Galway GAA Discussion Thread #2

seligehgit

rainybillwill wrote: »

https://twitter.com/offtheball/status/1147614143597436928?s=21

I've great sympathy for Kevin Walsh post that interview.

Marvellous servant of Galway football both on field and as a manager.

He brought Galway football up from a very low ebb,more than likely has failed to maximise the potential of a very talented collection of footballers with his on field system.

However the tone of the interview intimates he has been the subject of some serious personal abuse which no volunteer of the GAA family deserves.

Well done to Maire Treasa Ni Cheallaigh for conducting the interview in such an empathetic fashion.

"Don't mind them"

Silent night

spurshero wrote: »

I won’t go to another Galway game of Walsh is manager . I say the players took it upon themselves to push on In second half . And whatever bit of love I had for mayo is Defo gone . They done Cooke in when they saw how well he was playing and they were beyond cynical in the second half . And there supporters around me were classless with there safe home and stick to the hurling comments and smug smiles . Having said all that that’s Probaly the minority like anyone county but there was certainly a lot of them around me.

The same abuse that was given Friday night in tuam yer all angels as well

I says

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Maybe you need to try getting to one, most of those Galway lads were in their nappies the last time you lot won a semi.

Anyway, til next year...

Yeah and you’ll be back wearing nappies by the time Mayo ever win an AI.

spurshero

Silent night wrote: »

The same abuse that was given Friday night in tuam yer all angels as well

No doubt there’s bad Galway supporters . I was just suprised at the amount of mayo abuse . 3 of us were walking out with 2 Mins to go when them comments started . One thing to be a bad loser but to be a bad winner is a lot worse . Anyway I’m checking outta here for a while .

Green Peter

Euphoriasean wrote:

Be interesting to see how Mayo go in a league format. They always play there best football in true knockout games without a safety net.

spurshero wrote:

No doubt there’s bad Galway supporters . I was just suprised at the amount of mayo abuse . 3 of us were walking out with 2 Mins to go when them comments started . One thing to be a bad loser but to be a bad winner is a lot worse . Anyway I’m checking outta here for a while .

Let them off we all know how it will end for them. Next time Sam crosses the Shannon whenever it is we all know it will be with Galway.

PCeeeee

I'm on the border and Mayo people are as good and bad as Galway people. Including my Mother!

That said I was sitting in a bunch of the biggest most childish fools I ever came across yesterday. Grown men and they like spoilt children. Same as the few fools that hit up this thread crowing after a win. God help them but they'll never enjoy it if all that's driving them is spite and let them off.

Galway are out now and for better or worse I'll be shouting for the neighbours. For every one-eyed tool there are plenty of decent Mayo men and women.

I hope for a change next year. Fair play to Kevin, he did some great work arresting the great slide but I think we need some new ideas. To my eye some lads don't seem to believe in the system no more and I can't blame them. I'd like to see some of them used differently and see how it looks.

elefant

Interesting bite-back on here about Corofin. A serious change in tone!

I think an unfortunate negative atmosphere was somehow created from something very positive in Corofin this year. Galway's negative/disappointing play was combined with a clamouring from all over the country about how Corofin do it better and are the saviours of modern football. I feel an awful lot of clued-in Galway football supporters were well aware that club football is a different beast entirely, and were annoyed by the rumblings that Galway would do better in the inter-county championship by just naming the Corofin 15.

Last weekend put pay to that idea, but I hope it doesn't now lead to too much push-back the other way. There are some classy footballers from Corofin, and they can be a big part of the team going forwards, but they aren't the answer to all our problems. It's not the players' fault that casuals on Galway GAA facebook pages thought they were.

Condenser

elefant wrote: »

Interesting bite-back on here about Corofin. A serious change in tone!

I think an unfortunate atmosphere was somehow created from something very positive in Corofin this year. Galway's negative/disappointing play was combined with a clamouring from all over the country about how Corofin do it better and are the saviours of modern football. I feel an awful lot of clued-in Galway football supporters were well aware that club football is a different beast entirely, and were annoyed by the rumblings that Galway would do better in the inter-county championship by just naming the Corofin 15.

Last weekend put pay to that idea, but I hope it doesn't now lead to too much push-back the other way. There are some classy footballers from Corofin, and they can be a big part of the team going forwards, but they aren't the answer to all our problems. It's not the players' fault that casuals on Galway GAA facebook pages thought they were.

I didn't see anyone here looking to name a Corofin 15 but there are obviously players who would add to the team like Molloy who didn't really get a look in.

The main argument was that we should look to play like Corofin which is closer to the attacking style the county has always favoured. The Corofin defence is very solid and organised but when they break, they break with speed, purpose and a plan. Galway had none of that.

Obviously you are not going to get the best 15 footballers in the county from one club but when that club have a number of all Irelands to their name surely they have more than one player who could add something. This backlash against Corofin is frankly ridiculous and will do nothing for the county going forward. Walsh is the issue, not Corofin.

elefant

Condenser wrote: »

I didn't see anyone here looking to name a Corofin 15 but there are obviously players who would add to the team like Molloy who didn't really get a look in.

The main argument was that we should look to play like Corofin which is closer to the attacking style the county has always favoured. The Corofin defence is very solid and organised but when they break, they break with speed, purpose and a plan. Galway had none of that.

Obviously you are not going to get the best 15 footballers in the county from one club but when that club have a number of all Irelands to their name surely they have more than one player who could add something. This backlash against Corofin is frankly ridiculous and will do nothing for the county going forward. Walsh is the issue, not Corofin.

It hasn't been so bad on here, no. In general, this forum is pretty reasonable.

Previously mentioned supporters pages have been rife with that sort of talk though, and it got people's backs up. I think that's what has caused Corofin players to be getting extra, unfair grief after the game in this thread.

TCDStudent1

Condenser wrote: »

I didn't see anyone here looking to name a Corofin 15 but there are obviously players who would add to the team like Molloy who didn't really get a look in.

The main argument was that we should look to play like Corofin which is closer to the attacking style the county has always favoured. The Corofin defence is very solid and organised but when they break, they break with speed, purpose and a plan. Galway had none of that.

Obviously you are not going to get the best 15 footballers in the county from one club but when that club have a number of all Irelands to their name surely they have more than one player who could add something. This backlash against Corofin is frankly ridiculous and will do nothing for the county going forward. Walsh is the issue, not Corofin.

There definitely has been such calls. Also, you mention Kieran Molloy - he is an easy one to mention now because he is the one who hasnt really gotten much of a chance (and it can be argued thats because of injury & club commitments). I have no doubt that if Walsh started Cummins, you would have people on here saying that Martin Farragher should be starting because of his AI club final performances.



There is an issue with Corofin but it is neither their fault or Walsh's fault. The problem lies with the club calendar. It has been impossible for a Corofin player to really claim a place on that team in the last couple of years because of their club commitments. This year, there was an effort to have them involved in FBD & some league matches. But the problem there is that even if one played well, he would be gone the next week with Corofin and somebody would take his place.

I am not convinced that Molloy or Martin Farragher are good enough. However, they have done enough at club level to be given a chance and they could grow into roles with Galway. Players like Brannigan & Heaney have done that because they were allowed to grow throughout league campaigns.

Condenser

elefant wrote: »

It hasn't been so bad on here, no. In general, this forum is pretty reasonable.

Previously mentioned supporters pages have been rife with that sort of talk though, and it got people's backs up. I think that's what has caused Corofin players to be getting extra, unfair grief after the game in this thread.

Facebook is the graveyard of debate and decent conversation. Every dope with 2 mins on their hands will chime in once it appears on their feed. I'd have zero respect for anything on there.

Condenser

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

There definitely has been such calls. Also, you mention Kieran Molloy - he is an easy one to mention now because he is the one who hasnt really gotten much of a chance (and it can be argued thats because of injury & club commitments). I have no doubt that if Walsh started Cummins, you would have people on here saying that Martin Farragher should be starting because of his AI club final performances.



There is an issue with Corofin but it is neither their fault or Walsh's fault. The problem lies with the club calendar. It has been impossible for a Corofin player to really claim a place on that team in the last couple of years because of their club commitments. This year, there was an effort to have them involved in FBD & some league matches. But the problem there is that even if one played well, he would be gone the next week with Corofin and somebody would take his place.

I am not convinced that Molloy or Martin Farragher are good enough. However, they have done enough at club level to be given a chance and they could grow into roles with Galway. Players like Brannigan & Heaney have done that because they were allowed to grow throughout league campaigns.

I can't see how Molloy isn't a better option than Gary O Donnell. Great servant but limited going forward and certainly not the future which is what we should be developing.

There's no plan with this team. We aren't looking to develop the new talent and we aren't in the running for all Irelands. So what are we at. It's neither one nor the other. You're either trying to transition or you're just make up the numbers. The lack of direction is astounding for a county set up.

ShamNNspace

Imv calls for Joyce to be promoted to senior management is premature nor would Padraic want it in these circumstances at this moment and time imo.. I wonder in the event of Walsh staying on would there be any support at all for a Walsh/Joyce team with a complete rejigging of the backroom team cos there was definitely something lacking in the backroom this year... Just throwing that out there

Condenser

ShamNNspace wrote: »

Imv calls for Joyce to be promoted to senior management is premature nor would Padraic want it in these circumstances at this moment and time imo.. I wonder in the event of Walsh staying on would there be any support at all for a Walsh/Joyce team with a complete rejigging of the backroom team cos there was definitely something lacking in the backroom this year... Just throwing that out there

Too early for Joyce I think. He won't want it either as you say as it means a former team mate getting the push. I wouldn't throw my lot in with Walsh either if I were him. Too much baggage now.

FarmerBrowne

spurshero wrote: »

No doubt there’s bad Galway supporters . I was just suprised at the amount of mayo abuse . 3 of us were walking out with 2 Mins to go when them comments started . One thing to be a bad loser but to be a bad winner is a lot worse . Anyway I’m checking outta here for a while .

Every county has these classless clowns, when Galway hammered Roscommon in Castlebar in 2016 we left with a few minutes to go and some smug Galway idiot said "Don't leave, yere great craic", what's worse is that he was there with 2 young children. I wouldn't hold his attitude against Galway people though and in general I find Galway supporters ok.

BENDYBINN

FarmerBrowne wrote: »

Every county has these classless clowns, when Galway hammered Roscommon in Castlebar in 2016 we left with a few minutes to go and some smug Galway idiot said "Don't leave, yere great craic", what's worse is that he was there with 2 young children. I wouldn't hold his attitude against Galway people though and in general I find Galway supporters ok.

Your easily upset........

FarmerBrowne

BENDYBINN wrote: »

Your easily upset........

Where did I say I was upset? It's just classless, say nothing or wish someone good luck, no need for these smug remarks when leaving a game when your team is after getting well beaten. As someone on here said a bad loser is bad but a bad winner is worse.

Diabhal Beag

I had Mayo flags waved in my face after the penalty miss. It's just craic and no ill-will meant by it. The same Mayo rascals were gettin great stick from myself while Mayo were on the ropes.

It's all part and parcel of what makes live matches way better than sitting at home or in the pub. I'd rather not see them win Sam but Mayo supporters are terrific fans that back their team all over the country. It's a shame some of them still want to whinge after a big win.

grbear

Talk of Joyce is premature and only puts unnecessary pressure on the U-20s.


I think the county board need to address the following issues before next year's leagues.

-Sort out the social media accounts and PR in general. We are lucky to have a fantastic partner in Supermacs but I believe we are doing a terrible job of selling Galway GAA. Go back to last Wednesday and there was very little in the way of updates from the Galway account while the Roscommon account was providing score by score updates. The same thing happened when the minors played Sligo. It's not good enough.


-The issue of attendance figures needs serious tackling. Maybe try to revive TribesmenGAA for starters. If we need to arrange park and ride services from the outskirts of Galway in order to get people into Pearse Stadium for league matches then go for it. It's embarrassing going to games like the Connacht final and Saturday where Galway fans are massively outnumbered by counties with smaller populations.

Utopia Parkway

PJ has said he has no interest in the senior job yet. He stated work reasons but I'm sure he didn't want to be seen angling for Walsh's job publicly. Besides he's only started management himself. He needs a few years experience under his belt.

TCDStudent1

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

PJ has said he has no interest in the senior job yet. He stated work reasons but I'm sure he didn't want to be seen angling for Walsh's job publicly. Besides he's only started management himself. He needs a few years experience under his belt.

Just because he said it doesnt mean it is true!

vid36

I would prefer a manager with some experience like Rochford rather than going down the great player route.Malachy O'Rourke would be a better option than PJ at this point in time.

Condenser

vid36 wrote: »

I would prefer a manager with some experience like Rochford rather than going down the great player route.Malachy O'Rourke would be a better option than PJ at this point in time.

Rochford is the ideal candidate but I really have a feeling Walsh is going to hang on until his contract runs out or hes pushed. I think he has no intention of walking away. His comments after the match said as much. He pretty much thinks everyone outside the camp is clueless and have no reason to complain as they couldn't be doing any better than they are.

RobbieRuns

I think that Kevin has no intention of leaving.

ShamNNspace

I think Kevin has brought us to base camp
But we'll never summit with him
We need a new team for that final push for the summit

Utopia Parkway

RobbieRuns wrote: »

I think that Kevin has no intention of leaving.

I think you might be right. The fact that he didn't announce straight away that he was stepping down means he likely intends to come back.

Think it's best for all that there is a parting of the ways now.

Condenser

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

I think you might be right. The fact that he didn't announce straight away that he was stepping down means he likely intends to come back.

Think it's best for all that there is a parting of the ways now.

Unlikely that the county board will sack him and he knows that. So does that mean a player revolt as I don't see that happening either. 2020 will be another write off. If I was on that team and in my mid to late twenties I wouldn't be coming back to play for him next year.

gammygils

How about Kevin O'Brien for manager? He is capable of getting the Corofin lads to perform!

RMAOK

gammygils wrote: »

How about Kevin O'Brien for manager? He is capable of getting the Corofin lads to perform!

You could make the same argument for rochford who, unlike, O'Brien, has experience of managing a senior inter county team.

Always_Running

gammygils wrote: »

How about Kevin O'Brien for manager? He is capable of getting the Corofin lads to perform!

Or maybe its a case that the Corofin lads don't get the same time and room on the ball to perform at county level as they do at club level and regardless of what style of play is used under a new management that will remain the case.

manofwisdom

Condenser wrote: »

Rochford is the ideal candidate but I really have a feeling Walsh is going to hang on until his contract runs out or hes pushed. I think he has no intention of walking away. His comments after the match said as much. He pretty much thinks everyone outside the camp is clueless and have no reason to complain as they couldn't be doing any better than they are.

Condenser wrote: »

Unlikely that the county board will sack him and he knows that. So does that mean a player revolt as I don't see that happening either. 2020 will be another write off. If I was on that team and in my mid to late twenties I wouldn't be coming back to play for him next year.

You seem a little too influenced by Sky Sports and EPL



This is GAA, no sacking,no contracts. Managers come and go as they please, unless player power forces them out as was the case with Galway Hurlers.

Redsoxfan

I always find the idea of 2/3/4 year terms for GAA managers interesting.

Manager can quit at any time.

But, can the County Board end only if a motion of no confidence is proposed and carried at the AGM? Otherwise, manager continues to end of term.

Condenser

manofwisdom wrote: »

You seem a little too influenced by Sky Sports and EPL



This is GAA, no sacking,no contracts. Managers come and go as they please, unless player power forces them out as was the case with Galway Hurlers.

Maybe contract was the right word but he's been given a term so much the same. Plenty of managers have been given the push so don't know what you're on about there. And I already said he won't go unless the players push him. You must be very uptight if those posts get under your skin. Hardly controversial

Condenser

Redsoxfan wrote: »

I always find the idea of 2/3/4 year terms for GAA managers interesting.

Manager can quit at any time.

But, can the County Board end only if a motion of no confidence is proposed and carried at the AGM? Otherwise, manager continues to end of term.

No, offaly got rid of their manager mid season and brought in Joachim Kelly. Did the same to Babs and brought in Michael Bond. Loads of examples of managers given the heave ho.

Condenser

Always_Running wrote: »

Or maybe its a case that the Corofin lads don't get the same time and room on the ball to perform at county level as they do at club level and regardless of what style of play is used under a new management that will remain the case.

You have to create space and KW hasn't the first clue how to do that.

Fann Linn

Redsoxfan wrote: »

I always find the idea of 2/3/4 year terms for GAA managers interesting.

Manager can quit at any time.

But, can the County Board end only if a motion of no confidence is proposed and carried at the AGM? Otherwise, manager continues to end of term.

Galway Co Board will be missing a fair few quid now that they're out of both codes before the business end. Could be time for that motion.

Condenser

Fann Linn wrote: »

Galway Co Board will be missing a fair few quid now that they're out of both codes before the business end. Could be time for that motion.

I don't think it needs to come to that. Some CB representatives need to have a word in his ear and say thanks Kevin but I think it's best we go in another direction. If he doesn't go of his own accord then you have to go the awkward route. He seems like a stubborn man.

Joe Don Dante

RobbieRuns wrote: »

I think that Kevin has no intention of leaving.

of course he hasn't, he's making to much money

gammygils

I reckon Paddy Tally was a big loss to the backroom staff. Defense has been compromised big time this season compared to last.
We need another Paddy!

aidan24326

Condenser wrote: »

I don't think it needs to come to that. Some CB representatives need to have a word in his ear and say thanks Kevin but I think it's best we go in another direction. If he doesn't go of his own accord then you have to go the awkward route. He seems like a stubborn man.

He does and what's concerning is that he never seems to allow for any criticism of himself, his tactics, or the players. He seems to believe he is doing a great job and that all criticism is unjustified.

Yes it's fair to say that some of the personal abuse he has received is out of order but as manager of the county team he has to accept responsibility for on-field performances, and take the criticism that comes with it. If he can't handle that stuff then he shouldn't be there.

Personally I think he deserves credit for what he did in the first couple of years after taking over, shoring up a porous defence, getting us back to division 1, and restoring confidence and credibility after some bad years.

But at no point has there been any indication that he can take this group on to another level. That he has any tactical clue beyond the dull, horribly negative football we've endured over the last few years. Jim McGuinness evolved the Donegal system from all-out defence to a dynamic counter-attacking style but Kevin Walsh has shown neither the willingness nor the coaching nous to do anything like that. His race is run.

Robert2014

Exactly. It goes without saying that any abuse that Kevin Walsh and any players receive is totally out of order. That said there are fair criticisms about the performances delivered this year, the lack of preparation for games including the lack of a kick-out strategy that is bizarre at this stage, and so on.

I just think this year has been a waste. Obviously injuries have not helped but it looks like losing Talty has impacted our defence which was our strength last year. Now we are back to a porous defence and lack of cohesion in attack. Instead of kicking on with a plan for attacking based on our defence, we have regressed defending and no further on attacking. As someone said it looks like the team is playing with fear and afraid to make a mistake in case they get criticized in the video analysis session afterwards.

After 5 years a new voice is needed. Any progress that Kevin has been responsible for and can rightly take credit for may be lost if we have another year like the one just past.

While I'm not advocating this, if Kevin Walsh is retained and the players allow this to happen without making their concerns known, then it shows that the players are just happy to be county players and have no great ambition to win at the highest level. We saw with the hurlers what happened when they moved against Cunningham. They out the heads above the parapet and finally owned their future and helped to deliver an All-Ireland in the end!

Hulk Hands

Saturday was just one of those days. Everything that could have went wrong, did. I was glad with the bit of heart shown in the second half. I thought McDaid did very well considering he was following AOS and he looks a lovely prospect for the future. The Corofin lads need a break, seriously off colour. It's probably time for a change, it does feel like the end of the road for Walsh. Been a mixed bag but think hes done a good job overall. People really need to remember what a leader he was for Galway as a player also. Can only thank the man. Things havent looked right at all in championship this year, and even if we nabbed something there, were probably on a hiding to nothing for the next few weeks. The squad is seriously young however, there's loads there to work with for a good 5 years to come

Redsoxfan

Remind me how did Anthony Cunningham depart? Was it the players or officials who wanted him out or both?

Condenser

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Saturday was just one of those days. Everything that could have went wrong, did. I was glad with the bit of heart shown in the second half. I thought McDaid did very well considering he was following AOS and he looks a lovely prospect for the future. The Corofin lads need a break, seriously off colour. It's probably time for a change, it does feel like the end of the road for Walsh. Been a mixed bag but think hes done a good job overall. People really need to remember what a leader he was for Galway as a player also. Can only thank the man. Things havent looked right at all in championship this year, and even if we nabbed something there, were probably on a hiding to nothing for the next few weeks. The squad is seriously young however, there's loads there to work with for a good 5 years to come

I think everyone acknowledges what a fantastic player KW was and I have no doubt his heart is in the right place regarding this team but if he has any ability to self analyse and be objective it should be clear he's just not a good manager.

He did a decent job of shoring up a defence but any time you put 14 behind the ball you become hard to beat. It worked against low level opposition and mayo. That was it. Anyone with any quality broke it down.

He needs to own up to the fact that he's not progressing the team even with better players than before. I agree with the earlier post that if he digs in añd the players don't give him the push it will speak volumes for them as a group.

Edgware

Condenser wrote: »

I think everyone acknowledges what a fantastic player KW was and I have no doubt his heart is in the right place regarding this team but if he has any ability to self analyse and be objective it should be clear he's just not a good manager.

He did a decent job of shoring up a defence but any time you put 14 behind the ball you become hard to beat. It worked against low level opposition and mayo. That was it. Anyone with any quality broke it down.

He needs to own up to the fact that he's not progressing the team even with better players than before. I agree with the earlier post that if he digs in añd the players don't give him the push it will speak volumes for them as a group.

Any chance the players take a bit of responsibility after their capitulation to the mighty Roscommon?

Condenser

Edgware wrote: »

Any chance the players take a bit of responsibility after their capitulation to the mighty Roscommon?

That's all part of it. If they are happy to stay under Walsh then it shows they have no ambition and are happy to plod along and call themselves inter county footballers. It would also show how culpable they are in the poor performances and were happy to hide behind Walsh and let him take the flack.

If that's the case there's a bigger problem that won't be resolved by replacing Walsh. We'll know alot about the character of both by the time October rolls around.

Edgware

We have seen in many counties managers getting the push by a cabal in the dressingroom.
There are a lot of very ordinary players making county teams, selected for whatever reasons.
But once a heave starts there is only one result as we have seen. Walsh has had his days and will go. The under performers on the team will last a bit longer

Condenser

Edgware wrote: »

We have seen in many counties managers getting the push by a cabal in the dressingroom.
There are a lot of very ordinary players making county teams, selected for whatever reasons.
But once a heave starts there is only one result as we have seen. Walsh has had his days and will go. The under performers on the team will last a bit longer

They won't last with the right manager. It will be obvious very early who is worth keeping and who's sucking the life from the team and taking up space. There's a big squad there now. It's not like we're on the bones of our arse.

Edgware

Condenser wrote: »

They won't last with the right manager. It will be obvious very early who is worth keeping and who's sucking the life from the team and taking up space. There's a big squad there now. It's not like we're on the bones of our arse.

There is massive potential in Galway. Corofin are an example. The easiest way to the so called Super 8s is winning the province and then you get your first game at home. Maybe it is time for Walsh to go but bring a few more with him

Robert2014

It's probably a fair point not to expect the players to show any leadership and responsibility now when they have shown so little of it over the years. When the chips are down, they fold the tent so badly. People question why there is such a lack of support for this team and I know supporters in Galway are a fickle bunch but if they showed the drive and determination that Mayo have over the last 6 or 7 years then I'm sure more people would have got behind them.

Without onfield leadership and players taking responsibility and a coaching team unable to motivate and prepare tactically then it's hard to see how we improve significantly. We could improve by injured players returning but there will be a ceiling. Something needs to change, if you continue to do the same things, you will continue to get the same results.