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Galway Hurling thread

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Replying To daveslad62:  "Can anyone name some undervalued or young club players that with right coaching and SnC might be able to to make the step up to Galway senior team."
Theres too many to name, MOD interview on gbay was refreshing, its clear top people are going to be put in place for the next 4 years, i can see a serious amount of players being given a chance over the winter, its up to them to take it after that

Galway456 (Galway) - Posts: 110 - 05/09/2024 23:14:46    2568653

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Replying To 2maroonjerseys:  "It won't always stay fine for ye."
Never said it would, but always whinging about 18 is a nonsense. BTW, best of luck to Michael O'Donoghue and Galway. It would be great too see another non Big Three Side win a blast of All Irelands.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 06/09/2024 09:24:26    2568667

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "Typical Galway nonsense indeed! So we're all the same in Galway and you can't shtand the sight of us! Must be very quiet on the Limerick forum! No exciting club championship then or is all the money gone into the county team?"
Plenty good matches in our championship in Limerick, but we keep our powder dry. Younever, or very sedom see posts from Cork, Kilkenny Tipp or Waterford on HS out of Championship Season either.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 06/09/2024 09:28:59    2568668

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "I see today is the 30th anniversary of the 5-minute final."
Yes that was a brilliant Offaly team that went on to win 98 as well and wiped the floor with KK in 95.We lost ans as with Galway in 18 no point whinging about it.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 06/09/2024 09:34:08    2568672

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Replying To Stool Pigeon:  "He hit journalistic rock bottom a while ago and has been digging ever since, but this might be the most shameful effort yet.

The man is a complete embarrassment, a grifter making money by throwing shade at amateur sportsmen over an incident everyone else, including the protagonsits, have on all known evidence, long forgotten about.

Imagine bearing someone else's grudge for that long, especially when that person seemingly doesn't have a grudge anyway.

It's almost impressive.

Almost.

Here is the article in question:

Question 1: Which county has won more All-Ireland minor hurling titles since 1990 than Tipperary, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Dublin, Wexford and Offaly combined?
Question 2: In the same period, which county has won more All-Ireland U-21/20 titles than Tipperary, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Waterford, Offaly, Dublin and Wexford?

Question 3: Since 1990, which county has produced two more All-Ireland senior club champions than Tipperary, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Waterford, Dublin, Offaly, Wexford and Antrim combined?

The answer is, of course, Galway. Vast riches across the club and underage fields then, but not so at senior inter-county level, where only one All-Ireland title has been harvested.

It came in 2017, presided over by Micheál Donoghue when Galway landed the big prize for the first time in 29 years. Galway assumed that liberation day had arrived and that the future was bright. Not so. The 2017 success was no more than the briefest escape from the badlands.

Donoghue left in 2019 after Galway finished fourth in Leinster and was replaced by Shane O'Neill. In fairness to the Limerick man, it was not a good time to take over as Covid made it difficult for a new manager to get to know the players or the culture in a different county. He was gone after two seasons, replaced by Henry Shefflin. It didn't work out for him either.

His departure after three years was unsurprising along with Donoghue's return, even if Dublin thought they had him for another year at least.

So how will it turn out for him? Is he a glutton for punishment in a county that has consistently failed to advance club and underage strength into a coherent senior force or will he replicate the 2017 success?

Galway were in a better position than they are now when he took over from Anthony Cunningham in late 2015. Cunningham was unfairly forced out by a player heave, despite having reached that year's All-Ireland final, where they lost to Kilkenny.

The players would argue that winning the 2017 All-Ireland vindicated their stance, although many would contend that Galway were lucky in the semi-final (v Tipperary) and final (v Waterford).

Seven years later, the enigma of Galway hurling continues. The sloppy performances, the inexplicable fade-outs, the inability to manage their way through crisis periods and a general sense of unreliability have all increased in recent years. All this against a background where the failure of successful underage players to develop (or, perhaps more accurately, be developed) into top-class seniors has remained a sorrowful Tribesmen mystery.

What happened the four-in-a-row All-Ireland minors from 2017-18-19-20? It brought Galway's haul to ten in 20 years, yet relatively few have made it at senior level. Limerick, in contrast, took five of the last six All-Irelands without having won any minor titles in the previous decade.

Good underage players don't always develop into top seniors, but Galway's inability to make so little of so much minor talent is unfathomable. It's equally baffling why so much All-Ireland club success hasn't nourished the county team.

Calling on Donoghue was the obvious path for the county's power brokers after their love affairs with outsiders over the last five seasons. The demands on him this time are different from his first coming.

Back then, he inherited a strong panel that Cunningham had assembled over several seasons.

Twelve of the squad that played in the 2015 All-Ireland final started the 2017 final.


It's different now and there will be massive interest in Galway when Donoghue names his 2025 squad. He needs to be ruthless - and not just among fringe players either.

This calls for a hard-nosed clean-out, including several big names, like what Cyril Farrell did in 1984 when there was a staleness about the squad similar to what currently prevails.

By the time Championship '85 arrived, only seven of the '84 team were aboard.

The impact was seismic as they went on to win two of the next four All-Irelands. The talent was there - it just needed to be given a chance under proper leadership.

Donoghue's appointment is the most interesting development of hurling's inter-county closed season. He has been given four years, but how successful he will be could well emerge as early as when he names his first squad. Culling time out west is called for."
The Clean Out suggestion is good. There simply has to be good players coming through in Galway, with all their success other wise at every other club and county level. Kiely gave the road to several 'good' players in 17 and 18 and it worked. Ironically I think he is too loyal to some of his older players now as also seems to be happening in Galway.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 06/09/2024 09:48:24    2568674

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There's a lot that goes into a clean out, first its up to the younger players to play themselves on to the team and there needs to be opportunities for them to perform. In Galway that did not happen in large enough numbers or the players failed to impress. IMHO the Galway academy staff needs a clean out, we are not competing in minor and especially U20s which should be a springboard for the senior team. I don't believe for a minute that we don't have the "raw" talent, we do have a processing problem.
In professional sports when a player hits 30 the majority lose a step, that doesn't mean they are finished but reliance on pure speed is going to be a problem, knowledge and experience needs to compensate. Recovery time increases and they are more prone to injuries so game management and game strategy needs to be looked at.
Galway have too many players on the wrong side of 30, Limerick are close to an inflection point also with the majority of the team in late 20's, this is going to be interesting to see how they adapt, supplement the team and/or change strategy for different match ups like Corks speed and Clare's doggedness.
KK at their prime were able to patch the team to keep a certain amount of experience and blend in youth to extend their longevity. Limerick is going to be interesting and I look forward to seeing how they move forward from here, how does a great team maintain their greatness over father time.
Galway on the other hand, thankfully we have come to the realization that we are not contenders, we need a rebuild and we accept that its going to take time. Now the hard work starts with management and the structures to support them.

BostonGuy (Galway) - Posts: 133 - 07/09/2024 15:45:28    2568839

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Replying To BostonGuy:  "There's a lot that goes into a clean out, first its up to the younger players to play themselves on to the team and there needs to be opportunities for them to perform. In Galway that did not happen in large enough numbers or the players failed to impress. IMHO the Galway academy staff needs a clean out, we are not competing in minor and especially U20s which should be a springboard for the senior team. I don't believe for a minute that we don't have the "raw" talent, we do have a processing problem.
In professional sports when a player hits 30 the majority lose a step, that doesn't mean they are finished but reliance on pure speed is going to be a problem, knowledge and experience needs to compensate. Recovery time increases and they are more prone to injuries so game management and game strategy needs to be looked at.
Galway have too many players on the wrong side of 30, Limerick are close to an inflection point also with the majority of the team in late 20's, this is going to be interesting to see how they adapt, supplement the team and/or change strategy for different match ups like Corks speed and Clare's doggedness.
KK at their prime were able to patch the team to keep a certain amount of experience and blend in youth to extend their longevity. Limerick is going to be interesting and I look forward to seeing how they move forward from here, how does a great team maintain their greatness over father time.
Galway on the other hand, thankfully we have come to the realization that we are not contenders, we need a rebuild and we accept that its going to take time. Now the hard work starts with management and the structures to support them."
Not many teams win FIVE allirelands before their 'inflection point' of course. That's a legacy that entitles them to a well earned rest already, in advance of early retirement.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3875 - 07/09/2024 18:08:51    2568848

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Not many teams win FIVE allirelands before their 'inflection point' of course. That's a legacy that entitles them to a well earned rest already, in advance of early retirement."
Not only that but they were the tip of a KK hurl away from 7 in a row! No one is debating that. They for the most part are still the right side of 30 with nothing to prove. Thats why its an inflection point, do we see some of them retire, be replaced or continue playing into their 30's. I still see them as one of the favorites for 2025, but they are beatable going forward whereas 2020 - 2023 on their day they were simply unbeatable.

BostonGuy (Galway) - Posts: 133 - 08/09/2024 03:39:48    2568883

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Replying To BostonGuy:  "Not only that but they were the tip of a KK hurl away from 7 in a row! No one is debating that. They for the most part are still the right side of 30 with nothing to prove. Thats why its an inflection point, do we see some of them retire, be replaced or continue playing into their 30's. I still see them as one of the favorites for 2025, but they are beatable going forward whereas 2020 - 2023 on their day they were simply unbeatable."
Not many teams will be able to beat limerick,I'd say they ll win the next 2 at least

Dunmore10 (Galway) - Posts: 143 - 08/09/2024 14:12:03    2568925

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Hard luck for Gort v St Thomas'. Well done to Beagh beating Ballinderreen. Loughrea v Clarenbridge should be a great one.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2260 - 08/09/2024 16:57:21    2568945

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "Never said it would, but always whinging about 18 is a nonsense. BTW, best of luck to Michael O'Donoghue and Galway. It would be great too see another non Big Three Side win a blast of All Irelands."
The only person constantly referring to 2018 is yourself! Time you moved on!

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 74 - 09/09/2024 10:34:57    2569038

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "Plenty good matches in our championship in Limerick, but we keep our powder dry. Younever, or very sedom see posts from Cork, Kilkenny Tipp or Waterford on HS out of Championship Season either."
Out of championship season! We're in the middle of the club championship or have you not noticed? What Cork, KK, Tipp or WD supporters do is their business, this is the Galway thread and you have no business poking your nose in it.

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 74 - 09/09/2024 10:39:51    2569039

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Can this be Loughrea's Year???

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2260 - 09/09/2024 11:07:13    2569045

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Replying To Trump2020:  "Hard luck for Gort v St Thomas'. Well done to Beagh beating Ballinderreen. Loughrea v Clarenbridge should be a great one."
Senior Relegation play off semi finals Mullagh v Moycullen and Gort v Oranmore-Maree.
Senior B Relegation Final Ahascragh-Fohenagh v Beagh

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2475 - 09/09/2024 11:11:26    2569046

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In fairness to all the clubs so far, think its been a great Hurling club championship . Some great games! Who do we fancy in the Senior , B, Inter and Junior

Was in Kenny Park yesterday , hard to know are St Tomas just sluggish or what , but they show some heart to get a result .Impressed with Loughrea and Turlough so far but will they have enough to get over the line . We nearly forget how close both have been in the last two years.

puckemhard (Galway) - Posts: 228 - 09/09/2024 14:57:31    2569099

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Replying To katser:  "Senior Relegation play off semi finals Mullagh v Moycullen and Gort v Oranmore-Maree.
Senior B Relegation Final Ahascragh-Fohenagh v Beagh"
Yeah I'm hoping and praying Gort and Beagh survive. Sigh.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2260 - 10/09/2024 01:21:42    2569189

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Replying To puckemhard:  "In fairness to all the clubs so far, think its been a great Hurling club championship . Some great games! Who do we fancy in the Senior , B, Inter and Junior

Was in Kenny Park yesterday , hard to know are St Tomas just sluggish or what , but they show some heart to get a result .Impressed with Loughrea and Turlough so far but will they have enough to get over the line . We nearly forget how close both have been in the last two years."
I'd expect loughrea and Turlough to be in the Semi Finals.
Depending on the Quarter Final Draw you could have Cappy and Thomas' in the Semi Finals too.
Obviously Cappy would love to get Larkins and Thomas' would love sarsfields in the Quarter Finals!

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2475 - 10/09/2024 15:55:38    2569288

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Replying To Trump2020:  "Yeah I'm hoping and praying Gort and Beagh survive. Sigh."
Aren't the Preliminary Quarter Finals a complete waste of 2 weeks in the Intermediate and Senior Championships.
I've always maintained it should be the top two from each group straight into the Quarter Finals.
In Intermediate TAD,Eyrecourt, Kinvara and possibly Carnmore or maybe Killimor will make Semi Finals no question.
In Senior A bit more tricky with Thomas' and the 'Bridge as runners up in their group also Cappy when it comes to the Quarter Finals with big dogs Loughrea and Turlough as group winners.
But basically any team that finished 3rd in their respective group Senior or Intermediate hasn't a hope of getting to the Semi Finals.
So it's 4 weeks now till the Quarter Finals can be played because of poxy unnecessary Preliminary Quarter Finals (2nd v 3rd in Group)

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2475 - 10/09/2024 16:10:50    2569293

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Replying To katser:  "Aren't the Preliminary Quarter Finals a complete waste of 2 weeks in the Intermediate and Senior Championships.
I've always maintained it should be the top two from each group straight into the Quarter Finals.
In Intermediate TAD,Eyrecourt, Kinvara and possibly Carnmore or maybe Killimor will make Semi Finals no question.
In Senior A bit more tricky with Thomas' and the 'Bridge as runners up in their group also Cappy when it comes to the Quarter Finals with big dogs Loughrea and Turlough as group winners.
But basically any team that finished 3rd in their respective group Senior or Intermediate hasn't a hope of getting to the Semi Finals.
So it's 4 weeks now till the Quarter Finals can be played because of poxy unnecessary Preliminary Quarter Finals (2nd v 3rd in Group)"
I know what you're saying but what about them years when you have a "Group of Death" type of a group and one team loses to the others by one point? If the groups were all EQUAL then your way would make sense.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2260 - 10/09/2024 17:14:42    2569302

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Replying To Trump2020:  "I know what you're saying but what about them years when you have a "Group of Death" type of a group and one team loses to the others by one point? If the groups were all EQUAL then your way would make sense."
you're debating with a chap who wrote the following

'In Intermediate TAD, Eyrecourt, Kinvara and possibly Carnmore or maybe Killimor will make Semi Finals no question'

Read that again then have a little chat to yourself and maybe find more productive ways to waste your time.

Anyway, you're right, groups can be very tight, ask Gort or Oranmore/Maree (shrugs).

As long as you're in a competition, you can win it. There can be many reasons why a team could finish third in a group of 4, but clearly these are beyond the scope of a simpleton so there's little point elaborating.

Kinvara won Intermediate in 2018 after finishing 4th in the group phase. Katser would turn in his grave if he wasn't still alive

Stool Pigeon (Galway) - Posts: 905 - 11/09/2024 10:19:29    2569367

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