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[A Connacht (!) final in C'bar will be a good examination of where Galway are at present]

This was by far Galway's best championship opener in, er, 12 months. Like last year, it was a case of the oppostion being poor rather than the home side being good. (Beware of the hype-machine being driven by GBFM and OTT!) I don't like saying it but Ros' were simply dire - it must be really dispiriting for their good support to have to watch some of yesterday's stuff. As for Galway, it's not that the players have improved much but that the style has - kudos to Sammon for that. However the weaknesses at midfield remain, though I thought Big Bad BC wasn't as bad as some would suggest - again he mostly tried to win primary possession and lay it off as soon as he could. Breathnach huffed and puffed and didn't do much. Matt Clancy; typical, I spend the year giving out about him and he goes and scores 1-3 from play. His lack of composure on the ball is still evident though (see first half) and in many ways is symptomatic of Galway in general - good against lesser opposition but found wanting when the quality is stepped up. Nothing against the lad, he's a good honest player, but only when he scores 1-3 against the likes of Tyrone, Kerry or Dublin can we say that Galway will have improved significantly. Beware also of those (Anthony Davis) who say Galway have a strong subs bench; not really - Bane came on yesterday and did very little, somewhat typically making a smather of one of the 2 good chances he got. The good bits from yesterday were the performance of Doherty in goal, Coyne at CHB (not too bad) and the enduring class of PJ all through. A Connacht (!)  final in C'bar will be a good examination of where Galway are at present.

It will show more about where Mayo are I think as Galway are the team to beat in Connacht this year. No point in denying it. (Sorry Sligo boys)

Iolar, are Mayo really that strong in midfield? I know McGarrity is captain and all that but would last year's events have taken their toll on him. I was talking to a Meathman and he said he was terrible in the friendly against them in Dunderry.

Cavan send the ball into their forward line, Cavan forward wins it, turns and sticks it over.
Antrim send the ball into their forward line, Antrim forward wins it, gives it to someone else, he then gives it to someone else, he then gives it to someone else, he attempts to give it to someone else, ball intercepted, attack breaks down.

Christ hardstation, didn't see the game but that sounds like Mayo forward line mid-90s...

Burrishoole 2-8 Crossmolina 1-10. Shock of the day in Mayo I'd say. Certainly in Division 1A.

What's the latest score? It's bound to be near over at this stage.

I want to echo the sentiments expressed. It's awful. RIP

Shrewdness, the match seems like ages away for me. I've 2 huge exams beforehand.

Fair play Rossfan, I hate rugby and all the headlines it gets in the news.  I'm also a Eurosceptic...

I agree with AZ and LL regarding Vidic, can't believe Andy Gray and Jamie Redknapp don't have him on their team. Ferdinand has improved due to the fact that Vidic is partnering him in the centre of defence. I'd have Tevez on my team of the season. Maybe I am biased but he would be my Utd player of the season as well.

Knockmore rosnarun. He is a very good player for the Knockmore team and will probably make the Mayo panel at least next year. Nice tidy player but he has a bit of filling up to do yet.

Anybody know anything about these games? Two rounds of games played already and not a word about them here. Surely somebody has to have heard something from somebody else about these games.

Sorry Lar, but Davitt Man has it cleared up (or should that be DM has it cleared up )

We are no further on from this time last year wondering about the fullback line. You'd think after all the chopping and changing that we could have gotten somebody. Or maybe all the chopping and changing is the problem, not allowing players growing into the position. McLoughlin is a year off the panel yet R&GS imo anyway. He's only 19. However, I do agree with you about Cafferkey. Johnno is under a lot of pressure to deliver something this year. And flooting around with the fullback line won't get us anything.

Don't really like either of the OF clubs but we've had a 'Mickey Mouse' treble when Liverpool won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001. This could end up being the Scottish 'Mickey Mouse quadruple' if Rangers win 4 trophies.

Soccer 1992
Gaelic football 2002
Are you trying to tell me that hurling will start when Antrim win the Liam McCarthy in 2012?
Hmmm.

Maybe Gaelic football will reinvent itself when Mayo win Sam in 2012 hardstation! Although it'd be better in 2011 the 60th anniversary celebrations since winning the last one!