Malachy O’Rourke: We gave David Clifford too much space

Clifford claimed 1-9 as the Kingdom overcame Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-final.

STAR MAN: Malachy O’Rourke believes Tyrone gave David Clifford too much space on Saturday. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

Malachy O’Rourke thrice lamented post-match that his players didn’t give Pádraig Hampsey sufficient cover in attempting to subdue David Clifford.

Hampsey was more than a step off Clifford from the get-go, increasing the requirement for cover that rarely arrived.

Clifford had 1-5 in his bucket by the break. He also had a white flag attempt wide, one two-pointer fell short, and another fell off the post. 1-5 could have been 1-10 at half-time.

There was one occasion in the second period where Clifford stood behind Hampsey as the furthest player forward. Only for Clifford miscontrolling the long ball into him, it would have been further hardship for the full-back and Tyrone.

“Obviously, we didn't give Paudie (Hampsey) enough cover at times and David Clifford was very prominent in there,” reflected O’Rourke.

“There’s a lot of space in there. After the last day against Armagh, we wanted to nullify Paudie Clifford as best we could, and Seánie O’Shea, but be able to get back into a contact shape, as well, to make sure that the inside forwards, particularly David Clifford, didn’t get as much space.

“But when you’re giving the ball away, you’re scrambling back and it leaves that space. Then there were times as well they were able to get through, and we didn’t get back quick enough to give Paudie that cover and be more compact in defence.

"It's a tricky balancing act, particularly with teams that have got a number of good forwards. We did well in some areas but there's no doubt that we didn't give enough cover to our full-back line.”

Darragh Canavan had them back within a point on 42 minutes. When they next added to their tally on 64 minutes, they were chasing a double-digit deficit.

“When we got possession, we just weren't able to penetrate the Kerry defence. Our shot selection at times wasn't great,” O’Rourke said of that period.