Now every person that has played GAA at various different levels is well aware of the tactic of “dropping the man back” and playing a free role in an attempt to shore up the defence and I myself am well-accustomed to it. We have seen this deployed at senior club level and at inter-county level and undoubtedly can have its success. However, in the championship this year Waterford under the stewardship of Derek McGrath have used this tactic and advanced it to become one of the most defensively minded teams in the country. Throughout the championship Waterford only conceded 3 goals which is an extremely impressive return and deserves to be praised in itself but only managed themselves 5 goals, 3 of which came in defeating cork in the 1st game of the Munster Championship. The following day out when they came up against the Premier men in the Munster final, arguably one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the sporting calendar they once again adopted there defensive approach but on this occasion Eamon O'Shea identified this and countered it with similar tactic themselves which lead to one of the most disappointing Munster Finals in recent times with Waterford managing a mere 16 points throughout the 70 minutes of action. Throughout the game it was obvious to see Waterford’s plan in sniffing out any goal opportunities and depriving Seamie Callanan of a yard of space which after his virtuoso display against Galway later on in the series is not easily done. Once any Tipperary attack was broken down Waterford attempted to break out and by delivering ball up to the Waterford attackers namely Maurice Shanahan the primary target. More often than not he was surrounded by opposition defenders usually completely out numbering the amount of Waterford attackers because the majority of the players are under instruction to retreat back with the main objective being defensive orientated. Once it was evident that this tactic was not working Waterford had no plan B or C and the game itself ended in Tipperary claiming another Munster title.
As the dust settles on the 2015 hurling championship and the All-Stars are handed out recognising the country’s top players for their outstanding performances throughout the year, we look back on the main talking points from this year’s championship. Kilkenny retaining Liam McCarthy once again, TJ Reid in irresistible form, Galway and Tipperary serving out a cracker in the semi at HQ and the re-emergence of Waterford as a top tier contender for the Holy Grail. As a Waterford man and hurling supporter I was delighted to see my own county lift a league title and again begin to be a reckoning force in the championship but to me their results isn’t what I find significant it’s how they achieved these results with the deployment of the “sweeper” is what interests me.
Now every person that has played GAA at various different levels is well aware of the tactic of “dropping the man back” and playing a free role in an attempt to shore up the defence and I myself am well-accustomed to it. We have seen this deployed at senior club level and at inter-county level and undoubtedly can have its success. However, in the championship this year Waterford under the stewardship of Derek McGrath have used this tactic and advanced it to become one of the most defensively minded teams in the country. Throughout the championship Waterford only conceded 3 goals which is an extremely impressive return and deserves to be praised in itself but only managed themselves 5 goals, 3 of which came in defeating cork in the 1st game of the Munster Championship. The following day out when they came up against the Premier men in the Munster final, arguably one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the sporting calendar they once again adopted there defensive approach but on this occasion Eamon O'Shea identified this and countered it with similar tactic themselves which lead to one of the most disappointing Munster Finals in recent times with Waterford managing a mere 16 points throughout the 70 minutes of action. Throughout the game it was obvious to see Waterford’s plan in sniffing out any goal opportunities and depriving Seamie Callanan of a yard of space which after his virtuoso display against Galway later on in the series is not easily done. Once any Tipperary attack was broken down Waterford attempted to break out and by delivering ball up to the Waterford attackers namely Maurice Shanahan the primary target. More often than not he was surrounded by opposition defenders usually completely out numbering the amount of Waterford attackers because the majority of the players are under instruction to retreat back with the main objective being defensive orientated. Once it was evident that this tactic was not working Waterford had no plan B or C and the game itself ended in Tipperary claiming another Munster title. Kilkenny’s senior hurlers have been the face of the hurling world for the past decade. Since 2005 Kilkenny have won an astounding 8 All-Ireland hurling titles having featured in 9 out of the past 11 finals. As a passionate Tipperary supporter myself it really does break my heart to see them winning so much (I’m sure every other Tipp fan feels the same) considering the healthy rivalry between the two counties. But, I have to admit, Kilkenny’s record, not only in the past decade but overall, is very impressive. They have lifted the sacred Liam McCarthy cup an outstanding 36 times, Cork trail them by 30 titles and Tipperary placing third with 26 titles.Any GAA fan would be lying if they said they didn’t admire Kilkenny’s ability to keep coming back each and every year with the same quality standard, the same desire and the same will to win. But what is separating them from the rest? Is it Brian Cody and the management? Under age development squads? Or the championship structure for Kilkenny club hurling. I’m sure they all have a part to play in the counties success but it couldn’t create this unstoppable force they have surrounding their team.
Now that I have stated how Kilkenny are great and all that, I have to clarify that I love my county and the group players that represent our Premier County each year. I in no way envy Kilkenny’s success or anything; I wouldn’t be a true Tipp man if I did. That’s not what our rivalry is built on. I am confident in Tipperary and feel they are constantly on the rise since they quenched a 9 year drought when Eoin Kelly lifted the Liam McCarthy cup in 2011. The up and coming Tipperary scene also looks promising with competitive minor and under 21 teams being produced each year. It looks like some top quality hurlers have the potential to be developed in to All Ireland winners at the top level. |
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