Galway v Mayo Sunday May 19th 2013 - Pearse Stadium

[ross4life]

Only one question has to answered, how much will Mayo win this game by? The U-21 AI final to be played a week before this game won't help Galways preparations. Galway should have some fight in them after all they are at home to the side they always want/hope to beat but their recent championship record in Pearse Stadium is poor and now they up against seasoned/experienced team that expect to playing late August football.

[seafoid]

It is great to see the mayo lads so chirpy, really. But they'll never be insufferable in the tipp style. There is always the self persecution bubbling under the surface.  Another reason to hope this team wins the all ireland. It could help to reduce the communal mental torment of the summer to normal levels.

[muppet]

It is great to see the mayo lads so chirpy, really. But they'll never be insufferable in the tipp style. There is always the self persecution bubbling under the surface. Another reason to hope this team wins the all ireland. It could help to reduce the communal mental torment of the summer to normal levels.

We'd turn into Clare supporters then. You wouldn't like us.

[Farrandeelin]

Only one question has to answered, how much will Mayo win this game by? The U-21 AI final to be played a week before this game won't help Galways preparations. Galway should have some fight in them after all they are at home to the side they always want/hope to beat but their recent championship record in Pearse Stadium is poor and now they up against seasoned/experienced team that expect to playing late August football.

That's a good point you make about Galway making the U-21 final. While making the league final would have been seen as a hazard to Mayo, could the same be said about the U-21 AIF for Galway? I know people will say that 'sure there's only a few of them on the senior team', but if they win the bloody thing they'll be going in brimful with confidence. Sure I suppose there's only one way to knock the confidence outta them then...

[seafoid]

It is great to see the mayo lads so chirpy, really. But they'll never be insufferable in the tipp style. There is always the self persecution bubbling under the surface. Another reason to hope this team wins the all ireland. It could help to reduce the communal mental torment of the summer to normal levels.

We'd turn into Clare supporters then. You wouldn't like us.

No. Can't wait to go to Ballina afterwards.
It'll really annoy all the Sligo people as well.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

It is great to see the mayo lads so chirpy, really. But they'll never be insufferable in the tipp style. There is always the self persecution bubbling under the surface. Another reason to hope this team wins the all ireland. It could help to reduce the communal mental torment of the summer to normal levels.

We'd turn into Clare supporters then. You wouldn't like us.

No. Can't wait to go to Ballina afterwards.
It'll really annoy all the Sligo people as well.

I hope the Sligo people won't be celebrating their first All-Ireland north of the river, it will probably be 80 years since we won Sam at that stage.

[maigheo]

Heard  that Alan Dillion played a good portion of a league game for Ballintuber today.He should be able to play some part  in Salthill.Still Galway by 3.

[macdanger2]

Dillon would be a big boost to have back alright although he'll hardly be sharp enough for championship football in 4 weeks time.

After an up and down league, we haven't "discovered" many new players and it's hard to see there being too many changes in personnel from last years starting 15 (from the AIF):

Clarke - guaranteed to start
Keane - possibly will be replaced by Barrett / Walsh / McHale
Cafferkey - guaranteed to start
Higgins - guaranteed to start
Keegan - guaranteed to start
Vaughan - could be replaced but by whom? Feeney? Burke? Which of the three HBs do you play @ 6? I reckon it might have been worth trying Vaughan in the HF line during the league but probably too late for that now. Having stuck with him this far, Horan is unlikely to risk the change.
Boyle - guaranteed to start
Moran - guaranteed to start (if fit), otherwise SO'S
AO'S - guaranteed to start
McLoughlin - guaranteed to start
CO'C - guaranteed to start (I'd play him on the 40, need to get him on the ball as much as possible)
Dillon - guaranteed to start (if fit)
Conroy - guaranteed to start
Varley - seems to be better coming off the bench. Carolan could replace himself or Doc?? Where would Carolan normally play, HF or FF?
Doc - was v poor the last day, who do you replace him with in the FF / HF line though?

I wouldn't bank on Andy making it back to his form of 2011/2012 after being out for so long, could be next year before he's back properly.

[muppet]

Carolan is a hf surely.

If Vaughan doesn't start it would most likely be Cunniffe. Agree with the rest of your analysis.

[Farrandeelin]

Over on WJ's blog, somebody (last comment) said that Conroy is out for a few months. Let's hope the rumour is wrong.

[ballinaman]

Over on WJ's blog, somebody (last comment) said that Conroy is out for a few months. Let's hope the rumour is wrong.

Heard he picked up and ankle injury, didn't hear what type exactly. Couple of months would be ligament rupture...hopefully just a sprain though. Going to Salthill without Moran x2 and Conroy wouldn't be ideal putting it mildly.

[Syferus]

O baby. Just don't beat those lads before we get our hands on them, ok Galway? 

In all seriousness that's a huge blow if true. Conroy is the best ball-winner that Mayo have in the forwards at the moment and he's been kicking some good scores since he joined up with the panel after Davitts' run. He wins enough ball that he should be able to operate as a mini-Andy Moran and set up others even more than he current;y is. A real find at a need position for Mayo, though. Mayo's forwards haven't had a solid shape about them for quite a while and alot of times players are picked positionally based on need rather than at their best positions.

If Andy and Conroy are out that forward line is looking more shook than a Louth man after a Leinster final. Dial-a-Mort, anyone?

[moysider]

Over on WJ's blog, somebody (last comment) said that Conroy is out for a few months. Let's hope the rumour is wrong.

Heard he picked up and ankle injury, didn't hear what type exactly. Couple of months would be ligament rupture...hopefully just a sprain though. Going to Salthill without Moran x2 and Conroy wouldn't be ideal putting it mildly.

Local paper had it as a 'painful' shoulder injury. That could take some time 

On the other hand Evan Regan scored 1-5 and stayed injury free.

Unfortunately it looks like injuries are a defining factor in the Horan era. Andy Moran s injury really made an AI a bridge too far last year such was his importance - and we reached a final in spite of a serious injury crisis in semi as well. Now new injuries are mounting up on top of the long term stuff. I m not sure any panel would have the resources to deal with this type of thing.

[macdanger2]

Conroy would be a big loss

Would Regan normally play in the FF line? Have seen very little of him to be honest, is he ready / good enough for county level yet?

Other than that, we'd probably be looking at Doc & Varley in FF? If A Freeman could rediscover his form of 2010 it would be great but no sign of that happening.

[ballinaman]

Over on WJ's blog, somebody (last comment) said that Conroy is out for a few months. Let's hope the rumour is wrong.

Heard he picked up and ankle injury, didn't hear what type exactly. Couple of months would be ligament rupture...hopefully just a sprain though. Going to Salthill without Moran x2 and Conroy wouldn't be ideal putting it mildly.

Local paper had it as a 'painful' shoulder injury. That could take some time 

Sounds like Chinese whispers so when I heard it was the ankle today, must have got lost in translation when word crossed the shannon. Shoulder sounds more realistic to put him out for an extended period of time. Very disappointing.