A new Pioneer for Offaly Hurling

[durra1]

From the time the team was announced last week, Anthony Daly had to have known if his full back line could defend lobbed balls, ensuring they didn’t break to the onrushing attacker or the last man over the top, a significant part of the Offaly challenge would be spent.

It’s an Offaly tactic that worked against Galway #1 last year and arguably in Limerick in ‘08, but on the percentages, over championship games the last few years, it hasn’t worked.

What drives me septic about this tactic is the encouragement it gives to the backs and midfielders to deliver headless clearances.

I counted at least four clearances during the first half when balls from our 45’ were driven aimlessly without a head being lifted which came straight back out. In direct contrast, Mahon or whoever it was (couldn’t see from the top tier of the Cusack) who delivered the ball into Shanes path for the goal, looked up, and spotted the run before he struck.

A full back line playing out is at a far greater advantage when the ball is in the air than the forward with his back to the goal. Aside from the troublesum lump of a 14 in Junior Hurling, the percentages on a high ball delivery simply dont add up.

I’m loath to criticise given the honesty of the effort on Sunday last, but this is a management problem. The Lusmagh lads will go ape, but when I see Benny Kelly marching the side line shouting instructions on the half back line, my mind wanders to his own days on the 45’ as an u-21, bursting his gut to win good possession and then sending it into orbit down the field. In fairness to Benny, of course this would be his philosophy on the game when it worked so well for him.
We simply must get more cerebral about our hurling and I don’t believe this management team have the capacity to deliver.

In a Franks/Kenny/Rigney/Hayden/Hannify/Morkam defence, there’s plenty of experience, stickmanship and grey matter to get to where I’m talking about – it really doesn’t take much in the way of coaching because it suits the traditional direct Offaly style and economy of effort.

The change in shape of the attack once Bergin came out was noticeable and he reverted where he left off in the league as a go-to man on the half forward line taking scores and assisting others. With a full side out, and Bergin in this role and playing deeper, this creates opportunity for Dooley or Carroll to create the space inside, given the right kind of ball is coming in.

I firmly believe if we can get our backs and midfield playing this kind of hurling , we have the forwards who can rattle defences and a serious big-game marksman inside who can capitalise.

It will only come about with a young-minded, tactically astute manager is appointed.That takes foresight at County Board level – the same that was there when Diarmuid Healy was appointed back in the day.

Francis Forde is working wonders with Banagher VS. He’s being brought around the country by Dinny Cahill et all to help out club sides especially in the weaker counties.
Will other county boards where he visits notice – Yes. Will our county board notice ????

Sundays Indo article with Johnny Flaherty was a sobering read. Everyone has an opinion on the bauld Jigger, but from I stand, what he was saying made a lot of sense.

[Phoenix]

I couldn't agree more with what you are saying there Durra1. Great Post! Would it be too much to hope that the present management team (or maybe their successors) have these ideas brought to their attention and act on them.

[Kevin]

Agree here also. Intelligent ball into the forwards will keep opposing defenses defending instead of planning the the counter-attack while waiting for touch down from orbit.

As we pick off points and score frees (because we just might be fouled more often in scoring position), Isn't it possible that these same opposing backs will get frustrated and try to overplay us? I'd think that we'll wind up with as many if not more goal scoring opportunities.