Shutting down Hogan key to Tipp victory

Richie Hogan, Kilkenny’s top player this season, has an impressive compliment of skills — strength, pace, bravery and has a tendency to save some of his best displays against Tipperary.

If you were handed the brief of stopping Kilkenny then a major part of your plan would involve shutting Hogan down and there is no doubt Eamon O’Shea has spent many hours contemplating the intricacies of this assignment.

In this year’s league final, Hogan lined out at centre forward. Tipperary employed a zonal marking scheme with centre-back Brendan Maher holding his position. That meant Hogan had the freedom to wander without close man-to-man marking, picking off six points. Tipperary cannot afford the same mistake tomorrow. A specialised man marker, whose only interest in the game would be to nullify Hogan, would be the best choice for O’Shea. But none are available. The Tipperary half backs must also be wary when Hogan is in possession and racing towards them as he is outstanding at taking the ball into contact and offloading to a runner in space.