5 DEFENDERS WHO SHOULD BE FEARED

Gleeson may be able to soar to even greater heights at centre-back

EVEN in this age of sweepers and a seventh man, there’s still room in the game for the sticky man-marker who hooks, blocks and clears his lines. Of course, that won’t completely satisfy traditionalists who wonder why we can’t return to a more innocent time when it was simply six against six. But no matter what system is now drawn up on a manager’s flipchart, defenders still have to do their primary job, which is to stop their man from scoring, and clear their lines. We have take the liberty of including the current Hurler of the Year, in this list as he may end up at centre-back as the summer progresses.

Austin Gleeson (Waterford)

Yes, he did the majority of his hurling last summer as a forward on his way to the Hurler of the Year awards, and Gleeson would not be considered a defender in the strictest sense. He won’t be seen harrying and hooking the likes of Seamus Callanan this summer.

But given Gleeson’s rich talent, he can be utilised anywhere. He has spoken before that his preferred position is centre-back, where he faces the ball. His performance at number six in last year’s Munster U21 final against Tipperary seems to bear this out.

If he sits deep, at the apex of the defence, Gleeson may be less inclined to go for the specactular, which often seem like wild efforts as they drift wide – he hit more wides than any other player in last year’s Championship.

But if Derek McGrath and Waterford settle on one position for him, and if it is centre-back, if Gleeson can start supplying their forwards with more ball, then his performances last summer may just be a platform on which he can soar to even greater heights.

Daithí Burke (Galway)

Gearoid McInerney’s emergence as a solid centre-back for the Tribesmen has solved an age-old problem and, in one fell swoop, it has sorted out their issues in the two central defensive positions. For the past couple of years, the feeling was that Galway needed two Daithí Burkes – one stationed at the edge of the square and another in front of him at centre-back.

McInerney’s development will allow Burke to revert to full-back, where he has delivered some of his finest performances in a maroon shirt. No defender has handled Seamus Callanan as well as Burke did in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final. His drive and ability to read the game, and an unquenchable workrate make him one of the most reliable defenders in the modern game.

His performance against Clare last summer illustrated Burke’s defensive qualities – he was able to take Shane O’Donnell on in a footrace on the ground while compete with the towering Aaron Shanagher in the air. He has the ability for any battle.

Cathal Barrett (Tipperary)

It seems almost wrong that Barrett was only awarded his first All-Star last November, given the consistency of his performances since breaking into the Tipperary side three years ago. Still only 23, the Holycross man was below-par in the recent League final – the suggestion was that he was ill – and the effect on his team was clear to see as the All-Ireland champions didn’t have the same defensive certainty.

He will be keen to move on from that display against Galway and reassert himself this summer as one of the finest corner-backs in the game. A player who loves to get in front of his man and attack the ball, he causes problems for any cornerforward.

Given that he was last seen in Conor Whelan’s slipstream at the Gaelic Grounds, it’s not hard to imagine that Barrett will be keen to prove himself again in Semple Stadium this afternoon.

Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick)

Limerick endured another odd League campaign that saw them reach a semi-final but still left the Shannonsiders feeling a little unsure of themselves. Same as it ever was for a county who have learnt the hard way not to get too giddy after an All-Ireland U21 title.

Capturing that crown two years ago does suggest there is plenty of talent within Limerick, though, and Diarmaid Byrnes exemplifies that. The Patrickswell native was the winning captain of that team and made his senior Championship debut against Tipperary last summer. Even though it was a disappointing season for Limerick, Byrnes was one of the bright spots, even earning All-Star nomination.

When Limerick were leaking scores and in need of leadership against Clare last July, it was Byrnes, despite his youthfulness, who stepped up with three points from play. He also showed leadership qualities against Galway in the League semi-final, when few of his team-mates did so. His game-reading and ability to marshal a defence are augmented by fine shooting. If Limerick are to have a long summer, he will play a big part.

Eoghan O’Donnell (Dublin)

There’s a sense that Dublin’s hurlers are approaching a crossroads. With some of the finest hurlers in the capital opting out of playing for the senior team, next week’s Leinster SHC quarter-final against Galway already has the feel of make-or-break for Ger Cunningham.

However, one thing that the Corkman did during his difficult tenure is that he gave the young Whitehall man his opportunity. Within Dublin hurling circles, they will be grateful for that for a long time to come.

O’Donnell’s performances at fullback in the League belied his relative youth. Strong, aggressive and fearless, he was an assured presence in a team that often looked fairly unsure of themselves. The Zimbabwe-born defender, still U21, has shown enough in the League to suggest that he is becoming one of Dublin’s most dependable players.

Cunningham’s hand may have been forced in his investment in youth but O’Donnell is certainly one that has repaid the faith shown in him.