County Manager Merry go round

[Captain Obvious]

How true the theory among some Galway people and certain journalists that Joyce was holding Galway back will be seen now by whoever they bring in as his replacement.

[galwayman]

How true the theory among some Galway people and certain journalists that Joyce was holding Galway back will be seen now by whoever they bring in as his replacement.

Well the current group of players are past the point where they can win Sam now.
Conroy will retire whilst Walsh and Comer are past their best. We have been poor at underage generally for a while so don't have the quality coming up to replenish the team unfortunately.
We got a lot of players off the u20 AI winning team of 2020 but haven't won Connacht since and have not won a Connacht minor since 2018 either (albeit won the AI through the back door in '22).
We might not have got over the line but we were nowhere near AI contenders when Pj took over.

[Cunny Funt]

Would have to question the timing of that departure. Was rumours about a month ago on a player vote against Joyce which Galway GAA later rubbished. 

So why has it taken him from June 28th to now September 3rd to decide to step down? He also told the media after the championship exit to Dublin that he had two years left.

It all suggests much like Monaghan something behind the scenes has made him to step aside.

[Rossfan]

Got out before he was pushed I'd say.

[Captain Obvious]

How true the theory among some Galway people and certain journalists that Joyce was holding Galway back will be seen now by whoever they bring in as his replacement.

Well the current group of players are past the point where they can win Sam now.
Conroy will retire whilst Walsh and Comer are past their best. We have been poor at underage generally for a while so don't have the quality coming up to replenish the team unfortunately.
We got a lot of players off the u20 AI winning team of 2020 but haven't won Connacht since and have not won a Connacht minor since 2018 either (albeit won the AI through the back door in '22).
We might not have got over the line but we were nowhere near AI contenders when Pj took over.

No harm to replacing the older players with faster and younger players. Underage football success is truly seen with how many can go on to be good established Senior players

No stand out teams around and that includes the current champions Mayo who weren't given much of chance by anyone.


I have a strong belief the All-Ireland title will be shared around within the next five years or so and Galway could been among those teams especially if their defensive issues are dealt with under new management

[From the Bunker]

Would have to question the timing of that departure. Was rumours about a month ago on a player vote against Joyce which Galway GAA later rubbished. 

So why has it taken him from June 28th to now September 3rd to decide to step down? He also told the media after the championship exit to Dublin that he had two years left.

It all suggests much like Monaghan something behind the scenes has made him to step aside.

Heard he could not get the back room team he wanted. They didn't want to throw their lot in with him. Being involved could damage their reputation.
He has failed as a Manager - but his reputation as a top All Ireland winning player will always remain.

[Wildweasel74]

How far Galway to Monaghan again? Lol

[Blowitupref]

As you are with Kildare after a poor league and championship

Kildare Senior Football Statement

Brian Flanagan was appointed Kildare Senior Football Manager in 2024 on a four-year term.

Following a comprehensive review of the 2026 season, Brian Flanagan will continue as Kildare Senior Football Manager in 2027, with the full support of the Kildare GAA Executive and Management Committee.

We wish Brian and the team the very best of luck in 2027.

[magpie seanie]

How true the theory among some Galway people and certain journalists that Joyce was holding Galway back will be seen now by whoever they bring in as his replacement.

This is often the theory. Time will tell.

Joyce got some heat and even ridicule for saying his target was winning the All Ireland when he got the job. The next incumbent will be expected to do just that. Joyce might not have got the team over the line but I think comments that he "failed" are a bit harsh. He has certainly lifted expectations. 

Next appointment is crucial for Galway.

[Armagh18]

How true the theory among some Galway people and certain journalists that Joyce was holding Galway back will be seen now by whoever they bring in as his replacement.

Well the current group of players are past the point where they can win Sam now.
Conroy will retire whilst Walsh and Comer are past their best. We have been poor at underage generally for a while so don't have the quality coming up to replenish the team unfortunately.
We got a lot of players off the u20 AI winning team of 2020 but haven't won Connacht since and have not won a Connacht minor since 2018 either (albeit won the AI through the back door in '22).
We might not have got over the line but we were nowhere near AI contenders when Pj took over.

I remember when Joyce came in he said he was there to win an All Ireland, thought at the time they were miles away, but the talent was definitely there and could very easily have won either of the 2 finals. The years outside of that were very poor though.

[Armamike]

Joyce didn't manage to win the All Ireland but he improved Galway a lot and brought them to being contenders, which they were not before his time.  The fact that Cromer and Walsh were injury prone didn't help him.  Finnerty going off injured early in the 2024 final probably tipped the final Armagh's way. Things that were outside his control.  But he had instilled a very patient, cautious style of play that didn't help Galway at times, particularly in the 2024 final, and they didn't seem to move much away from that under the new rules.     

[Look-Up!]

Joyce did say his aim was an AI when he took over, and it was seen as ambitious, but were Dublin not in their pomp at the time and people were resigned to their dominance? Kerry and Mayo were seen as the legitimate challengers. So while expectation did rise in this tenure, the football landscape has changed dramatically too. It's a much more open competition. Not saying he may not have improved them, but I don't think this current Galway team would stay with prime Dublin. And they played some poor stuff at times too. Time will tell if he overachieved or was actually the wrong man at the right time.

[Armagh18]

Joyce did say his aim was an AI when he took over, and it was seen as ambitious, but were Dublin not in their pomp at the time and people were resigned to their dominance? Kerry and Mayo were seen as the legitimate challengers. So while expectation did rise in this tenure, the football landscape has changed dramatically too. It's a much more open competition. Not saying he may not have improved them, but I don't think this current Galway team would stay with prime Dublin. And they played some poor stuff at times too. Time will tell if he overachieved or was actually the wrong man at the right time.

They probably got a kind enough run to the final in 2022, scrapped past an Armagh side on penalties who weren't that fancied and obviously Derry were a decent side but you'd have taken them before the big 2. Final could have went either way and ended up a shootout between 2 superstars. 2023 they lost to a poor Mayo. 2024 they did well beating Dublin and McGuinness' Donegal, the final was there to be won although I just had a feeling all day we weren't gonna lose it, they'll look back on that one with huge regret. 2025 and 2026 losing to Meath and Dublin was poor work for a team with AI ambitions. 

[Blowitupref]

Next Galway manager odds.

[bennydorano]

What about Monaghan? Watched an OTB clip with Bannigan. He's answering any questions asked and sparing no blushes. If it's McCague coming in at the behest of the Scotstown mafia, its not gonna be a receipie for success.