Waterford will have to bring their ‘A’ game
The emphasis, firstly, is on a ‘no frills’ effective defence. The forwards harass and pressurise. As a result poor ball is struck into Kilkenny’s rearguard. Their wing backs - Pádraig Walsh and Cillian Buckley - play a zonal role, crucially holding their positions while their inside backs go man to man. Each line supports the other.
Their efforts are supplemented, in times of danger by Conor Fogarty, who has slotted seamlessly into the system and Michael Fennelly (when fit) with both funnelling back quickly, bolstering the central defence, minimising goal chances.
Their half forward line also drop deep to provide extra cover condensing the play around the ‘D’. This system strangles most offences. However the beauty of the ploy is the advantage which it hands to their own attack. When the ball is won in their rearguard, their half forwards, particularly TJ Reid, Colin Fennelly, Richie Hogan, Walter Walsh or even corner forward Eoin Larkin, having dropped back to defend, provide an outlet to maintain possession.
They are unmarked by their direct opponents, who have remained marking space in their own half. These marquee forwards, then have the luxury of a 20 metre free run goalwards with support runners moving in ‘figures of eight’, basketball style or in diagonal lines, available to receive a scoring pass.
The Déise also set up to be difficult to beat. Limiting goal scoring chances is the philosophy driving their system. Staying in the game for as long as they can and keeping the scoring low will have to be primary objectives for Derek McGrath. Tadhg De Burca plays just in front of the full back, in a seven man defence.
A sweeper is only as good as the marking of his defensive colleagues and the work of midfielders and forwards, who determine the type of deliveries that land in their rearguard. Sweepers play a reactive role but a more proactive role is required of De Burca tomorrow. He needs to bring the ball out of defence by playing ‘one two’s’ or transferring the ball with crisp stick passes to support players who move smartly to the wings.
Breaking down the Kilkenny style of play is essential for Waterford. Marking closely and even following the man into his own defence is required.This will leave space in Waterford’s rear that could be exploited by the speedy Ger Aylward and his colleagues.
De Burca will have to cover more space to make the vital interceptions as Waterford’s system undergoes it’s sternest test. Many teams focus on Kilkenny as a whole. Waterford have to break this concept down, focus on individuals and play the game in targeted intervals.
Closing down TJ Reid and Richie Hogan is a must. Hogan is the new ‘Shefflin’, their go to guy to prompt attacks and the ‘fire brigade’ when they’re in trouble. Waterford must restrict these two, negating their influence. Forcing Reid and Hogan to strike under pressure while denying easy offloads to players in supporting positions must form part of the plan. Discipline is another priority. When a plan calls for denying a certain player possession at all costs, opponents are often over eager and commit needless fouls. And points from avoidable frees sap morale..
Waterford must declare the middle third a battleground from the throw-in. It is the launch area for Kilkenny attacks. They need to play extra bodies in this sector. McGrath must gamble here. He may have to play up to five bodies in midfield with only Maurice Shanahan and Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh operating as inside forwards but coming out for puck-outs.
Extra bodies can be bypassed unless they have a particular role. Using Colin Dunford, Jake Dillon and Shane Bennett as extra tackling and harassing forces in the middle and as supports for outlet ball from under pressure defenders is vital. With only two up front this trio, along with Kevin Moran, will have to regularly run at the Kilkenny defence keeping misdirected deliveries to the minimum as these will be returned with interest by Paul Murphy and the Kilkenny half-back line.
Running at defenders is ineffective unless correct options are taken, be it a strike or an offload is executed at the correct time. This takes coolness and composure which Kilkenny have developed over the years.
Waterford are still learning. At times their young forwards demonstrate a lack of these vital components by needlessly taking the ball into contact or running up blind alleys when a quicker offload would suffice. Kilkenny, justifiably are favourites but injuries rob them of vital experience and they could be vulnerable. Deise supporters, with nothing to lose, hope Waterford bring their ‘A’ game .I can think of two other counties who hope the same.
