BRIAN GRIFFIN, HIBERNIANS’ MIDFIELDER
Happy with how season has gone to date?
The season has gone alright for us overall. We were disappointed the day we played West when they got two late goals to win, and we didn’t see out another game against Mervue. Sometimes these things come back to haunt you, but we are hoping that won’t be the case.
How would you assess the standard of the League?
There is no doubt in my mind that it is not as good as it was. It is hard to figure out why, but one time it was very hard for guys to get games at the level by being regulars in the different teams. Now that doesn’t seem to be the case.
What is the objective for the rest of the campaign?
We are hoping to push for the League, and there is no reason why we shouldn’t. West have games in hand on us, but we found out before that it is usually better off to have points on the board because there can be a backlog with fixtures due to the Cups. We are concentrating on the League, but it is nice to be involved in Cups after Christmas too so there is plenty to play for.
EMMET BYRNE, ATHENRY DEFENDER
Happy with how season has gone to date?
Yes, I have to say I am quite pleased with the way the season is panning out. We're in a nice position to make a move after Christmas and we are still in all competitions which was a goal we set out at the start of the season.
How would you assess the standard of the League?
I do not think it is as bad as people make out, of course with the A league coming in last season every club lost a few players. But it was only three seasons ago when we were in a Irish Cup final and a Galway club has nearly always dominated the Connacht Cup. I would love to see a Galway club win an Irish Cup.
What is the objective for the rest of the campaign?
The aim is to win as many competitions as possible and try and be the first Galway team to win the Irish Cup.
DERMOT FINN, COLGA MANAGER
Happy with how season has gone to date?
We wouldn’t be too pleased being bottom of the table, but we always knew that this was going to be a transitional period for the club. We lost some of our seasoned campaigners at the end of last season and it’s only in the last while that we have got a bit of stability back. There has been a better consistency to our displays, but we are lacking a cutting edge.
How would you assess the standard of the League?
I don’t think the standard is bad, but I definitely think it has been better. The Eircom League Championship has diluted it a little, and it is difficult to determine whether that is good for everyone because you have a scenario now where there is not enough transparency about who is eligible for junior football. Nobody has a problem with players moving into the Championship, but when guys drop down into junior football there needs to questions asked.
What is the objective for the rest of the campaign?
We only have six matches left and after the start we’ve had there is a mountain for us to climb. Still it is not over and we will be giving it our all to try to stay in the Premier League. With us having every game away due to our lack of facilities we are at a disadvantage, but our objective is to stay up.
DEREK ROGERS, NUIG ASSISTANT MANAGER
Happy with how season has gone to date?
We are happy in a way in that we feel we are progressing as a footballing side, and that is important. Still we are not happy where we are in the League table which matters a lot too as I feel that Galway need College to be producing good quality players.
How would you assess the standard of the League?
There is a lot of good players in the League, but I feel some don't push themselves enough. There is definitely more in them if they wanted it more. The pace of the games could and should be higher in my opinion because there is plenty of talent around the League.
What is the objective for the rest of the campaign?
We want to stay up, that is a huge thing for us. College have been out of the Premier for so long so to go down would be terrible. I remember playing against College teams and it is very important that they are in the Premier League in my opinion because it benefits everyone and teams like coming to Dangan because they know it will be a good game.
WILLIAM GRANT, WEST UNITED MANAGER
Happy with how season has gone to date?
We are very happy so far, Tom Lally has brought a very professional approach as trainer, the last few seasons we've been slow starters, but we got off to a flyer this year. Normally we are strong finishers, so we are expecting a good second half to the season.
How would you assess standard of the League?
The standard is alot better than people give credit for, look at Mervue in the A Championship, most of that squad would have played Junior last year and they done brilliantly after stepping up, Athenry and Hibs are obviously the standard bearers of the League at the moment, but we are pushing hard to close the gap. The top three are well clear, but if you look at the rest of the League there is only seven points separating fourth place and the bottom team, so everyone is capable of beating each other.
What is your objective for the rest of the campaign?
The main aim for the rest of the season will be to maintain our challenge for the title and I think we have a big enough squad to get a good run in the Cups and hopefully bring back some silverware for our loyal supporters like Mr West United Patsy O'Connor, Michael O'Connor, Noel Crowley and Paddy Grant and a lot more who have stayed loyal during the tough times.
FRANNY FALLON, DYNAMO BLUES, PLAYER/MANAGER
Happy with how season has gone to date?
When we have our strongest XI out we are a very good side in my opinion. The problem we have is getting our best team out onto the pitch every Saturday and Sunday, but I suppose every club has that problem to some extent.
How would you assess the standard of the League?
I think the standard could be a bit better. Sometimes there can be cracking games like we drew 2-2 with Hibs earlier in the season and that was a cracking game full of great football from both teams. I think its hard to know where exactly Junior football stands especially with the Eircom League A Championship, and I don't know if that is a good thing.
What is your objective for the rest of the campaign?
At the moment I think fourth or fifth is the highest we can hope for. We have games in hand on the teams around us and if we won them we would climb up the table. Had we beaten Rangers in our last League game we would be in a great position, but we have to keep going to see how we can do.
JOHNNY O'BRIEN, CORRIB RANGERS, PLAYER/COACH
Happy with how season has gone to date?
We aren't doing too bad. The League is very competitive, and the only team that has really battered us at the start was West. Other than that there has been very little in all the games.
How would you assess the standard of the League?
To be honest I think the League is a good standard, very similar to the last few years. The A Championship hasn't robbed the League of all the players they wanted and that means the standard is still good. I think Athenry and West are two very good sides, but there is very little between the rest of the teams in the League, and everyone is capable of beating one another.
What is your objective for the rest of the campaign?
Well we would intend to keep picking up points in the League, that is vital, while it is important to get runs in the Cup competitions. We feel that we can give anybody a game, and if we cut out mistakes that have cost us goals I feel we can do well in some of the Cups.
OLLIE NEARY, ORANMORE, PLAYER/MANAGER
Happy with how season has gone to date?
Yes, Murt Fahy and myself are happy enough with the progress we have made after coming out of the First Division, our main objective is to stay in the Premier Division from day one and that won't change until we know we are safe. Also the players who have broken into the Galway Town team has been great for Oranmore FC.
How would you assess the standard of the league?
Definitely the structure of moving the fixtures from a Sunday to Saturday has been a breath of fresh air from the Galway FA, which should improve the standard going forward.
What is your objective for the rest of the campaign?
Hopefully keep moving towards the top half of the table and be able to enjoy our time up here. Also have a decent run in the Connacht Cup and the Michael Byrne Cup.
DAVE SILKE, SALTHILL DEVON MANAGER
Happy with how season has gone to date?
The beginning of the season was a challenge as we were rebuilding a new team. Once the team settled I was happier with the progress and the performance. The past three weeks have been excellent and I'm excited about our chances for the remainder of the season.
How would you assess the standard of the League?
In general the standard in the League has been good. The quality of the football is good and the fitness levels have improved dramatically. One thing that makes a significant difference to every game is the standard and quality of the pitches. A number of the clubs have done fantastic jobs in developing superb facilities and generally games on these surfaces produce good quality football. However, when games are played on some of the other pitches it becomes scrappy and very difficult to produce anything of quality.
What is your objective for the rest of the campaign?
Our objective is to drive for a top four finish in the League. That's a realistic goal for us after a poor start. I'm also looking for good Cup runs in the Irish, Connacht, and Michael Byrne Cups. We've come out of the Galway section of the FAI Junior Cup and I think we have an excellent chance of progressing far in that competition.
COLIE KELLY, MERVUE UNITED STRIKER
Happy with how season has gone to date?
Considering all the new faces and the fact it’s a relatively young and small squad you would have to be happy with the season so far. We are solid enough in the League, a hard team to beat.
How would you assess the standard of the League?
With the advent of the FAI A championship it was feared by many observers the standard of the junior league would suffer. However, I feel the level is as high as it’s been for some time. the quality of the playing surfaces has improved enormously also. As at all levels you will have some poor games, but overall the standard has been quite good.
What is your objective for the rest of the campaign?
We were disappointed with the Irish Cup defeat last weekend to NUIG, but credit to them they fully deserved their win. We need to start converting the draws into wins to finish as high up the League as possible.
