League performance brings no surety of September success
This season, Waterford have won the games they needed to. They have a ‘tricky’ quarter-final away to Wexford but they should advance to the last four.
Wexford aren’t doing particularly well in 2016 and this game offers their manager Liam Dunne a chance to benchmark his side’s current position against a top team.
Waterford boss Derek McGrath will look at the remaining games as very valuable opportunities to get game time for his first choice free taker Pauric Mahony, as well as fringe players in his thoughts for the summer.
The league has always been a faulty barometer for championship success.
The first competition was run off in 1926. Since then the All-Ireland/League double was completed just 22 times. It would be no burden to Waterford to retain their crown. The group would treat it as just another win. It would simply provide satisfaction and affirmation, a milestone on a journey with a hopeful September destination.
Kilkenny should easily account for an Offaly side who are not at the required level to offer a sufficient challenge. The semi-final will be far more interesting for Brian Cody where they will come up against Tipperary or Clare. Cody has never seen a league title as a distraction to his All-Ireland campaign.
It could be argued that this was because Kilkenny, in Cody’s time, have more or less sauntered through Leinster and had to peak for only two games. Since 2000 they have won the Allianz League on eight occasions. They won the All-Ireland on six of these, ‘05 and ‘13 being the exceptions.
The ambitions of Noreside, always considerable, depend to a large degree on the summer performances of TJ Reid and Richie Hogan. But they need supporting players. One of the most impressive players this spring has been Walter Walsh. His height, pace, and skill always make him a handful for defenders but he can give the impression at times that he’s not fully tuned in. This year his work ethic has been top class. Cody will be pleased.
Limerick will be hugely disappointed to lose out to Clare for the promotion spot from 1B. The manner of the loss will hurt as much, if not more. Limerick looked somewhat disorganised and lacked discipline. The Treaty were without their Na Piarsaigh contingent, who should be back for the Dublin game. However they will have to show a great deal more fire than they displayed against the Banner.
Last year at the same juncture Dublin handed out a severe lesson to Limerick in Croke Park. That night the Metropolitan attack led the Limerick defenders a merry dance. Manager TJ Ryan will have to improve their defensive organisation significantly to compete as the Dublin forwards, particularly Eamonn Dillon, have looked very impressive. Manager Ger Cunningham deserves credit for their run.
Their first outing against Tipp was extremely poor and made them favourites for relegation. However their performances in the capital against Galway and Cork have been excellent.They have a great opportunity of reaching a semi-final (more than likely against Waterford) who they recently defeated.
Tipperary v Clare is the pick of the contests. Neighbouring counties, there is no love lost between them. Clare set up in Sunday’s win over Limerick with David McInerney as a covering defender in front of his full back line. Colm Galvin, listed as a wing forward, operated as a midfielder — as he has done since 2013. Last Sunday they played with no full forward. John Conlon, normally on the wing, attacked any high ball that dropped in front of the goal. He made his presence felt, causing major problems in the Limerick defence. How will the normally orthodox Tipp deal with the Clare system? Tactically, this game should be intriguing.
Tipperary have lacked a natural full back since the retirement of Paul Curran. Manager Michael Ryan seems to have dispensed with the experiment of playing Tomas Hamill in this problem position.Ryan’s priority is to have his defensive plans in place at the conclusion of their league campaign. Ronan Maher looks to be Ryan’s choice for centre-back. Michael Breen has shown good form in midfield and the returning Seamus Callanan might improve their conversion of goal chances.
This will be a big test for Ryan. It’s as close to championship as they will get, unless they win. Of course, the biggest game on Sunday week is the relegation battle between Galway and Cork. But that’s for another day.
