All or nothing as reality bites in qualifiers
This week, there are 12 contestants. Next week eight, and so on. You want to go all the way. A good start will make an impression on the judges. Each contestant draws a different ‘Bainisteoir’ every week. All are hoping for Tipp or Kilkenny.You dip your hand into a bowl with 12 cards. You turn it slowly. It’s Liam Dunne. Another picks JBM.
Just like monopoly, both select a card from the top. The task screams out in big bold letters — “Your team was beaten in the last game. Develop a plan for the next qualifier.” You have access to film of all games and as many statistics as you require. You play the hand you are dealt and there isn’t much time.
Restoring confidence would be the first priority for Liam Dunne. You scan the film of the heavy loss to Kilkenny for positives. A good goal chance was spurned in the first half. Poor shooting and wrong options were taken. Players were free and available in better positions but weren’t used. Many balls were struck directly to opponents. Defenders didn’t cover and yet only three points separated the teams close to the 30-minute mark. Many small things, over which Wexford had initial control, contributed to the heavy defeat.
You convince the players that huge improvements can be made in these areas against Cork. Video clips showing positive teamwork and areas that need individual work are selected. Energy and enthusiasm are the hallmarks of your behaviour around the players to instil the necessary belief. You are well aware of Wexford history. This game is either Boolavogue or Vinegar Hill.
A planning dossier is required. Support play in the middle third is first on the list. Second is centre back Lee Chin. He would be encouraged to go forward and to shoot from long range but to keep soloing to a minimum. Part of the plan would be to hit shorter angled ball quickly, smartly and safely to the wing forwards. This would move their markers out of position and build pressure on Cork defenders Cormac Murphy and Aidan Walsh, whose early confidence might be shaky after their last outing.
Basic tackling in defence, getting bodies back to defend the ‘D’ by focusing on the main danger area at any give time, would be the third area of improvement for the coach.
Up front, Liam Óg Mc Govern would be handed a roving role while the emphasis would be on delivery to the forwards.
The contestant drawing Jimmy Barry-Murphy would face a similar challenge. Rebuilding confidence would also be on his agenda. Video, for collective viewing, of the first 20 minutes against Waterford shows plenty of positives — some accurate puck-outs, good stick passes and good scores. Many other clips where possession was misused would be for ‘one and ones’ with the head coach. Analysing and discussing the role of the goalkeeper and the outfield players for Waterford’s three goals and the planned improvements for Wexford, would also form part of the coaching dossier.
Defensively, Cork were pulled apart against Waterford, with Mark Ellis too far forward. Cork should hold their positions and use short puck-outs to pull the Wexford cover forward, thereby opening space further up the field.
The wing backs and corner backs should stay in their zones and should mark outside the man rather than inside, as is the norm, if forwards are crisscrossing.
Keeping a clean sheet by coordinated defence is essential away from home.
The misuse of possession from defence to attack would be a major concern for the Cork camp. The head coach would be charged with making improvements in this regard with practice in training.
Working the ball to Patrick Cronin and Conor Lehane would be another key component. Both can score from long range and if they can knock a few points over from outfield, opposing wing backs will follow them and space would be then be available inside.
Cronin would operate between midfield and centre forward, alternating at times with Seamus Harnedy while Lehane and the other wing forward Brian Lawton would be expected to funnel back, even to their half back line, as the occasion demanded.
One whole section of the dossier would be devoted to a search for goals.
Patrick Horgan would be required to operate towards the half-forward line drawing out Liam Ryan, Wexford’s best covering defender. Harnedy and Alan Cadogan, occupying a more central position, would be left inside. Supplying them with quality ball with support runs from Lehane would be Cork’s best chance of goals.
It’s “Reality Bainisteoir”. Judging opens at 7pm this evening. One stays. One Walks
