McGrath: Modern-day hurling 'all about aggression'

By Peter McNamara

Clare are primed for a serious assault on the Allianz NHL Division 1 title according to legendary Waterford figure Ken McGrath.

Traditionally, Clare have not performed particularly well in the secondary competition – their last outright success occurred in 1978 when they landed the title for the second year in a row.

However, McGrath, who is presiding over Mount Sion’s senior outfit for the season, can see a bright light shining at the end of this particular league tunnel for Davy Fitzgerald’s side.

“I think Clare should be very, very good again this year, particularly in the league,” McGrath stated.

“After winning the All-Ireland in 2013 Clare were the team everybody else wanted to beat then and Wexford did that.

“Their U21 sides in the last three years have been absolutely brilliant and I expect them to be very dangerous again at senior level this year. Some of the players they have had in those U21 sides are unbelievable and you would think now that they are ready to really drive on."

He intimated that Clare seem to be really focused again in training.

The former Waterford star said: “The league is very important for them and Clare are the one team in the league that I think will really go for it and they are my favourites to win the title actually.

“I can really see them going very, very close at the very least, but I think they can actually go and win it.”

However, Clare venture to Pearse Stadium on Sunday to face Galway and McGrath appreciates the importance of having home advantage in the division, especially on the opening weekend.

“Home and away matters big time in the league at this time of the year and Galway will be dangerous on Sunday and beyond.

“I have good time for Anthony Cunningham, too.

“With 15 or so minutes to go in Thurles last year in the championship they had Tipp on the rack and, as we all know, Tipp went on to go so close to winning the All-Ireland.

“There is so little between the top teams, sometimes people forget that a bit,” he said.

Arguably, the game of the weekend is the meeting of Cork and Kilkenny at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.

Cork will need to start winning two-thirds of the individual tussles in the matches Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s side contest if they are to achieve further success this year, according to McGrath.

He spelt out how Cork are lacking a little in the department of aggression, a commodity the Leesiders need to develop.

“Cork need to start developing their ability to win about nine or 10 of the individual battles they will be faced with throughout the field each time they play this year.

“Really, it has seemed like Cork have not been doing that in recent seasons but, as Kilkenny consistently show, it remains one of the most important facets of a team’s make-up, that capacity to win as many one-on-one battles as possible.

“Nowadays, the game is really all about aggression, especially when you are playing against the likes of Kilkenny, who every other team can learn from in that sense, especially Cork,” McGrath illustrated.

The other tie taking place in the league sees Dublin host Tipperary in Parnell Park.

The Dubs, of course, now have Ger Cunningham guiding their ship while Eamon O’Shea will attempt to lead the Premier County to league and All-Ireland glory again this season.

Ken McGrath: There is so little between the top teams.

McGrath agrees it is a huge year for both sides.

“Ger (Cunningham) is a very good, organised coach and Dublin have massive talent.

“Parnell Park is traditionally tough to get anything out of and I heard Dublin are extremely fit already this season.

“In saying that, they have a tough match against Tipp, who I think will have gained a lot of confidence from last year. This should be another big year for Tipp but, ultimately, I still see Kilkenny winning the All-Ireland,” he added.