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On the credit side for Galway they have won 5 of the 6 championship matches they have played since last year's hammering from Mayo and the one they lost was only by a point to Cork. They were so bad against Mayo I thought they might not win a game for the next three years. Granted some of the opposition they have beaten has been modest enough in Waterford, Tipperary, Armagh, London and Sligo. Still though they have done well to steady the ship and get it pointing in the right direction at least.

Galway finally having a solid platform in midfield has been a big help. After going years without one good midfielder we probably have 3 now in O'Curraoin, Flynn and Conroy. Conroy probably not a prototypical midfielder but he got an All-Star nomination from midfield last year so certainly can excel there.

Its a huge game for Mulholland, tactically he's got to get it right to give the lads a chance. He's got to show he's learnt from the defeat from last year more so then the players that are still their, only 5 of the team that started against Mayo that day started against Sligo on Saturday. So that defeat shouldn't have too much impact on the players.

Will we set out like Roscommon did against Mayo? I very much doubt it, I really worry Mayo and their half back line will cause chaos, they'll likely get a lot more space than they did against Roscommon and have a greater impact on the game. Sligo found their scores very easy to come by in the first half, we can't let that happen against Mayo we'd be hammered.

If we can stop Mayo from scoring a goal we might get within 4-5 points, that's a big if though.

Not convinced at all by Tierney although the Mayo game will be a stronger test and we'll know more about him after the game. Its a big game for Bradshaw, once again I thought he was very sloppy in possession against Sligo on numerous occasions.

A big game for Martin too, he lacks pace and can be very inconsistent in front of the posts. Eddie Hoare won a fair bit of primary possession and breaking ball but he's a bit limited when in possession, needs to move it on quicker but in all honestly he's a player I've not seen much of so might be a bit quick to judge. I suppose Conroy may well take his position for the next day though. I hope Shane Walsh stays at 11 though, the lad has the ability to be one of the best players in the country inside the next few years.

Were on the way up although still think were hindered by our current manager, I'm very worried our defence will exposed not to the extent of last year but still think we could be beat very comfortably. Sligo in the first half found it far too easy to get scores, the second half we did it make it more difficult for them.

We better not type this one to death or we' ll have nawthin to talk about in duffys the sat night before , mr M C. ( am I right) ?

Am i right

You're right although I'm not getting too carried away.

Our potential draw for the qualifiers looks very favourable so I'd be happy with a good performance that would lead us nicely into the qualifiers. At the beginning of the year I'd have been delighted to make the final 8. I'm not convinced about Mulholland at all but the next few games will decide whether he stays on.

If we can stop Mayo from scoring a goal we might get within 4-5 points, that's a big if though.

Not convinced at all by Tierney although the Mayo game will be a stronger test and we'll know more about him after the game. Its a big game for Bradshaw, once again I thought he was very sloppy in possession against Sligo on numerous occasions.

A big game for Martin too, he lacks pace and can be very inconsistent in front of the posts. Eddie Hoare won a fair bit of primary possession and breaking ball but he's a bit limited when in possession, needs to move it on quicker but in all honestly he's a player I've not seen much of so might be a bit quick to judge. I suppose Conroy may well take his position for the next day though. I hope Shane Walsh stays at 11 though, the lad has the ability to be one of the best players in the country inside the next few years.

Were on the way up although still think were hindered by our current manager, I'm very worried our defence will exposed not to the extent of last year but still think we could be beat very comfortably. Sligo in the first half found it far too easy to get scores, the second half we did it make it more difficult for them.

The Galway bucks talking themselves down against poor wee Sligo. Twasn't long ago they slagged me off about never having seen Sligo bate them in championship.....

That's only natural given our results, you'd be slagging us if we were taking this game for granted.

I'm really not sure what to expect. Any result could happen.

Is Josh Moore injured?

What was the Lancs starting 15?

1 Peters goalie (not sure of name)
2 Monaghan (Brendans)
3 Gilligan (Peters)
4 Plant (Brendans)
5 R Gallagher (Peters)
6 Ryder (Peters)
7 K Connolly (Brendans)
8 Morris (Peters)
9 Sands (Brendans)
10 Murtgah (Brendans)
11 McGurk (Mitchels)
12 McMahon (Brendans)
13 Goldrick (Lawrences)
14 O'Malley (Peters)
15 Nolan    (Peters)

Oisins wouldn't put any players forward apparently for reasons I won't go into on here, not sure why the Mitchels lad couldn't play.

You at the game? How was the program?

I was at the game, didn't see any programme though.

The team on paper was still a decent one and had enough to beat Kilkenny, just one of those days where too many of our players were below par. Too many of the good players didn't make themselves available for selection for various reasons so there's not a lot you can do about it although there a few things I'd do differently to improve our chances. Talent was there this year to go further than before.

What's the story with Lancs this year? They shouldn't have been beaten by Yorkshire and Kilkenny.

The team was very under strength against Yorkshire, very few of the top players playing. It was stronger on Saturday but still a million miles away from what would be the best 15 in the country. That team should have had enough to beat Kilkenny but had a bad start and conceded too many very soft goals. After winning the last 4 there was very little appetite for it this year which is a shame as football is stronger in the county than it has been in the previous 4 years.

If Lancs could get their best 15 on the field (major if), what would it be?  I have lost touch with the whole scene over the last years but curious to see.

That would be very difficult. I do think Lancashire have as good a pick of players as they've ever had, comfortably enough players to have 2 teams that would compete at that level.

For various reasons I don't think they will have anywhere near their best team for the upcoming games, its a shame as they'd stand a great chance of going further this year.

[Its not easy to bring a team across the 62 on a weeknight, especially a competitive one.]

Pennine League result tonight at Hough End. St Peters 0-12 St Benedicts 2-6. Finally up and running.

A very good comeback, think you were 8 points behind early in the second half. It was great fisted goal from your midfielder near the end. Peters were very clinical in that first half, thought you missed the easier chances and should really have won.

Its not easy to bring a team across the 62 on a weeknight, especially a competitive one.

The good weather helps.  I think we are starting to get to the pace of these Div 1 games now. With all due respect to the teams in Yorkshire (bar Cuchullainns) the games against the Lancashire teams are a much higher standard and it's taken a few games for our lads to adjust to the pace as it's not the standard we are used to playing at. We have been competitive in our games so far without really threatening. Hopefully the penny is beginning to drop and it's not too late to avoid relegation as that would be a bit of a disaster for us as we need these sort of games in order to improve. Though to be fair St Peters were most likely missing a load of players last night and were probably at 3 quarter pace with their championship on Sunday. We actually play them again next Wednesday in Leeds.

I'm sure you weren't anywhere near full strength either, especially on a Wednesday and having to travel to Manchester. Peters looked like they were missing 3 of their better players. I've never seen so many competitive games around this time of year, of all the games so far they've been relatively close apart from the odd result.

Oisins play Peters at Turn Moss on Sunday in the championship, should be a competitive game.

Pennine League result tonight at Hough End. St Peters 0-12 St Benedicts 2-6. Finally up and running.

A very good comeback, think you were 8 points behind early in the second half. It was great fisted goal from your midfielder near the end. Peters were very clinical in that first half, thought you missed the easier chances and should really have won.

Its not easy to bring a team across the 62 on a weeknight, especially a competitive one.

if you check the lancashire twitter page you will find the tables from a few weeks ago and then do the maths.

Oisins have slid away terribly, yhey look a shadow of a side.

Yeah one team goes up. but sure the league could be remodelled again for next year so it matter a buck. In fact there is huge gulfs in the two leagues at present. Us or st.lawrences would find it very tough in division 1 , never mind hugh oneills or JFKs. While brothers pearse wouldnt be on the radar in footballing ability.

We are top of division 2, while brendans and mitchells are top of divsion 1 with mitchells a game in hand i think. Peters then come next followed by cuchullains  and oisins and benedicts make up the bottom 2.

I've been very impressed with the format of the pennine league this year in division 1, its guaranteed us at least 10 competitive games. It stands Lancashire & Yorkshire in good shape for their game next week, its a shame they play each other. There's probably enough good players in Lancashire to field two teams with a chance of winning it.  If Lancashire got their best team out they might go a bit further than the last few years.

Is there one club promoted in the pennine league from Division 2?

I know Mitchels got beat on Sunday but their still the team to beat, they've got a very strong squad and their easily the fittest team to date.

Peters play Oisins on Sunday in the championship, Peters will no doubt be the favourites but if Oisins get their act together it could be close.

Anyone got any tables from the Pennine League Division 1 & 2?

Any scores from Lancashire? Cant get hem.

Our game was called off.

Mitchels beat us by 4 or 5 points.
Oisins beat Benedicts by a goals.
Peters beat CuChulainns comfortably.

Peters V Mitchels was called of too.

This weeks fixtures below, its great to see such a competitive Division 1. Should be 3 close games.

06/04/2014   Pennine League 1   Cú Chulainn          v   St Brendans
06/04/2014   Pennine League 1   John Mitchels   v   Oisin
06/04/2014   Pennine League 1   St Peters                  v             St Bendict Harps
                  
06/04/2014   Pennine League 2   Bro. Pearce   v   Hugh O Neills
06/04/2014   Pennine League 2   JFK      v   St Lawrences