Negating Joe Canning tops Tipperary agenda
They brought to mind a boxer with a longer reach scoring with long jabs and rolling with the opponent’s punches, secure in the knowledge that their defensive strategy would block any knockout attempt.
Tipp’s defensive strategy is built around the positioning of Brendan Maher. Nominally centre-forward but operating as a third midfielder, he shields Padraic Maher, the centre-half-back. Dropping deep in his defence, virtually free of any marking duties, Padraic Maher operates as a deep-lying sweeper protecting full-back James Barry.
The other defenders engage in specific man-marking roles. Corner forward Niall O’Meara plays a roving role at centre-forward, moving to his right and leaving the left side to be patrolled by Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher, who is Tipp’s barometer. Tipp perform when he performs. The dangerous Seamus Callanan and John O’Dwyer play in a two-man inside line. Tipp play diagonal balls to get these two on the ball as often as possible.
Galway manager Anthony Cunningham got his match-ups spot on against Cork. The same is required tomorrow. John O’Dwyer has the capabilities to travel. Padraig Mannion would seem the ideal candidate to man-mark him with John Hanbury tight on Tipp full-forward while Johnny Coen, a sweeping corner-back, operates just in front.
The half-back line will require adjustments as well. I would have Iarla Tannian moving to the wing marking Jason Forde while Daithi Burke, more of a man-marker than Tannian, could police the mobile Niall O’Meara.
In their game with Limerick, Tipp keeper Darren Gleeson hit the first seven puck-outs short, finding his target each time. Against Waterford, eight out of the first nine were won by Tipp, with two going to the right-corner-back and four going to the left.
Tipp then moved it short, keeping possession through the lines. It was obvious that Tipp had practised this tactic and they may attempt it again.
Galway should be aware of this and have plans to disrupt it. Pushing up on defenders is one method to force Gleeson to go long but a downside is the space this leaves around midfield. Another ploy is to allow primary possession to the full-back and close down his passing options by tightly marking his support outlets.This forces him to hit long up the pitch, under pressure, giving the advantage to the opposing defenders.They can then counter-attack, with the full-back out of position.
Galway inside-forwards Cathal Mannion and Jason Flynn moved cleverly against Cork, particularly in the first half. They brought an unstructured format through constant movement and motoring out the pitch regularly, creating space for others to run into, pace and positioning confused their markers.
This works better when the midfield and half-back areas are controlled. A similar tactic is needed from these two tomorrow, but the middle third may be more of a battleground. Tipp will be aware of Galway’s strengths from the Cork “contest”, when they moved the ball up the wings. Tipp forewarned will surely mean forearmed.
As per usual, negating the influence of Joe Canning will top the agenda. Tipp manager Eamon O’Shea will worry that Canning, poor the last day, will go all out to display his undoubted artistry. Marking him tightly with discipline is a given but denying him supply is always the best method of negating his influence. This requires fierce work-rate and discipline from the Tipp midfielders and half-forwards, a team objective in 2015.
Canning is impatient at times at the fringe of the square when supply proves irregular. He moves out looking to be involved.The further out he goes, the better for Tipp.
Another concern for O’Shea is the form of Johnny Glynn, phenomenal against Cork. O’Shea will hope lightning fails to strike twice. Strong under puck-outs, Glynn is also a serious option at the edge of the square. Denying him possession under puck-outs is the best option. Kieran Bergin may be handed this role.
Against Glynn, many defenders make the mistake of attempting to field the ball, a contest they’ll seldom win. Concentrating on preventing him catching ball by legitimate spoiling is a much better option.This has to be practiced of course and it’s no use asking a player to play that role on the day.
The other area O’Shea will consider carefully is the role of his third midfielder, captain Brendan Maher. Tipp would like to see Iarla Tannian follow Maher outfield, leaving five on five at the back — disastrous for any defence. Cyril Donnellan will most likely drop into midfield to take up the slack for Galway and his direct running can cause headaches for Tipp’s defence.
Tactically, creatively and skill-wise, both set-ups are similar so greater determination in the middle third and use of the ball will be key. But a stroke of genius or a mistake might be required to decide it.
