Banner need to play with variety and freedom
I can hardly believe my eyes either when I saw the teams announced. There’s as much chance of them lining out per programme as there is Angela Merkel becoming the next Pope. There are mind-games being played and not just with each other — with Croke Park also. The new instruction meant Waterford and Clare had to announce early. I think we could see a few late changes.
It’s time now though just to name a panel of players, everyone numbered, then announce the team on the day. I have no problem with that. I have no problem even with managers naming dummy teams, but a lot of people do. Let’s put an end to it and just give out the squads. No more messing.
I’m going to go with Waterford first and what immediately jumps out at me, only five starters remain from last year’s championship meeting with Clare. Retirements, work commitments, injuries, all have added up and 10players is a massive turnaround in a year, for any county.
Can Waterford cope with all those changes? That’s the major challenge for Michael Ryan and his selectors tomorrow. Obviously they believe they can because a few of the players who are not starting are in fact available. I’m thinking of goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe in particular. It says something about this management team that even with all the enforced changes, they’re still prepared to drop players, change the team even further. Do they really have that strength in depth? Time will tell but the goalie for one, Ian O’Regan, must be playing out of his skin because Stephen O’Keeffe had outstanding season last year.
They’ll be looking to three players in particular to offer leadership this tomorrow. Captain Kevin Moran in midfield, Seamus Prendergast leading the attack, but most of all, Brick Walsh at the heart of the defence. I’m certain all three will stand up to that challenge.
It’s time though for Maurice Shanahan and Brian O’Halloran to step forward. I know they’re both only 22 but Maurice has been there for a few years now and needs to start taking charge the way his older brother did so often before him.
Shane O’Sullivan is another who needs to step forward along with Noel Connors. Most of the rest are only young fellas, five U21s starting, three of those in the full-forward line.
One guy I’m really looking forward to seeing is Brian O’Halloran, such an outstanding minor but so unfortunate with injuries.
If this guy can stay injury-free for a while, he’ll be a force.
The three youngsters in the inside line too — if they get quality ball, they could do damage. Then again, will those three start in that line together? I doubt it.
Of the two teams this tomorrow, most of the pressure is on Clare, on the management team especially. They wouldn’t want to bank on what they did in the league as it counts for nothing now, even the Cork relegation game, which Clare did so well to win. Championship is a very different kettle of fish and they’re playing a team they haven’t beaten in championship for a while. In fact Clare haven’t beaten anyone in the Munster championship since 2008.
They come into this with two All-Ireland U21s under their belt in the last four years. Again, no-one would want to be counting on that. We know from the experience of so many other counties, in hurling and football, U21 success comes with absolutely no guarantees at senior level. It does come with pressure though, and added expectation.
And there is an expectation in and outside Clare ahead of the game. Look at the odds on offer. Everyone seems to think this will be one-way traffic. Well, bookies don’t play hurling, do they?
A concern I’d have for Clare tomorrow is if they’re man-marked, will they cope? They have immense skill all over the field, Seadna Morey, Colm Galvin, Domhnall O’Donovan, Darach Honan, Tony Kelly, all those guys, but championship hurling doesn’t always come down to skill, it comes down to what’s in your belly when the game is on the line.
I look to guys like John Conlan up front, to Pat Donnellan and Brendan Bugler in the half-back line, for leadership. And I’m looking for variety in the way Clare play. If plan A isn’t working, have plans B and C — change it around as needed. Above all, play with freedom.
A winner? I tossed it, turned it, but the players Waterford are missing, all that experience, I’m giving a nod — but only a nod — to Clare.
