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I'm very disappointed with that Sligo performance, we have no midfield and no physical presence in a modern day physical game. Kildare had more tactics from the throw in and were able to block the runners and also put pressure on and off ball on some of our playmakers. Strange that Maye was deployed as a sweeper so early. Again we were too slow on the line. O'Hara and Egan in too late they should have been on earlier around the middle. Time to rebuild with the minors and U21s.

You have to throw shawshank into the DVD player every now and again,

Frustrated and sick.
This was another great chance, it was there for the taking.
We lost it on the line.
A brutal game of football to watch.
Also annoying the way the roscommon manager and selectors ran out on the pitch telling their players to lie down after the goal.

As far as a I know the whole thing was on Ocean so the final has to be on.
There was an ok crowd but Friday evening at 6 o'Clock would have impeded a lot of peoples travels plans, I'd expect more neutrals at this game should be a cracker.
This Saturday at 5 in Mark park.

That's true Seanie there was no real discussion at the game over the alleged wide point and my angle of view was in line with the commentators.
The refereeing was all one sided which was very obvious after a couragous comeback, once Marren kicked the leveler everyone in the stand from a Tourlestrane point of view acknowledged that there will be no injury time now he is going to blow it up which he did.
John's showed great form but a little inexperience as in when they were ahead at the start of the second half, there was plenty of fists pumping etc.
Hopefully the replay will be a good game as well.

and back to the original thread discussion!

Sligo Under 21 manager, Fergal O'Flaherty, has warned Mayo ahead of this Saturday's Cadbury provincial showdown that his side will not be showing up at Markievicz Park merely to make up numbers.

O'Flaherty's charges have been ranked as underdogs for this weekend's Connacht decider against a Mayo side who are gunning for their fourth provincial crown in as many years, but the Yeats boss has every faith that his players can cause an upset.

"We definitely have the ability and the desire to win a Connacht title," insisted O'Flaherty.

"Mayo will start as favourites and their record in the championship over the years has to be respected. But we've got a very talented group of players and we feel we're in with every chance of winning the title."

Sligo saw off Leitrim in their semi-final victory, while their opponents overcame a strong Roscommon outfit with a spirited display after extra-time to get to the final, and O'Flaherty is hoping that the prospect of a first Connacht underage title in over 40 years will provide a major incentive to his players.

"There's a great belief within the group," he said. "They've come up together through the ranks and they have a great desire to win a Connacht title. They're not interested in moral victories or hard luck stories. They've got a great attitude.

"We're not in the final to make up numbers," O'Flaherty stressed. "We've put in a huge amount of work to get to the decider and we're determined to go all the way."


I know it's along the lines of what every manager says but hopefully Sligo can catch an over confident Mayo on the hop and really play as the underdog with no chance to cause an upset.

Thanks for all the posts lads, I ended up booking the fitzwilliam it looks like a grand spot.

Well Lads,
Herself wants to go to Belfast for a weekend and if possible be in town for the shopping and craic as well as having a nice hotel to relax in. Any recommendations, I tried the radisson but not available on the weekend I want to go.
thanks in advance.

You are probably in the air by now Sligoian so best of luck. There is GAA in Dubai so you will be all set there.

Have also heard that Tony Taylor is on the way to Australia as well which would be a huge blow. Harps notes in champion confirmed players were leaving after Connaught final but no names mentioned. Hopefully its just a rumour but hard to blame young tradesmen from a jobs and lifestyle point of view at the moment. Mc hugh played well enough for seniors last year ( strangely better than for U21's and club) but a strong U21 campaign would get him back in contention. With Ewing also omitted perhaps the U21's are been left out of it ?? Gary Gaughan and Stephen Gilmartins positions would confirm one way or the other

I know things are in a bad way at the moment for a lot of people but if Harps do succeed it would be very hard to see him leaving, I'd say that decision would be made based on the result, they may be indicating that they are leaving when Harp's are finished so as not to get sucked into the Sligo Panel.

I heard that 6 or 7 were cut straight away alright but didn't hear anything more that that. 36 is a savage big number to be starting off with.

It is alright Seanie and as Sligoian mentioned the cuts must have come from the selectors opinions. I would prefer that Walsh is involved in the next few cuts to slim down the panel as well as watching the senior league to identify new players.
The first 15 in the first league outing will be interesting for us.

That's unfortunate that is in Galway I am going to make the journey anyway as I think they have a great chance, its unfortunate that these games are not neutral venues as the home venue makes a big difference at club level particularly for the inexperienced lads, it is usually a different club each year that gets the advantage or disadvantage based on previous county meetings. I know that Tourlestrane played Leitrim and Mayo away last year with Ballina being at home!. Corofin being such a big club will have a lot of support there.
Heard that the U20 final ended up with both teams finished warm ups and going in for the toss with the Referee insisting on calling the game off and when over ruled by management from both clubs, then spoke to Tubber about the pitch being unplayable which they then declared it as. Surely if both teams want to play, it should go ahead provided player safety is being looked after.

Baoithe your point on O'Hara is interesting I was aiming at the same question whether he will focus on football (hopefully in a full forward position) or whether he will be the silent selector.
I believe that Sloyane is meant to be the link between the U 21's and Seniors.

He could be as good as anyone else, we were never going to get the cream of the crop after the efforts last year. I think that Taylor and Sloyane  being that bit younger will be better than last years selectors. The big question for me is will walshe be influenced by the older members of the team or will he go ahead with the hard decisions and pick his own 15.

U 20 final this Saturday in Tubbercurry at 2pm Tourlestrane V Curry. Should be a good game.On paper Tourlestrane look good but with all the previous minor experience Curry will be hard beaten.