Three steps to Munster heaven...
Opposing managers normally look at the opposition and zone in on perceived strengths and weaknesses. They formulate plans to counteract the strengths, but, above all, to exploit the weaknesses and the team is coached accordingly.
Tipp’s Declan Ryan may feel there is a question mark over Cork’s full-back. Brian Murphy is named there, but I won’t be surprised if Shane O’Neill also sees service on the edge of the square. Both are classy defenders who are more at home in the corners and lack experience of No 3 at this level.
Brian Murphy is more of a tight man-marker, while O’Neill’s strength is sweeping up breaking ball and bursting out carrying ball to midfield and beyond.
Tipp have named John O’Brien at full-forward and Brian O’Meara on the right, opposed by Conor O’Sullivan. The obvious tactic here is for O’Brien to occupy the edge of the square, with O’Meara a little to his right. Isolating O’Sullivan, not the tallest of defenders under fast, high ball, in one-on-one situations against either O’Brien or O’Meara, should be the plan.
Noel McGrath would operate in a free role between midfield and attack and I’m presuming that’s the reason he’s named at corner-forward. All the full-forward line needs then is good quality deliveries to the edge of the square with their half-forwards supporting quickly from deep, a tactic that’s very hard to counteract for any defence.
But as Hamlet said: “There’s the rub.” Tipp haven’t shown tactical awareness up front all season, but, perhaps tomorrow will see a change.
Cork’s management will be well aware they cannot allow the Tipp half-back line dominate from puck-outs. Currently Cork are far too reliant on Pa Cronin and plans are probably formulated to vary puck-outs in length and direction, a pressure for new custodian Anthony Nash.
Tipp are good in the air at midfield/half-back. Winning 40% of one’s own puck-outs is about average and Cronin and Conor Lehane, their main receivers, might be better advised to pull on the odd ball in the air and hope to win the breaks rather than attempting catches all the time.
Isolating Tipp’s wing-back Padraic Maher and negating his massive covering influence is crucial for Cork. I would play Cathal Naughton on the right, occupying a deep right-sided berth rather than the advanced wing-forward position once the ball went into Cork’s defence. This would give him some space as wing-backs are reluctant to man-mark opponents further out the field.
The defence and midfield could feed him short, accurate ball and, once in possession, he could run a more central line using his pace to get into good positions. This tactic would take Tipp No 7 Maher out of the play and force the other Tipp defenders to gravitate to the centre.
Opportunities would then open up for Conor Lehane and Patrick Horgan on the left. Tipp’s right defensive flank is perceived as the weaker side. Cork will seek to exploit this but for this to happen low, accurate deliveries from Rebel half-backs Eoin Cadogan and William Egan are crucial.
Tipp’s engine room has spluttered all season, but, in the last quarter of their win over Limerick, it came to life and we saw glimpses of the return to form of Shane McGrath and Brendan Maher. The contest in the middle of the field will have a huge bearing on the result and Cork may have to have plans to counter a three-man midfield as Noel McGrath may add his efforts to this sector from time to time.
Cork have named Darren Sweetnam and Lorcán McLoughlin as their centre pairing.
Sweetnam, probably the first player on Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s team despite his youth, has a great engine with vision and maturity beyond his years. Parity or better in midfield is important for both sides. Supremacy in this area allows a team a foundation to inflict one’s tactics on the opposition.
The benches could be important to gain supremacy.
Tipperary’s sub midfielder James Woodlock is an experienced player and his forceful running could be important as the play opens up in the second half.
Likewise, Cork’s Daniel Kearney could have a major influence off their bench. Kearney is quick to pick up breaks and is an excellent link between defence and attack. Think a smaller edition of Jerry O’Connor. He displays some option-taking flaws at times but his carrying ability could be a potent weapon in the last 15 minutes.
There’s lots of experience on either bench.
It’s now a 20-man game over 75 minutes getting the substitutions correct at the right time may prove crucial for Jimmy Barry-Murphy and Declan Ryan.
