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Heard these rumours this morning too, Joeen. Apparently they missed a training session after the Antrim game, ( also a game after which E Cloonan reportedly (and forcibly) made his disappointment known to Gerlock when he wasn't used). Tony Og is no loss as his most recent performance against Clare shows. Hardi is a whole-hearted player and probably would / will start against KK though I still feel he's a bit loose and slow. Team is supposed to be picked this evening but, you know.....

Don't lose heart completely. A friend of mine (and a person well known in Galway GAA circles) told me a story after the Connacht final about when he and another man returned home after seeing Galway lose to Longford in a league match some time back. Drowning their sorrows in the pub they speculated if they would ever see Galway win Sam in their lifetime again. The year? 1997.

The team as it stands needs major surgery, especially in midfield. Cullinane, Bergin, Coleman et al simply aren't good enough footballers to seize hold of a game the way the great Kevin Walsh could. The defense also needs shoring up where a more critical look at the Corofin backs must be done. The whole method of play needs to change too with proper delivery to the forwards a priority.

One of the truly great days in Irish sport, easily comparable with winning an Olympic medal etc. In terms of golfing drama I don't think even the Ryder cup could match yesterday's for excitement for partisan fans. Don't feel particularly sorry for Garcia as he's not the most engaging of golfers and has character flaws (on the course). On a day when Harrington was quite immaculate for 17 holes I think his most impressive shot of all was the pitch to 4 feet on 18 to set up the putt - lesser players may well have resigned themselves to their fate at that stage. He (Harrington) is very popular in Britain as he comes across very well when being interviewed by the Beeb and is a tremendous ambassador for Irish (and European) golf. He deserves every plaudit he gets.

Tipp dont deserve respect.They are a very average team and will not be in the running come September.

Well they will beat Wexford on Sunday and will find themselves in the All-Ireland semi which must be considered a good year by Tipp considering the team they have at their disposal (I reckon KK will beat them by 10+ points in the semi)

Just keep talkin loike that...

"Galway will not hammer Kilkenny and to say Galway have better forwards is a joke, Henry on his own must average near 1-10 a game and Comerford will get another 4 or 5 throw in Brennan there and you are looking at some serious forward power!! I'm sick of this whole Galway potential thing!! I've been hearing it since I was in nappies and still not seen them deliver on it, except for the very very odd match over the last 15 years. I have the potential to be an ice skater (even though I have only skated once in my life and spent the majority of the time on my ass) What I am saying is we can all say that our county team has potential but at some point you have to say "screw this old and boring potential myth we have serious problems in the county"

It remains to be seen. Oddly enough I wouldn't be totally afraid of Sheflin scoring, I've seen him miss a few over the years and there have been games when he hasn't even scored from play - a lot of his tallies have come from the placed ball. It's his playmaking duties I fear. Comerford can be held but Brennan only ever seems to play well against Galway.    Counter that with very skillful hurlers like the 2 Healys, Broderick, Hayes, A Kerins, Kerril Wade, even Tannian - all these guys can score easily enough if they put their mind to it. (And that's discounting Farragher and E Cloonan who will hardly be playing)

Galway may well have 'serious problems' in the county, but only at senior level. Minor, U-21 and club seem to be healthy enough from where I stand.

"Yep, it was a masterplan to lose to Clare and get the option of playing Kilkenny or Waterford ahead of Wexford or Limerick Wink Looks like ye in Galway have forgot to boil the water"

There may be a certain Ger-like logic in that tactic. Loughnane knew in all probability that Galway would have to face KK sometime in the c'ship this year - why not in the 1/4 final before the Cats were more strenuously tested? It hasn't stopped KK from dishing out 2 hidings at this stage in the past 3 years however..:-( 

Any scenario for Sunday may be envisaged - either team winning by a narrow or wide margin; oddly enough Galway have better scoring forwards but KKs play better as a unit. The Cats sheer physical power could blow Galway away in the opening minutes but the open spaces of Croker may suit the quicker team. Which, if any, team is better than 2 years ago? (perhaps a safer reference point than last year when Conor Hayes made some bizarre selectorial decisions - Conor Dervan midfield?) It would be easier to predict this weekend's Lotto numbers than the Galway team Gerlock will send out but probable FB line of the slowish Kennedy, raw and loose Mahon and rather untested Moore could be taken to town. At odds of 7/2 (PP) Galway aren't a bad price but I wouldn't put the mortgage on it.

Close enough Joeen in fairness, though I wouldn't have Mahon next, nigh or near the team. See my previous messages to see my thoughts on him. Even Diarmuid or Conor Dervan, slow though he is, would be better. In my team, Niall Healy might displace Broderick who once again could be used (hopefully much better this time round) as an impact sub. Equally Tannian would want to include a bit more drive in his play to hold off Mark Kerins. Ger Farragher may yet have a say in the c'ship this year. David Collins is a good lad with the right attitude but needs to pull his socks up a bit also - restoring him to wing-back would be a help admittedly.

On a night of horrors perhaps the most terrifying thing of all about Sat. evening was the resurrection of that great zombie of Galway hurling who climbed out of the grave and stalked Cusack Park - the spectre of the 'one-handed hurler'. How many times did you see Tony Og (absolutely rubbish), Ger Mahon, Hayes et al taking several attempts to rise the ball only for it to be knocked away eventually or taken off them? To repeat, Tony Og is now simply desperate, Mahon with his hurl constantly aloft looks like a lad running around after a bullock with a stick, Tierney waaay too inconsistent, Forde too limited, Cloonan (though one of the better performers) too slow, Tannian too tentative - where do I stop? I've never seen ball striking from a Galway side as bad - how many times did they hit tame shots into the Clare goalie's hands or harmlessly wide? Where has all the skill and drive from 2 years ago gone? What has Gerlock done to them? Answers to Jaws if there's anyone left now who cares.

Anyone got a link to Gerlock's column in this weeks Clare Champion? Explosive stuff by all accounts and just the thing to rachet up the stakes even further on Sat. evening.

Sat. evening will kickstart a busy weekend for Galway GAA fans  - 'deed there'll hardly be time for Mass on Sunday, seeing as the MInor match kicks off...errr.... throws in at 12pm. in the Hyde. For Galway, it will be the first time that quite a few followers will be watching Gerlock over the team in the flesh, such is their fickle nature. A settled team seems further away than ever sadly, a problem exacerbated by the possible absence of Eugene and the unlucky Diarmuid Cloonan. This may mean a long-awaited start for Kerril Wade, the next big thing in Galway hurling, (at least until you-know-who becomes available). That said, if there's any bit of hurling in the team they should have enough to overcome a weak-enough home side.

Jaaz, Sligonian will have to be quarantined for the good of Galway people

That appears to be the feeling on the ground though; it's now or never for this outfit.

As for Galway, I'm sure many will be wondering which team will turn up, the Mayo- version or the Leitrim- one. In fairness, something in between would do me, with an apparent improvement in the FB line and midfield. Doubt if there will be any changes to the team, though Army may oust Bane at corner-forward. Another good display from the boy Nicky and he could be in line for an All-Star - who would have thought it!

As you sure this is the team? Heard it wasn't being picked until tonight..

*IF* it's a Galway - Sligo final, where will it be played? I think it's Sligo's call and after yesterday's good display in the Hyde they may go for a swift return trip (and Magpie Sean may finally get his wish of seeing Sligo defeat Galway in a c'ship game!) Hyde would suit me more than C'bar I must say as access would be that easier. That's all supposing we do the business next Sunday. Don't agree with An Fhairche, I think there'll be a decent Galway following; the season is well under way now and the fans will be hungry for a bit of action again following the long delay from the last match. Team will be much the same I'd say though there's doubts over Ja who didn't field for Tuam last week. Matt Clancy is unlucky again, he suffered hamstring damage in the recent Oughterard game having starred v. Kildare in a previous challenge game lately.

The one where Homer and his family join the cult;

"Hare Krishna guy: Have you heard of Krishna Consciousness?
           Homer: This, Bart, is a crazy man! [moves on]
       Christian: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
           Homer: [Sarcastic] Right, that'll work. [moves on]
           Woman: A new and better life awaits you on our distant home
                  planet, Blisstonia.
           Homer: Hmmm, makes sense!"


"Homer: How much is this free resort weekend?
Man: It's free!
Homer: And when is this weekend?
Man: It's this weekend.
Homer: Uh-huh, and how much does it cost?
Man: Um ... it's free.
Homer: I see, and when is it?
Man: It's ... this weekend
Homer: And how much are you charging for this weekend? "


My favourite is probably the one where Mr. Burns is mistaken for an alien. The Speed parody at the beginning is a mini-classic as is the Waterworld arcade game rip-off.

Ned Flanders; "Were you on my roof last night stealing my weather-vane?"

We can only live in hope re: Harrington. Don't have any preference other than that save that Tiger or Mickelson don't win. Having a gawk at PP, title holder Geoff Ogilivy looks good value at 40/1, while Furyk (16), Singh (14) and Adam Scott (22) will all have their backers. Carl Petterson (at 200/1) is a solid enough competitor in America and could be a good dark horse wager.