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At least they tightened up defensively a lot after a very high scoring first half. 1-12 apiece. They really only conceded 0-4 for nearly the entire second half before letting in 1-1 deep in injury time when they game was over. Showed that they can buckle down defensively when they are focused.

Good to hear Dessie had a good game as he hasn't really done it in a senior jersey so far.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2397 - 26/02/2022 21:04:14    2402587

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Replying To moc.dna:  "Any reports on the U20 game, big win for Kerry."
Just heard the wind made a balls of it. Difficult conditions.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2397 - 26/02/2022 21:05:30    2402588

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Replying To kiloughter:  "On way back from match. Good summation. Kieran Molloy was excellent and Dylan McHugh also brilliant. P. Conroy immeasurable to us and the one area of concern is the lack of backup in midfield. P
Cooke as noted earlier would be a huge addition."
On reflection the first goal was a ball S. Kelly should have won so no harm in him having areas to work on as he is a brilliant footballer. His clubmate Dessie Conneely had his best game in a Galway Jersey thus far. Showed well all through.

kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1992 - 26/02/2022 21:56:14    2402601

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Replying To Marooned:  "At least they tightened up defensively a lot after a very high scoring first half. 1-12 apiece. They really only conceded 0-4 for nearly the entire second half before letting in 1-1 deep in injury time when they game was over. Showed that they can buckle down defensively when they are focused.

Good to hear Dessie had a good game as he hasn't really done it in a senior jersey so far."
We did tighten up second half, but to be honest with Cork playing against the wind was a big factor. But in fairness we set up well, they barely got in behind (bar the goal in added time) or into good scoring positions.

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1713 - 27/02/2022 11:15:52    2402641

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Is the Offaly game fixed for next weekend?

giveitlong (Galway) - Posts: 1287 - 27/02/2022 17:06:00    2402752

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Beating the rebels, scoring 3-22 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh was a nice evening's work. Lots to work on and obviously a lot of room for improvement in defence, kickout strategy and reducing high risk solo runs that are leading to silly turnovers. It's the time of year to be learning though and these lads are learning.
Great to see goals going in but we're still leaving at least as many more behind. Hoping we can become more clinical here.
Shane Walsh was just immense. 2-7, 1-3 from play, made and buried the penalty, 3 points in a row after he goaled. He's gonna be targeted, as he was last year, so needs protection (against pink booted, pony tailed cage fighters and the like!!). Mighty stuff so far lads and great momentum building. Up Galway!

togoutlads (Galway) - Posts: 1078 - 27/02/2022 20:39:28    2402828

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Replying To kiloughter:  "On reflection the first goal was a ball S. Kelly should have won so no harm in him having areas to work on as he is a brilliant footballer. His clubmate Dessie Conneely had his best game in a Galway Jersey thus far. Showed well all through."
He was very good and the bigger pitch definitely suited him as he found space. Also think Finnertys start helped him as they focused on Comer, Walsh and Finnerty. He ended up on Corks 5th or 6th best defender

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 534 - 28/02/2022 09:54:43    2402872

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Replying To ahsure.:  "We did tighten up second half, but to be honest with Cork playing against the wind was a big factor. But in fairness we set up well, they barely got in behind (bar the goal in added time) or into good scoring positions."
We were blessed on about 5 occasions on the second half. I watched the Kerry Monaghan game last night. Beggan is a better keeper than Flaherty. Kerry would have got at least 3 goals second half against us.

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 534 - 28/02/2022 09:56:12    2402875

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Replying To togoutlads:  "Beating the rebels, scoring 3-22 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh was a nice evening's work. Lots to work on and obviously a lot of room for improvement in defence, kickout strategy and reducing high risk solo runs that are leading to silly turnovers. It's the time of year to be learning though and these lads are learning.
Great to see goals going in but we're still leaving at least as many more behind. Hoping we can become more clinical here.
Shane Walsh was just immense. 2-7, 1-3 from play, made and buried the penalty, 3 points in a row after he goaled. He's gonna be targeted, as he was last year, so needs protection (against pink booted, pony tailed cage fighters and the like!!). Mighty stuff so far lads and great momentum building. Up Galway!"
If he's targeted, he needs to be clever enough to drag the defender where they don't want to be. The Mayo defenders in particular are grand out the pitch in the open spaces, not too keen 1v1 near goal which is where they lost the latest All Ireland final. That high kick into Comer like McShane did for Tyrone is definitely an option and worked a treat second half Saturday a couple of times. Conroy and Walsh very effective 1v1 close to goal also

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 534 - 28/02/2022 10:00:48    2402877

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Lads let's be honest, if we are playing div 1 we are getting destroyed..
Mayo will not be worrying one bit about the meeting in the championship.
Unfortunately so many clear issues have not and will not be sorted by this manager.
Goalkeeping kickouts, no clear defensive plan, midfield problems and no cover and realistically up front without the scoring from Shane Walsh we're screwed..

Belclare (Galway) - Posts: 904 - 28/02/2022 11:16:54    2402904

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Replying To smallfrank:  "We were blessed on about 5 occasions on the second half. I watched the Kerry Monaghan game last night. Beggan is a better keeper than Flaherty. Kerry would have got at least 3 goals second half against us."
Beggan is a specialist, could kick for Ireland, has been honing his craft for years. Young Flaherty is a dual player to county u20 level, who's just played in both the Sigerson & Fitzgibbon cup finals this month. Wouldn't it be absolutely UNBELIEVABLE if Beggan was not a better keeper than Flaherty right now?

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4261 - 28/02/2022 11:57:24    2402921

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Replying To smallfrank:  "If he's targeted, he needs to be clever enough to drag the defender where they don't want to be. The Mayo defenders in particular are grand out the pitch in the open spaces, not too keen 1v1 near goal which is where they lost the latest All Ireland final. That high kick into Comer like McShane did for Tyrone is definitely an option and worked a treat second half Saturday a couple of times. Conroy and Walsh very effective 1v1 close to goal also"
Also think that if he is hit late or off the ball his team mates need to make an issue of it. We need to put a stop to that rubbish before it starts in every game. Make sure the referee is fully aware of it.

Even the last night Shane was hurt after scoring a point. Was he taken late? Our players didn't make an issue out of it.
For the penalty he was taken out of it but there was no card (defies logic). Where were our players getting into the refs ear.

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1928 - 28/02/2022 12:00:32    2402922

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Replying To smallfrank:  "We were blessed on about 5 occasions on the second half. I watched the Kerry Monaghan game last night. Beggan is a better keeper than Flaherty. Kerry would have got at least 3 goals second half against us."
Of course Beggan is a better keeper than Flaherty at the moment, but Beggan had an absolute nightmare yesterday. He was at fault for all 3 goals and actually got away with another.
If a young keeper had a performance like Beggan yesterday, it's doubtful he'd get picked again. Beggan is a class act and will bounce back from it, but it's not right to use his performance yesterday as stick to beat other keepers with. Beggan is better than most intercounty keepers. On the weekend however, he was arguably the worst.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2410 - 28/02/2022 13:00:16    2402951

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Beggan is a specialist, could kick for Ireland, has been honing his craft for years. Young Flaherty is a dual player to county u20 level, who's just played in both the Sigerson & Fitzgibbon cup finals this month. Wouldn't it be absolutely UNBELIEVABLE if Beggan was not a better keeper than Flaherty right now?"
You've hit the nail on the head there Pope and you don't even realise it. Both fine keepers, average club standard outfield however. Beggan was the cause of three goals yesterday, getting dispossessed high up the pitch and leaving the goal unattended and getting caught off his line. Flaherty was blessed the same thing didn't happen 3 times.
Kilmacud would be All Ireland champions if their goalkeeper had held onto the ball. The tactic of making an extra man is fine, the tactic of pressing him and getting the ball back seems to be working a lot also. I'm basing my original comment on what I saw in the second half from the stand on Saturday. If Flaherty does that against a high pressing well organised team like Kerry, Dublin, Mayo, Tyrone, Monaghan, Donegal...they will have him on toast

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 534 - 28/02/2022 13:32:27    2402959

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good win sat evening and great to see the lads scoring 3-22..
i think they 2-17 from play if im not mistaken.,which is serious stuff..
i cant see teams going 1v1 on our forwards in the summer and as the weather/pitches improve i think
we are only going to get better.
the way i see it we will cause any backline in the country problems if we hit form..

conceding 2-17 is a big big worry.,we have very good backs but clearly whatever defensive style where
playing isent working.,this needs serious work and we need serious improvement over the next 4 weekends..

i really hope fitzgerald can get some game time at full back in the league and james macloughlin/niall daly
at midfield..
worry for me is that we are still over reliant on conroy and shane.,

i was at the mayo yesterday., they are a serious outfit.,so much pace and power but they
do struggle at times to create and take scores.,but from midfield back they are the best in the country
but o connor coming back will help there forward line..

i also heard mchale park wont be ready in time for our game in the championship..

if this is true i wonder where this could be played..
they wont play it in galway so im guessing hyde park.,croke park or the gaelic grounds in limerick..

gbay (Galway) - Posts: 274 - 28/02/2022 13:33:32    2402960

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "Of course Beggan is a better keeper than Flaherty at the moment, but Beggan had an absolute nightmare yesterday. He was at fault for all 3 goals and actually got away with another.
If a young keeper had a performance like Beggan yesterday, it's doubtful he'd get picked again. Beggan is a class act and will bounce back from it, but it's not right to use his performance yesterday as stick to beat other keepers with. Beggan is better than most intercounty keepers. On the weekend however, he was arguably the worst."
I've no issue with Beggan, Patton, Morgan as keepers. It's the tactic and how it goes wrong is what I'm highlighting. Hennelly another one who got away with it vs the Dubs, doesn't have the skills to evade the tackle(actually got away with touching it on the ground at one stage)

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 534 - 28/02/2022 13:35:21    2402963

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Replying To Belclare:  "Lads let's be honest, if we are playing div 1 we are getting destroyed..
Mayo will not be worrying one bit about the meeting in the championship.
Unfortunately so many clear issues have not and will not be sorted by this manager.
Goalkeeping kickouts, no clear defensive plan, midfield problems and no cover and realistically up front without the scoring from Shane Walsh we're screwed.."
Tbh the mgt issue rightly or wrongly should be put well to bed for now. Some may say this is being in denial but with the season well under way the focus should be on the positives. Time will tell on where will end up and how we will measure up to Div 1 opposition in the championship but as for a defensive plan your own two clubmates it has to be said controlled the right side channels with aplomb. The other thing on goalkeeper kickouts and by extension the goalkeeper performance at least he did not have a meltdown after the first half errors. Some will say a full press by another team could have derailed us after the small whistle but I notice a better sense of control or maybe less panic the few times we were put to the pin of our collars in this league. Lack of cover for midfield is indeed a concern but we have more consistent forward contribution whether Shane is free scoring or not.

kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1992 - 28/02/2022 13:51:25    2402971

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Replying To gbay:  "good win sat evening and great to see the lads scoring 3-22..
i think they 2-17 from play if im not mistaken.,which is serious stuff..
i cant see teams going 1v1 on our forwards in the summer and as the weather/pitches improve i think
we are only going to get better.
the way i see it we will cause any backline in the country problems if we hit form..

conceding 2-17 is a big big worry.,we have very good backs but clearly whatever defensive style where
playing isent working.,this needs serious work and we need serious improvement over the next 4 weekends..

i really hope fitzgerald can get some game time at full back in the league and james macloughlin/niall daly
at midfield..
worry for me is that we are still over reliant on conroy and shane.,

i was at the mayo yesterday., they are a serious outfit.,so much pace and power but they
do struggle at times to create and take scores.,but from midfield back they are the best in the country
but o connor coming back will help there forward line..

i also heard mchale park wont be ready in time for our game in the championship..

if this is true i wonder where this could be played..
they wont play it in galway so im guessing hyde park.,croke park or the gaelic grounds in limerick.."
I don't see how O'Connor coming back is going to improve them. Ryan O'Donoghue will be taken off the frees and I think being on them has made him twice the player, he also has pace, a bit like Tommy Conroy(huge loss). I doubt O'Connor will have gotten any faster after a year out with an Achilles injury.

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 534 - 28/02/2022 13:54:06    2402973

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Replying To Belclare:  "Lads let's be honest, if we are playing div 1 we are getting destroyed..
Mayo will not be worrying one bit about the meeting in the championship.
Unfortunately so many clear issues have not and will not be sorted by this manager.
Goalkeeping kickouts, no clear defensive plan, midfield problems and no cover and realistically up front without the scoring from Shane Walsh we're screwed.."
Finding it hard to disagree with this. I do however think we could beat Mayo on the day but they are way better placed to make an impact on the championship. Whatever about the set up, tactics etc. We had no leaders in the second half of last years Connacht Final. Maybe that's down to the manager too but that's the one thing I'm looking for in this team. The Kelly brothers look like leaders but we'll see. People talk about our last All Ireland winning teams and the football they played but they had leaders all over.

smallfrank (Galway) - Posts: 534 - 28/02/2022 14:37:10    2402994

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Would love to see Mcloughlin get a run for the last few games. We should be beating Offaly and Clare with a bit to spare so potentially could use a couple of new faces here.

Hopefully Fitzgerald will get back from injury in time to get a league run out so that he is a viable option for Mayo. Can't see him being an option if he doesn't get some league time.

Patrick Kelly is another i would like to see start. Very impressive in his cameo's to date and a big hulk of a man with pace to boot. Coming on when a team is beaten and starting are two different things so would like to see him start a couple of games to see if he is up to it. Potentially add's an extra kick out option if we are forced long and that could be vital.

Any other potential bolter for the championship team that we haven't really seen much of so far?

Is their a league final for D2? Don't want to be getting a head of myself but could be a handy warm up for Championship. I always worry about injuries but they could happen in an A v B game in training.

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1928 - 28/02/2022 15:21:15    2403015

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