From the under 20 all Ireland finsl teams of 2023 Kildare had 6 players involved at the weekend whereas we had just 1 (Ross Doherty). Canice Mulligan was injured for that u20 final.

Anto (Sligo) - Posts: 380 - 04/06/2025 12:54:52    2614806

Players have been going to America for the summer for over 30 years. I think they are right, the very same way as I think Carrabine was correct to take a year out and go travelling. They are young, they will pick up a few perks, and they need to see the world. At the end of the day Gaelic football is a hobby. I know players who don't commit to the county team at the beginning of the year because they are planning to be away for the summer. I take a dim view of players walking away at this time of year though. It shows a lack of respect for the team and their teammates. Carlow will be a very tricky assignment. They parted company with Shane Curran a few months ago and recruited a local guy. Their performances have significantly improved since and beat Fermanagh at home, something we couldnt do. Our team selection last week didn't work. I assume Towey will return as his pace alone is invaluable, however he will need to show a major improvement in his defensive duties. That was probably why he got dropped. There's at least one other spot up for grabs but I have no idea who you put in. Mullen will be lucky to see championship action with his club which is an awful pity. Ross Doherty needs to start in the half forward line . We are in big trouble if Murphy has a bad day or gets tightly marked because he is carrying the full forward line. As I have said several times other players are getting chances but are not up to speed when they get the jersey. The team is far too easy to pick.

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2129 - 04/06/2025 14:43:10    2614866

I agree with most of that Eoinog but GAA is a little more than a hobby in traditional counties and in fairness to O'Boyle walking away at this time the lad has spent a couple of years warming the bench watching average players get chances he could only dream of. I don't have any issues with his decision and wish him all the best. Hopefully he will commit again. Carlow are improved but that Longford result was very poor. Longford held Bambrick scoreless with a man marking job whereas he got 2-4 from play against Fermanagh. I know who I wouldn't put on him. We should have the firepower to see us win this one. They are athletic enough and can break the lines but we don't need much possession to score fairly heavily.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1863 - 05/06/2025 16:42:45    2615152

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 490 - 06/06/2025 14:48:38    2615345

Bumblebee123 (Sligo) - Posts: 88 - 06/06/2025 15:31:52    2615357

Ice_cream_dromore (Sligo) - Posts: 33 - 06/06/2025 15:33:45    2615358

Bumblebee123 (Sligo) - Posts: 88 - 06/06/2025 15:47:03    2615367

On the club scene this weekend which starts this evening I think
Curry will win against Enniscrone
Harp's to beat Molaise
Tourlestrane to beat Coolaney
Marys to beat Coolera
Gaels to beat Drumcliffe.

Ballymote to beat Molaise
Geevagh to beat Tubber
Easkey to beat the bunnies
Carly to beat Cloonacool
Pats to beat Owenmore Gaels.

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2129 - 06/06/2025 18:16:12    2615405

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 536 - 07/06/2025 09:40:50    2615452

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2129 - 07/06/2025 10:11:45    2615453

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 536 - 07/06/2025 11:19:13    2615466

Another win in a game we never looked like losing but certainly tried to give Carlow opportunities to get back into it. Devaney I dunno how he's starting, kickouts over the sidelines and a free out he kicked over the line which resulted in a goal for Carlow too. Spillane should be starting I can't understand why he isn't. Hopefully Cummins will be back for next weekend. Murphy played very well as did McLoughlin in first 45 mins or so. Opened up a good few times in the back by a wasteful Carlow.

We're back now to the top two teams from every group which kinda shows the format is daft but will change next year. An away QF will be tricky but we wouldn't fear any of the 3 teams were they travelling to us. If we can sort out kickouts and tighten up in back line anything is possible next weekend.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 536 - 08/06/2025 16:17:10    2615776

A much improved performance from the last few games but then again we were playing a team from Div 4. The positives were that at last the full forward line upped their game. They scored a total of 1.16 of the total score. That includes the 2 points that substitute Pat Spillane got when he replaced the corner forward Shane Deignan.
The negative was our complete failure to pick up any of the breaking ball from kickouts for large chunks of the game.
Carlow got through us very easily for scores when they ran direct and we hadn't our defensive shape in place. Lavin never played at no 6 before so it was a baptism of fire and I'm not sure if Mikey Gordon ever played as a defender for us either. There is marked absence of defenders on the 26 man panel that was named. When Gordon was taken off we didn't have a defender to replace him. Lyons played most of the game at wing back and it didn't suit him at all.
For next weekend 2 of the 3 teams that we could get are also Div 4. We are improving and it's knockout football from here on.
On the club scene Coolera got an unlikely point against Marys which could be invaluable. Their game against Curry will be huge. I think Enniscrone are doomed and maybe Coolaney are now getting into the relegation dog fight. Tourlestrane seem to be heading for a league final with Shamrock Gaels probably the best chance of joining them. Harp's and Molaise are still lurking. It's a very good league
Can't comment on Div 2 because there's games currently taking place.

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2129 - 08/06/2025 19:08:52    2615853

It's hard to know what to make of that performance today.
A very open, you score, we score type game.
We were very vulnerable to runners with our half back line sieve like at times.
I don't know why our best defender in the full back line ended up playing out the field.
I though Murphy and McLoughlin were superb. The pace and movement of Deignan was a perfect foil for Murphy in the 1st half.
You'd have to expect the likes of Casserley need to be in the panel for the next game given our lack of defensive options with Mullen out, Cummins likely out. Spoke to a man in the stand who said he played very well for Molaise against Harps. Was Cox also injured?
Their 10 Dunphy gave us lots of trouble with his directness.
I'd fear us playing Wicklow away. In my mind we have struggled down there over the years. Would take limerick or fermanagh ahead of them.
I'm really convinced that some of these new rules need looking at. The midfield mark should remain but to expect a player to jump out of your way once you catch it is ridiculous and needs to be removed in my opinion.
Also the advance mark allowing a forward to get a shot off and then to be able to go back for a free shot if he kicks it wide is crazy in my opinion. Totally unfair on defenders. We all know defenders in the past who knew when to compete for a ball and when to let the forward have it before bottling them up. Ross Donavan was a perfect example. He'd let you have it but there's not a hope in hell you're getting by and you're likely to get dispossesed. No space for this anymore,you have to commit to win it even if not favourite for the ball. Id get rid of advance mark.
An awful lot of very soft frees at times in many of the games I've watched.
Hopefully the lads can get a win in the quarters and get a match in Croker.
Credit to Tubber, the pitch and facilities were well turned out again. Two very enjoyable games up there with around 2,000 attendance lending to a good atmosphere.

Sligogo (Sligo) - Posts: 7 - 08/06/2025 21:33:19    2615920

Fermanagh while probably the stronger of the 3 teams we could have got is not the worst outcome in the world either. I wouldn't have fancied a trip to Limerick after them beating Westmeath. There's never much between Fermanagh and ourselves and we left a win behind us in the league so let's hope we make amends for it. Nice short spin too should see a good travelling support.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 536 - 09/06/2025 09:20:16    2615982

Taypot (Sligo) - Posts: 145 - 09/06/2025 11:17:11    2616036

Well done on progressing yesterday.
Just reading the posts this morning.
Are some in denial.?

In my opinion ye got the toughest draw possible.

I think if you were been honest with yourselves and before the draw which team were ye looking to avoid. I'd be surprised if it wasn't Fermanagh.

I wish our neighbours the best in the match.
Oh Leitrim neighbours both Fermanagh and Sligo.
Anyway I wish Co ??? the best.

Shannonview (Leitrim) - Posts: 75 - 09/06/2025 12:12:31    2616062

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 536 - 09/06/2025 12:34:14    2616070

Taypot (Sligo) - Posts: 145 - 09/06/2025 12:35:07    2616072

I think it's the toughest draw too but if we have plans to win it then we have to be capable of beating every team in the competition.

letsgosligo (Sligo) - Posts: 106 - 09/06/2025 12:53:21    2616081