I’d hate to be a forward in this modern mash-up
Lack of space, ambition and discipline is killing game
IN THE aftermath of last wekend’s Clare-Waterford League encounter, all the talk was of it being a brilliant game. The physicality, the hard-hitting, the intensity – that’s what I kept hearing. But I think so much more was lacking. What about game intelligence – how to make it easier for yourself by creating space? Of moving the ball quickly to give your forwards a chance? Of switching the play?
Around 20 minutes into the first half I stopped the tape and there were 11 players from Waterford within 25 yards of the ball. Another six Clare players in the very same frame.
And this is the brilliant game we’re talking about? I’m sorry but an amount of rucks just doesn’t do it for me. Of course, you want intensity and excitement but will you win an All-Ireland if you have 11 players around the ball and maybe one player in the full-forward line?
In a case like that, it’s happy days for a full-back line.
It’s hard enough to win a ball oneon-one against the likes of a Paul Murphy or James Barry without trying to beat two players of that calibre on your own.
I’d hate to be a forward in the modern game.
The amount of times in the ClareWaterford game that a forward went inside and had to come back out because he had no support was telling.
Clare, too, were funnelling men back, the likes of Podge Collins and Tony Kelly dropping deep and often had an extra defender or two then, especially with Waterford’s set-up.
If you’re defending against Clare or Waterford, there is no way they can beat you if you remain disciplined.
A lack of discipline ultimately cost Clare and the concession of needless frees before half-time hit them hard. A few might have been harsh, but why are players lunging in with extra defenders back?
I really think it’s time for Waterford to take off the shackles. Ditch the sweeper or extra defender because it’s causing confusion. Take Podge Collins’ goal for Clare.
Tadhg de Búrca was standing on the 14-yard line – Waterford had defenders back, but nobody in that space at centre-back where the danger was.
I think De Búrca gets stuck in and around the full-back line where maybe there is a question about Barry Coughlan being exposed. But it’s becoming easy to take him out of the game.
When Derek McGrath took over, he saw his team get cleaned out at the back. So I could fully understand why he put together a defensive system. It went okay until the Munster final last year when Tipperary hit five goals. I don’t think the same confidence in it has been there since.
If they keep playing this way, as a player you would feel that management don’t trust you to go man-toman.
Clare were swarming back, too, but the difference is that Waterford backs are stronger. Noel Connor, Shane and Darragh Fives and Philip Mahony are all players well able to win their own battles.
So, it’s not about being naive or going all-out attack. Just playing to the team’s strengths. Kilkenny and Tipperary have dominated in terms of All-Irelands and they always have two or three men around the goals. Their half-forwards work back or a midfielder sits deep.
Jamie Barron is arguably the best midfielder in the country with Kevin Moran the perfect strong, athletic foil.
And they have super forwards. Put Austin Gleeson at centre-forward with Pauric Mahony and Brick Walsh beside him. Then inside you have Shane and Stephen Bennett plus Patrick Curran. Tom Devine and Maurice Shanahan all part of the mix, too.
I’d be critical of Clare as well. They had lots of chances to win the game but ended up retreating.
Their big tactic was the puck-out. It must have been at 100 per cent in terms of winning possession until the last 10 minutes. All well and good, in terms of retaining possession. But to watch Séadna Morey gallop up the field and then handpass the ball away goes back to what I said initially about lack of nous in some of the play.
It looks like they are over-complicating what they’re trying to do.
They have joint managers and Dónal Óg Cusack there as well. If you have three strong personalities with slightly different visions – how does that work?
You can see the influence of Donal Óg in the puck-out.
It gave Clare some platform. But at times it felt like ticking a box. You can’t put all your eggs in that basket. Ability under the high ball is still so important. No point turning it into a dying art. Winning direct ball is the best form of attack. Just look at how Kilkenny are using Walter Walsh, TJ Reid, Liam Blanchfield.
John McGrath’s goal for Tipperary last weekend came from a high ball fielded by Séamus Callanan which was caught.
It can still be a simple game.