Donegal v Galway

[Manning18]

Which are pretty creditable crowds, given that the likes of Cork Mayo or Dublin are not involved.

When was the last time Mayo brought a big crowd to a game? 2019 semi v Dublin?

Can't hold a candle to Dublin, Cork & Limerick (hurling) or even Armagh any more

Ah Jez, Mayo were the Golden Goose for the GAA coffers for the last 20 years! Their football season tickets were impossible to join.

Look at the Crowd of Mayo People who went to New York this year.

Probably tells its own story though. Why 6k people would go to a walkover (or pissup) in NY and half that wouldn't make the easy trip to the Hyde for the group game

That paltry crowd this year, or the 3k or so at the Kildare qualifier also, is understandable in the context of falling crowds nationwide and falling on busy summer weekends. It's a far cry though still from Mayo qualifier games 8-10 years ago and the travelling crowd

More stark still was the last two quarter finals when Mayo were outnumbered by Armagh about 4 to 1 in 2022, and 3 to 1 by Dubs in 2023. No excuse there as to the importance of the games

It's still a decent supporter size but the bandwagon has predictably fallen away sharply once the team fell out of all Ireland contention. Same as every other bandwagon

[Captain Scarlet]

In terms of the game where are Galway fitness wise?

Like if they get Comer and Walsh going well it's some difference.
Sean Kelly too, and their bench is stronger too.

IF they get to the final they could be stronger again.

[twohands!!!]

In terms of the game where are Galway fitness wise?

Like if they get Comer and Walsh going well it's some difference.
Sean Kelly too, and their bench is stronger too.

IF they get to the final they could be stronger again.

That's the big question for this game.

Even in terms of physical fitness a big thing for me is match fitness/sharpness - it's one thing to get players on the pitch but I'd be concerned about the levels of sharpness in a semi-final. Two weeks isn't exactly much time to get players tuned in, if the main focus is trying to get players right physically.

Looking back on the Dublin game, Galway were really lucky to still be in the game at half-time. They were being beaten all over the place in the first half by Dublin.I do think there is a possibility this actually helped Galway in the second half - it really looked to me like a few of the Dublin got a bit complacent and  struggled when the game was in the melting pot in the second half.

If they perform anything like that in the first half the next day I don't think Donegal will be anywhere as close to Dublin in terms of not making hay while on top.

Personally I'd be leaning towards Donegal for the win mainly because of Galway's fitness issues and how Walsh and Comer looked the last day.

[Manning18]

In terms of the game where are Galway fitness wise?

Like if they get Comer and Walsh going well it's some difference.
Sean Kelly too, and their bench is stronger too.

IF they get to the final they could be stronger again.

Looking back on the Dublin game, Galway were really lucky to still be in the game at half-time. They were being beaten all over the place in the first half by Dublin.I do think there is a possibility this actually helped Galway in the second half - it really looked to me like a few of the Dublin got a bit complacent and  struggled when the game was in the melting pot in the second half.

The stats don't bare out this narrative at all

https://x.com/somearagaa/status/1807110775724470570?t=XS2TqXtGmk7_FRTiDuUX2Q&s=19

Dublin led at half time because they won 4 of Galway's kickouts, and because their scoring accuracy was 92% to Galway's 70%. Every other metric was equal in the first half. A 92% conversion rate by Dublin was ridiculous and not sustainable

Galway completely took the game over in the third quarter and kicked more bad wides. The only reason Galway were behind going into the final quarter and not well ahead was their conversion rate in front of the posts. By that stage they were dominant all over the field

[tbrick18]

For me, a fully fit Galway will beat a fully fit Donegal.
So it will come down to where the players are at.
Both Midfields will cancel each other out I feel, and both sets of forwards have potential to do real damage.
So, defensive setups will be the order of the day and how quickly defence can transition into attack will decide it.
Just like all games these days I suppose.

I really hope both teams are as close to full strength as possible to make a spectacle of it.

[joemamas]

For me, a fully fit Galway will beat a fully fit Donegal.
So it will come down to where the players are at.
Both Midfields will cancel each other out I feel, and both sets of forwards have potential to do real damage.
So, defensive setups will be the order of the day and how quickly defence can transition into attack will decide it.
Just like all games these days I suppose.

I really hope both teams are as close to full strength as possible to make a spectacle of it.

Difficult to see Kelly anywhere near full fitness, he was taken off after 22 mins V Dublin.
Walsh obviously has a hamstring issue
Daly CHB in all Ireland Two years ago has been hurt for last month or six weeks.
Finnerty Ditto.

That is four key players that started the 2022 All-ireland.

[Blowitupref]

For me, a fully fit Galway will beat a fully fit Donegal.
So it will come down to where the players are at.
Both Midfields will cancel each other out I feel, and both sets of forwards have potential to do real damage.
So, defensive setups will be the order of the day and how quickly defence can transition into attack will decide it.
Just like all games these days I suppose.

I really hope both teams are as close to full strength as possible to make a spectacle of it.

Difficult to see Kelly anywhere near full fitness, he was taken off after 22 mins V Dublin.
Walsh obviously has a hamstring issue
Daly CHB in all Ireland Two years ago has been hurt for last month or six weeks.
Finnerty Ditto.

That is four key players that started the 2022 All-ireland.

He's fallen more out of favour, Sean Mulkerrin back after injury lay off himself and stepped in and has impressed. Sean Kelly will be main injury doubt. Walsh will likely play with injury again and if he produces another 0-7 display it will go a long way to leading Galway back to All Ireland final.

[galwayman]

I haven't heard anything concrete but I can't see any way in which Sean Kelly plays.
He's been hobbling around even on days he has played - and been ineffective as a result.
They would have been better off playing someone fully fit and trying to get the injury fully right.
I'd have the opposite opinion re Walsh, Comer, Finnerty - purely because they do the damage for us on the scoreboard. Without them we're fucked simple as. Finnerty is clearly hampered with his knee but they are delaying surgery on it until Galway's season is over.
Comer is a strange one. I couldn't believe he lasted the full Dublin game.
If Shane's is hammer it's hard to see him playing. Been hampered all season and hasnt been able to take frees off the ground (nor has Tierney) which he was brilliant at in 2022.
The one thing I did hear is that seemingly Cian Hernon was injured in training so won't play at the weekend.
He's a loss - wasn't too far away from a start.
If Shane doesn't play we really need other lads to step up - we would not have beaten Dublin without him.
Will need Damo, Rob, Mattie to step up. All were well marshalled by the Dubs albeit Damo was heavily involved in a lot of second half scores 

[galwayman]

For me, a fully fit Galway will beat a fully fit Donegal.
So it will come down to where the players are at.
Both Midfields will cancel each other out I feel, and both sets of forwards have potential to do real damage.
So, defensive setups will be the order of the day and how quickly defence can transition into attack will decide it.
Just like all games these days I suppose.

I really hope both teams are as close to full strength as possible to make a spectacle of it.

Difficult to see Kelly anywhere near full fitness, he was taken off after 22 mins V Dublin.
Walsh obviously has a hamstring issue
Daly CHB in all Ireland Two years ago has been hurt for last month or six weeks.
Finnerty Ditto.

That is four key players that started the 2022 All-ireland.

He's fallen more out of favour, Sean Mulkerrin back after injury lay off himself and stepped in and has impressed. Sean Kelly will be main injury doubt. Walsh will likely play with injury again and if he produces another 0-7 display it will go a long way to leading Galway back to All Ireland final.

My understanding is that John Daly has had a knee problem for a while - that's why he hasn't featured

[Milltown Row2]

A fully fit team! Now there's an myth..

I've very rarely seen a fully fit team, or a squad that has all its best players available, county or club, but it's a brilliant excuse.

Jimmy and PJ will have their best 15 starting and the best subs available.

There's more people injured or unavailable or for whatever reason not playing nowadays than ever before.

[GalwayBayBoy]

Yet another injury in the Galway camp apparently. A new one this time.

Ah I see it's mentioned above.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

I don't buy this narrative in the media that Donegal will be happy with their lot for the year.

They might never get a better chance to win Sam this year given the way things have worked out.

 

[tiempo]

I don't buy this narrative in the media that Donegal will be happy with their lot for the year.

They might never get a better chance to win Sam this year given the way things have worked out.
 

This won't be lost on Jim, if anyone can do it thon boyo can - story of the year so far

[J70]

Donegal line-up, for what it's worth.

Main question has been over Jason McGee, and he's in the 26. Whether he makes it to that or even the first 15 remains to be seen.

I'll be very surprised if Jeac Mac Ceallabhui starts. Or if Conor O'Donnell doesn't at least make the 26 (unless he's been dropped due to new injury).

[joemamas]

Yet another injury in the Galway camp apparently. A new one this time.

Ah I see it's mentioned above.

a real head scratcher this one.
People forget, Galway were level with ten minutes to go in an All-Ireland final two years ago.
How do you handicap a not fully fit,
Walsh
Kelly
Daly
Finnerty,

will the peripheral Galway players step up.
I think Donegal half back line are very vunerable, Armagh showed that in Ulster final, Cork ditto.
Can Galway win without the aforementioned not fit players, doubtful.
At least I hope it is a decent game whoever wins.