The GAA Thread

[bandage]

The Purple and Gold:

A father and son
They stood hand in hand
As they watched Wexford play
From the back of the stand
And the words that he said
I'll hear when I'm old
It is a beauty to behold
When you see the purple and gold

Oh the purple and gold
Is my heart and my soul
From the men of today
To the heroes of old
Oh the purple and gold
Is a dream I still hold
It was a privilege I was told
To wear the purple and gold

I can still see them now
On the All Ireland day
The Rackards stood proud
By God could they play
And the Quigleys stood tall
Every man brave and bold
It is a beauty to behold
When you see the purple and gold

Oh the purple and gold
Is my heart and my soul
From the men of today
To the heroes of old
Oh the purple and gold
Is a dream I still hold
It was a privilege I was told
To wear the purple and gold (x2)

Fade out and scream.

Come on the bhoys of Wexford. Do me proud.

[bandage]

I'll be brief here!

Great stuff from us yesterday. Thought we were excellent all over the field though Forde will get the headlines again. 12 points in total including 5 from play with his left foot, 9 from play in total, 1 majestic line ball and only 2 frees. I liked the fact that we played him centre forward too – he’s our talisman and he can be more influential from there. Our work rate was immense and the ball carrying and support play was excellent.

The worry is the number of goal chances we allowed them to have which is strange as our full back line is generally very strong. Nearly all of the chances fell to big Joe Sheridan – maybe we can attribute it to the fact that Phillip Wallace was just back after 2 months out, also his style is to mark from the front and try read the deliveries coming in whereas Meath were pumping long, direct ball over his head to Sheridan. As it turned out John Cooper made two very good saves in one on one situations, one in the first half was particularly good I must say.

The half back line was dominant; it was one of the best games I’ve seen David Murphy play for us with the effect that Geraghty had resorted to lashing out, niggling and posturing from very early on. The young lad Molloy did a good shift and Páraic Curtis sauntered forward for a nice point in the second half.

There was mixed reaction amongst us as to how our midfield performed. Some said we didn’t win enough ball there but you have to remember both our lads were giving away 3 or 4 inches to the Meath boys but I thought our two more or less matched them in the air and destroyed them with general work rate around the park. Rory Stafford was excellent – he adds real steel to the side and it’s something we were missing last year – and they took Crawford off after 50 minutes such was the quality of Stafford’s display. It’s great to have him back because midfield is where we have struggled for years. Nice also to see him sporting a Mohican having shelved the dreadlocks of the league campaign. The main disappointment of the day was what looked like a serious injury to Diarmuid Kinsella near the end – I hope it wasn’t as bad as it looked as the two lads compliment each other well.

In the forwards Ciarán Deely pushed for man of the match, 3 excellent points and got through a load of work all over the field. I thought it was very astute of Bealin to use Redmond Barry as the spare man behind our half back line. If there’s anyone in Ireland better at reading the game, ball carrying, link play and distribution then I haven’t seen him – a load of our points originated from moves launched by Barry. It was funny that Cooper was able to chip a lot of 30 yard kick outs to either Red or the corner backs and some of the older, traditional GAA supporters near me were going spare wanting him to belt it as far as he could. He was actually spot on – the modern game is all about possession, as Mickey Harte (the manager not the singer) said what’s the point of driving a ball 60 yards towards a player who only has a 50/50 chance of winning it. It’s best to play short, sharp passes to men who are guaranteed to win the ball whether that be with hand or foot. Keep the ball, keep supporting each other and keep moving. That’s what we did yesterday.

Paddy Colfer won everything that came into the full forward line, laid off some good passes and took his goal nicely. A good display and Liam Murphy and PJ Banville also worked hard and showed for everything. The forwards really played like a unit and there was real method to everything they did – 1-16 from play is no mean feat.

I know Meath aren’t the force they were and now today already a lot of people are trying to dampen expectations by saying this and concentrating on the goal chances we conceded. But having not won a Leinster title for 60 years I think any time you beat Meath you should enjoy it – we had to start somewhere and yesterday was a fine way to do it. Overall, I have to say I am thoroughly delighted with the display all over the park. Equally Paul Bealin can take a bow – the tactics were spot on, his use of the spare man was excellent and his substitutions and their timing were very good too. The challenge now is to reproduce that type of performance the next time which is often difficult but that’s the level we need from now on.

I’ll end with what I thought was the seminal moment of the day. It arrived about 5 minutes into the second half. We had missed two very good chances straight after half time and then they worked the ball down the field through many hands and got a fine point. It was the first score of the second half, they were back to within 4 points and there was a real reaction from their supporters for the first time. I thought to myself, ‘If there’s any fookers that can come back from 5 points down with 14 men then it’s these.’ I wondered were we going to panic and flitter it away. Anyway, Rory Stafford caught the resulting kick out, laid it off to Molloy who fisted to Forde on the half way line, Forde gave it back and went again, Molloy kicked a nice ball into his path about 50 yards out near the left touch line, Forde gathered, took a few solos and then curled it over from a difficult angle with his ‘less brilliant’ foot. Then I knew we were going to win.

[steamboatsam]

fantastic display by Wexford in their humbling of Meath. An exhibition of how the game should be played. Great to see Meath resorting to the thuggery of old to try and compensate for lack of ability. Rory Stafford was an absolute powerhouse at midfield and the strength of the squad was emphasised by Tomas Howlin and Eric Bradley being sprung from the bench for a late cameo, although the game was well won by that stage.

[therock67]

Is Thomas related to Brendan Howlin?

Excellent display by Wexford yesterday and I can't really add anything to what has been written already. I backed them at 12/5 in a double with Offaly so pleased with that one. Outrageous pricing from the bookies really and it shows there is money to be made. I could understand if they hadn't called it right and priced it up as an even match but they got it so far wrong it was incredible - and they'd so little evidence to suggest Meath were going to perform.

Agreed on the analysis as well. Wexford's full back line was a bit suspect and Cooper got them out of jail a couple of times. Having said that they enjoyed superiority in every other area of the park and racked up an excellent total by the end. I also thought the key moment was well identified by Bandage. By chance I was sitting beside celebrity travel-guide Neelo from TG4 and when Forde kicked the first point of the second half I turned to him and said "that's the most crucial score so far." It put paid to any notions of a revival like the one Meath enjoyed against Louth.

[bandage]

admin said:

Is Thomas related to Brendan Howlin?
quote]

No relation. Great to see him back in the purple and gold after labouring through all those injury problems. Will your bet be valid seeing as Offaly may be in trouble for using 6 substitutions? A really sloppy error to make but it's surprising how often this happens.

[therock67]

Bet will be valid alright - they pay out on the result of the game, not the progressor in the Championship. It's crazy how often this happens: in this instance I think Offaly have a case if the official on the sideline confirmed they could make the last change as they claim. The match officials have a duty to referee the game and both teams abide by their rules on the day. If they messed up then it's harsh to punish Offaly other than at an administrative error (i.e. a fine) because they acted in good faith and in compliance with the match referee.

[steamboatsam]

as a matter of interest, is there any rule for how long a blood sub can stay on the field and still be termed a blood sub? say the replaced player is getting treatment and then it's decided he's unable to continue, does the blood sub become a full substitution and if so, is it up to the officials to ensure this happens or the management ?

[eamo]

I'm happy for Wexford. I thought that Ford was majestic. The points he scored were simply awesome. The keeper Cooper deserves a lot of credit as well as the young captain. Although Meath could have had five goals, it seemed that Wexford were by far the better side. I would have a worry for them over their full back line though.

The Offaly thing once again shows up the shambles that is the administrative side of the GAA. You have fifty year old men in suits and massive beer bellies trying to sort out these rules and probably telling Offaly it was ok to bring on another sub. Its a joke

Tyrone are seriously fucked this year. They were awful yesterday and missed Canavan hugely. They cannot afford to be without Cavanagh and McGuigan. On the other hand Derry look very good. McCloy at full back, McFlynn at centre half back, McGuirke in midfield and the Bradleys (Paddy destroyed the awesome Leitrim full back line in a recent challenge I'm told) up front with Muldoon.

Cork and Clare was shaping up to be a classic but the Rebels always seem to have too much. If one of their stars is missing or doesn't play well another steps up the mark (Deane yesterday with Ben O'Connor missing, Gardiner last year when Curran was taken off). It's going to be a three-in-a-row I feel

[bandage]

I didn't know the fourth official had informed them they could make the change. If that's the case then I agree they should progress - I wouldn't even fine them in such an instance. There's been a few NFL games in recent years where the points were given to the defeated side after the game but teams didn't offer that big a protest as it wasn't championship. Something happened with Na Fianna in the Leinster club a couple of years back but I can't recall if they were thrown out or forced to replay the game? I think there was a case in 2002 where Cork used too many substitutions against Tipperary in the Munster football championship but as they had hammered them they were let off (probably because of their domination of all GAA committees). I'd actually prefer to face Offaly rather than Kildare so I'd be happy if the result stands.

Sam, I'm not sure how long a player can be considered a blood sub. I'll try find out though. I expect that the ultimate repsonsibility rests with management in these cases and even though they received incorrect guidance from the sideline official yesterday they might be in trouble.

[therock67]

eamo said:

I thought that Ford was majestic.

Don't you know how proud these Wexicans are of the silent "e" at the end of their surnames?

[therock67]

steamboatsam said:

as a matter of interest, is there any rule for how long a blood sub can stay on the field and still be termed a blood sub? say the replaced player is getting treatment and then it's decided he's unable to continue, does the blood sub become a full substitution and if so, is it up to the officials to ensure this happens or the management ?

The "fifth official" yesterday (Pierce Freaney - assistant to the fourth official) said last night that:

A) The blood replacement can stay on as long as he wants as a temporary sub

B) The returning player can come on for anyone else and it still counts as a blood substitution.

It is ridiculous that it keeps happening though.

[bandage]

eamo said:

Tyrone are seriously fucked this year. They were awful yesterday and missed Canavan hugely. They cannot afford to be without Cavanagh and McGuigan. On the other hand Derry look very good. McCloy at full back, McFlynn at centre half back, McGuirke in midfield and the Bradleys (Paddy destroyed the awesome Leitrim full back line in a recent challenge I'm told) up front with Muldoon.

Cork and Clare was shaping up to be a classic but the Rebels always seem to have too much. If one of their stars is missing or doesn't play well another steps up the mark (Deane yesterday with Ben O'Connor missing, Gardiner last year when Curran was taken off). It's going to be a three-in-a-row I feel

Tyrone are crippled with injuries alright. They were the only one to let me down in my accumulator though my separate bet on Wexford paid for my day's boozing. It's the equivalent of Cork missing Corcoran (Canavan), Deane (McGuigan) and a few others too. Derry are a tough side - very strong at the back alright and the Bradleys are dangerous. I heard this was a terrible spectacle but then again a lot of Ulster games are hard, dour battles. I was really impressed with Cork's work ethic, they tackled in packs and got a lot of scores through hassling, hooking and blocking and forcing mistakes. As the great Liam Griffin said in 1996, 'We probably don't have the best players in the country but we're going to be the best at hooking and blocking.' Who'll ever forget the final and our 14 men not conceding a free in the entire second half as they tackled like demons? Cork have some of the best hurlers but also the best work ethic. They won't be beaten.

Oh yeah I like to be transparent. So just to let you know I smited you for the Forde misspelling. That's the sort of thing the legendary Ger Cushe had to put up with for years.

[steamboatsam]

admin said:

steamboatsam said:

as a matter of interest, is there any rule for how long a blood sub can stay on the field and still be termed a blood sub? say the replaced player is getting treatment and then it's decided he's unable to continue, does the blood sub become a full substitution and if so, is it up to the officials to ensure this happens or the management ?

The "fifth official" yesterday (Pierce Freaney - assistant to the fourth official) said last night that:

A) The blood replacement can stay on as long as he wants as a temporary sub

B) The returning player can come on for anyone else and it still counts as a blood substitution.

It is ridiculous that it keeps happening though.

A GAA source even admitted the rule itself is flawed as it didn't state when a blood substitution should end. i think the GAA should have a vote on whether or not amending the wording of the rule should be up for voting at next years congress

[eamo]

bandage said:

eamo said:

. Oh yeah I like to be transparent. So just to let you know I smited you for the Forde misspelling. That's the sort of thing the legendary Ger Cushe had to put up with for years.

Not to mention the great Bandage....

[bandage]

We're due to play Offaly on June 18th in the football semi final in Croke Park. Seeing there was only about 46 people from Wexford at HQ yesterday there's talk that the authorities are worried that the stadium will only be quarter full for that game which is due to be preceded by a minor semi final. There are whisperings that they're considering taking the hurling semi final out of Kilkenny, moving it back a week and so have a Wexican-Biffo double header in Croker on June 18. I think that would be a smashing occasion but equally I like the idea of beating them on consecutive weekends like in 2004. That was a memorable evening in Wexford Park when Forde kicked 2-10 after the Leinster hurling trophy was paraded beforehand. I'm actually very undecided on this one - I think I'd like them kept separate but I'm not sure.

[therock67]

What's harsh on Kildare as well is the fact they played the last ten minutes with 14 men because they'd made their 5 changes when the last fella went off injured. They can rightly feel aggrieved that they were hampered by the same rule that wasn't implemented properly for Offaly.

Not many biffos in attendance yesterday either.

[steamboatsam]

bandage said:

We're due to play Offaly on June 18th in the football semi final in Croke Park. Seeing there was only about 46 people from Wexford at HQ yesterday there's talk that the authorities are worried that the stadium will only be quarter full for that game which is due to be preceded by a minor semi final. There are whisperings that they're considering taking the hurling semi final out of Kilkenny, moving it back a week and so have a Wexican-Biffo double header in Croker on June 18. I think that would be a smashing occasion but equally I like the idea of beating them on consecutive weekends like in 2004. That was a memorable evening in Wexford Park when Forde kicked 2-10 after the Leinster hurling trophy was paraded beforehand. I'm actually very undecided on this one - I think I'd like them kept separate but I'm not sure.

i think its a good idea even just form the perspective of getting a decent following for the footballers - some of the ignorant hurling folk would see what talented team we actually have and pack the hang sangwiches more than once a year. although on the downside its one less days drinking for us. tough one

[therock67]

eamo said:

bandage said:

eamo said:

. Oh yeah I like to be transparent. So just to let you know I smited you for the Forde misspelling. That's the sort of thing the legendary Ger Cushe had to put up with for years.

Not to mention the great Bandage....

Smiting you here because I presume a real name was used.

[bandage]

admin said:

eamo said:

bandage said:

Not to mention the great Bandage....

Smiting you here because I presume a real name was used.

Thanks for the reminder - had meant to smite for that after I modified the post but forgot earlier.

[whyohwhy]

whyohwhy said:

Actual Wexford team to play Meath:

1. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Adamstown)
2. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Castletown)
3. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Gusserane)
4. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Bannow-Ballymitty)
5. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Clongeen)
6. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (St. Mary’s Rosslare)
7. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (St. James’ Ramsgrange)
8. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (St. Anne’s Rathangan)
9. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Castletown)
10. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (Horeswood)
11. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (Clongeen)
12. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (St. Anne’s Rathangan)
13. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (Clongeen)
14. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (Horeswood)
15. Forde (Kilanerin)

Was I right? or was I not wrong?

[bandage]

whyohwhy said:

whyohwhy said:

Actual Wexford team to play Meath:

1. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Adamstown)
2. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Castletown)
3. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Gusserane)
4. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Bannow-Ballymitty)
5. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Clongeen)
6. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (St. Mary’s Rosslare)
7. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (St. James’ Ramsgrange)
8. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (St. Anne’s Rathangan)
9. 'Kick the ball to Mattie' (Castletown)
10. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (Horeswood)
11. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (Clongeen)
12. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (St. Anne’s Rathangan)
13. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (Clongeen)
14. 'Pass the ball to Mattie' (Horeswood)
15. Forde (Kilanerin)

Was I right? or was I not wrong?

No. Forde did most things with precision and class but we were superb all over the field bar the full back line. During a heated discussion over a few pints with some forum members last night the consensus was that Wexford didn't overplay Forde and had a number of attacking outlets. It's just that invariably he scored when he got on the ball. In that sense it was a good idea to play him centre forward rather than have him confined to the corner where it's harder to get him into the game. If you allow a class act like him to roam around unattended he will murder you. But there was far more to Sunday's win than Forde. We are not one dimensional - I repeat not one dimensional.

[therock67]

At the risk of repeating "live" conversations here I'd like to lend my support to the notion that Wexford used Forde very intelligently on Sunday. In previous games Forde has been stuck in the corner and as a result he's been easy for defences to isolate: even McKeigue could have a stab at marking him. When they pulled him out to half forward there's more responsibility on him to get involved, but there's also more opportunities for him to receive the ball. There's nothing forced about feeding in quality ball to your centre forward and Forde showed very well on the wings to offer himself as an easy out ball. He knocked over his points with ease but by no means were Wexford trying to structure their play around him - it 's obvious though that if you play him at centre forward he will attract much more ball naturally.

[iamthelaw]

admin said:

The "fifth official" yesterday (Pierce Freaney - assistant to the fourth official) said last night that:

A) The blood replacement can stay on as long as he wants as a temporary sub

B) The returning player can come on for anyone else and it still counts as a blood substitution.

It is ridiculous that it keeps happening though.

The full quote from Pierce Freaney, assistant to the fourth official, and ironically a Kildare native (italics added):

“The list of the substitutions is very simple, in our book anyway. There were five substitutions made and one blood. James Coughlan coming on for Pascal Kellaghan is a temporary sub, a blood sub. He [Kellagahan] is entitled to come back on and doesn’t have to replace the player who originally replaced him. There is no time limit on that. Remember the situation. The referee sends him off for treatment. If he sends him off, he can’t go off himself.”

“We are 150% sure that we are right. That question was on the referee’s exam this year. I definitely knew the answer. (Offaly) knew that as well. Fair dues to them. There is no issue.”

The GAA rules say (again, italics added):

"In circumstance [of blood], a Temporary Substitute may be used, and the following acts shall not count as substitutions ...

(i) The use of the Temporary Substitute for a Player instructed to leave the field under the Rule.
(ii) The return to the field of play of the injured (blood) player as a direct replacement for the Temporary Substitute"

The rule seems straightforward enough, and you'd think the official would read them before talking to the Irish Independent.

Also, I heard that Kildare are calling for a replay. If so, I think they're embarrassing themselves. The 6th substitution was in the last minute, and hardly affected the result. That was the difference between Cork-Tipp (where result stood because the infringement had no effect) and Sligo-Kildare in the League a few years ago (where the game finished level and Sligo were awarded the extra point).

Personally I hope the result stands (and if the officials sanctioned the substitution it should definitely stand, just as if the ref allowed a player take too many steps before scoring, the other side would have no comeback) and that Kildare's bad karma earns them an away trip to Omagh in the qualifiers.

[eamo]

admin said:

At the risk of repeating "live" conversations here I'd like to lend my support to the notion that Wexford used Forde very intelligently on Sunday. In previous games Forde has been stuck in the corner and as a result he's been easy for defences to isolate: even McKeigue could have a stab at marking him. When they pulled him out to half forward there's more responsibility on him to get involved, but there's also more opportunities for him to receive the ball. There's nothing forced about feeding in quality ball to your centre forward and Forde showed very well on the wings to offer himself as an easy out ball. He knocked over his points with ease but by no means were Wexford trying to structure their play around him - it 's obvious though that if you play him at centre forward he will attract much more ball naturally.

That is true to a certain extent. But with that there is a danger that Wexford will put everything through Forde. This happened to Mayo when Ciaran McDonald played there.

Also you lose Forde from the inside and his natural poaching ability is underutilised.

You mentioned that Dublin should put Bryan Cullen on him if and when they meet. I don't agree with that. With that you are taking possibly your best footballer out of the game on the off chance that he will be able to mark the greatest footballer in the country. You are also assuming that Forde will play at centre forward. What I would say is that I'm sure counties have limited Forde's involvement (you can never really stop him - he's too good) and haven't put their best player on him. Its also naive to suggest that one player willl stop another. Dublin should tailor their defensive tactics around cutting the supply to Forde out and hence only a reasonable marker would then be required.

I heard a funny story about Forde from an intercounty goalkeeper friend of mine. Apparently when they met in the league the year before last, the keeper had made a little mound for his kick-outs and Forde came over and started jumping up and down on it for no reason only to be a prick. He ended up missing a sitter in the last minute which cost Wexford the game. My mate went over to him and tapped him on the head - 'hard luck Mattie' he said!

[iamthelaw]

eamo said:

You mentioned that Dublin should put Bryan Cullen on him if and when they meet. I don't agree with that. With that you are taking possibly your best footballer out of the game on the off chance that he will be able to mark the greatest footballer in the country.

Greatest footballer in the country? At least give the Gooch a chance to get started.