Joxer
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Post by Joxer on Mar 3, 2015 23:46:30 GMT
Eamon, I think it's very safe to say, is not doing this out of sentimentality and did after all manage his way through what looked like a pretty daunting forest last year to deliver what we crave. If he feels Paul can bring something to training and/or beyond that, that can give us further fuel for the journey ahead, then I don't think there's too many on here well enough qualified to question his judgement at this point. Retaining the All-Ireland is the only show in town....perhaps this is a key part of putting the jigsaw together required to achieve that. Time will tell but brings another interesting aspect to this new season....best of luck Paul, I hope it works out as planned.
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fitz
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Post by fitz on Mar 4, 2015 0:13:39 GMT
Paul will have a pile of work to do to contribute in a meaningful and worthwhile way, probably with an intermittent brief to collect breaking ball behind the scrum. An interesting sub plot never the less which tightens further the tight rope. I'd say he's in pretty good shape or better, you're not going to bring in a legend to a dressing room building momentum who physically is off the mark. A.N Other when you were able to take your cold eyes out of your pockets tonight how was he shaping up?. We could do without an intense media frenzy though as we're building steam. That said if you have a take or leave option on Gally, you're going to take money from the pocket. Hopefully he stays fit and well and the squad buzz off him, and he creates some more selection headaches.
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Post by ansúilleabhánach on Mar 4, 2015 0:38:52 GMT
...He has been a truly great footballer and his status in Kerry lore is secure. The most likely result for Paul is continuing disregard match officials and torrents of abuse from followers. You don't need that Paul. And remember, comebacks are rarely successful. Say it ain't so Paul. +1. For a man so unfairly maligned by his vitriolic detractors for years, his unassuming and untrumpeted manner of slipping away from the game took all ground out from under their feet. If this ends up with any hint of anti-climax, there'll be no repeat escape.
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Post by stevieq on Mar 4, 2015 3:12:47 GMT
My daughter will be delighted. Me.... I don't know what to make of it.
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Post by greengold35 on Mar 4, 2015 8:16:55 GMT
Shocked is the only reaction on hearing this- why would he come back? He has his medals, all stars, player of the year- Father Time had caught up with him like all great players, he had bowed out and now returns?? Not sure this is a good move for him or the squad- hope I am wrong.
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Post by Mickmack on Mar 4, 2015 8:46:19 GMT
Ian O'Riordan
He’d hung up his boots, written his own book, gone and done the ring thing, and he’s not finished yet, Paul Galvin making perhaps the most unexpected U-turn in the history of Kerry football.
Because Kerry footballers don’t normally do this sort of thing, preferring to postpone their retirement as long as possible, rather than come out of it.
Yet there he was, last night, the 35-year-old Galvin back in the green and gold jersey with the Kerry seniors, as they played the county under-21 team, managed by Darragh Ó Sé, as part of an in-house (and behind-closed-door) challenge.
The rumour had been building momentum all day, yet still seemed unlikely – given the fact Galvin had been gone over a year, retiring just after Kerry’s opening game in the 2014 Allianz League, without the slightest hint of a return in the meantime. By close of business, however, manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice merely confirmed that Galvin had “resumed training this evening”, and suddenly everybody knew.
There is no guarantee, naturally, that Galvin will make it back on to the panel on a regular basis, although he’s clearly willing to give it a go – despite the ever-increasing competition for places, given the return this season of Tommy Walsh from Australia, plus the soon to be back from injury Colm “Gooch” Cooper, and the inspired again captain Kieran Donaghy.
Indeed Galvin’s decision to retire, interestingly, initially coincided with Cooper’s season-ending knee injury this time last year, and yet not even that tempted him to change his mind. Speaking to this newspaper at the time, Galvin said: “I don’t think I was emotional about it, really. It’s only a tough thing to do until you make the decision. Once you make that decision, it’s fine. It’s been fine since . . .”
The three-time All Star, and 2009 Footballer of the Year, had in fact considered retirement at the end of the 2013 season, before Fitzmaurice temporarily tempted him back with the prospect of a switch into centre back. Fitzmaurice also spoke late last year about Galvin’s enduringly fine conditioning: “He minds his body very well, lives like a monk.”
Big characters Yet part of Galvin’s reasoning for walking away from the prospect of a fifth All-Ireland medal was his impression that some of the fun had gone out of the game: “For years, the fellas I was dealing with in the dressing room, the likes of Darragh and Tomás Ó Sé, and Tadhg Kennelly. You’re talking about really big characters, raucous kind of guys. Now I think you probably have a different type of craic. That’s not to say it changed for the worse. It just changes. That’s life.”
Galvin is not the first Kerry footballer to come out of retirement. Mike McCarthy, who originally closed up his shop after the outstanding display in the 2006 All-Ireland final win over Mayo, came back for more in 2009, although largely at the behest of then manager Jack O’Connor. McCarthy proved his worth by helping Kerry win that All-Ireland, then promptly retired again, only this time for good.
So the evolution of this Kerry team continues, only in ways few people ever expected
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Post by Mickmack on Mar 4, 2015 8:47:57 GMT
BY TOMAS O'SE
One question has to be addressed first in assessing Paul Galvin's return to the Kerry squad last night. Is he one of the best 25 footballers in the county right now?
To me the answer is a definitive yes. So to my m ind his comeback after more than a year away is not a gamble even though the media are likely to portray it as one.
There isn't a mentally stronger footballer I know to take on this challenge.
I'm surprised by it, I didn't see it coming but I do know that he wasn't always at ease with himself last year over the decision he made. It hurt him to walk away and he found it hard even to go to matches early on.
But his body wasn't right when he made the decision and I suspect that is something that has changed now.
Paul will have dilligently kept up his training routine over the last year. That's the way he is, he's always in great shape. I remember when he was out of the picture for three months with his suspension in 2008 he came back flying. I know from my perspective I couldn't do that. A month away and I'd be feeling sluggish. But Paul is different, he has never been far off the pace and I don't think he will be now.
He is a very passionate guy, especially for Kerry football and he would have given this a lot of thought. So too would Eamonn Fitzmaurice. This decision would not have been taken lightly by either of them.
I expect that Paul will have weighed up the odds and accepted that he is down the pecking order right now but no better man to try and haul himself up. If he can contribute as a substitute I think he'll be happy to do so.
He has surprised me in a good way in so many parts of his life.
I only hope this won't be portrayed as a distraction if things don't go right for Kerry. It's anything but that and I think the group of players will be tough enough to deal with it.
I feel he is still best suited to playing in the half-forward despite suspicions that he will revert to defence. To my mind he was tried there before and it didn't suit him and anyway Kerry's defence is a lot better than many will give them credit for. It will make for another very interesting summer for Kerry.
Irish Independent
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Post by Mickmack on Mar 4, 2015 8:50:11 GMT
By John Fogarty GAA Correspondent
Paul Galvin’s former Kerry team-mate Sean O’Sullivan has questioned why the 35-year-old has surprisingly chosen to revive his inter-county career.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice yesterday confirmed Galvin had returned to training 13 months after he announced he was stepping away.
Like Galvin, a four-time All-Ireland winner, O’Sullivan was one of three players who came out of retirement during Jack O’Connor’s time as manager. While Mike McCarthy and Eoin Brosnan’s re-inventions were successful, the wing forward returned in November 2011 almost two years after he stepped away only to leave a few months later.
O’Sullivan can’t understand why Galvin has come back when he has achieved so much already in the game.
“He won’t care what I or anybody say about it. All he will care about is the lads and what Fitzmaurice think. I could be wrong and I hope it works out for him. But it’s a huge decision.
“Maybe he has unfinished business but really what has he left to prove? He’s four All-Irelands, three All Stars, Munster championships. There must be something digging away at him.
"Maybe he just missed it like I did and that’s hard to get out of a man. I can’t blame him because Kerry football is an addiction. When I was deliberating about going back about 20 people told me I was mad.
"I didn’t listen and it didn’t work out for me. Was I gung-ho about it as I should have been? Did I throw in the towel too early? I don’t know.
“Kerry are after winning an All-Ireland. I’d say something if we lost a semi or final and Fitzmaurice was thinking about the extra edge. Tommy Walsh is back but maybe Fitzmaurice feels he needs more to retain the All-Ireland and losing a leader like Declan O’Sullivan leaves a void.”
Although Galvin is only gone just over a year from the panel, O’Sullivan is worried he’s not played much football since.
“The biggest thing for me in relation to Paul is when Mike Mac, Brossie and I came back, we were still playing with our clubs. Brossie was playing well with Crokes, I had a decent year with Mid Kerry and Mike Mac was still playing with Kilcummin.
"Since Paul called it a day, he hasn’t played a whole pile of football. He’s played with Lixnaw in the county and Munster hurling championships but he wasn’t regularly playing football.
“He keeps himself in impeccable shape, as anyone close to him knows, but he’s coming back into a Kerry squad with pace and intensity. I know it’s only March but it’s a big call for him and for Eamonn.”
O’Sullivan recalls when he came back, O’Connor gave him no reassurance or promises. His friend Diarmuid Murphy, a selector now as he was then, informed O’Sullivan he had been picked because it was the management’s job “to pick the most in-form players in the county”.
“But how can they say that about Paul?” asks O’Sullivan. “He’s an awful lot of ground to make up. Has he got a bit of training done already? Maybe this has been on the cards for awhile. It’s definitely thrown the cat among the pigeons.
“It’s just typical him really, but if he’s over his injuries and niggles, which, at 35, it’s hard to see how he would be, he could be a huge asset. He’s one of the mentally toughest bastards I’ve ever come across.”
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved
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kerryexile
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Post by kerryexile on Mar 4, 2015 9:27:01 GMT
I don’t think there is any benefit to the Kerry squad coming from this.
We have loads of very good / great forwards at present. I could never see Paul as a back and that has was proven before he retired when he tried defence. One of his last games was at centre back in a challenge against Crokes and Vince Casey destroyed him.
Sean O’Sullivan was on Newstalk about Declan retiring .. leaders in the dressing room…. The reason Declan got the chance to become that leader was because Darragh and others took a dignified walk into the sunset. The leaders now should be Donaghy, Gooch etc. That is the natural order of things.
So nothing added in football terms.
We are now left with the vexed question of the no 26 jersey...brother-in law.....disgruntlement...
Commuting from Dublin, 36 next november, coming out of retirement, Is this all about resurrecting a career in journalism and fashion???
I am with Veteran on this one. I would prefer much, much more to hear that Eamonn had added Killian Spillane (roughly half Paul's age) to the squad.
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Post by buck02 on Mar 4, 2015 9:50:04 GMT
It is very difficult to go against any decision Eamonn Fitzmaurice makes given the success he has had in the last 2 years and the fact that he has proven himself to be such a deep thinker and shrewd guy.
If he feels Galvin can bring something to the table then great. I'm sure he wont just waltz back into the panel, he will have to earn his spot and force out one of the 33 or 34 guys who are in there already.
I wouldn't necessarily agree with Tomas Se that Galvin is one of the top 25 footballers in Kerry at the moment. He hasn't really kicked a ball in a year (I'd say 3 games max in 2014) so a year away from the game at 35 is unlikely to mean you are able to just pick up where you left off. He wasn't exactly setting the world on fire in 2013 either.
Its a risk and obviously Galvin and Fitzmaurice will be the fall guys if Kerry don't win the All Ireland this year. But I think we have to trust the manager that it is a risk worth taking.
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Derek
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Post by Derek on Mar 4, 2015 10:03:19 GMT
So nothing added in football terms. We are now left with the vexed question of the no 26 jersey...brother-in law.....disgruntlement... Commuting from Dublin, 36 next november, coming out of retirement, Is this all about resurrecting a career in journalism and fashion??? I am with Veteran on this one. I would prefer much, much more to hear that Eamonn had added Killian Spillane (roughly half Paul's age) to the squad. Little wonder we got the tag of "animals" with the above lines Resurrecting a career in journalism??? He's book was a fantastic read, topped the book charts and got widespread acclaim from everyone for the quality of the way it was written - he doesn’t need any help to get into journalism he's already there. Christ above Eamonn dropped one of his best Friends in Marc last year, he dropped Killian he's brother in law to be for another game I seriously don’t think he's the sentimental type. Can’t believe Kerry fans would write the above about one of the greatest Kerry players of all time and especially since the abuse he put he's body through to make people like us happy on the 3rd Sunday in September is quiet bewildering really. If he came back just to simply clean the toilets and try to breath some of his passion and skills at winning breaking balls we should all be welcoming him with open arms.
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Jo90
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Post by Jo90 on Mar 4, 2015 10:05:28 GMT
Eamon, I think it's very safe to say, is not doing this out of sentimentality and did after all manage his way through what looked like a pretty daunting forest last year to deliver what we crave. If he feels Paul can bring something to training and/or beyond that, that can give us further fuel for the journey ahead, then I don't think there's too many on here well enough qualified to question his judgement at this point. Retaining the All-Ireland is the only show in town....perhaps this is a key part of putting the jigsaw together required to achieve that. Time will tell but brings another interesting aspect to this new season....best of luck Paul, I hope it works out as planned. I think there is sentimentality involved. Does Galvin deserve a place in the squad based on his club football performances in 2014? No Does Galvin deserve a place in the squad based on his intercounty performances in 2013? No Should a player deserve a place in the squad based on intercounty performances from 3+ years ago? Possibly, but definitely involves a degree of sentimentality Perhaps there's feeling of "Gooch and Tommy Walsh are back after missing at least a year, why not the same for Paul Galvin?"
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Post by inforthebreaks on Mar 4, 2015 10:13:09 GMT
Eamon, I think it's very safe to say, is not doing this out of sentimentality and did after all manage his way through what looked like a pretty daunting forest last year to deliver what we crave. If he feels Paul can bring something to training and/or beyond that, that can give us further fuel for the journey ahead, then I don't think there's too many on here well enough qualified to question his judgement at this point. Retaining the All-Ireland is the only show in town....perhaps this is a key part of putting the jigsaw together required to achieve that. Time will tell but brings another interesting aspect to this new season....best of luck Paul, I hope it works out as planned. I think there is sentimentality involved. Does Galvin deserve a place in the squad based on his club football performances in 2014? No Does Galvin deserve a place in the squad based on his intercounty performances in 2013? No Should a player deserve a place in the squad based on intercounty performances from 3+ years ago? Possibly, but definitely involves a degree of sentimentality Perhaps there's feeling of "Gooch and Tommy Walsh are back after missing at least a year, why not the same for Paul Galvin?" reverse that argument then... does tommy walsh deserve his place in the squad given your above criteria? I felt when Galvin retired last year he still had a bit to contribute, coming on to help close out games for teh last 10 minutes. Maybe he could play that role? maybe he is happy to be no. 23 or 24 and cover for either backs or forwards. then again maybe he is denying a fella more worthy of a place in the squad, (if he even makes the championship 26.) twil be interesting at least
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Jo90
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Post by Jo90 on Mar 4, 2015 10:53:45 GMT
I think there is sentimentality involved. Does Galvin deserve a place in the squad based on his club football performances in 2014? No Does Galvin deserve a place in the squad based on his intercounty performances in 2013? No Should a player deserve a place in the squad based on intercounty performances from 3+ years ago? Possibly, but definitely involves a degree of sentimentality Perhaps there's feeling of "Gooch and Tommy Walsh are back after missing at least a year, why not the same for Paul Galvin?" reverse that argument then... does tommy walsh deserve his place in the squad given your above criteria? I felt when Galvin retired last year he still had a bit to contribute, coming on to help close out games for teh last 10 minutes. Maybe he could play that role? maybe he is happy to be no. 23 or 24 and cover for either backs or forwards. then again maybe he is denying a fella more worthy of a place in the squad, (if he even makes the championship 26.) twil be interesting at least That's why I said "possibly" for the question "Should a player deserve a place in the squad based on intercounty performances from 3+ years ago?". For a player who's last performance in a Kerry jersey was excellent, who's at or near his peak, age wise and physically, has been training professionally for the last no. of years and is likely to improve in the next year or two then the answer is definitely yes.
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fitz
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Post by fitz on Mar 4, 2015 10:54:17 GMT
Christ - he deserves a chance. Surely he can't be logically denied it. Every time I get the Mexican sweats on a game, I just think, Eamonn is the manager, he has a plan, he's always had a plan. We've seen the massive achievements to date. It hasn't always worked, but you could see the approach. Anyway I then relax. His close relationship with Paul is always going to be front of mind news. I think he believes in Paul, sees a role for him, BUT if he doesn't cut the mustard consistently in training he won't play. I expect him to burst his bollix be unassuming, a helpful and motivated teammate who will help the dressing room. If he doesn't make it to the pitch, Eamonn will ruthlessly have made that judgement and likely Paul would then leave for good at the end of the season, if he does make it, it's another one of those "inches" he will and we will claw for on the biggest tests this year all going well. All the concerns raised are valid, but the negativity is premature. We should back Paul to the f***Ing hilt and on rock solid evidence to date back Eamonn to manage the situation according to Paul's progression or not.
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Post by A.N. Other on Mar 4, 2015 10:59:38 GMT
Paul will have a pile of work to do to contribute in a meaningful and worthwhile way, probably with an intermittent brief to collect breaking ball behind the scrum. An interesting sub plot never the less which tightens further the tight rope. I'd say he's in pretty good shape or better, you're not going to bring in a legend to a dressing room building momentum who physically is off the mark. A.N Other when you were able to take your cold eyes out of your pockets tonight how was he shaping up?. We could do without an intense media frenzy though as we're building steam. That said if you have a take or leave option on Gally, you're going to take money from the pocket. Hopefully he stays fit and well and the squad buzz off him, and he creates some more selection headaches. He was in decent shape, the quality wasn't the best last night but he used the ball when he got on it. Tommy Walsh foot passing seems to really be improving though, still doesn't seem fit but that'll come I'm sure. I think Paul coming back can only be seen as a good thing, adds to the competition for places. Also think he will find it hard to break into our forwards at present but we will have to wait and see.
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Mar 4, 2015 11:04:56 GMT
I think we are being very harsh on Galvin here. Rightly so, I may add, but very harsh. As Tomás pointed out there is no man in Ireland with a more determined mind than Galvin. Galvin is like Fastnet: he is just there and whatever is thrown at him he will not shy away. Unlike Fastnet he is not from Cork and he is not lonely. In a footballing world where black cards can totally change games and where teams usually use all their subs the bench has become almost more important than the starting XV. Cork have a habit of springing their best players of the bench and staging comebacks. Kerry were caught on Sunday when we used all our subs and then conceded another black card. In those tumultuous last minutes I totally missed that Kerry played the game with 14 men. I saw Sherwood getting a card and walking to the sideline, but I never noticed that nobody came on in his place. Kerry barricaded themselves in front of the goal like the dock workers in Antwerpen do on striking days and they didn't give an inch to Dublin. In fact it was Dublin that lost their composure and their discipline completely and though it was clear they needed a goal to win it, it was also clear that they did not believe they could get it. There was no time for 3 points and not even time to get 2 points to level the match as any good time would use the remaining time very well. Like the Ireland-England rugby match it was clear that it would mean a miracle to lose the match with 5 minutes to go. England had to score a try, convert it and get a penalty to draw the match and there just wasn't time to do so any more. Not even the All Blacks can do that against a team with composure. Munster did it on Saturday night when they scored two tries in quick succession with only minutes to go, but they had been on top all game. Dublin were not on top so it was unlikely they would stage a massive comeback and though they got very close to a goal I was quietly convinced that Kerry would hold their composure. They did. The point being though is that all year long and last year we have been comparing Donnchadh and Mikey and Johnny with Galvin saying we need someone going for the breaking balls the way he used to do. We also need a man that does not take a bullying but stands up to it. The amount of abuse, both verbal and physical, that Donaghy got was obvious to all, and though I agree that Donaghy at times reacts to it, I think he did well to keep a clear head and not get into serious trouble or get Kerry into serious trouble. As Jo pointed out Kerry rarely see their opponents finish with all their starters these days and out opponents see yellows, reds and blacks. Kerry are no pushover, but perhaps it is a clear sign that teams have identified the current Kerry team as young and light. In an age where a lot of counties go with an army of fifteen 6'5", 15 stone giants who benchpress 150kg and eat ground kittens for breakfast Kerry look light and speedy. Compare the Kerry backs with those of other counties and you will see a difference. I think that is what Galvin brings us: a way to introduce him into training and tech the youngsters his skills. Galvin might no longer have the pace of a 24 year old, but he still can win a breaking ball and he will always stand his ground. Galvin also has the brain to instinctively pick out the man in space with a quick kick pass and that is another skill he can teach them. Galvin training with the team is almost like having an assistant coach. I admire Galvin, always have and always will, for his resilience and his kick passing, but even I as a big fan would have to admit that he might not be amongst the 25 best forwards int he country anymore. I do believe though that he is the single toughest forward mentally there is in Ireland and like Fastnet he will never give up and concede defeat. I have never really seen him as a centre back but it is one area of the squad where he don't have any option. Can Galvin be like Mike McCarthy, a hard man at centre half directing play and launching clever balls towards the forwards? I think he can, but it will take a man of exceptional character to make him into that and it will take a man of exceptional character to be moulded into that position; step forward Eamon and Paul.
Given the persecutive characters of the two close friends I am sure that Eamon and Paul have discussed this at length and did not make the move before consulting others. Eamon and the selectors obviously identified a gap in Kerry training and decided Paul was the man to close that gap. Will Galvin ever be playing with Kerry again in a competitive match? I'm still not sure, but if anyone has the mental resolve to put him through the horrors of such a strict training regime without much reward, it would be Galvin. I doubt we will see Galvin playing against Cork this Sunday, but against Tyrone I would nt be surprised to see him come on as a sub. He looks made for that game to me.
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Post by Attacking Wing Back on Mar 4, 2015 11:08:24 GMT
I think its madness but happy to give Paul and Eamonn the benefit of doubt. Would be worried it could end in tears and ruin Paul's legacy similar to what happened when the bomber came out of retirement in 1993. Was sad to see a former great struggle so badly.
Also I dont know will paul get his place in either half back or half forward ahead of the likes of Buckley, Sheehan, D Walsh, T Walsh, D O'Sullivan, Cooper, Crowley, Sherwood,Murphy,Young,Griffin etc
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Post by givehimaball on Mar 4, 2015 11:55:14 GMT
He was in decent shape, the quality wasn't the best last night but he used the ball when he got on it. Tommy Walsh foot passing seems to really be improving though, still doesn't seem fit but that'll come I'm sure. Good news on Tommy Walsh - thought he looked a little off pace on Sunday Marc was back too - what was the rest of the fringe team like?
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Post by givehimaball on Mar 4, 2015 12:14:11 GMT
One of his last games was at centre back in a challenge against Crokes and Vince Casey destroyed him. God help us all if Vince Casey destroyed him !!! Tis Daithi of the clan Casey you are thinking of. For all the talk about the strength of the Kerry options - Gooch is out for more than a year now, James will miss all of the league if we don't get to the semis, while Tommy will take time settling back and it will probably be next year before he is properly back in the swing of things. One thing worth remembering is that we were fortunate last year in terms of the timing of injuries and patching together a team - we had lots of lads with knocks and aches and sprains. As such anything that increases the competition for places is a good thing to my mind. A couple of injuries to a couple of key players and things can look very different very quick. [And the thing with injuries is that it's not a case of if, its a question of when,who and how badly] Anyway it's not as if Eamonn is the sort who would be handing out a guarantee of a starting place or even a place on the subs bench and I doubt strongly if Paul would be looking for anything of the sort. Paul surely knows that it would be a far far easier thing to stay retired as opposed to giving it another go - I can't help but think of Gooch's line in the ad about "I could easily walk away and say that I'd a great career and things like that but there's more to come. I feel there's more to come; that's the exciting part"
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animal
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Post by animal on Mar 4, 2015 13:43:08 GMT
One thing is for sure and it's that Eamonn has earned our trust. In other circumstances I would be very doubtful and pessimistic about this but i trust that Eamonn has given this careful thought. Also, remember all that has happened so far is a return to training.
Who knows what will happen from now? maybe all will realise very quickly that it's not going to work out. No big deal - nothing ventured nothing gained.
But maybe it will work out. Maybe Paul will have a positive influence on those around him. Eamonn has shown he has the knack of knowing how to use a player especially a player off the bench. I think of the impact Barry John had in games last year. Declan O'Sullivan made a vital contribution to the season despite being half crippled. So maybe Eamonn has something in mind for Paul. While there is bound to some sentiment there I don't think that you can put this decision down to sentiment. As someone else mentioned Eamonn showed Marc no sentiment when dropping him last August. This to me is a football decision. If it works out we have lots to gain. If it doesn't we have little to lose.
Exciting times ahead.
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Mar 4, 2015 14:38:35 GMT
No comment
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keane
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Post by keane on Mar 4, 2015 14:46:13 GMT
I'd be surprised if he was to make a match day panel in the summer. Hopefully he can add something to the squad in training etc, but there are a lot of ways for this to go wrong and not many for it to go well.
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Post by glengael on Mar 4, 2015 15:08:38 GMT
I was flabbergasted when told of this today. Hard to believe. As far as I can recall, he said last year he had lost his appetite for the game, that he had a lot of business interests, commuting from a Dublin was a chore and that he was preparing to get married. What has changed? I simply cannot see the point of this decision or indeed the putative value to the team. We have been cruising along nicely, blooding an impressive cohort of new lads. we even won the All-Ireland last year! How will those young lads react, who have been doing the dirty work last winter and this winter, to the possibility of being asked to step aside to accommodate Paul? The official panel has a finite number. They may not be too pleased to the suggestion; "please apply again next winter" From Paul's point of view? He has been a truly great footballer and his status in Kerry lore is secure. The most likely result for Paul is continuing disregard match officials and torrents of abuse from followers. You don't need that Paul. And remember, comebacks are rarely successful. Say it ain't so Paul. I agree with veteran on this one. I dearly hope it all works out well. I think it is being realistic in having my doubts. From reading his book, I got the clear impression Paul had moved on with his life totally and football was moving into the background completely. He had suffered a lot of injuries and mentions possibly needing hip replacement in his 40's. It's hard to know what to make of this change of heart on that score, not to mention inviting the voracious media circus back into his life. I felt that the progress we made last year, and for a lot of the year til August all I looked for was progress, was because we were building a new team with a lot of young men hungry for All Irelands (because they had none) and we did so in a low key way (once the hullabaloo over Colm's injury died down). Whatever we do this year will certainly attract more attention and hype before a ball is kicked in the Championship. I wonder how that will play out. Paul's legacy was secure before he retired and I genuinely wish him well. Management have decided that this is the way to go for 2015. But I was happier to see a Kerryman make his debut in last Sunday's League game than I was to hear this news.
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Post by buck02 on Mar 4, 2015 15:27:46 GMT
I was flabbergasted when told of this today. Hard to believe. As far as I can recall, he said last year he had lost his appetite for the game, that he had a lot of business interests, commuting from a Dublin was a chore and that he was preparing to get married. What has changed? I simply cannot see the point of this decision or indeed the putative value to the team. We have been cruising along nicely, blooding an impressive cohort of new lads. we even won the All-Ireland last year! How will those young lads react, who have been doing the dirty work last winter and this winter, to the possibility of being asked to step aside to accommodate Paul? The official panel has a finite number. They may not be too pleased to the suggestion; "please apply again next winter" From Paul's point of view? He has been a truly great footballer and his status in Kerry lore is secure. The most likely result for Paul is continuing disregard match officials and torrents of abuse from followers. You don't need that Paul. And remember, comebacks are rarely successful. Say it ain't so Paul. I agree with veteran on this one. I dearly hope it all works out well. I think it is being realistic in having my doubts. From reading his book, I got the clear impression Paul had moved on with his life totally and football was moving into the background completely. He had suffered a lot of injuries and mentions possibly needing hip replacement in his 40's. It's hard to know what to make of this change of heart on that score, not to mention inviting the voracious media circus back into his life. I felt that the progress we made last year, and for a lot of the year til August all I looked for was progress, was because we were building a new team with a lot of young men hungry for All Irelands (because they had none) and we did so in a low key way (once the hullabaloo over Colm's injury died down). Whatever we do this year will certainly attract more attention and hype before a ball is kicked in the Championship. I wonder how that will play out. Paul's legacy was secure before he retired and I genuinely wish him well. Management have decided that this is the way to go for 2015. But I was happier to see a Kerryman make his debut in last Sunday's League game than I was to hear this news. In fairness he never had an issue inviting this onto himself before.
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Post by glengael on Mar 4, 2015 15:38:03 GMT
That wouldn't be my impression from book Buck but that's only my interpretation.
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Post by kerrybhoy06 on Mar 4, 2015 15:52:39 GMT
I would imagine that he is going in with the intention of keeping fit also of getting into coaching.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Mar 4, 2015 16:04:06 GMT
The one thing that strikes me about this is that fans are generally supportive and the Marc affair probably nailed it. I think we are at times a bit hard on those who have the job of serving us. I was criticised last year and yes, maybe I over did it a bit in proclaiming faith in Fitzy & Co, but I honesty believed 100% that he would get the best out of the team, and that is as good as it gets. It is harder to be a good manager, what with all the added pressures of the constant increase in standards which means more time and focus on preparation, and the state of the economy wreaks unmerciful havoc on what is a voluntary organisation. Ah yeah, we'll all have our say when we see 'obvious errors', but let's face it, Fitzy is best and we have to trust him. Givehimball is cautious and I'd feel the same; when on a high the only way is down. Paul will give our forwards a gruelling in training and who knows after that. I would disregard any concerns for how history will judge him; if it all goes pear shaped for Paul but we still acquit ourselves, then his involvement will have counted and any fair observer will not allow his unrelenting commitment to taint his overall contribution. As I already said, all that has happened is that he is training and it will be a while before he will be considered for playing, even as an impact sub. Fitzy may have specific roles in mind and then take it from there. Ah maybe I'm going to be a pain in the butt again this season but like in God, in Fitzy & Co I trust. Everything about him is spot on and we are very fortunate when you compare us to other counties; just remember that no team ever wins without a top class manager and the records prove that. The tactical battle was key in the AI final and where in McGuinness he faced the man who toppled the Dubs '5 in a row' team, the same man who is a senior backroom officer of a top flight professional soccer team. How important were tactics were last Sunday I wonder? That Chinese proverb comes to mind, 'may you live in interesting times', understatement or what? And it would also be unfair to deny Paul his inspirational contribution to a poem I wrote entitled Different Kings of Kingdom. Nobody can deny that the description fits him well, and now even better. Ah maybe I'll be adding a verse in September!
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Mar 4, 2015 16:10:49 GMT
Galvin makes his living with a very public internet blog and needs to put himself in the spotlights for that. He is well used to the media attention and is well able to deal with it. He even uses his blog at times to correct certain comments made about him as in BeardgatelinkPaul is well able to dish out it out and take it. Further to recent Twitter activity and pictures published in today’s press relating to my appearance in yesterday’s Kerry V Cork NFL game I would like to utterly and unequivocally distance myself from any claims made regarding my beard being overgrown. My beard is no longer now than it was for the Down game and any efforts made to suggest it is overgrown or unkempt will be treated with the utmost gravity. Full beards or “statement beards” as they are known in the high streets and piazzas of Lixnaw, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Ballyduff, Causeway and Ballyheigue are all the rage from North Kerry to New York City right now. Furthermore any attempts made to liken me to Charlie Bird, The Puck Goat or various Arabs will be disputed and dealt with accordingly. Attempts to compare me in appearance to Our Lord will be treated as blasphemy. Those making such comparisons, thus taking Our Lords name in vain will pay their dues on the Day Of Reckoning. Furthermore and finally my personal grooming is a personal matter, one which i take very seriously as the pictures show. I will deal with any grooming issues i may or may not have privately heretofore and I would ask the media and my Twitter followers to respect my right to do so. I am only commenting publicly in response to the many references that have been made to it in the public domain over the last 24 hours. I will make no further comment on this matter at this point.
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Post by bilythewalsh on Mar 4, 2015 18:18:22 GMT
I don't see any harm in him going back and giving it a go. The manager's no fool and I doubt Galvin's presence would disrupt squad harmony...they certainly seemed a tight bunch when the lot of them were in a huddle on the pitch minutes after the final whistle on Sunday. It may or may not work out, but at least he and the management should know by Championship time if it's all going to work out.
Pity there are so many radio shows, podcasts and other media outlets to make it into a huge story, especially when they have little else to be talking about at this time of year. At least Fitzmaurice had the sense to keep his statement to one sentence...that's the way these things should be done.
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