Pressurised Galway must walk the walk
Limerick manager TJ Ryan leads his charges to the capital where the performance rather than the result is paramount. Raising the confidence levels, which will have taken a severe blow after their last outing, will be the aim.
Michael Ryan of Tipp is communicating the message publicly his team are in learning mode, taking every game as it comes and feeling their way slowly towards the summer. But he is well aware time is moving on and he needs to have a solid full-back-line in place for his assault on the championship, which might also shore up the confidence of ‘keeper Darren Gleeson, who has looked more assured in previous years. Kilkenny topped the league and can afford further experimentation this weekend. But does Brian Cody have concerns? Pat Hayden, Kilkenny’s full-back of the 50s was better known as ‘The Diamond’ Hayden because of his toughness and durability. That soubriquet might well be bestowed on TJ Reid for his sparkling displays and inestimable value to the current Noreside outfit.
I remember one training session in Páirc Uí Rinn 10 days before the All-Ireland final in 2004. The panel had just finished a ground/first-time drill and it was close to perfection. The late Fred Sheedy, a selector and the sharpest of observers, always kept a close eye on the sessions. He sidled over to me in the middle of the field and bluntly asked the question “Are we going too well?”
Fred was acutely aware that the time for peaking was 10 days hence. The Kilkenny manager must be a little concerned TJ Reid is almost going too well this springtime whereas their previous ‘go to man’ Henry Shefflin was always lightly used during the leagues. Cody won’t express this publicly but he must breathe a sigh of relief every time Reid, their current jewel in the crown, comes through training or a game unscathed. Can Reid sustain his form until September is a question that, most likely, constantly occupies the manager’s thoughts?
Galway manager Micheal Donoghue and Cork manager Kieran Kingston are under severe pressure. Playing in Division 1B next year will not be an attractive proposition to either. Galway have home advantage as they won the toss. Both teams had only two home games which put them in the frame for this relegation battle from the start. It seems a little unfair that a team has to cede home advantage in such a vital contest.
Neutral venues were used in the first two years of this system.Why isn’t the relegation play-off in Division 1A run off over two legs, a week apart, with scoring difference used in the event of a tie? The GAA have lost a chance of promoting hurling by making this a one-off game.
The game itself should be an intriguing contest. These sides met in the first game of the Allianz League. It was a tame affair in Salthill with Galway winning comfortably. Both teams may adopt a cautious approach in the first-half because of the high stakes. Neither management team will want to see their chances going south early on and a ‘gung ho’ all out-attack approach might leave them vulnerable at the back.
TG4 commentator Macdara Mac Donncha recently wrote “one should never back Galway or back against them”. The players must be sick of hearing ‘which Galway will turn up’, but each group who have donned the maroon since their last All-Ireland victory have heard it.
Galway need to perform because of the well-documented player/manager difficulties late last year. Winning is everything for this group. Losing is not an option. It would be a massive blow to their confidence. The well-worn cliche”talking the talk but...” will be trotted out by media commentators and public alike.
Defeat would also heap pressure on Donoghue, who demonstrated his confidence in the team by applying for the position. So surely there will be problems with motivation. They will want to show that they can also ‘walk the walk’.
The stimulus of playing for pride and proving ‘outsiders’ wrong has always produced a powerful response from sportspeople, particularly in one-off contests.The pressure is now squarely on Donoghue and his players. Throughout this league their play has been inconsistent. They’re in the last chance saloon and their management must ensure that they perform for the entire game. The “Where’s Joe Canning’s best position?” question seems to have been resolved. He now operates at half-forward in a free role regularly dropping back into midfield to sweep up breaking ball or in a general support role. Canning’s all-round scoring ability from long and short-range means Cork will have to police him tightly and not allow him to play an open game. Cork’s Cormac Murphy could be asked to play this role tomorrow. Murphy seems to do best when opponents stay around their positions. Canning’s movement and ability to win frees will provide a severe test of the Mallow native’s discipline. He will need help and his success may depend on the support he gets from his half-forwards.
Cork have to cut down the space in midfield because Davy Glennon, doing well in a new role, David Burke and Canning will turn the screw if given time on the ball. Niall Burke, free from injury so far this season, has impressed this spring and he provides leadership for Galway from centre-forward. He was my man of the match when the sides last met. Burke is strong in the air and Micheal Donoghue needs him to hit the levels of 2012, when he was at his rampaging best.
Cork’s centre-back Christopher Joyce is far more at home in the half-back-line but will have to be tight and vigilant. Winning the aerial battle and keeping the ball out of Burke’s hand will be a good starting point for Joyce.
In the first game of this Allianz League, Galway isolated Cork Captain Stephen McDonnell at the edge of the square and the pacy Conor Whelan won the battle that day. Micheal Donoghue may be tempted to try the same tactic. Late back to preseason training, McDonnell’s fitness levels should be much improved and as always the full-back will be dependent on the work-rate of his forwards to cut off the supply routes. Galway defenders know that subduing Seamus Harnedy, and to a lesser extent Pat Horgan and Conor Lehane, is vital.
For Kieran Kingston, it’s very simple. Offensively, plans need to be in place to provide full- forward Harnedy with quality supply. Defensively, they need to frustrate Canning and his forward colleagues with exemplary disciplined harassing and tackling. In short, they need to reprise their all-action, highly- committed, determined display against Kilkenny. Nothing less will do.This game should be a tight affair and as always getting the 50/50 refereeing decisions will be crucial.
- Tomorrow in Kolkata, Dubliner Eoin Morgan will captain England in the T20 Cricket World Cup final. It’s great to see international sportspeople from this small country doing so well. I send him best wishes for success.
