Galway must collapse Tipperary’s defensive pillars
In boxing parlance, no one laid a glove on them. This year, the ability of John McGrath and the rekindled fire of Bonner Maher up front; the direct running of Michael Breen from midfield and the solidity of Seamus Kennedy at wing back has brought a distinct improvement in their play.
The attack has taken the limelight but there is a tightness to their defence that has been absent in previous years. Only one goal was conceded in their three championship games and a paltry average of 14 points.
There has been a subtle change when their attack turns over possession. Their defensive setup is similar to Kilkenny’s system, which has frustrated opponents over the last decade. It squeezes opposing forwards and forces them to shoot under pressure.
Midfielders Breen and Brendan Maher are central to this plan. They drop back into their half-back-line when danger threatens, while the half-backs drop a little deeper. Dan McCormack and Bonner Maher tackle back quickly into midfield from their half-forward positions, pressurising the playmakers and forcing them to strike inaccurate ball into the Tipp danger area.This minimises the creation of goal chances as these inaccurate deliveries are swept up by impressive corner-backs Cathal Barrett and Mickey Cahill, who then begin the counterattacks.
The first ten minutes of this game should be enthralling. Both Galway and Tipp will want to lay down aggressive markers early on. Galway have pace throughout the team and attacking Tipp’s defence down the middle might prove profitable.
Galway manager, Micheál Donoghue could use Joseph Cooney and Joe Canning for this twin assault. Canning is Galway’s best finisher and is in good form at present. Tipp don’t play a sweeper so playing Canning at the edge of the square effectively creates a ‘one-on-one’ battle with James Barry.
Aerial, fast ball in from the wings is always more difficult to deal with for a full-back than a straight central delivery. Galway could profit by moving the ball down the wing to the 45m line to an outcoming corner-forward and then diagonally in towards the edge of the square to Canning.
This tactic cuts out the midfielders who drop back into the half-back-line and it works best if the covering corner-back is dragged out to the 20m line on the opposite side. Joseph Cooney at centre-forward is a strong runner. Centre-backs are not man-markers by nature and can be vulnerable to direct runs.
If Cooney is supplied quickly, as he drops 10m off his opponent, he would then have the opportunity to turn and run directly at Ronan Maher. The purpose of this tactic would be to link up with ‘off the shoulder’ parallel runners from midfield or wing forward and to draw frees in good central positions.
But championship victories are based on defence. Defensively, Galway played well for a long period against Kilkenny in Leinster. Tight marking and huge concentration will be required to get to grips with John McGrath and Seamie Callanan, while policing the blindside forward runs of Michael Breen. If the Tribesmen don’t deal with these threats from the throw-in, what happens up front will be immaterial.
In Thurles tonight, a higher work-rate will be demanded by the Brian Cody. Although the main focus of the Kilkenny management will be their own performance, they will certainly seek to nullify the influence of Austin Gleeson and Pauric Mahony. Defenders with pace, aerial ability and discipline are required.
Conor Fogarty, who began life on this team at corner-back may be detailed to mark Gleeson and the versatile Padraig Walsh may be given an assignment to get tighter on O Mahony. He played more as a zonal defender at times last week, giving the Ballygunner sharpshooter too much latitude.
Kilkenny did best last Sunday in the ten minutes before half-time. To mirror this period, Kilkenny may decided it is an evening for playing their ‘movers and shakers’ TJ Reid, Richie Hogan and Colin Fennelly in the half-forward line, with Walter Walsh at the edge of the square.
Derek McGrath will be well aware that Kilkenny will seek to lay down a marker in the first ten minutes. He knows if the game is level after the initial onslaught it is advantage Waterford. Shackling Richie Hogan and TJ Reid will be the main aim. Michael Fennelly, so vital to Kilkenny’s run of success over the years, was not as effective as he usually is last week. A six-day turnaround may not be ideal for him.
The Déise are a strong physical side and they will set out to unsettle Kilkenny with their pace and tough tackling. Colin Dunford was ‘overtrying’ last week but he was first to every ball. He could be very valuable tonight.
Waterford failed to close out the game last weekend. When ahead in the final moments, it’s important to deny your opponents momentum by making it a stop-start game, engaging in some ‘handbags activity’. Generally making a nuisance of yourself while eating up the clock can be very effective. It might not endear you to the neutral observer but the object of the exercise is to frustrate the opposition.
As always against Kilkenny, a high work-rate, tight marking and doing the simple things well are givens, but denying them goals is still key.
