Cracking Jack

The former selector with Kerry offers a fascinating insight into the tactical thinking of the Kingdom’s coach

THIS summer, tactics in GAA circles is almost considered a dirty word. Jim McGuinness’ all-out defence, the blanket defence and excessive hand-passing have, in particular, come in for close scrutiny. The doyen of managers Brian Cody would have us believe that he doesn’t do tactics. Win your own ball, work hard, express yourself and everything else will take care itself seems to be his plan.

Yet, in the recent All-Ireland hurling final there was plenty of tactical manoeuvrings. First and foremost Cody got his match-ups at the back right. Tommy Walsh was much more measured in his distribution and the placing of Eddie Brennan on Padraic Maher was also a huge success. When people think of tactics they should not envisage complicated military-type manoeuvres but think more along the lines of a solid game plan. In any game it is important that players have a clear idea of what is expected of them, never more so than in an All-Ireland final.