Hurling’s evolution makes Blanchfield a prized asset

Sat, 08 Jun, 2024 - 06:19

Maurice Brosnan

In his post-match press conference after the All-Ireland final, Derek Lyng was asked to describe the feeling when Limerick burst the dam and flood forward. His anguish aggravated as he answered that and then reflected on the one key absence capable of surging against the current.

It was announced before throw-in that Walter Walsh would start in place of David Blanchfield after the wing-back picked up a lung issue in the semi-final win over Clare.

“He was touch and go,” the Kilkenny boss said with a sigh. “Unfortunately. We gave him every opportunity. He was feeling good. It is one of those things where we just had to make a call with the medical team. We got plenty of advice. It was marginal. It would’ve been a small risk. Enough not to let him out on the pitch.

“Hopefully he will have bigger days.”

Lyng touched on various elements of the game - the wind, certain decisions, Blanchfield’s injury - but was at pains throughout to stress that all of them combined didn’t form a legitimate excuse. Limerick were better. Bottom line.

The question after that four-in-a-row achievement isn’t what if. It’s why. Why are John Kiely’s side a leading contender for one of the greatest outfits the game has known? Well, how long have you got?

There are so many rocks in this edifice. Each complimenting and emboldening the other. That is what happens when a team combine a gifted generation with one genius coaching ticket. At the core is an almighty base. Limerick’s dominance stems from their ability to impose their gameplan on the opposition. They bend to no one. That creed defines how they attack and defend. One line links them both.

In that stronghold, the half-back line is a wall and a platform. That is why Blanchfield was sorely missed. He scored 0-5 in the 2023 championship. Only eight Kilkenny players scored more than him. All were forwards.

According to analysis provider GAA Insights, he also assisted more shots than any other player. He created 2-4 between the All-Ireland semi-final and Leinster final. That form has only improved. Against Wexford two weeks ago, Blanchfield assisted 0-5. He has already scored 0-4.

Lyng pointed to three things that Blanchfield provides in abundance. Youth. Physicality. Hurling. Blanchfield utilises these powers to attack from defence. With wing-forwards now expected to draw back under puck-outs and obliged to track back in general play, wing-backs have been afforded increased opportunities.

What does this look like? Dublin and Kilkenny players gather for the throw-in to commence their second half in the Round 4 Leinster championship clash at Parnell Park. Fergal Whitely sprints back into the ruck. Blanchfield holds his pocket.

The ball breaks to Cian Kenny who turns and immediately pops to his wing-back. Now Blanchfield can drive into vacate space. Take aim. Shoot. Score. Reset. Seán Brennan tries to pick out Danny Sutcliffe on the opposite wing. Mikey Carey gets there first.

Therein lies the problem. Dublin retained 73% of their puckouts that day. Against Galway in the round, it was 76%. In both matches they outperformed the opposition. However, that productivity is reliant on their running game and short stickwork. Of puckouts that landed inside the opposition’s 65, they won eight and lost six against Kilkenny. It was two wins from nine long deliveries a week later.

Blanchfield’s presence on the right wing heightens the reliance on Dublin’s go-to long option. The St Jude's club is an awkward foe due to his left-handed nature and his ability to catch with both hands. His 2013 All-Star came in the same season that he bested Cats legend Tommy Walsh.

Dublin are unlikely to target Blanchfield in the air. But as the half-back role evolves, so does the response to it. Before the All-Ireland final last year, Dublin selector Franny Forde told this reporter about how teams have to try and evade that awesome Limerick axis.

“You have to have the legs to run at them. Make their half-back line defend. Their half-back line is exceptional. They are brilliant but much of that is on the ball,” he explained. The principle will be the same for Dublin in Croke Park.

“The question is do we have the ability and knowhow to work the short ball? When they drop off, that willingness to keep going at it has to be there. How do you work it through the lines? Well, look at Limerick do it. Really quick handpasses and still release it inside as quickly as they can.”

Blanchfield is now a problem that opposition need to plan for. The Bennetsbridge man will know what is coming. Dublin will too.