Will Kilkenny use an extra defender?

DEFENSIVE strategies are a hot topic in the big ball code this week after Sunday’s dour clash of Dublin and Donegal. But will we see Brian Cody crowd his back division this weekend in an effort to thwart the Premier County’s goal-hungry attack?

Such a ploy worked tremendously well for Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final with the champions confined to just one goal, and that was a defensive error very early in the game that allowed the lurking Lar Corbett to pounce.

Consider that Kilkenny conceded four goals against Tipperary in last year’s All-Ireland final. Consider also that Tipp have already notched 15 goals in their four championship games this year, an average of nearly four a game, including seven in the Munster final demolition of Waterford.