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Sligo GAA thread

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Good win yesterday. We probably should have won by more. Our forwards are not in tune at all. Poor shot selection let us down so many times. Our top scorer from play was Cummins who got 3 first half points. A bit concerning that Antrim scored what they did because In general I thought they were poor. I would have expected Luke Towey who has lost his starting place to at least put in a disciplined performance when he was introduced. Instead he was lucky not to get a black card and he also was the culprit when the ball was brought forward for an Antrim free, which they scored. Deignan did well on his introduction, and Cox and O Connor were really good. Maggie the referee was very good. Next Saturday will tell us if we are genuine promotion material or are we just mid table Div 3

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1996 - 26/02/2024 10:52:59    2528256

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Good win yesterday. O'connor should be allowed to bin his GPS tracker because what he can do needs to be judged differently , his vision and skills set him apart when some players seem to be running to show work rate with no obvious contribution. Promotion should be a genuine goal now.

MrUnderhill (Sligo) - Posts: 72 - 26/02/2024 16:03:32    2528385

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Promotion is on. We played well yesterday so it was a big step up from previous. By most accounts it was really ourselves that kept in Antrim in it until we kicked on. As I said before Division 3 is not that good.

6 Pts now mean we are safe and everyone deserves credit there. Great to hear Lally playing so well. Well capable of more for Sligo. Id still like a few more changes to the team and subs that I think would enhance us but the panel must be in a good place and confident after yesterday.

Are Down that good? Conceding 2-14 to Offaly. Offaly are better than their league position shows so they wont be a walk in the park either. Westmeath just about getting over Limerick too. All 3 games are winnable and the pressure is off.

That being said with the risk of Kildare or Cork coming down, we should be pushing hard to go up. 100% that's been the goal for the players anyway.

It could come down to Clare, Westmeath and Sligo on the same points if all lose to Down.

A question - I know how loyal McEntee is to the seniors but how would like to see the underage integrated? Current approach seems to be little to no gametime in 1st year out and just training/Challenges I guess. Sean Boyle said in ClubSligo notes of how the underage players are conditioned for Senior football. "its doesn't take them 2 or 3 years to get physically ready to play at this level". If they are ready now then is it ability? Hard to see that they wouldn't be ahead in that regard of some of weaker panel members. Even 2 or 3 of the starters I really struggle to understand their input. Also they can't get experience if not getting chances. The logic of a great servant like Keelan Cawley getting squad and gametime over some talented underage player doesn't make sense to me. I get the experience and leadership side but we need to look long term too.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1741 - 26/02/2024 17:11:06    2528416

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Replying To Sligonian:  "Promotion is on. We played well yesterday so it was a big step up from previous. By most accounts it was really ourselves that kept in Antrim in it until we kicked on. As I said before Division 3 is not that good.

6 Pts now mean we are safe and everyone deserves credit there. Great to hear Lally playing so well. Well capable of more for Sligo. Id still like a few more changes to the team and subs that I think would enhance us but the panel must be in a good place and confident after yesterday.

Are Down that good? Conceding 2-14 to Offaly. Offaly are better than their league position shows so they wont be a walk in the park either. Westmeath just about getting over Limerick too. All 3 games are winnable and the pressure is off.

That being said with the risk of Kildare or Cork coming down, we should be pushing hard to go up. 100% that's been the goal for the players anyway.

It could come down to Clare, Westmeath and Sligo on the same points if all lose to Down.

A question - I know how loyal McEntee is to the seniors but how would like to see the underage integrated? Current approach seems to be little to no gametime in 1st year out and just training/Challenges I guess. Sean Boyle said in ClubSligo notes of how the underage players are conditioned for Senior football. "its doesn't take them 2 or 3 years to get physically ready to play at this level". If they are ready now then is it ability? Hard to see that they wouldn't be ahead in that regard of some of weaker panel members. Even 2 or 3 of the starters I really struggle to understand their input. Also they can't get experience if not getting chances. The logic of a great servant like Keelan Cawley getting squad and gametime over some talented underage player doesn't make sense to me. I get the experience and leadership side but we need to look long term too."
One thing that probably stands out to me is how none of our u20s are brought into senior set up until they are out of U20 grade. Mayo always have their best U20 players involved in senior set up, seen this with Callinan and Tuohy last year and Duffy this year. Leitrim have Jack Foley and Barry McNulty from their current u20 panel playing senior football this year.

muscles (Sligo) - Posts: 466 - 26/02/2024 17:50:27    2528434

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Replying To muscles:  "One thing that probably stands out to me is how none of our u20s are brought into senior set up until they are out of U20 grade. Mayo always have their best U20 players involved in senior set up, seen this with Callinan and Tuohy last year and Duffy this year. Leitrim have Jack Foley and Barry McNulty from their current u20 panel playing senior football this year."
Most counties do the above as you point out. I know its Sligo County board policy not play u20s at senior but it suits McEntee too as he hasn't shown much interest in them and he is very conservative minded. He doesn't have an experimental mindset with team selections or subs.

I actually agree with not having u20s in there especially given our chances at that level currently and knowing the senior management. I prefer that they have more time with Henry and Mitchell.

But the issue I have is we go to another level with it. We don't give them much chance in the 1st year and none were in the starting 15 against Antrim were from the last 2 years u20s. Its a big risk because if your a player like Joe Keaney, how long do you train and commit? Are we risking losing players. I think so.

Not playing an intercounty match for 2 /3 years can you lose your standard and ability, lack of high level match situations, pick up bad habits? Do you lose match sharpness?

Another thing the CB are in denial about is certain players at intercounty have short career, look at Kyle Cawley who burst into the senior set up at 19 and gave us 3 great years but not involved now.

Canice and Daire should be at least coming on for the Seniors. Dylan Walsh must be injured. Good to see Lee coming on.

They need to develop the underage or at least show us that are attempting to.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1741 - 26/02/2024 18:27:17    2528443

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Replying To Sligonian:  "Most counties do the above as you point out. I know its Sligo County board policy not play u20s at senior but it suits McEntee too as he hasn't shown much interest in them and he is very conservative minded. He doesn't have an experimental mindset with team selections or subs.

I actually agree with not having u20s in there especially given our chances at that level currently and knowing the senior management. I prefer that they have more time with Henry and Mitchell.

But the issue I have is we go to another level with it. We don't give them much chance in the 1st year and none were in the starting 15 against Antrim were from the last 2 years u20s. Its a big risk because if your a player like Joe Keaney, how long do you train and commit? Are we risking losing players. I think so.

Not playing an intercounty match for 2 /3 years can you lose your standard and ability, lack of high level match situations, pick up bad habits? Do you lose match sharpness?

Another thing the CB are in denial about is certain players at intercounty have short career, look at Kyle Cawley who burst into the senior set up at 19 and gave us 3 great years but not involved now.

Canice and Daire should be at least coming on for the Seniors. Dylan Walsh must be injured. Good to see Lee coming on.

They need to develop the underage or at least show us that are attempting to."
In the interest of balance, lavin, Smith Deignan and Keaney (last year) have had game time from 20s win two years ago, clearly integration is happening albeit slower than other counties and crucially, team are winning. Hard to argue that any other players from two years ago at top age should be featuring at Senior?

onthefortyfive (Sligo) - Posts: 36 - 26/02/2024 18:56:51    2528455

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Another thing to note is the team now that McEntee continues to stick with is the same team that was stuck down in division 4 for years and are now pushing for promotion to division 2. Is it McEntee that has brought about the improvement or is it players from 2015 minor championship are only now reaching maturity. 8 of that minor team are on the current panel and probably should be more with Liam Gaughan, Nathan Rooney, Finnian Cawley and as mentioned above Kyle Cawley

muscles (Sligo) - Posts: 466 - 27/02/2024 10:03:58    2528553

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McEntee likes system players more so over talent. I don't they feel they have got the best of O Connor, even Murf, Lally or Carrabine. Often it is the uncoached element in them that saves us. Liam Gaughan would probably commit under a different management. I don't think McEntee or Keane are great at managing talent. You can see them falling for the big talkers by how players with low ceiling are constantly rewarded. David Phillips was a good example he was never good enough but somehow managed to end up man marking conor cox in championship. There are current examples but I won't name them. You have no chance in Connacht at senior until he develops better players with more energy. Some of our players have a very low defensive energy. It is masked with strong attacking energy but the better teams are targeting those channels with the ball.

Given the quality of player coming through in Sligo, the Senior team would improve anyway no matter who was in charge. I actually believe McEntee has slowed our progress. When you compare Louth when under Mickey Harte. When you look at Fermanagh etc...

In the interest of balance to the players onthe45, how much gametime is a fair evaluation for any underage player coming through? Winning against poor teams or regressed teams isn't something to be over celebrated either. The performance against wicklow or limerick wouldn't beat many teams. Down, Offaly and Westmeath will say a bit more but they aren't anything world beaters either.

TBH I don't really care about the league too much. The question I ask myself when watching Sligo is when is the next Senior Connacht title coming. That is all I care about when evaluating players. I would gladly sacrifice promotion to develop some of the younger players and try to unearth better players and give them experience so we can achieve a team capable of winning Connacht sooner. That level of integration required, I have seen little evidence of happening.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1741 - 27/02/2024 21:47:45    2528739

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Things going well thankfully on the field in Division 3. Nothing like the nightmare we had last time 5 years ago. Wouldn't be expecting an away win against Down but provided we pick up no injuries or suspensions then a home win on Paddy's day to Offaly sets us up nicely going into the last round. I'm not so sure this panel of players is ready for Division 2 though and won't be overly disappointed if we ended up finishing 3rd or most likely 4th as a result of head to head with Clare.

I hear the club fixtures are out but not a lot of good things to be said about them. 3 points for county player games still included.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 434 - 01/03/2024 09:07:27    2529012

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MC Entee is doing a very good job. The last time we were in Div 3 I don't think we won a game. We have won 9 out of the last 11 games in the league and we are on an upward trajectory. Isn't it great to be in this position and knowing that we have good players to come on board in the next few years. As it stands we are still a very young team. Dean Rock retired recently with a bagful of medals and I heard him say he was 23/24 before he broke into the Dublin team and they weren't the all conquering team at that time. Once we got rid of the Daddy's on the sideline at underage, success arrived. How many titles did we throw away? What I like about MC Entee is that he doesn't give a flying f..K what people think of his style. I don't always agree with it but you can't argue with what he has done as a player or manager. He doesn't get involved with referees, sideline officials or doesn't make sensational headlines. When Towey got his red card, there was no question of an appeal. You take your punishment. Sligo never had as an experienced manager. Someone mentioned 3 players not involved. Rooney got loads of chances and never nailed a spot, Kyle Cawley I don't think is even playing club football. Haven't seen him with Mary's in a few years and Gaughan chose not to commit. This happens all the time. For the Down game we are on a hiding to nothing as no one is expecting anything.

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1996 - 01/03/2024 10:42:56    2529030

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Replying To eoinog:  "MC Entee is doing a very good job. The last time we were in Div 3 I don't think we won a game. We have won 9 out of the last 11 games in the league and we are on an upward trajectory. Isn't it great to be in this position and knowing that we have good players to come on board in the next few years. As it stands we are still a very young team. Dean Rock retired recently with a bagful of medals and I heard him say he was 23/24 before he broke into the Dublin team and they weren't the all conquering team at that time. Once we got rid of the Daddy's on the sideline at underage, success arrived. How many titles did we throw away? What I like about MC Entee is that he doesn't give a flying f..K what people think of his style. I don't always agree with it but you can't argue with what he has done as a player or manager. He doesn't get involved with referees, sideline officials or doesn't make sensational headlines. When Towey got his red card, there was no question of an appeal. You take your punishment. Sligo never had as an experienced manager. Someone mentioned 3 players not involved. Rooney got loads of chances and never nailed a spot, Kyle Cawley I don't think is even playing club football. Haven't seen him with Mary's in a few years and Gaughan chose not to commit. This happens all the time. For the Down game we are on a hiding to nothing as no one is expecting anything."
Looks like we just got a hiding. I wasn't able to make the game or even follow online or on radio due to travel but it looks like we've found our level in division 3. I wasn't expecting to beat Down but I wasn't expecting that comprehensive of a beating either. Best of luck to Down in division 2 next year.

letsgosligo (Sligo) - Posts: 103 - 03/03/2024 17:21:55    2529471

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I could see mcentee walk this week after that today in Down.

SligoScot (Sligo) - Posts: 42 - 03/03/2024 18:11:27    2529495

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Replying To letsgosligo:  "Looks like we just got a hiding. I wasn't able to make the game or even follow online or on radio due to travel but it looks like we've found our level in division 3. I wasn't expecting to beat Down but I wasn't expecting that comprehensive of a beating either. Best of luck to Down in division 2 next year."
Agree. The manner of defeat is worrying. Down fair play are going very well and sounded like they were ruthless today. Hopefully Down are the real deal and this is just a blip in our development. Division 3 mid division isn't a bad platform for Mcentees successor.

SligoScot (Sligo) - Posts: 42 - 03/03/2024 18:35:14    2529507

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Any reports from the game?

Sligowizard (Sligo) - Posts: 19 - 03/03/2024 19:26:14    2529529

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Radio suggests we were naive and poorly set up

Sligowizard (Sligo) - Posts: 19 - 03/03/2024 19:29:07    2529531

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Replying To eoinog:  "MC Entee is doing a very good job. The last time we were in Div 3 I don't think we won a game. We have won 9 out of the last 11 games in the league and we are on an upward trajectory. Isn't it great to be in this position and knowing that we have good players to come on board in the next few years. As it stands we are still a very young team. Dean Rock retired recently with a bagful of medals and I heard him say he was 23/24 before he broke into the Dublin team and they weren't the all conquering team at that time. Once we got rid of the Daddy's on the sideline at underage, success arrived. How many titles did we throw away? What I like about MC Entee is that he doesn't give a flying f..K what people think of his style. I don't always agree with it but you can't argue with what he has done as a player or manager. He doesn't get involved with referees, sideline officials or doesn't make sensational headlines. When Towey got his red card, there was no question of an appeal. You take your punishment. Sligo never had as an experienced manager. Someone mentioned 3 players not involved. Rooney got loads of chances and never nailed a spot, Kyle Cawley I don't think is even playing club football. Haven't seen him with Mary's in a few years and Gaughan chose not to commit. This happens all the time. For the Down game we are on a hiding to nothing as no one is expecting anything."
This post hasnt aged very well. Anytime Sligo have played a half decent side they have been beaten comprehensively - a 12 point defeat today. Our record in Connacht against the big 3 in the last 3 championship seasons has been dismal. A combined defocit of 46 points over 3 games shows how far we have slipped behind the likes of Mayo, Roscommon and Galway. If you regard that as McEntee been successful, you are delusional.

Anto (Sligo) - Posts: 369 - 03/03/2024 21:19:43    2529570

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Replying To SligoScot:  "Agree. The manner of defeat is worrying. Down fair play are going very well and sounded like they were ruthless today. Hopefully Down are the real deal and this is just a blip in our development. Division 3 mid division isn't a bad platform for Mcentees successor."
The worry I have is county board would give him and Kane another couple of years, Kane has been in sligo six years!!!!.With quality of players we have and coming through we could stay in Div 3 for a number of years with the two boys but surely we have to start looking for a manager who will push us forward in next number of years?

onthefortyfive (Sligo) - Posts: 36 - 03/03/2024 21:28:59    2529576

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Well we got a good beating but by listening to the radio we did create a few goal chances which would have taken the dirty look off the scoreboard. However in reality Down are far better than Sligo and I don't think too many would have been looking to get a result in Newry at the beginning of the year or as a relatively positive league campaign progressed. We are not a Division 2 standard team and probably won't be for another 2/3 years until we blood in the U20 winners. Any word on Spillane will he be fit for Offaly game? This is a game we should be able to win but Offaly have proven yesterday and including those they lost that they can put up big scores so we will have to up the defensive work.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 434 - 04/03/2024 10:19:38    2529637

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I think we were all in agreement before the game that we weren't expecting anything in Newry so there was no surprise there. However we did get a bit of a pasting, which happens from time to time. Dublin gave Kerry one last weekend . Even though we beat Antrim last week easily, I did point out that we conceded a large score and it was also worrying that our top scorer from play was our centre half back. We have 2 home games left. Offaly and Westmeath will both have something to play for but I would be hopeful of winning both games.
Our forwards are not doing well at all which is a massive concern. It does appear that Colm MC Fadden is a huge loss. MC Guinness wouldn't have brought him back to Donegal if he wasn't good irrespective of their ties through marriage

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1996 - 04/03/2024 13:17:44    2529715

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Replying To eoinog:  "MC Entee is doing a very good job. The last time we were in Div 3 I don't think we won a game. We have won 9 out of the last 11 games in the league and we are on an upward trajectory. Isn't it great to be in this position and knowing that we have good players to come on board in the next few years. As it stands we are still a very young team. Dean Rock retired recently with a bagful of medals and I heard him say he was 23/24 before he broke into the Dublin team and they weren't the all conquering team at that time. Once we got rid of the Daddy's on the sideline at underage, success arrived. How many titles did we throw away? What I like about MC Entee is that he doesn't give a flying f..K what people think of his style. I don't always agree with it but you can't argue with what he has done as a player or manager. He doesn't get involved with referees, sideline officials or doesn't make sensational headlines. When Towey got his red card, there was no question of an appeal. You take your punishment. Sligo never had as an experienced manager. Someone mentioned 3 players not involved. Rooney got loads of chances and never nailed a spot, Kyle Cawley I don't think is even playing club football. Haven't seen him with Mary's in a few years and Gaughan chose not to commit. This happens all the time. For the Down game we are on a hiding to nothing as no one is expecting anything."
If you think McEntee is doing a decent job, I think you have mixed him up with someone else. At the moment we are Div 3 team but hopefully we can progress from this in a few years. The current management are not playing many of our under 20 players that have moved to senior, maybe they are not showing management much in training, but they deserve the chance. I am not talking about playing them for 10 mins with the game is either won or lost. We have a lot of talent coming through but will count for nothing if not given a chance.

RealSouthSligo (Sligo) - Posts: 110 - 04/03/2024 13:27:56    2529719

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