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Any word on Mc Daid's injury? He fell really awkeardly on it. Looks like he went down clutching his knee which is worrying. centrefield99 (Galway) - Posts: 149 - 13/05/2026 15:57:18 2672815 Link 0 |
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Especially when there was such truck loads of space down through our centre channels. We had a half back playing full back, and a wing back playing centre back, both of whom spent most of the game miles out of their selected positions Kelly up in the forwards and Molloy tracking Smith out the wings leaving a big hole down the middle. Not blaming the two lads, they actually both played fairly well with Molloy doing a good job on Smyth and Kelly looked dangerous going forward, it is a tactical issue in terms of the space left open. If they were that worried about Smyth(justifiably), we could have gone back to the previous defensive system of the two wing backs sitting into the pockets and the two wing forwards dropping back to fill the wing back slots and then breaking forward when we were attacking. It was worse in the forwards, Flaherty a back, McDaid, a midfielder, Darcy a midfielder, and Roche, a midfielder all playing in the forwards. I know these lads are very versatile and talented and all are capable of playing up there but in my opinion it is too many lads playing out of their most natural position and it led to a complete lack of cohesion imo with every one wandering all over the place and the pitch. I cant understand why some of the lads who did really well in the league were not used, Oisin McDonagh/ Fionn McDonagh/O Conghaile or McGrath who only got a late run out. I think this would be an example of a more balanced team: Gleeson(hit that half forward line!!) McGrath, Hernon/Fitz(depending on who we are playing), Glynn/Silke(same as full back) McHugh, Kelly, O Laoi Maher / Conroy(McDaid when Thompson comes back) Tierney, McDaid/Thompson, Darcy Finnerty, Walsh, O McDonnagh Trucker1 (Galway) - Posts: 471 - 13/05/2026 16:04:47 2672817 Link 0 |
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Great research Clare, while we have you here do the same on your own Mayo.
Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 830 - 13/05/2026 16:18:38 2672820 Link 0 |
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I vividly recall 2001, Galway lost to Roscommon in the championship. We were suspect under the high ball around the square and other teams started to exploit that. Gary Fahy was a brilliant full back but controlling the high ball wasn't one of his main attributes. The late John O'Mahony said at the time that sometimes we learn more in defeat than in victory, because victory can mask weaknesses. He called Alan Keane from Killererin who was based in Cork, Alan was a big man and good under the high ball but hadn't played inter county by then. He was training with the team the following evening. That put an end to dropping high ball around the Galway goal. He also moved Tomas Mannion from corner back to centre back. These two changes turned Galway into an beatable team that year 2001. Some contributers on this site put a lot of thought and effort into their analysis. Some have suggested recalling Barry MC Hugh and try him in goal. Why not. We tend to blame our goalkeepers kicking distribution for our failure to win primary possession from our kick outs. It appears that players are not showing or moving into space to be a target. The best goalkeeper in recent years was Stephen Cluxton. Wouldn't it be advisable to get him or his equivalent to do some coaching on kick outs. Some of contributers highlighted lack of pace in our half back line. Obviously Hernon and O Laoi could play some role in that line because they have speed and youth. McDaid and Kelly gave a master display in grit effort and awesome determination in last Sunday's game. It would be great to edit these moments from the recorded match to show the whole panel what can be done with this determination. They should also look at their work when they didn't have the ball. The return of Tierney is also hopeful going forward and affording to call on the great Conroy later in the game when the need arises. I'm very hopeful that our team will have a very long run in this year's championship once we can correct a few things. Padraiciarchonnacht (Galway) - Posts: 11 - 13/05/2026 19:28:21 2672855 Link 0 |
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Looking at the halfback line, which is often the main platform for championship teams in recent years, I think Joyce should look a solid, holder at 6. And pace on the wings. rover08 (Longford) - Posts: 448 - 13/05/2026 20:54:27 2672861 Link 0 |