How to beat Kilkenny...

Offaly’s two-time All-Ireland-winning manager Diarmuid Healy believes too many teams are falling into the trap of attempting to mimic Kilkenny’s style.

The Kilkenny native believes skills such as ground hurling have to be mastered by teams if they are to beat a Cats side suited to the possession game.

“The style of hurling being developed at the moment, everyone is imitating Kilkenny,” said the former Dublin director of hurling.

“But the thing is if you want to beat the team on top you don’t adopt their style. Kilkenny have mastered the possession game because they’re so skilful. Other counties shouldn’t try another team’s game.

“The lift, rise and run — Kilkenny have perfected that. Other teams can’t do it and so they should go back to basics. Just keep the ball moving and one of the skills that does that is ground hurling. Rather than lifting, rising and soloing, if the ball is moved fast your chances of succeeding are much better.”

Healy appreciates ground hurling is next to non-existent at inter-county level, but insists it would reap dividends for a team willing to revive it.

“In last year’s All-Ireland final, I think only one ball was hit on the ground. It’s a skill that has been eliminated out of hurling. A lot of skills have been eliminated out of football because of the possession game and the blanket defence.

“Hurling is the most skilful game in the world with more skills than any other game but most teams can’t perform most of them. If you touch the ball even a yard away on the ground you can’t move it from difficulty. But everyone tries to rise the ball in a ruck at the moment.”

To illustrate his argument for ground hurling, Healy recalls leading Conahy Shamrocks to an All-Ireland club junior title four years ago.

“I abandoned the solo run and encouraged the players to move the ball fast. They beat teams that were far better than them just by doing that. It was ground hurling and it was quick delivery with no delay.”

As for Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Leinster semi-final between Kilkenny and Dublin, Healy is adamant Anthony Daly’s side must use brain over brawn to claim victory in Portlaoise.

“My advice to Dublin is to play the ball and forget about the man. If you attempt to go out and bulldoze men you won’t win.”

Meanwhile, Jackie Tyrrell has spelt out exactly what Kilkenny will be missing this weekend with last year’s Hurler of the Year Michael Fennelly ruled out.

“There’s only one Mick Fennelly,” he said of the midfielder who’s recovering from an ankle injury.

“A lot of our players wouldn’t have the power that he has when he drives forward. The likes of Cillian [Buckley] and Michael Rice are great hurlers and real workers, but Michael gives you a different dynamic to everyone else. He’s a huge loss.”