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I think the free he gave was because one of the Kilkenny lads went in and wrapped his hurl high across Donnelan's shoulders/neck. He actually lost the hurl in that incident. McGrath had given a soft enough yellow card to Micheal Fennelly earlier on for a similar incident, so maybe he was really looking at 'thrown' hurlies?

But Donnellan didn't fall or lose possession of the ball even if you deem it a foul? Why blow when all the momentum is with him?

Looking at it there again now on RTE player and there is absolutely no foul - he breaks the tackle and the defenders hurl falls.

[In fairness to the ref he did try to play advantage but by the time Donnelan was striking the ball there had been about three fouls.]

I feel that the game hinged completely on those five minutes in the second half following Donnelans disallowed goal.
In fairness to the ref he did try to play advantage but by the time Donnelan was striking the ball there had been about three fouls. Don't blame the ref, blame the rule book that does not allow a rugby style advantage.
Even still had Cannings shot hit the net, then it was anyones game, but instead Kilkenny managed to clear it and score, and instantly you could feel momentum was swinging back to the cats, then to top it all off, Donnelan has his red mist moment. Game over.

But that's just it, there was no foul on Donnellan. There were fouls on Hayes immediately before but the ref decided to play advantage as he turned around once it was clear to Hayes that he wasn't gonna be able to force his way through. Have no idea what advantage he was given to Hayes there. Then Donnellan darts past two and he decides to blow up as he's getting his shot off after not being fouled? Very poor I thought.

Watching it again here and it's a terrible terrible decision. Ger Loughnane then thinks that because McGrath has his hand up in the air that he has signified a free while Damian Hayes has the ball. That's the advantage signal Ger.

Donnellan breaks the tackle, isnt fouled and as he lets loose the shot the whistle blows. It does not affect the Kilkenny defenders or goalkeeper. Firstly it was wrong to blow him up in the first place when it was clear he had rode the tackle and secondly he could have had the courage to let it stand. Yes there is no advantage play written in the rule book but refs often play it. Brian Gavin is an example of this and I cant recall the exact game but I remember him letting a goal stand just after blowing a whistle in a championship game in the last couple of years.

It affected the game as a contest but I dont think it affected the result.

Hmm very little activity here, are Gooners all just pessimists and disciples of despair?

Excellent 3 points on Tuesday night, kind of game in the last few years Arsenal would have lost so augers well.

Anyhow good start to the season, nice balance to the attack and defence with a midfield that works very hard. Think the Arse will get a result against City maybe even sneak the three points as City seem to be lacking something so far this year.

The fear of getting too excited only to have hopes cruelly dashed I reckon. All going very promisingly so far but Sunday will be a big test irrespective of form.

Be brilliant to stay unbeaten over the next 2 games and after that all I would ask for is a goal from Giroud. If he gets a bit of confidence at all he could be the final piece.

Podolski has settled perfectly and I see somewhere that Gervinho needs one more goal to equal his tally of last season.

[as sites like this are where the real experts are]

Sure madness is a prerequisite at the Times as well as a liking for smoke and strong liquor

I know someone who writes for the Times and it was a natural progression really as the vast majority of their Gaa coverage is rooted in various fora, no harm either as sites like this are where the real experts are

I was reading the coverage of Sunday's match in the Times on Monday thinking the same thing. Journalism could do with a bit of a kick up in the arse in terms of covering matches.  There is a lot of depth to the game that they don't get to. The Sunday Game as well is quite superficial.

And the newspaper coverage can be very stale. Some parts haven't changed much over the years. But the punters are a lot better educated now.

It's head wrecking stuff! It's like some of them are writing for an audience that didn't see the game-maybe only heard it on the radio. No real analysis of games at all and then trot out the usual old cliches and simple lines.

Same on the Sunday Game. Just watched the entire thing now and a couple of things would strike ya. One example being Loughnane on about the same old players storming into it, turning the game, etc. Out he comes with Tommy Walsh being marvelous. He was by no means bad but I never seen him as quiet. Felt that way live and backed up watching it again. What about Paul Murphy?? Hard to believe he wasn't one of the 3 nominations for MOTM.

Where is the bit of depth at all? Few things I would love a pundit or 'analyst' to bring up the last day but I hear no mention of by anyone:

Fergal Moore wrapped up Henry (admittedly in the corner) in the 1st half. Occur to anyone to question why was he not brought out to curtail him? Will he mark him in the replay?? (I am aware of the counter arguments and reasons not to but my point is that this is not even being brought up)

Why wasn't Niall Burke deployed over at the corner flag under the Hill to keep Brian Hogan out of the way for a few minutes given that Kilkenny were gone man to man and not for changing. Would this have curbed is influence or would Kilkenny break with their plan?

Did Cunningham suffer from Declan Ryan's affliction of Tommy Walsh obsession but get away with it due to circumstances?

Left Donnellan in around the square to keep Tommy out of it which is mind boggling given Donnellan is an out and out wing forward and the form he is in. Instead they were left cancelling each other out of the game. Only balls and frees Donnellan won were out where he was comfortable.

Secondly did this in turn cause Galway not to put Canning close to goal because it meant bringing Donnellan and Walsh out??

Would love to hear someone in the world of punditry hit on these few points and many more but I wont hold my breath.


 

Very hard to know how to feel about the next day after a draw. I think it's fair to say these Galway players have no fear of Kilkenny despite our fears as supporters. There's a hundred ways to look at it.

One thing is noticeable is that Kilkenny really lack depth in their squad-something that has never been the case over the years. Galway aren't bursting with bench talent either but seem to have a couple more options than KK now. Horrible to see Conor Cooney replaced again and I think that's him done for the year given that his confidence is shot and I feel sorry for him-form just gone at the wrong time.

One thing I found very interesting was Kilkenny's man to man approach and Tommy Walsh's tracking of Cyril Donnellan. I would like to hear other posters opinions on this duel as the analysts and media seem to have ignored it. It appears to me that when the Galway management saw Tommy track Donnellan that they shoved him in full forward to take Tommy out of the game in the half back line? I certainly dont think it was the tactic from the start to play Donnellan full forward?

This raises a number of points. Why like Tipp were management paying so much heed to Tommy?

Did this have an influence in keeping Joe Canning away from the full forward position as they were keen to keep Donnellan is there thus keeping Walsh out of the half back line?

It restricted Donnellan's influence as he is a half forward who wins ball and is best running at the defence? He won a couple of puckouts when in the half forward line and thought he would have troubled Kilkenny much more out in his natural position.

I thought they cancelled each other out overall yet reading the ratings today you would swear Walsh eat Donnellan up.

Harsh on Niall Burke being substituted too-great man to take a score eevn when he is out of the game.

Fair enough-my doubts would be similar. 3 is my big worry. Harsh on Donnellan-nailed on All Star had he played against Cork. Our best hurler this year and at last meeting his potential. One of the real reasons Galway have played so effectively this year. He is what the Bonner Maher is to Tipp and more except the media have yet to pick up on this yet so seems most people have to be told about it too. Named to play tomorrow but by all accounts not fully fit so I think he may struggle. Hopin Coen and Donoghue meet the demands of tomorrow-the occasion is what worries me. Let's wait and see....

Someone pointed out that he has performed over 70 different songs since the tour started, and no two nights exactly the same. This is stand out for me. How easy would it be for him to stick to a setlist half that number, and rotate it by 10% each night - just to make it appear fresh.

Innovative, Risk taking, Full throttle, Crowd Engaging, 3.5 hours non stop and still producing some of his best stuff in his sixties. Class act.

115 different songs played since March if you include the US leg of the tour - phenomenal.

[flag-waving']

Well I thought the Wednesday show was superb from start to finish. The highlights for me were Something in the Night, Death to My Hometown, Jack of All Trades,  Waitin' on a Sunny Day then Born in the USA until the finish. On a general note, I can't think of any other artist that gets such a range of people attending from young families to OAPs and all having a great time. We had a fourth month old with us and no one batted an eyelid. Security, Guards and St Johns Ambulance were all very helpful regarding changing facilities and the like. We had an absolutely brilliant night with the only hitch being the Port Tunnel being closed without warning on the way back after we had already crossed the East Link toll bridge. Almost ended up in Howth trying to find the M1 again. The tribute to the Big Man was also a nice touch.

Agree with all sentiments expressed about Bruce, e.g. energy, longevity, entertainment etc.

However, quite disappointed about Wednesday night. First 3/4s of an hour fine, especially the older stuff. Then he got into playing some of his new 'flag-waving' album songs which IMHO plain sucked as they're not up to his better quality. Concert improved a bit towards the end again, esp. Backstreets. Don't like Dancing in the Dark or Born in the USA so they did nothing for me. My main complaint was the sound, which was of variable quality, and also that the band were just too brassy and noisy; the lyrics and poetry of the songs were just lost in crashing guitars and overload trumpets and sax. A lot of his lesser rock songs are a bit samey too. Also wished he play some of his slower ballads, as he is probably the best balladeer working in America at present. I was at the Sunday evening show 3 years ago in the RDS and thought he was superb but Wednesday night he was just on auto. At this stage, an acoustic show would be a better bet I think.

Dunno, mebbe just me.

Jeez there's some fair criticism in there regarding some sound issues depending where you were in the stadium but to suggest he was on auto?? Iv never seen him in better form, constant banter and fooling around (Spirit in the Night) not to mind 3 and a half hours of pure energy all with a huge genuine looking smile on his face?? Added to that was a quality setlist all of which would suggest he was anything but auto.

As for the 'flag waving' songs Im not sure whats meant by this? He has to play his new songs - he's not the Rolling Stones fans want to hear current music. It's the Wrecking Ball Tour not Bruce's Greatest Hits - that would give a fair indication of what was involved. I thought the new stuff was very well received by the crowd at large.

Heard a few people on about the sound though. I was near the front both nights and had no issues but definitely was issues further back.

Amazing stuff. Constantly brings the goods. Continuously surprises me how far he can go. The first night was the 'fun' night in terms of song choice/crowd pleasers and treating the show like it was everyones 1st show. Met a good few 1st timers since and they were blown away. Even heard Matt Cooper the other evening commenting on how he went with no expectation as he wouldn't be a big fan and now seems like a man converted. He said it felt like a religious experience or rather the idea of what one should be like.

Last night was a nod to the hardcore. My favourite of the 2 nights but I understand what others have said about night 1 being more crowd orientated and active from the start. He really changed up the early setlist and the Something in the Night/Adam Raised a Cain duo was great although it may have lost many people for a while.   


Any show that has a triple shot of The Promise/The River/Backstreets is for me an automatic best show ever contender-waited for ages to hear Backstreets - made my month!


Anyway it should be said that if never lucky enough to see this great band again its been a fantastic experience and a pleasure. I actually think Bruce Springsteen is under rated. That may shock people who think the complete opposite but these people tend to judge him on the fact that Glory Days or Dancing in the Dark are his best songs because they were popular. Objectively one of them would be lucky to feature in his top 50. As a live performer in terms of quality/passion/longevity I don't think there is a competitor. I'd say a lot of the top bands out there are like 'stop playing for 3.5 hours you're showing us up big time' The ability to do that night after night - change a setlist by exactly half the songs and still leave out crowd staples on both nights like Thunder Road/ The Promised Land/Lonesome Day and Hungry Heart is phenomenal. Please come back!

Fair play, you're entitled to your opinion. All I'll say is if you went to see this show I wonder if you would change your mind? Do you know if the musicians/singers with the ESB are paid a wage or do they take a cut of the gate? If they are paid a wage I'd say the sheer amount and quality of them would go a long way towards explaining the high ticket prices.

My understanding is that Bruce works on a fee - let's hypothetically say it's 1.5 million. That fee remains the same for any concert he plays. So he will get the same for playing to 45,000 in the RDS as he will for 80,000 at Hyde Park. That fee handsomely pays himself, the hand, road crew, etc.

My tickets for Paris were 65.00. Most other tickets for European dates were similar. So I think you need to be looking at the promoters here. It is not as if Bruce has hiked up his prices just for Ireland.

[Im reducing my expectations for the Dublin show]

Was at the show in Paris last week and if had not already got tickets for Dublin I'd happily shed over a 100 euros to see him again and suffer the consequences after! They are pricey but the quality and length will make it worth every penny.

I was lost for words after Paris-best gig I have ever been too. I prefer indoor shows anyway but this was great from start to finish. Im reducing my expectations for the Dublin show after it because I was wondering how he can hit these heights again but with this guy you never know!

As many commented after it's a great artist that can make a pumped up crowd go crazy for 3 hours continuously but it's a very special one that can keep them quiet as mice for long periods too like during the piano versions of Independence Day and For You.
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Don't, I've spoken to quite a few fans who've come from the States over the years, and to a man they reckon that his best European gigs are played in Ireland. Apparently he feels a real "affinity" with Irish people.

Ya I meant it more in the sense that I enjoy arena shows alot more. Crowd even in the stands never Sit down and the noise is constant. I know the band will bring it and the last night of the RDS ranks as one of my top 3 shows but other times if you get stuck beside a lethargic group it can be frustrating. Il make sure that won't happen this time!

Was at the show in Paris last week and if had not already got tickets for Dublin I'd happily shed over a 100 euros to see him again and suffer the consequences after! They are pricey but the quality and length will make it worth every penny.

I was lost for words after Paris-best gig I have ever been too. I prefer indoor shows anyway but this was great from start to finish. Im reducing my expectations for the Dublin show after it because I was wondering how he can hit these heights again but with this guy you never know!

As many commented after it's a great artist that can make a pumped up crowd go crazy for 3 hours continuously but it's a very special one that can keep them quiet as mice for long periods too like during the piano versions of Independence Day and For You. 

It's difficult to deal with a world class manager on a keyboard I tell ya. The guy that always seems to pick up on the populist media/Eamon Dunphy lovechild. The type  who read a sensationalist Sunday rag and ask why isn't Trappatoni watching matches in England?? Why isn't Andy starting? How could ya leave out Seamus?? James McLean is world class, Wes is ten times the player of Glen??

I know the man is no saint and gets things wrong but some of the criticism is ridiculous. Agreed I was at a loss for the Cox substitution. I didn't get it. But maybe overall you let the guy who is Serie A's most successful coach decide? The thing that gets me is these 'knowledgeable people' asserting that he is not aware of the talent on offer?? 'He doesn't know the players, he doesn't watch them, etc'. Does it strike the unhappy ones that the only manager to have won every UEFA club competition may have looked at all the options before he took the job?? Would he have looked at it and gone yes they can play superbly and win but I will be negative and pick lesser players?? Do you really actually think that one of Europe's most successful coaches who could have plenty of jobs took this on a whim without researching it?? Maybe the Sun told ya so.

Imagine this scenario for a minute. Trapp selects McLean/Reid on the left. He plays Hoolahan in the Modric position. We get beat 3-1. Dunphy is on laughing: Hoolahan is no Modric, we didn't close them down. Reid doesn't work hard enough. We should have contained them because that is the only way we can be successful with the players we have. Or else the 'experts' will tell us instead we would have dominated possession and therefore that wouldn't be a factor.......rubbish! The fact is we wouldn't have lost 3-1 in that scenario because we wouldn't be in this competition tonight.

That's the harsh reality but don't let that fool anyone. In fact the only time we played 'good football' and qualified was arguably under McCarthy but don't let that get in the way.

Hard to know where to begin with this one. Sligo for sure were full value for their win. Tactically they were spot on and while I think Mulholland is the man to steer Galway for the next 3-4 years I thought he got caught out badly yesterday.

Some very lazy comments on here about Galway. Joe Bergin for example had as fine a first half as I have seen in a while and that includes the Roscommon game. He did tire badly in the second half and lacked help. Mulholland needed to bolster midfield at this stage. Tom Flynn was called ashore very early and we suffered as a result.  O'Curraoin may not have been fit enough to come in but surely Conroy could have been brought out to his natural home for 10-15 minutes? It's not as if himself or Meehan were getting any regular or quality ball at this stage. In fairness you got to hand it to the Sligo midfield for upping it in the second half.

Sice and Bradshaw seemed to be particularly targeted by Walsh and curtailed their influence very well. I thought the Sligo half back line were superb. How Damien Burke lasted as long as he did I will never know especially with Flynn being sacrificed earlier than him coupled with our midfield difficulties.

Plenty again talking about Hanley getting taken to the cleaners. Again I don't know is this coming from people that were at the match or listening on radio or watching on the net but I don't think it was the full story. Hanley was not his usual self for sure but the lack of support/cover from his half back line was appalling. That's where we were tactically poor and we suffered more from the movement and play of David Kelly than Marren. Hanley won a few 50/50's with Marren when Sligo tried to play direct football to him. What worked for Sligo was giving it to Kelly, he was moving around and Marren would take the offload and pop it over. I felt Hanley looked terribly exposed yet the damage was done before this. Make no mistake if David Kelly was not fit to play yesterday Galway would have won yesterday despite Marren's heroics. He would not have been as effective. Also I don't think the second goal would ever have been on had Hanley remained on the field despite the tough day he was having.

Also why o why was Kieran McGrath not given a go on Kelly yesterday? Seems tailor made for him.
For people that follow Galway club football yesterday was no massive shock.  Sligo are and have been as good and better team over the past 5 years. Unlike the 98/01 team we have very few forwards who can win their own ball. Hehir and Armstrong may be like Derek Savage in physique and touches but are no where near Savo in terms of winning their own ball. A forward that cant win his own ball is no use. Conroy for some reason was rarely hit with the long balls he thrives on and Meehan came on for a period that witnessed Galway getting no meaningful possession.

I hope Sligo do it now, they deserve a Connacht title to show for their efforts under Walsh. They are a well drilled and classy outfit with under rated forwards.  However I cant emphasise how important I think Kelly is to them. Everything positive stems from him even if its just making space. Should Mayo or Leitrim shut him down I think they will have a bit too do but that is easier said than done.

Any word on possible Irish dates? Surely be something by the end of the week.

Interestingly the album is not expected to be an E Street Band one. It will feature some of the members something along the lines of Tunnel of Love in that regard which is a bit disappointing.