[SIZE=5]Cunningham doesn’t fear Cats:clap:
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Anthony Cunningham insists Kilkenny’s 26-point demolition of Offaly hasn’t put the frighteners on Galway.
The Cats’ devastating performance was in complete contrast to Galway’s unconvincing display against Laois six days earlier when they were the back-foot for much of the game. Cunningham, however, is convinced there won’t be much in it when the teams meet for a place in the Leinster SHC final at O’Connor Park next Sunday.
“Offaly didn’t turn up,” the Galway manager claimed in the Connacht Tribune.
"We have played Kilkenny three times this year and there was not much between us in any of those matches and I expect the same heading into this semi-final.
“All I can say is that we are confident and ready for battle, and we are going to Tullamore to win that game.”
Will the team be announced on Thursday after training?
I’d go for Cooney and Canning at centre forward and full forward. I think David Burke and Johnny Glynn will be lucky to hold on to their jerseys. I wonder will they move Tannion back into midfield for his physicality and have the Burke brothers centre and full backs?
I haven’t been to any games this year so I don’t really know if anyone is flying it training these days? Maybe Glennon or someone will be sprung. Pity Healy is injured.
[QUOTE=“Wristy, post: 965097, member: 1156”]Will the team be announced on Thursday after training?
[/QUOTE]
They dont train on Thursday nights this year… will be friday night I’d say.
It will be some battle. The media have taken Galway for granted this year but you can be sure Cody wont…
Galway have worked as hard as anyone else, they have the hurlers with the necessary artillery… if they believe in themselves and stay 100% focused they will beat Kilkenny.
[QUOTE=“Kinvara’s Passion, post: 965277, member: 686”]Yeah, I think you are right.
Sunday is an ideal day for Galway to bring the curtain down on a fine career.[/QUOTE]
And with Andy Smith starting the stall will be set out early doors.
I didn’t realise just how close Laois were to beating Galway, ball saved on the line in the final minute to secure the win. Galway have to be the most mercurial hurling county there is and have a weird ability to turn it on out of nowhere, but still, that is worrying.
Not having a clue who the full and centre backs were by the second round of championship last year was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen, this year they have a relatively more settled team looking strong enough through the spine with the burkes, tannian and cooney, even if there is still a question who will start 6 it’s not as up in the air as last year. Glynn is an effective player but having him at 14 leaves Canning evicted from his best position and he has looked a marginalised figure so far.
They’re leaving it a little late to put Joe back where he should be and have the forwards settled around that, ie how he was played in 2012. I’m not sure Galway can win with Canning being used as some sort of third midfielder.
[QUOTE=“glasagusban, post: 965281, member: 1533”]I didn’t realise just how close Laois were to beating Galway, ball saved on the line in the final minute to secure the win. Galway have to be the most mercurial hurling county there is and have a weird ability to turn it on out of nowhere, but still, that is worrying.
Not having a clue who the full and centre backs were by the second round of championship last year was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen, this year they have a relatively more settled team looking strong enough through the spine with the burkes, tannian and cooney, even if there is still a question who will start 6 it’s not as up in the air as last year. Glynn is an effective player but having him at 14 leaves Canning evicted from his best position and he has looked a marginalised figure so far.
They’re leaving it a little late to put Joe back where he should be and have the forwards settled around that, ie how he was played in 2012. I’m not sure Galway can win with Canning being used as some sort of third midfielder.[/QUOTE]
How the fuck did you not know that? Laois were ahead for most of the game and it was discussed at length on here. Up your game, pal. This is championship.
[QUOTE=“Kinvara’s Passion, post: 965295, member: 686”]Last chance for saloon for Cunningham, he has had 3 years to figure this out and things are coming to a head.
I expect Canning to feature in the middle third but not exclusively.[/QUOTE]
I really don’t get playing Joe Canning out the field.
Can someone explain why you would play one of the best goalscorers in a generation far away from goal?
[QUOTE=“cluaindiuic, post: 965313, member: 258”]I really don’t get playing Joe Canning out the field.
Can someone explain why you would play one of the best goalscorers in a generation far away from goal?[/QUOTE]
No. No one can. Except @Mac.
[QUOTE=“cluaindiuic, post: 965313, member: 258”]I really don’t get playing Joe Canning out the field.
Can someone explain why you would play one of the best goalscorers in a generation far away from goal?[/QUOTE]
I cant explain… Last I heard it was something to do with not being able to get the ball into him at 14 coupled with him being double marked
[QUOTE=“cluaindiuic, post: 965313, member: 258”]I really don’t get playing Joe Canning out the field.
Can someone explain why you would play one of the best goalscorers in a generation far away from goal?[/QUOTE]
You get him on the ball more. At full forward he might only get one play*
*Christy O’ Connor rates plays as key to winning games.
whats the word from the camp KP, unfortunately their morale will decide this game, Galway have the players to seriously trouble KK but its been some time since we’ve seen their teeth under Cunningham
Completely agree. The hurlers are an excellent team if they put their heart in it. Some problems exist:
A. No team spirit. I noticed in the Laois game that there was very little encouraging between players. At times in the first half they played as singles disregarding the other 14 players.
B. Joe Canning. Not him himself of course. He would do much better as a distributor in the middle of the field. He was our goal-getter back when we lacked talent up front, but we have 6+ other forwards just as capable as him. Even play him as a third midfielder scoring the odd point now and again. Realistically we need him to score 0-02 a game. Cooney can handle the frees. Take some pressure off him.
And here is the reasons why I think it’s all or nothing for us this year:
A. Goalkeeping. We have arguable our best keeper at the moment in Colm Callannan. I find his shot stopping just as good as the best keepers. His puckouts have good direction and distance plus he can score from his own half.
B. Defense. Our best defensive set-up in a very long time. Tannion has made an excellent defender/sweeper aswell as the two Burkes. Conceeding only 6-137 in the 9 games this year its about 1-16 a game which is an excellent record.
C. Abundance of talent up front. With the likes of C Mannion and J Flynn in this year we really have competition for the forward line. Each chipping in with 0-2 each a game (approx.) sometimes more. As well as the goal-intentions of Glennon and the FF the last day whos name escapes me, we have good scoring ability.
D. Cunningham. Anthony Cunningham is our most tactically driven manager in decades and if anyone can do it he can.
It doesn’t come across as the most united of dressing rooms as there is always some sort of a rumour about internal rows. However the majority of these rumours are fairytales and any dressing room thats trying to achieve an AI wont always see eye to eye.
In summary… I don’t know what morale is like, we are a difficult enough bunch of people at the best of times so the position of the moon in relation to Saturn on Sunday will probably have a big say in things.
