All the Banner headlines written by Galway
Clare used defender Paddy Vaughan at midfield in a protective role in front of their centre back, Brendan Bugler. Clare’s centre back Bugler and the aforementioned Vaughan marked space rather than man-marking Galway’s centre forward Cyril Donnellan. The latter benefited by notching a goal and two good points in that first half – also hitting three wides from good positions. His direct, forceful running had the Clare defence in trouble and Galway’s goal in the first half decided this game. Donnellan followed up a nothing ball from Damien Hayes and inexcusably no defender went with him. A defender’s job is to cover back to the edge of the square if danger threatens. This lapse by the defence provided Galway with the lead goal that slammed the coffin lid on Clare. Because of the Clare tactics, Galway’s Eoin Lynch and particularly Kevin Hynes owned midfield and dominated possession. Clare’s half back line and midfield were in trouble. Clare may have benefited from using Vaughan as a man marker on Donnellan, Bugler going to left half back with Alan Markham switching wings, thereby releasing Brian O Connell to play as an orthodox midfielder. Switches were needed but none were made and the game was over at half time.
GALWAY set up in a straight 15 v 15 formation and did not change if you discount some positional switches in attack during the game. John Lee and the half back line were imperious throughout; indeed there was a good balance in the Galway defence overall. They had their homework done and decided that Niall Gilligan was the big threat. Fergal Moore, named at right half back, dropped back to the left corner back to man mark Gilligan and he did a thorough job.
Clare started Colin Ryan, who scored well against Tipp, in the corner and Ollie Canning moved across to the right corner to man mark Ryan. Clare’s two main scorers were then marked tightly. Galway’s defensive play was spot on with plenty of covering for each other and enough bodies in front of the square when danger threatened. Clare’s setup of Clancy at wing forward and Ryan in the corner played right into Galway’s hands. Placing Brian O’Connell, Clare’s influential captain, in a defensive man-marking role didn’t serve their cause. They did have chances in that first half but their lack of genuine scoring power meant that they had no answer when they fell behind. Referee James Owens was well up with the play and impressive with yellows cards given to the “third man” getting involved. Sending off Brian O’Connell was a little harsh but if he is consistent in penalising high tackles with a dismissal that’s fair enough. Consistency is all players want but Joe Canning escaped a yellow in the first half. Was this because he’s Joe? The sending off had no real influence on the game. It just made the inevitable more inevitable.
SO ARE Galway the finished article? John McIntyre will have wanted the win, the manner of it may not have concerned him unduly. The battling qualities displayed by the Tribesmen on this occasion will have pleased him no end as they never allowed Clare to settle on the ball, harassing and tackling at speed and with some physicality. On the debit side there are a number of issues the Galway coaches should address. Their use of the ball from midfield and half back was poor throughout the game. A lot of aimless, poorly directed ball was struck high into no-one in particular. Too often their deep-lying wing forwards attempted long diagonal balls instead of playing the ball down the wing. As a result the Galway inside forwards had a difficult night and must have been frustrated with the poor supply. They were at fault on many occasions themselves where proactive, positive off the ball work rate was concerned. They worked hard when Clare defenders won the ball but they were very static and made few runs to offer some options to those outside.
Joe Canning was especially culpable in this regard as was Damien Hayes, who seems to be struggling for form at present although Niall Healy improved as the game went on. They have a lot of work to do in this area if they hope for a seat at the top table.
Clare? Mike Macnamara has worked very hard but they lack the players up front to make the difference.
