Daly will guard ‘square’ to curb Tipp goal threat
TIPPERARY’S great forward display against Waterford was due to their dominance in the midfield/half-back area.
Dublin boss Anthony Daly, an astute tactician, can deploy half-forwards deeper out the field or an extra man in midfield to counter this strategy. Cutting down time and space for Tipp’s half-backs particularly Conor O’Mahony and Padraic Maher, will be his chief aim. Both are superb at driving long deliveries to the edge of the square if given time and space. Daly will also have taken note of how Tipp’s forwards cut through the Waterford defence in the Munster final. Waterford made the mistake of detailing their defenders to man mark their opponents and huge space opened up as the Tipperary forwards dragged their markers to the wings allowing runners to come onto ball at pace. Dublin’s defence will be organised by Daly to hold their positions, keeping their men outside them. That will result in Tipperary points but Daly’s objective is to prevent a clear run at goal. The full-back line in particular will be directed not to stray too far from their primary line, guard the ‘square’ and protect keeper Gary Maguire at all coasts.
WHEN one compares the respective forward divisions, Tipperary look to have a huge advantage with proven goalscorers Eoin Kelly and Larry Corbett in their ranks feeding on long, quick ball. Seamus Callinan, John O’Brien and Noel McGrath are constantly on the move, disorientating defenders who prefer a more static offence.
Knowing when to move is as important as where to move. So far all has fallen into place, albeit against less than robust opposition for Tipperary. If I was in Declan Ryan’s shoes after the Munster final the only concern I would have was the amount of scoreable frees handed to the opposition. Committing needless fouls can develop into a culture in a team. Tipp have developed the tactic of giving away frees rather than allowing the creation of goal chances. But there’s a happy medium. Handing point chances to the opposition through the concession of silly frees develops poor defensive habits. Players then begin to foul instinctively rather than attempting legitimate tackles. Dublin’s Paul Ryan is an excellent free taker with a very high conversion rate, so Tipp need to be wary. Dublin rely heavily on former Tipp player Ryan Dwyer for scores from play. I expect to see him getting close attention from the Tipp defence, who will be “up” for this challenge given Dwyer’s scoring exploits the last day (3-2 against Limerick) and particularly his previous connection with the Premier County.
ON paper it looks as if Tipperary just need to turn up tomorrow. Dublin’s cause hasn’t been helped by the loss of so many stars to injury over the season. It’s a tall order to replace players of that calibre without the side’s performance suffering. However, Anthony Daly has one major advantage. This year his team won the Walsh Cup and Allianz League; titles they could only dream about a few years ago. Reaching the All-Ireland semi-final is probably the extent of their ambitions this year. Teams in this position normally serve up good performances as they can approach the tie in a relaxed but determined mood, bidding to prove the pundits wrong. Tipperary are in the opposite corner. They are hot favourites, which brings huge dangers. If they blow Dublin away as Kilkenny did in the Leinster final they become almost unbackable favourites for the final, a scenario Declan Ryan wants to avoid. Ryan needs a tough battle from Dublin tomorrow to keep expectations in check.
Like Brian Cody last week, a win with an under-performance will suit him nicely.
