THE GALWAY HURLERS have come in for some sharp criticism today in the wake of yesterday’s Leinster final loss.
Following the player-driven upheaval that resulted in Anthony Cunningham’s departure as manager last winter, Galway faced into the 2016 season under pressure to perform.
But they suffered defeat to Kilkenny yesterday in a similar manner to last year’s All-Ireland final against the Cats.
And the Galway players have been in the firing line in the wake of that game from several well-known pundits.
Michael Duignan -
The players went out with the very same attitude, they thought it was just going to happen for them in the second half. It’s a 70 minute game and they didn’t do it. So I think the Galway players would want to have a good hard look at themselves.They got rid of Anthony Cunningham, who’s a very decent man and has given an awful lot to Galway hurling over the years, and he was thrown to one side by this panel of players.I think that was very wrong at the time, I said it. I think the point is proven well today that these players haven’t changed.The Galway players are not being honest to themselves and they’re not being honest to their supporters by playing in that way. They have too much talent to be just giving up in matches.”
Anthony Daly -
The same players who voted for change and a new way forward after last year’s final didn’t take those steps forward. When Kilkenny upped their intensity and workrate in the second-half, Galway couldn’t live with it.The same guys who didn’t do it last year, especially. Some of the ringleaders that got Anthony Cunningham out, couldn’t get it done again yesterday.”
Ger Loughnane -
After the stance they took against Anthony Cunningham, this was the day when Galway had to stand up and be counted.Otherwise, they’d rightly be regarded as a laughing stock.
This defeat showed they are made of absolutely nothing. You can forget about this Galway team – they have no guts whatsoever!
Galway are always looking for a crutch. There’s always someone or something to blame.”
David Herity -
Brian Cody has now faced up against seven Galway managers in his time. At some stage, you’re going to have to look back at the actual players and go, ye who have to stand up for once.”
Is the criticism of the Galway players valid or over the top?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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Even the great Sexton left Leinster to play for a better club!!
The analysis isn’t worth squat without application of a strategy that all the players buy into. Something is not right in Munster badly need to rebuild with 2-3 quality signings, Henshaw would be nice, and a top quality management team needs to be given 3 years minimum.
Why would Henshaw want to move to munster. When he has the best coach of all the provinces and the best youth development. A few big signings would be nice for connacht maybe cj stander and dave foley ?
Well said Harvey. He’d be mad to leave a great learning environment with Mils, Bundi, Pat and great players his own age around him. Time to put the idea of Connacht as a feeder club to bed. Munster should come up to Connacht and see how things are done with a small budget because that is where they are now. They could learn how to develop players like Leader, Marmion and Henshaw. Sort your mess out, especially your board, and leave Connacht grow.
Exactly they wont even invest in there own youth ie jj hanrahan he has the potential to be one of the best outhalfs in the country and he was let go. Problem with leinster and munster is they are looking for the quick fix to get them back winning trophies there two different teams than what they were a few years ago with different coaches . Things arent going to be built overnight for them .
Good things are happening at connacht and if the other provinces and the irfu come in and unsettle things they will have shown alot of disrespect for the people out west.
At the moment the irfu need pat lam more than he needs them. They would want to keep on his good side he is doing great things for irish rugby at the moment.
@theheathen you can also add Buckley to that list of home grown big hitters; also just look at the difference Connacht has been to Quinn Roux, he’s a new player since he moved!
Munster did all that developing years ago that’s how they got to the top so did Leinster the problem is now they have to try stay there which is not easy sucess leads to expectation!Connacht are just starting to build something now hopefully they succeed with the players they have but have bit to go yet don’t get carried away with yourselves!
A load of bull Harvey
Leinster get back the wining trophies? I think Leinster have been winning trophies season after season for a long time now.
Your problem is you know and I know that good young players want to do the best for themselves and play for the best teams. Munster and Leinster are the two biggest and best teams in all the Celtic nation’s history.
If a young player didn’t want to play for either of them he simply doesn’t have enough ambition
Henshaw to Munster and Marmion to Leinster is the way it will work out.
@Harvey Kinkel The Leinster development set up is the best in the country, yes the coach is sh*t but there are plenty of young guys coming through. They don’t need a “quick fix”, but it is always nice to augment a team with quality players such as Elsom and Thorn.
Munster on the other hand can’t develop a centre if their lives depended on it. JJ is a massive loss! Personally I think if they want to buy a centre they should try to get a bench warmer in Leinster or Ulster or go after Chris Farrell in Grenoble
@ Chris McDonnell it is ridiculous to say a player wanting to play for Connacht has no ambition. They’re not too far off the other Irish Provinces in the Pro12 and their coach is certainly better than the others. I’m hoping coaches like McCall Jackman and O’Shea feel homesick soon!
Yer all full of crap
@harvey great rugby jargon there harv,perhaps you could keep the replies a bit shorter with less big words for the ordinary supporter!!
I said henshaw would be nice. Well done Harvey you miss the point completely and then respond subsequently saying the management in Connaught and potential is better than munster. Ya haven’t a clue
Lay of the hash lad.