Galway v Kilkenny 1/4 final

[GalwayBayBoy]

My god, Galway could not get the ball to their men at all today. the Kilkenny half backs made a rag of the Galway half forwards.

As a Meath man maybe the grasp of hurling isn't the best but the Galway half forwards contributed 8 points from play in the game which is a great amount by any standard. The Kilkenny halfback line was under some duress at times as witnessed by the fact that JJ Delaney and Brian Hogan were taken off.

Anyway, will give a more detailed verdict on the game later.

[neilthemac]

galway lads not able to catch the ball - constantly putting up the hurley then the Kilkenny man would pick up the breaking ball

one of the main differences between the teams

other was the commitment to the tackle. Kilkenny have almost perfected the art of tackling the player without fouling him - stopping him from running and stopping him from sticking up the hand to catch a ball!!

if the ball is on ground then Kilkenny boys go in full throttle to win the ball and get their whole body over the ball - whereas the Galway players expected to come up easily with a soft roll lift.

[Gnevin]

galway lads not able to catch the ball - constantly putting up the hurley then the Kilkenny man would pick up the breaking ball

one of the main differences between the teams

other was the commitment to the tackle. Kilkenny have almost perfected the art of tackling the player without fouling him - stopping him from running and stopping him from sticking up the hand to catch a ball!!

if the ball is on ground then Kilkenny boys go in full throttle to win the ball and get their whole body over the ball - whereas the Galway players expected to come up easily with a soft roll lift.

Is it just me or did Galways lack of meaningful matches really show in the last 10-15 minutes?

[Punxsutawney Fergal]

The worst thing is that it is now Kilkenny v Wexford in the semi final.

Hear hear. Another one-sided affair in prospect probably, even if Wexford decide to try a leg this time.

And Tipp who should have lost by 10 to Wexford wouldn't be hammered

[INDIANA]

exactly that sorry excuse for a tipp team would have been hockeyed.

[GaillimhIarthair]

My god, Galway could not get the ball to their men at all today. the Kilkenny half backs made a rag of the Galway half forwards. if it wasnt for the gutsy performance of the Galway backs the inevitable defeat would have been evident alot earlier. Cloonan got 1 touch of the sliotar. I hope to God Wexford have something in them to stand against the Cats.

  What game were you watching ? Galway half forwards cleaned the KK half backs...................

[mouview]

Perhaps not later in the game, GI.

Despite the 'good' performance we are no further on from 12 months ago. When he first came in, Gerlock stated that he couldn't build a team in Galway the way he had to do in Clare, that the players were already there in the county. Now he comes along on GBFM insisting that the building process will continue so that somebody will eventually benefit from it. It can't always be next year for Galway hurling, we're 10-15 years now listening to that. Continuity and a settled team must be imposed immediately or another generation of talented players will be wasted.

As for the game itself, Mahon is simply not good enough, not in the FB line anyway. Richie Murray doesn't do enough, E Cloonan isn't a man to bring in as sub, he's unable to hit the ground running, neither is David Forde. Tannian is too timid, good hurler but needs to throw himself into the game much more than he does. Ditto Niall Healy, though, like his brother, a great stickman. Wade had a mixed big game debut but will improve. 2 - 3 big men are needed for the forwards and there's only one of Joe Canning.

[FTJC]

I'd like to get the views of the Galwegians who post here on how far our hurling team have progressed this year...if at all.

The over-riding feeling leaving Croker was disappointment for the way the match went, but hope for the future provided lessons are learnt and taken on board.
I felt we could have actually taken Kilkenny the last day. When you think we had players struggling on the pitch like Hardiman, David Forde and Cloonan for a half an hour and still nearly took them it makes you wonder what might have been. The sideline let Galway down again with poor selection and the poor substitutions....

When I saw the team on the programme I thought we might have had half a sniff of taking Kilkenny. With the excepotion of Kennedy at corner back I agreed with every one of the selections. But yet again Ger you try to hoodwink everyone by sending them out in a totally different fashion. The only one you are fooling at this stage is yourself.


Why was Hardiman started when he clearly was neither motivated in the run up to the game or playing well enough all year anyway to warrant his spot at No.5?

Why didn't Broderick start?

Why, oh why, oh why, was David Forde brought on?

Why didn't he bring on David Tierney who has always hurled well against Kilkenny?

Why was Eugene brought on in such a high tempo game when his pace and agility has been suspect all year as well?


Hardiman wasn't up to it and Eoin Larkin showed him a clean pair of heels for the 1st half before he was withdrawn at half time. 30 minutes too late in my opinion as he was struggling from the word go.
Kennedy, while he cleared a few balls, was not imposing or pacy enough for my liking and having Hardi and himself on the same side of the field handed Kilkenny at least 3/4 scores in the 1st half.

I could go on ad infinitum about various things that were done wrong the last day. But I hope Loughnane is given another year. I hope they cut out the shitehawking and become less aggresive in the newspapers and much more imposing on the hurling field. I hope Sean Treacy is given the match runner role because Louis Mulqueen is the trainer and nothing more. He's having too much of an involvement for my liking and is more worried about being stuck in Loughnanes ear and being seen on the sideline. I want a Galway man going out on the field giving instructions to our Galway hurlers. Mulqueens job finishes on the training field and the only job i'd give him on match day is carrying hurleys.

Finally my player ratings for the last day and the year.

Colm Callanan - Has been a solid if unspectacular goalie. I thought he could have come out on top of Brennan when that ball broke through. But he's done OK.

Greg Kennedy - Was brought back in the hope he could roll back the years to 2001. While he was alright he wandered a bit and I didn't feel our young full back was getting much support from him....especially when the game entered the final stages.

Ger Mahon - Had played a fine game up until those last 10 minutes. The goal was not his fault. He followed his man out and didn't realise there was actually a switch going on. The ball broke inside to Brennan and the rest is history. He's still only 20 years old and you don't hear anyone slating Noel Hickey for his boo boo for Richie Murrays goal. I hope he's retained and given a chance at full-back, preferably with Joyce and Moore each side of him.

Fergal Moore - Was heading for a Man of the Match performance until he got injured. This guy has improved no end this year and will be at No.4 next year. Ollie Canning isn't as badly missed as we thought.

Shane Kavanagh - Hurled well the last day despite that disastrous sideline cut. He's big and strong and could do with horsing into lads a bit more as well. I would retain him at No.5 next year.

John Lee - Has been great all year. If he works on catching the ball instead of trying to take it on the hurl and clears a few balls himself instead of trying to lay them off he will be the complete centre back. Still U-21 and a frighteningly good prospect. Would make himself or Fergal Healy captain next year

David Collins - Named in the programme at No.7. Never set foot in this position all day. I refuse to criticise his form as he was never played in the positioon he got young hurler of the year award in 2005. I hope to see him at No.7 next year and given a chance to resurrect his form.

Fergal Healy - Has been the most consistent Galway hurler for the last 5/6 years. He was being taken off and then not getting started and generally being fucked around for the last couple of years. The fact that he has stuck with it is a testament to his determination and stubborness not to let poor decision making get him down. Well done Mr. Healy. Played magnificently the last day as he has in nearly every big game for Galway.

Richie Murray - He done alright the last day. Just alright. Has failed to live up to the billing so many times that i wonder is he ever going to turn it on. Would probably benefit from being sited at midfield on a consistent basis.

Alan Kerins - Probably his best year in a Galway jersey. His hurling has been sharp and his striking has improved no end. Might sneak an All-Star.

Niall Healy - Played well the last day. Another victim of the ridiculous rotation/team selection strategy adopted by Loughnane. I'm hoping for a big year from this guy next year.

Iarlaith Tannian - Failed to impose himself on the game and his man on Saturday. Where is the Tannian that thundered into Keith Rossiter and Wexford in Nowlan Park? In bloody corner forward that's where! Tannian did not set foot at No.11 all day on Saturday. He played in every position in the full forward line and wing forward. I want to see him in his proper position of centre forward for a few games next year and let's see if he really is as good as he has shown occasionally in the past.

Kerrill Wade - Not a bad first championship season for him. Didn't do an awful lot from play the last day. But a good winter in the gym beefing up a bit should sort him out and he should be able to contribute a bit more from play next year. Still U-21.

Damien Hayes - Full of energy and running at midfield but unfortunately his passing and striking wasn't up to scratch. A few times he did a big build up only to hit the ball 40 yards. If he let it off alot quicker to the inside forward line it would have worked better. I hope he re-finds his touch next year as he's a great player to watch


Derek Hardiman - Hardi needs to shit or get off the pot next year. His form has plummeted since the highs of 2005 and his fitness is seriously suspect. The rumours of his departure from the squad were not exaggerated and I don't think Loughnane should have bothered bringing him back and playing him. He was lucky to start and even luckier to be left on for the whole first half.

Kevin Broderick - Should have started. Noel Hickey and Co. hate a Broderick type of forward and to only give him 20 minutes in the 2nd half was a disgrace.

David Forde - There's no point in going on about him any further as it's not fair on Fordey. Except to say I hope the management have seen the light....finally.

Eugene Cloonan - Unfortunately inter-county pace has passed out Eugene. He was never a pacey forward but he could turn quick and strike. He doesn't even have that anymore as his back problems have robbed him of that ability. Noel Hickeys block down on his point effort was indicative of Cloonans season. No point in him being involved next year. He's just not able for this pace anymore.

David Tierney - Should have been used on Saturday and should be involved next year.

Mark Kerins - Time is up for Mark as well.


Joe Canning will hopefully be involved and the U-21s might turn up another one or two next year. Therefore would like to see this team tried in the league.


1. Callanan/Ryan

2. Joyce
3. Mahon
4. Moore

5. Kavanagh
6. Lee
7. Collins

8. Fergal Healy
9. Murray/Tierney

10. A Kerins
11. Tannian
12. Niall Healy

13. Wade
14. Joe Canning
15. Broderick/Hayes

[GY Joe]

FTJC that would be pretty close to my team..

From the U21's.. A few I listed here.. Who would you include on the panel to give a serious tryout?

Skehill
Keary
Kilkenny

and of course the 2 you mentioned
Canning
Wade

[GY Joe]

Ive often thought about the underage side of things and the conclusion has hardened since Saturdays 1/4 final that KKs U21's and young players are not far superior to ours. We may have as many Top players overall. The difference is that they are entering a different set-up. A winning team with an organised ruthless manager who they know will try them out.

The conveyor is working in KK because they can transition the bright prospects into an already hardened, winning team who they know can cover mistakes for them giving them the leeway to hurl like they can.. Thats a great boost mentally for any team.

Contrast that with the Galway seniors, the pressure is now immense, the mentality is almost desperate, and good minor and U21 prospects cannot but be affected negatively whether conciously or not. Every mistake is magnified (see Ger Mahon) and the pressure on the next 'bright thing' is suffocating. Build the team first, get it settled, then do what Cody does, transition 2 or 3 in every year to keep it fresh.

D'oh.. Am I stating the obvious? Maybe some Cat can enlighten..