Dublin must bring the right attitude
Clare seek to build on their committed outing against Waterford and gain further big game experience while the Metropolitans seek redemption for their non-performance against Kilkenny.
Dublin’s problems in the Leinster semi-final hammering began with some very poor shooting as the game was shaping up nicely as a contest. They committed some basic defensive errors in the lead-up to the Kilkenny goals and in that crucial first half they handed the champions six points by committing silly frees.
Despite winning over 70% of their own puck-outs with the wind, they squandered possession and failed to create any goal opportunities. Improving on these deficiencies against Clare is essential if they hope to be competitive.
Dublin’s confidence is bound to be suspect early on and Clare’s should strive to build an early lead and not allow Dublin time on the ball while asking hard questions of their defence. The home forwards could prosper if they are properly supplied by their half backs and midfield.
The key is getting good ball to John Conlon at half-forward and having him run directly at the Dublin defence. This is a major strength of Conlon’s game. But he doesn’t do it often enough and colleague Conor McGrath, a pacy corner forward with a good scoring record is forced to come too far from goal for possession with his marker in close attendance.
McGrath would be much more effective if he could receive the ball on the loop heading towards goal or running on the shoulder of the defence-splitting Conlon.
In their previous game Clare hit many balls from defence straight to the Waterford half-backs. It will be interesting to see if Clare have improved this aspect of their play.
This could be a classic contest given the knockout nature of the game and the interesting sub-plot of the former team-mates and now opposing managers. The game will hinge on what attitude Dublin bring .
Cork manager Jimmy Barry Murphy demonstrated his intention to give youth its head with the selection of Christopher Joyce at centre-back for the clash with Offaly. Apart from Tom Kenny, the half-back line is inexperienced.
Cork’s half-back line was under pressure against Tipperary and answers need to be provided across this line from throw in against the Midlanders. William Egan, picked on the left, may be more at home on the right. He is strong under the ball and he could sweep across from the right and use his attacking skills more often from the number five position. His more favoured left side would allow him place balls directly to the centre or full-forward.
Cork’s forwards showed plenty of skill and a fine appetite for work against Tipperary but one area that needs work is an awareness of goal chances. Goal opportunities came their way against Tipp but weren’t taken.
At times when in possession forwards run across goal or fail to take a balancing step and the chance is spurned. The most effective running backs in American Football run ‘north-south’ meaning directly at the opposition which is difficult to defend. Running across allows a defender to shepherd an attacker further from the target.
Offaly have made some changes for this game, are physically strong and are bound to target Cork’s new inexperienced centre-back. However, Offaly rely too much on Shane Dooley for vital scores. Denying him opportunities from play and frees is the first defensive call for Cork while taking on defenders ‘north-south’ and creating goal chances is the key up front. Cork need to win well and finish the game early to boost confidence and avoid a tiring dogfight with another knockout game next weekend.
Kilkenny v Galway should be the main event. Finals are supposed to be close, tough games, but Kilkenny are just too good and Galway’s defensive inexperience may prove too much of a burden.
If one did a strength/weakness analysis on Kilkenny the strengths would take a lot of time and pages. The weaknesseswould be confined to a blank sheet.
If Galway have analysed the reasons for their heavy league defeat by Kilkenny, have planned accordingly and avoid giving away defendable goals it will help to keep them in the game. However, it’s a huge “if” and Kilkenny, not Galway, will decide the winning margin.
