just seem incapable of panic and have super strength in depth.
Fair play to Galway for giving them a real game, tho they probably should have at least one more goal on the board.
the marking is no worse than any other game hardstation. that is gaelic football the way it was created and its a magnificent game when played like that. its been fooked up by blanket defences,rugby league coaches and all the other bullshit artists emanating largely from the north who tell us you can't win trophies playing this way
Has to be red
What? You're allowed to kick people now?
And you get a lellow for BEING kicked?
Anyway - great game - great football. 42 points in those conditions!
Make that 43.
This is unbelievable given te conditions, 37 scores, the majority from play. Daragh ~O Se created two points in two minutes there and Meehan and Joyce are still raging against the flow of the tide.
Cooper was fouling and yapping all day long so little wonder someone kicked him...
Football as it should be played though- support play, accurate kick passes and great score taking.
Indeed. Some cracker score there.
What was the craic with the Hogan Stand having to be evacuated because of flooding? Or am I imagining things???
Credit to both teams ....excellent match.
Depth of Kerry squad is mighty impressive.
Quote from: hardstation on August 09, 2008, 05:26:00 PM
Very soft though. Hardly a challenge made. Marking quite poor too. Good open football because of it. Some great point taking though.
You are confusing the gangbanging that passes for football in Ulster with true championship quality! :o
Finally a great game of "gaelic football" to watch....Maybe this video should be sent to some counties to show the benefit of picking forwards who can score rather than picking them to defend!!!
It's easy when you can play the game.
Galway couldn't live with Kerry in those 10 last minutes. Colman gave 2 points away in the second half for 2 pointless fouls, but Kerry made life hard for them by pressurising constantly and Galway started to make errors and giving posession back that they hadn't done earlier in the match. Kerry are a serious side with the high ball into their full backline their only obvious flaw. Daniel Bohane went some way to sorting this out when he came on. Fair play to Galway for sticking with and leading Kerry for a while in the second half.
Quote from: hardstation on August 09, 2008, 05:46:49 PM
And when players stand away off you.
You mean when players don't bring back 3/4 forwards back into defence to defend rather than doing what they are supposed to do which is score at the other end...
Does anyone else get the sickening feeling that Cork will dispose of Kildare by 3 or 4 points tomorrow only to capitulate to Kerry again in the semi?
Who did the scoring today for galway?
Quote from: slow corner back on August 09, 2008, 06:01:40 PM
Does anyone else get the sickening feeling that Cork will dispose of Kildare by 3 or 4 points tomorrow only to capitulate to Kerry again in the semi?
No,I can see it being a Kerry v Kildare semi final
Quote from: Our Nail Loney on August 09, 2008, 06:19:42 PM
Who did the scoring today for galway?
Meehan scored 0-10, totally outstanding display of kicking from hands and placed balls. Don't think he hit a wide all day.
Some display of scoring from both teams, Galway lost it around the middle though where only Cullinane was winning much possession at kickouts. Tomas O'Se hoovered up a serious amount of breaks.
Quote from: Rav67 on August 09, 2008, 06:33:02 PM
Quote from: Our Nail Loney on August 09, 2008, 06:19:42 PM
Who did the scoring today for galway?
Meehan scored 0-10, totally outstanding display of kicking from hands and placed balls. Don't think he hit a wide all day.
Some display of scoring from both teams, Galway lost it around the middle though where only Cullinane was winning much possession at kickouts. Tomas O'Se hoovered up a serious amount of breaks.
Cheers rav, aye someone came into my work there and was telling me about some fella who scored tne points today that he had never heard of, thought it musta been some unknown player or something, i asked him was it meehan he said no!
QuoteWhat was the craic with the Hogan Stand having to be evacuated because of flooding? Or am I imagining things???
Jones Road was closed so you could not walk back that way .You had to cut across the Canal. There was no evacuation!
QuoteDoes anyone else get the sickening feeling that Cork will dispose of Kildare by 3 or 4 points tomorrow only to capitulate to Kerry again in the semi?
This is exactly what I thought would happen immediately after Cork beat them in Munster
QuoteAnd when players stand away off you.
When the ball is moved quickly (ie by kicking it!) then it is impossible for defenders to get near. I actually thought we saw some superb defensive play today as well as great scores.
Only Dublin can stop Kerry now. :(
Nobody stood off anybody today!
That was a cracking game of football in brutal weather conditions. I'd backed the tribesmen for this one and if it was'nt for some crazy fouling by the likes of Coleman and Cullinane (once again should have walked and conceeded frees by picking ball off the ground from a pass and penalised for overcarrying when he was soloing through ON HIS OWN!) they could have won it.
To be fair Kerry always seemed to have that bit in reserve and overall their quality was better player by player. Bar Culliane's few catches Kerry dominated midfield ...particularly Darragh O'Shea. If Galway had only broken even there it could have been so much closer. Meehan gave an exhibition.... 5 from play and 5 from (some long distance) frees. Conroy, Bane, Lydon were non-existant. Bringing on Clancy was a mistake. He was clearly struggling and conceeded valuable possession upon he re-entry. Joyce played in some excellent balls in the first half but overall he was too far out the field to do damage and O'Mahony did well going forward.
Pat O'Shea can take credit for nullifying the infleunce of Joe Bergin by bringing on Bohane on him. That sub could be the answer to the one chink in Kerry's armour - full back. Both Mark o'Shea and Tom O'Sullivan were cleaned today. Tomas O'Shea was yet again excellent...constantly picking up breaks and driving forward. Declan O'Sullivan destroyed Blake. Gooch who was well held in the first half was at the heart of everything in the 2nd. Tommy walsh chipped over 3 first half points but yet again was substituted - just shows the strength in depth of Kerry. Donncha walsh the same even though he scored a brilliant first half goal.
Finian Hanley though held Donaghy really well despite all the quality ball that rained in on top of him. Sice also defended well. Kieran Fitz made a difference when he came on and I think for his height alone should have started. Galway to their credit never were cynical and didnt engage in any body checking which made it easier for Kerry to always have the overlap. This wont be the case in the Kingdoms next game or games. However they look like they're on an upward curve but they will need to be as I still think the Dubs would have beaten them today. Galway have definitely made progress under Sammon and will definitely be a contender next season but they need to sort out the middle of the field. Both sides however deserve great credit for rescuing a poor quality championship with suce a fine display of the arts of gaelic football.
don't agree dublin would have beaten kerry today. kerry are going to be very battle hardened after playing monaghan and galway and probably cork. dublin are a long way off playing kerry yet. The only ulster team who have ever played really good football is tyrone and if they have a kick in them it will be next saturday. but kerry are looking fierce good. they have some firepower.
Ok so we had a NICE game of football everybody is happy. Well if Galway are happy with playing nice football and losing by 5 points well we know what their AI aspirations will be for the coming years. Yawn. Ok the scoring was a treat to behold, but as a game of football, like the Monaghan game it was over with 10 minutes to go. Is it really 2001 since Galway have won a championship game outside Connacht? Come on Galway, look huffed after losing, we need the west to awaken again.
I agree Indiana that this match will bring Kerry on heaps and may actually help them to beat the Dubs. But going on today the Dubs for a start would have matched if not beaten them in the middle of the field and overall they would have had more forward than one to exploit the Kerry full back line. Also they would have have had more pace and power than the tribemen throughout the field.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 09, 2008, 10:07:13 PM
don't agree dublin would have beaten kerry today. kerry are going to be very battle hardened after playing monaghan and galway and probably cork. dublin are a long way off playing kerry yet. The only ulster team who have ever played really good football is tyrone and if they have a kick in them it will be next saturday. but kerry are looking fierce good. they have some firepower.
Indiana - Are you just being deliberatly negative or do you really believe Dublin are a long way off......Kerry are a weaker team than last year and Dublin are stronger than last year so how are we a long way off playing them? Battle hardened after playing a Monaghan team who from the Ulster performances aren't that good and it certainly wasn't a physical battle today...Dublin have a far superior midfield to Galway and have more scoring options so would have caused Kerry far more problems...
Ah Bunker, there's no need for that.
One look at M Meehan's eyes today, early or late in the game, tells of the deepest passion and thsi runs through the Galway team. Galway are a lovely footballing side and given a few breaks would have taken Kerry today.
I know Meehan's season ended today but I would still see him well up there for an all star.
Just in from Croker now, traffic a disaster, flood before the M50 roundabout caused chaos. Anyways regards the match while im obviously disappointed with the result im proud of that Galway team today. They played to their true nature and didnt deserve to lose by five in the end. Some bad decisions and stupid fouls/play mainly by Cullinane and Coleman cost and hurt us on the scoreboard dearly.
The turning point for me was when we missed the double goal chance, really gave Kerry momentum and just felt it swung away from us at that point. Fair play to Bergin though for someone who was so unfit he done really well. Now Bohane did really well when he came on but I thought Bergin was f==ked and needed quallity high ball and not be forced to run into corners like he did in the end.
Meehan - class act, gave Marc O'Se his worst ever day in a Kerry jersey.
Congrats to Kerry, great side and showed real hunger, didnt find them at all cynical but tough, fair and genuine. Two fine footballing sides.
Ps. I have not seen Armagh play in person since 2002 but I was disgusted by the shit they went on with today. Almost to a man they were provoking, niggling and slapping off the ball, it was horrible to watch. Does this go on every match in which they are involved? I found myself passionately shouting for Wexford at the end. While I would consider myself informed as regards such matches I couldnt believe the level of cynicism in it. Give me matches against fine footballing sides like Kerry and Mayo any day..
Quote from: From the Bunker on August 09, 2008, 10:19:47 PM
Ok so we had a NICE game of football everybody is happy. Well if Galway are happy with playing nice football and losing by 5 points well we know what their AI aspirations will be for the coming years. Yawn. Ok the scoring was a treat to behold, but as a game of football, like the Monaghan game it was over with 10 minutes to go. Is it really 2001 since Galway have won a championship game outside Connacht? Come on Galway, look huffed after losing, we need the west to awaken again.
was there not just 1 goal in it in the kerry -monaghan game i.e. a kick of the ball..doesnt smekk of the game being over with 10mins to go there....similarlily today i think there was only 3 points in it at 5 mins to go...
that was a great spectical of score taking in brutal conditions today..... some loose marking
Very disappointed to be leaving Croke Park this evening on the losing end of that scoreline but I can't fault the Galwaymen on that pitch for commitment, they gave it everything they had and came up short, no shame in that.
Match was there for Galway to win in the 1st 20 minutes of the 2nd half but we didn't take the chances and make the most of the possession we had.
Michael Meehan is never going to have to answer questions about performing on the big day again, cleaned out Marc O'Sé and Tom Sullivan, he was just awesome.
Bench made the difference for Kerry, we just don't have the same quality panel of players to call upon.
Wasn't happy with several of McQuillan's decisions (does he let all county players pat him on the head playfully at towards the end of matches like today), Kerry were good enough to beat us without the need of getting 3 handy points from questionable decisions.
whether kerry are weaker is highly debatable DSFM, we still have to beat a really good team this year. kerry have an unbelievable bench which ultimately could be the difference. you have an undying faith in the current dublin team that i admire, but we're not even in the semi finals yet and people are talking about a dublin v kerry final similar to 2006. i'd prefer to wait and see if we get there.
Kerry are struggling at the back, but the firepower they have is absolutely extraordinary. their two main attackinng threats were reasonably quiet by their standards although cooper had a big last 25 mins ,and they still scored 1-21 against a good team.that is formidab;e by anyone standards. on paper we are best placed to potentially beat them but lets see if we get there.
Firstly fair play to Kerry. Truly a great team and one which may well claim 3 in a row in a few weeks. They just have so many good footballers.
I'm proud of the lads in maroon and white. They came into the game carrying injuries and still put Kerry to the pin of their collar. We stayed true to our heritage and went out and played football not rugby league.
Overall Kerry deserved to win but had we taken our chances when we were ahead midway in the 2nd half it may well have been different. They just had more quality on the bench to bring on to close out the game.
Fair play to Michael Meehan today. Finally came of age at senior level and destroyed both Marc O'Se and Tom O'Sullivan. Hopefully he can kick on from it knowing how good he can be.
Will give a more thorough analysis tomorrow. Very dissapointed but I have hope for that Galway team which is a young one bar PJ.
I think Dublin do have more forwards than Galway but non of them are in the same league as Meehan. He answered his critics with a super display but to give him an all star for that one performance is just plain daft.
Kerry weaker than last year???
Midfield is a year older and slower but some of O Ses passes were outstanding. Dublin are undoubtedly the best pairing in the country but their support isnt near as good as Kerrys. Yes there are some problems at full back but that was against 6' 5" Cussen and 6' 4" Bergin as well as Meehan. Dublin dont have a top quality big man to play on the edge of the square
I think theres a lot of merit to the Sunday game panelists comments that Galways goal came too early. You really need to catch them on the hop. With twenty minutes to go, Kerry didnt panic. They can just get the ball into their main scoring forwards - Gooch, Donaghy, O Sullivan, Walsh, Sheehan or Walsh, or any of the O ses.....
most of their defenders could be a top scorer in most other counties.
Id agree wholeheartedly with GBB & the other Galway posters....couldnt be any more proud of the Galway lads.....they gave 110%,fought like demons for every ball and played some wonderful football. Simply, Kerry had the classier forwards and got the scores that small bit handier. The better team won no doubt but i think if we could have won a bit more clean possession/broken ball in the middle our forwards could have pulled it out of the fire.
Firstly Michael Meehan....what a performance. It was only when i watched the match on RTE website last night that i realised the true quality of the points he kicked......left foot, right foot and some absolute peaches off the ground. There were some doubters in Galway as to his quality in the big games, myself included, but not anymore. Best individual performance of the year?
Second in line for a metion for me was Finian Hanley......thought he was top class and held Donaghy as well as any full back could....particularly given the amount of ball raining in on him. Always managed to reak it away, get a hand in or shepherd him away from goal.
I also hope that we have not seen the last of PJ in maroon and that he gives it another year :'(. He will be crucial to the development of the team in terms of leadership. He still pulled the strings vey well yesterday.....in particular, look out for the pass for Meehans first point yesterday with the outside of the left boot......holy f**k what a ball! He only kicked 0-1 yesterday but he proved his doubters regarding his ability to last the full 70 in Croker wrong. Even into the last few mins he was working back busting a gut.
Midfield is still a huge problem and I doubt we will unearth someone in the next 12 months to resolve that problem from those currently playing club football in Galway :(.
And fair play to Liam Sammon finally.....he had had a horror first year with injuries to various players at vital stages.........Joe Bergin, Nicky Joyce, Sean Armstrong, Declan Meehan and Diarmuid Blake & Kieran Fitz earlier in the season. To be missing that type of quality and still put it up to Kerry as we did was a testament to the man. Its amazing wha a year can do for a team and a manager whose philosophy the players buy into.........Sligo and Meath last year, the team looked disorganised, uninterested and honestly looked like the maroon jersey meant nothing to them. Yesterday they restored my faith in a brighter future for Galway and i hope they kick on from here.
Best of luck to Kerry from here on in......they play ball as it should be played. The team (if any) who stop them will have earned their All Ireland
I think I read during the week that Joyce referred to his commitment to Galway football for the next couple of years! Thats a good sign, be great if he clarifies it because I hate listenin to journalists speculating about older players future throughout the winter. I think Joyce will play on til he feels able and not be setting a date for the sake of it. There's a big role for him again next year.
Maroon and White is right about midfield...it will remain our biggest problem unless we can get Bergin fit, he seems to be constantly dogged with injury. Battled well there yesterday, breaks were our biggest problem.
One can only wonder what would have happened if Nicky Joyce and Sean Armstrong were fit, our bench was poor in that department without them. Bringing on Clancy again highlighted that.
Still, many reasons for optimism and well done to Sammon, the management team and especially the players.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 10, 2008, 02:00:36 AM
whether kerry are weaker is highly debatable DSFM, we still have to beat a really good team this year. kerry have an unbelievable bench which ultimately could be the difference. you have an undying faith in the current dublin team that i admire, but we're not even in the semi finals yet and people are talking about a dublin v kerry final similar to 2006. i'd prefer to wait and see if we get there.
Kerry are struggling at the back, but the firepower they have is absolutely extraordinary. their two main attackinng threats were reasonably quiet by their standards although cooper had a big last 25 mins ,and they still scored 1-21 against a good team.that is formidab;e by anyone standards. on paper we are best placed to potentially beat them but lets see if we get there.
Indiana - I would say that Galvin gone is still a huge loss to Kerry and their fullback line is struggling bigtime including even Marc O'Se and that Darragh O'Se/Scanlan are not playing as well in midfield...I agree I would prefer to wait and see if we get there or even if Kerry make it - remember they got taken to the cleaners by a 14 man Cork team so they still have problems and we have to stop building them up too much at all....Yes they scored 1-21 but do you honestly think against Dublin they would win 60%+ of possession in midfield which is what they did....and remember this was a Galway team without their top midfielder in Bergin who would have made a big difference and also without Declan Meehan, Nicky Joyce and Sean Armstrong who would all have made a real difference....
Quote from: brianboru00 on August 10, 2008, 03:42:56 AM
I think Dublin do have more forwards than Galway but non of them are in the same league as Meehan.
A flavour of the week comment. Meehan was outstanding yesterday and is a top forward but Brogan has more strings to his bow.
Quote from: Rav67 on August 10, 2008, 04:17:39 PM
Quote from: brianboru00 on August 10, 2008, 03:42:56 AM
I think Dublin do have more forwards than Galway but non of them are in the same league as Meehan.
A flavour of the week comment. Meehan was outstanding yesterday and is a top forward but Brogan has more strings to his bow.
Wouldnt swap Meehan for any forward in the country and felt the same before yesterdays game. I think we will finally see his undoubted potential from now on. Also his freetaking especially longrange is invaluable.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 10, 2008, 02:00:36 AM
whether kerry are weaker is highly debatable DSFM, we still have to beat a really good team this year. kerry have an unbelievable bench which ultimately could be the difference. you have an undying faith in the current dublin team that i admire, but we're not even in the semi finals yet and people are talking about a dublin v kerry final similar to 2006. i'd prefer to wait and see if we get there.
Kerry are struggling at the back, but the firepower they have is absolutely extraordinary. their two main attackinng threats were reasonably quiet by their standards although cooper had a big last 25 mins ,and they still scored 1-21 against a good team.that is formidab;e by anyone standards. on paper we are best placed to potentially beat them but lets see if we get there.
Agree 100% - just hope that everyone else (team, mgt & supporters) buy into that mentality too otherwise it'll be back to the drawing board next Sunday night.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 09, 2008, 10:07:13 PM
don't agree dublin would have beaten kerry today. kerry are going to be very battle hardened after playing monaghan and galway and probably cork. dublin are a long way off playing kerry yet. The only ulster team who have ever played really good football is tyrone and if they have a kick in them it will be next saturday. but kerry are looking fierce good. they have some firepower.
Indiana I didn't think you were another of our 'football only started in 2002' merchants.
On another note Cooper threw a blatant punch in the last few minutes that he received a yellow card for - will this be revisited?
Well done to Kerry, deserved the win on the day although the 5 pts flattered them a little I thought. Their bench was surley the difference.
Absolute credit to our lads, gave it their all and came up short but no shame in that. Delighted for Mikey Meehan that he finally showed the rest of the country what we in Galway know he is well capable of. One of the best individual performances I have ever witnessed in Croke Park especially in the monsoon conditions that prevailed yesterday. Credit also must go to Liam Sammon and the management team as they really have this bunch on players back playing the type of football that a Galway team should be playing.
Hopefully we will be a lot luckier with injuries next season and this panel can push on to the next level. The talent is there, it now needs to be exploited to its full potential.
Quote from: Rav67 on August 10, 2008, 04:17:39 PM
Quote from: brianboru00 on August 10, 2008, 03:42:56 AM
I think Dublin do have more forwards than Galway but non of them are in the same league as Meehan.
A flavour of the week comment. Meehan was outstanding yesterday and is a top forward but Brogan has more strings to his bow.
I have rated Meehan for years, would rather him in my team than any of the dubs 100%
Quote from: Rav67 on August 10, 2008, 04:17:39 PM
Quote from: brianboru00 on August 10, 2008, 03:42:56 AM
I think Dublin do have more forwards than Galway but non of them are in the same league as Meehan.
A flavour of the week comment. Meehan was outstanding yesterday and is a top forward but Brogan has more strings to his bow.
Brogan is a better link player, and will bring team mates into the game more - but Meehan is a scoring machine. Hard to pick between the two, but with both on top form, Id plump for Meehan so far.
Quote from: Puckoon on August 10, 2008, 06:55:34 PM
Quote from: Rav67 on August 10, 2008, 04:17:39 PM
Quote from: brianboru00 on August 10, 2008, 03:42:56 AM
I think Dublin do have more forwards than Galway but non of them are in the same league as Meehan.
A flavour of the week comment. Meehan was outstanding yesterday and is a top forward but Brogan has more strings to his bow.
Brogan is a better link player, and will bring team mates into the game more - but Meehan is a scoring machine. Hard to pick between the two, but with both on top form, Id plump for Meehan so far.
Valid point, Brogan can play in half forward line so offers more variety. Meehan has great ability from frees as well as play. He is the most intelligent footballer iv seen even since he was 16/17. While admittedly he has taken a while to shine nationally he came with a huge reputation. added to that is the fact that until this year he was playing on a defensive orientated team under Forde and living off scraps. the best is yet to come folks.
Quote from: belleaqua on August 10, 2008, 07:05:50 PM
Quote from: Puckoon on August 10, 2008, 06:55:34 PM
Quote from: Rav67 on August 10, 2008, 04:17:39 PM
Quote from: brianboru00 on August 10, 2008, 03:42:56 AM
I think Dublin do have more forwards than Galway but non of them are in the same league as Meehan.
A flavour of the week comment. Meehan was outstanding yesterday and is a top forward but Brogan has more strings to his bow.
Brogan is a better link player, and will bring team mates into the game more - but Meehan is a scoring machine. Hard to pick between the two, but with both on top form, Id plump for Meehan so far.
Valid point, Brogan can play in half forward line so offers more variety. Meehan has great ability from frees as well as play. He is the most intelligent footballer iv seen even since he was 16/17. While admittedly he has taken a while to shine nationally he came with a huge reputation. added to that is the fact that until this year he was playing on a defensive orientated team under Forde and living off scraps. the best is yet to come folks.
He came to prominence with me when he skint my mate in the u21 ai final and got a hat trick! Armstrong in the other corner got a hat trick off my other mate, not a great day for them but what could they do? Some match
Christ him and Armstrong had a field day that day - you really should reconsider your mates! :D
Quote from: Puckoon on August 10, 2008, 07:08:37 PM
Christ him and Armstrong had a field day that day - you really should reconsider your mates! :D
One of them has moved to london to escape the ghost! Was last seen lining out for them in the tommy murphy!
Completely different players its not really a fair comparison.
meehan is a scoring machine. Brogan is a bit of both. Brogan isn't used by Dublin as their principal strike forward. he comes in and out from the half forward line. like i said it isn't a good comparison. But it always staggers me on this website that people have no concept of how good Brogan really is. Just look at his championship scoring record,it really is quite exceptional.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 10, 2008, 08:22:58 PM
Completely different players its not really a fair comparison.
meehan is a scoring machine. Brogan is a bit of both. Brogan isn't used by Dublin as their principal strike forward. he comes in and out from the half forward line. like i said it isn't a good comparison. But it always staggers me on this website that people have no concept of how good Brogan really is. Just look at his championship scoring record,it really is quite exceptional.
We know how good Brogan is. To me he is the best around at the moment and is fearsome when he gets on a roll.
I'd echo the sentiments of the other Galway lads on the board - I'm extremely proud of the lads on that Galway team. I know we lost by 5 points in the end but they gave it absolutely everything in dreadful conditions. Kerry just had more firepower than us.Outside of Mikey Meehan we didn't have anybody capable of kicking enough scores from play. We need to find some new forwards and try and sort out our midfield for next year if possible. If Mikey had had any support at all yesterday we could have won the game.
Lydon,Conroy & Bane were poor.Breathnach tried hard but he doesn't have the quality for this level of football.Lydon isn't good enough for the panel even never mind the starting 15 imo.
I reckon we would probably have beaten any of the other 3 teams we could have drawn yesterday.
Kerry are a different animal though.You have to admire them - the football they play is a joy to watch. Some people don't like to see Kerry winning because they have won so much already but I would look at it differently and like to see them do well because of the football they play.
For Galway there's plenty to build on for next year
Great performance by Galway and delighted for Sammon - hope Galway see now that there is no need for the tourist managers. I would think Meehans performance was not unconnected to the fact that someone like Sammon is now managing the team. With a bit more experience Galway could have won this - Coeman kicked a bad wide when Galway were a couple ahead and he also fouled stupidly when there was no need to. Think Clancy should have taken a point when he had the chance as a goal was not on - every chance Galway would have won the kick out, instead from the save Kerry went downfield for a point. Overall Kerry were the better team but Galway could have nicked it. Had Bergin been fit would have been very interesting as Kerry really domintaed midfieldfor much of the game and this gave them a platform. If Galway had more midfield possession you feel they would have scored even more against what was a shaky enough Kerry back and also the Kerry half back line would have had to spend more time defending and less time attacking.
This Galway team have a future but need 3 or 4 more players - especially at midfield and half forward line. Hope they build on this and approach next years c'ship with the ambition of winning the AI and are not satisfied with giving Kerry a good game and the fact that they play nice football.
If Meehan had a bit of support they could have beaten Kerry on Saturday.
He hit a deadly free in the second half - must have been 60 yards.
It was a pity that Galway had so many injuries and I suppose it was unfortunate to draw Kerry but there seem to be a good few positives coming out of this year and if there was an all Ireland a few years hence it would all be worth it. It's great to have those underage successes bubbling up. Sorting out the hurling looks like a bigger challenge.
Up Wexford. I was hoping Fermanagh would win the ulsther final but Wexford in the all-Ireland semifinal is just as good, if not better. And nice to see Ormaugh out as well.
Quote from: Tatler Jack on August 11, 2008, 01:56:12 PM
Great performance by Galway and delighted for Sammon - hope Galway see now that there is no need for the tourist managers. I would think Meehans performance was not unconnected to the fact that someone like Sammon is now managing the team. With a bit more experience Galway could have won this - Coeman kicked a bad wide when Galway were a couple ahead and he also fouled stupidly when there was no need to. Think Clancy should have taken a point when he had the chance as a goal was not on - every chance Galway would have won the kick out, instead from the save Kerry went downfield for a point. Overall Kerry were the better team but Galway could have nicked it. Had Bergin been fit would have been very interesting as Kerry really domintaed midfieldfor much of the game and this gave them a platform. If Galway had more midfield possession you feel they would have scored even more against what was a shaky enough Kerry back and also the Kerry half back line would have had to spend more time defending and less time attacking.
This Galway team have a future but need 3 or 4 more players - especially at midfield and half forward line. Hope they build on this and approach next years c'ship with the ambition of winning the AI and are not satisfied with giving Kerry a good game and the fact that they play nice football.
Watched it again there and I think that's where Kerry won the game. Galway's HF's were not tracking them well. I thought Kerry might have had some doubts this year after the Cork and Derry games, but they seem to have the heads right, pulled away from both Monaghan and Galway easily enough in the last 15 minutes in two very different types of game.
Relived to have got through a tough assignment against Galway, it was a huge test of our capabilities, given the opposition and the testing weather conditions, I have never seen rain like it, thankfully they had the lights to switch on otherwise the game might well have been abandoned given the dark conditions on the field. Fair play to the ground staff for getting the pitch playable after half time and also to the GAA for having a great drainage system in place under sod, the pitch looked fine yesterday for the hurling.
As for us, lots of positives but many negatives to take from a very exciting game.
Diarmuid Murphy was not really tested against Monaghan, but did well to narrow the target for the Hanratty's shot, but I think he made a big mistake for Bergins goal the last day when he probably should have stayed on his line and worryingly it was a repeat of a goal he conceded in the League final, if he is going to come out he needs to ensure he gets a fist to the ball, however he redeemed himself somewhat with 2 later saves from Meehan, and he made a few good short kick outs which is the variety we need to see, and mostly found his men in the middle with the long kick outs.
The full back line was jittery against Monaghan and Rory Woods and Tommy Freeman made us look ordinary however we were torn to shreds by Galway and its a huge worry going forward, Cork did similar in the 2nd half of the Munster final too, so we have two longs weeks ahead for the management and players to try and get it right.
Michael Meehan in particular and then Joe Bergin when introduced at half time caused us chaos. Meehan is a class player, 10 points is some haul on such a crap day and for those who were at the famed college game a few years ago between Tuam and Caherciveen where himself and Declan O'Sullivan went on a scoring spree for their teams it brought back memories. When Liam Sammon put on Bergin it was nearly our undoing and our season could well have foundered, the high ball in to our back line has caused us trouble for 3 years since Mike McCarthy retired and maybe before that.
Reidy was caught for pace against Galway and was subbed in a swap with Tommy Griffin which shored up the full back line somewhat with Griffin doing well at wing back and Tomas O'Se moving back for a while. Marc O'Se had a tough afternoon trailing Meehan but made a few vital interceptions and bursts from the backs however he made no headway on Bergin. A tough day at the office for a player who was great last year, but he will learn from it and will hopefully be fired up to redress his wrongful red card against the Rebels in a few weeks, but his best position is in the corner,Tom O'Sullivan too struggled on Meehan, but in the conditions was probably the pick of the back three and made a few telling interceptions.
The full back line and lack of cover in our subs has been a bug bear of mine for a few years now however Pat O'Shea put on Daniel Bohane when Joe Bergin looked like running amok and it calmed the storm, Bohane seemed to have the height to deal with a big man and more importantly the speed to intercept a few balls that came Bergins way, though Bergin was clearly lacking full match fitness he is a handful and dont be surprised if Galway play him there again.
Bohane from Austin Stacks, has never been tried in the full back line before so it was a major test of him to be thrown in at the deep end but fair play to him for stepping into the breach under terrible conditions and huge pressure to perform well, but under such occasions Kerry players stand up and make a name for themselves. He has been in the panel for the last few years but has been limited with appearance and has mostly figured as a wing back or even a wing forward the few times I have seen him in action mostly in the league. I'd say he may be tried on Donaghy or Tommy Walsh in training over the next 2 weeks, maybe he has been doing that already since the Munster final in anticipation of a possible battle with Mike Cussen further down the line and maybe the Joe Bergin move forced Kerry into playing this particular card earlier than they might have wanted to show. Either way he is a good option to have available and hopefully training over the next few weeks will toughen and test him and bring him on some more, and it will put needed pressure on Tom O'Sullivan and Padraig Reidy to hold onto their places. Reidy in particular has been porous this year after his very effective debut year.
The half back line not for the first time led the Kerry charge. Tomas O'Se was somewhat subdued by his normal high standards early on but still commanded his area well and won lots of breaks around the middle particular in the heated battles in the second half and really stood out when his team needed him in the second half.
Aidan O'Mahony was a star in the middle and broke up numerous attacks with his powerful play, holding Joyce to 1 point was what we needed. A great man to drive forward and he kicked a great point in the second half too. And all this through the pain barrier after picking up nasty bruising to his leg with an early knock in the Monaghan match and he was on crutches most of last week. Keeping Joyce's contribution and distribution to a minimum was a vital tactic and against Leitrim and Mayo Joyce was not really tested and harried in the style of the way O'Mahony plays. A key player for us and seems to improve with every game.
Killian Young was assured and again won plenty of ball around his wing and in midfield, his drives up the wing are vital to take the pressure off, and his run and inside pass to Donaghy for the goal was excellent. Our best line and was not weakened by the addition of Tommy Griffin who later moved to Midfield.
In midfield Seamus Scanlon did well and did lots of the unseen hard work early on before tiring and being replaced by Griffin. Darragh O'Se was himself and took control in the middle when the game entered its most important phase after the Galway goal and he really managed to pace himself when he was needed in the charge to the finish line, he made a few vital catches and his point at the end was a fitting end to a fine performance, looks like most of the dirty petrol is blown out of his system now but a big physical Cork midfield awaits again and a bit of unfinished business with Pierce O'Neill and hopefully there is still something left in his tank. He relishes these type of challenges with Cork. A powerful horse of a man who with 71 championship games under his belt is still the driving heart of this Kerry team and whenever he calls it a day will be remembered with Jack O'Shea and Mick O'Connell as the truly great Kerry midfielders.
Eoin Brosnan too contributed in the middle when introduced and is another who is coming back to his form, will push for a start against Cork on the wing.
Our half forward line was not at full fettle the last day but still did very well. Donnacha Walsh was probably lucky to hold onto his starting spot from the Monaghan game, though he paid back the managers faith with a great cool finish to his first half goal after Donaghy sent him clear. Hopefully his recent big Croke park experiences will stand to him but I still have doubts about his ability to win the dirty ball around the middle and he seems to drift out of games. Under big pressure from Darren and Sean O'Sullivan as well as Eoin Brosnan in the most competitive line we have.
Declan O'Sullivan got through a pile of work in the centre and won several breaks around the middle, great to see him back nearing his best but probably not there yet, was not far behind Meehan for MotM , 4 great points and a cracking shot for goal were his highlights but his work on the ball drew many fouls and his distribution was excellent, another 2 weeks and he will be fired up for the Cork game, he missed the Munster final through injury, and for a man who has had 2 major knee operations this year he has shown some dedication to get back and this game will have added to his hunger and fitness for the next game. Needs to be in the middle or out the field to do his best work. A vital player for us, even more so in Galvin's continued absence.
Colm Cooper was not really into the pace of the game early on, took a lot of flak and seemed ratty with his own performance when things were not going right but still did well in in the last quarter when he controlled the ball a lot, finishing with 3 points over the game, could have had a goal from Donaghy flick on that went over the bar in the second half. I think it is still a learning curve for him in his new roving role which seems to float between the 40 and playing off the 2 big men. I'd like to see him playing closer to Donaghy or Walsh and let the central role to Declan.
There is also another half forward I've heard of who is training away like mad on his own in some hidden North Kerry field, also doing the speed and gym work and kicking lumps out of a football in the hope that his colleagues might offer him even a glimmer of a cameo role if we were to get to a final. Time will tell if he will even come into contention if we get there which is a long way away, but PG is being missed this year.
Tommy Walsh was a revelation again up front and scored 3 fine points and contributed well, he's a real handful for any corner back, Tommy is a horse of a young lad who has great speed for a big fellow and is not afraid of the hard work, he compliments Donaghy well and their twin attack will give many a defender and manager some hard thinking. I thought he was much more assured than in the Monaghan game where his early nerves saw him easily blocked a few times but he did tire in the heavy conditions on Saturday.
PS: His brother Barry John scored 3-3 for the minors at the weekend against Offaly and is another bear of a young lad for the future, and the good news is that there is another younger brother who was held back from the Kerry minors this year by father Seanie as he has only turned 16 and he is supposed to be touted as another star for the future. Strand Road in Tralee will have some team in a few years.
Kieran Donaghy is a handful for any fullback and it shows when he gets the right type of ball as in the lead up to our goal but his overall contribution was well handled by Finian Hanley, he needs ball where he is attacking it in the air and he is then very hard to mark, limited to one point in the second half which might have dropped below the crossbar for a goal. His value for the team is still immense and now with his blonde "twin" up front with him it may mean that he will be less double teamed as before, seems to thrive in Croke Park and expect more from him against Cork.
Bryan Sheehan scored his usual handful of excellent frees and did contribute well from play with a few more, 7 points in total which is a great return but I feel now in his withdrawn role he needs to get involved in more of the dirty ball, as a tall lad he is well able to also win primary ball around the middle.
The subs did contribute too when introduced, Tommy Griffin won a few vital balls in the half backs and midfield, Eoin Brosnan's drive is very important and he got through some dirty ball around the middle. Darren O'Sullivan's speed also caused a bit of havoc when he was introduced and he kicked a good point too. Kieran O'Leary was only on for a minute but will be one for the future.
Overall we were just about worthy winners and managed to soak up the pressure from Galway for the first 15 mins of the second half and then when we put the boot down and pulled away Galway seemed to have no response, maybe it was our fitness, conceding 1-16 is a big worry but on the plus side scoring 21 points in the conditions was some return. Galway presented a great challenge and if Meehan had a bit more support in the scoring stakes they maybe would have been closer, they were fast and direct for goals and there were some great points kicked. Winning midfield was vital and we probably just about did that over the whole game and we had the greater options up front to score, Bryan with 7, Declan 4 , and Gooch and Tommy Walsh with 3 points each is a great return when it came to the key points of the match and our bench contributed well when needed.
Well done to Pat O'Shea and selectors for the good changes. Kudos too to John Sugrue in having the team fit to stick the pace in the atrocious conditions and finish the stronger of the 2 teams. It was not easy to hold the footing in an awful day in Croker and it was fecking miserable in the stands too.
We have had to cope with a lot of styles over the last 2 weeks, we were tested physically against a very strong and determined Monaghan and Galway tried their very best to play the excellent football they are capable of, scoring 1-16 is no mean feat and if anything we will take that on board and hopefully use it to mend some of the exposed frailties of our full back line. But we are happy enough to have shown a great mix of adaptable playing styles and to have dug out 2 deserving wins, however there is work to do if we are to beat Cork but there will be plenty to look at in the next 2 weeks, after failing miserable against the Rebels in the Munster finals the Kerry players will know they are capable of better and with Declan O'Sullivan back, and the emergence of Tommy Walsh and maybe a possible solution for the full back spot we have many options to explore, and tweak. It will be an interesting 2 weeks.
Ciarraí abu.
i dunno lads. I'm really at a loss to see where this new found pride in the team is coming from. Did they win?? no. Are we exactly where we were with this team in 03? yes. Some marvellous performances. Lovely movement and possession and scoring. The biggest killer for galway was that they didn't have the legs in the last 20 mins to finish the job. I would imagine that while playing football with feet should always be a priority for Galway, a little longer in the gym in November-February may be required. You can't rely on one man in the middle to muscle everyone.
Plenty of hope and pride. but we always had that. nothing new. We are standing still and not going backwards.
Quote from: Clarin Pearl on August 12, 2008, 05:49:47 PM
i dunno lads. I'm really at a loss to see where this new found pride in the team is coming from. Did they win?? no. Are we exactly where we were with this team in 03? yes. Some marvellous performances. Lovely movement and possession and scoring. The biggest killer for galway was that they didn't have the legs in the last 20 mins to finish the job. I would imagine that while playing football with feet should always be a priority for Galway, a little longer in the gym in November-February may be required. You can't rely on one man in the middle to muscle everyone.
Plenty of hope and pride. but we always had that. nothing new. We are standing still and not going backwards.
I think you're being a little negative there CP. That is a young team bar PJ with a few more promising young players bubbling underneath. They played well last Saturday but Kerry are just a better team than them at the moment as seen by the fact that they are going for 3 in a row. They are probably the best football team since the great Kerry 4 in a row side.
Yes I think they maybe ran out of legs a little in the final 15 minutes but the fact that we were hampered by injuries to a few players meant Sammon had limited options available to him to throw into the game to freshen things up. Kerry in contrast practically emptied their bench and it really helped them at a time in the game when they were wobbling badly. I think there is merit in what you say though that maybe Sammon concentrated a little too much on ball-work this year after Ford's reign. We take it as a given that we have skillful players but probably physically we are short of Kerry and Dublin's level yet. That can be worked on though.
Certainly this year was a big improvement on going out tamely (and playing bad football) to Westmeath and Sligo. I did not have too much hope and pride after those games I can tell you. The age profile of the team is good. Most of those players bar PJ have yet to hit their peak years.
Hopefully once this Kerry team begins to fade (as all teams eventually do) we will be as well placed as anyone to step into the breach.
Thats a bit tough Clarin Pearl.....Missing Nicky Joyce, Sean Armstrong and having Bergin, Meehan, Clancy unfit was always going to make it extremely tough for Galway as they were limited in their bench options...
Galway were in awful hard luck for injuries this year.
And it is a serious improvement from last year.......could it get any worse???
NJoyce and Armstrong will still be players of potential in 5 years!! I'll believe it when I see it.
Maybe I'm just disappointed that in all the grand designs of flowing football that Sammon was planning, he only had one plan. Cullinane to get the ball or a free. Joyce to be 2 yards away and meehan to be running across a line 20-30 yards out. Route 1 football. the modh direch we all craved for the last 3-4 years.
Plan 1b was Bergin up front. He created a few chances but stopped meehan gettin one on one with his man. Galway stopped scoring points after that.
There was no plan b or c to get Breathnach and bane involved in the game.
Maybe I live too much in hurlingland where false dawns are 10 a penny. Maybe I had the misfortune to be in Kerry during the match.
Its all well and good saying "whats another year?" Try sayin that to the panel.
Decent performance. To compare it to 2002 is very unfair. 2002 was pretty much the end of the 98 era and a lot of players on that panel were on the way out but here a number of players are still only in their mid 20's.
Very disappointed by Sammon on Saturday. Starting Matt Clancy & then bringing him on again? Why not bring on a fit player instead? Darren Mullahy could have played in that role. Thought Bergin was introduced a little too early too but then I guess he got the goal.
Looking towards the future I think Galway need to find some players in the mid-field and half forward areas. Hopefully Conroy who is only 19 will be able to fill in this mid-field areas once he bulks up his physique. Maybe some of the other minors will start to come through also, could do with one or two in defence also as 1-21 is a massive score to concede.
Also we need to find a goalie who can vary his kick-outs so we can take some short kick-outs, particularly if we are not competitive at mid-field.