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"I'm not sure if Galway know what Galway are doing anymore"

Mike Quirke feels Galway are not good defensively despite being an ostensibly defensive outfit. T...
Raf Diallo
Raf Diallo

20.28 17 Jun 2019


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"I'm not sure if Galway know what Galway are doing anymore"


Raf Diallo
Raf Diallo

20.28 17 Jun 2019


Share this article


Mike Quirke feels Galway are not good defensively despite being an ostensibly defensive outfit.

They lost the Connacht Football Final to Roscommon on Sunday on their home patch of Salthill.

It's led to fair amount of soul-searching, although they still have the qualifiers to look forward to.

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Ex-Kerry footballer Quirke and former Mayo forward Billy Joe Padden joined us to analyse.

"I'm just lost on Galway. I'm not sure if Galway know what Galway are doing anymore," said Quirke.

Innocent Defending

"I don't think they are a very good defensive team. Like, the goal they conceded was really just innocent defending, nothing complicated to it.

"And that was a game-changer. That stole the momentum from them and gave Roscommon the push for the last 15-20 minutes.

"They're not a very defensive, they're not an attacking team. I'm not sure what they're trying to do or if they have real clarity about how they're trying to play.

"I just think they're identity is after getting really muddled up. They're not sure exactly what they're trying to do."

Padden believes Roscommon fans needn't be surprised at how their team is developing.

"There's a bit more steel from them, a bit more aggression. As they're physically developing, they're going to be a much tougher task for any team that they're going to face later on in the Championship," he said.

Galway, Roscommon Connacht GAA Senior Football Championship Final, Pearse Stadium, Galway 16/6/2019
Galway vs Roscommon
Roscommon celebrate after the game in the changing room ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

It's a redemption of sorts for manager Anthony Cunningham as well after a disappointing end to his tenure as Galway hurling boss.

"I'm delighted for him," said Padden.

"It's easy for us to say he's just a motivator and that's how he can transfer from one sport to the other. But that's being totally unfair to him.

"You could see from the very first day of the league, that Roscommon were going to have a more physical edge and that ties into the way Roscommon have played football all over the years. They need that."

He also added that Cunningham has introduced a patience and intelligence to the style of play.


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Anthony Cunningham Billy Joe Padden Galway Mike Quirke Off The Ball Roscommon

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