Maurice Brosnan on football: What’s the one thing defenders have that forwards haven’t?

From the toe-to-toe battles that are now part and parcel of the new game, to Westmeath's pocket knife, here are Maurice Brosnan's latest observations from the football championship.

BATTLEGROUND: Ryan O'Donoghue of Mayo in action against Ryan O'Toole of Monaghan. Pic: Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile

“What the game is supposed to be now, everybody wants you to score. Nobody wants you to defend. Whether you like it or not, that is the game you have to play,” Kieran McGeeney, speaking after the Ulster final.

In the coaching education world, outside voices are a much-sought after commodity. Everyone wants to know what is happening on the other side of the fence.