Breaking ’Brick’ wall key for Clare

I’M intrigued to see what style or tactics new coach Ken McGrath brings to Waterford. McGrath was arguably the main man in a team who, at their best, played with a “swashbuckling” freedom.

But the buckle has become detached from the swash over the past few years with the retirement of McGrath, Paul Flynn and Dan Shanahan.

Only John Mullane and ‘Brick’ Walsh remain as present day leaders. Manager Michael Ryan and coach McGrath haven’t the same quality of players to work with and they’ll have to cut their cloth accordingly. Their plans will still have to revolve around the aforementioned duo and good support play. To win tomorrow at Semple Stadium Waterford will have to devise plans to ensure Walsh plays a central defensive role. Midfielders and half-forwards will have to double up on their roles by picking up the Clare centre-forward if he attempts to draw Walsh out to the wings or to midfield. Déise left half-back Kevin Moran is good at driving forward and should be encouraged to do so, but, defensively, keeping the half-backline in their positions must be the starting point for success. Up front, it’s quite simple. Plan A, B and C revolve around John Mullane being given quality ball in space that allows him to run at defenders.