Re: Offaly V Waterford 4/4/2010
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:58 pm
Mixed feelings about yesterdays performance. On the face of it, a three point loss to Waterford in Waterford is nothing to be ashamed of. Still though, questions remain. My few thoughts, for what they are worth, are:
1: Something of a second half second half fadeout. By my reckoning, from the 50th minute Offaly only got one more score, the goal. The forward line in particular struggled massively towards the end of the game. Scores from play were too hard to come by for the majority of the contest and free flowing attacking movements, as shown by Cork and Tipperary were nowhere to be seen. In summary, the forward line needs more work.
2: Rory Hanniffy was the standout and throughout the league has been putting in the kind of excellent performances that were badly missed in 2009 when he was wasted at wing back.
3: The practice of playing Brian Carroll as a third midfielder isn't working out. True he can be very effective in the loose, but his presence in midfield leaves a spare opposition defender inside. This puts a forward line that struggles to win ball even in the best of times under massive pressure. I believe this to be part of the reason for the second half second half fadeout yesterday, the five forwards tired as the finish line approached from having to do the work of six all day. Waterford cleared a sinful amount of ball yesterday through the benefit of the free man. Given his penchant for roving, why not start Brian Carroll at corner forward but have him operate around the half forward line, looking for breaking ball. This will also serve to isolate Bergin and Dooley inside.
4: Healion wasn't very good.
5: Why was Wynne played at midfield? He's a corner back of some potential but as far as I'm aware he's never played midfield before. Pointless experiment, unfair on the young player and the search for Rory Hanniffy's partner continues.
6: What on earth will it take for Dylan Hayden to be tried, just tried, in the half forward line? It's getting farcical at this stage.
7: Good to see Stephen Egan back.
8: The switching of Cleary and Kenny was a welcome move by the management. In my opinion Kenny is the best centre back in Offaly, the only reason him not playing there being the need to have him at full back. A pity, if left at centre back he could be great. He played well yesterday, showing an agreeable tenancy to move forward into midfield when required. Cleary did very well on Dan. It'll will be very interesting to see who exactly will occupy 3 and 6 come championship.
1: Something of a second half second half fadeout. By my reckoning, from the 50th minute Offaly only got one more score, the goal. The forward line in particular struggled massively towards the end of the game. Scores from play were too hard to come by for the majority of the contest and free flowing attacking movements, as shown by Cork and Tipperary were nowhere to be seen. In summary, the forward line needs more work.
2: Rory Hanniffy was the standout and throughout the league has been putting in the kind of excellent performances that were badly missed in 2009 when he was wasted at wing back.
3: The practice of playing Brian Carroll as a third midfielder isn't working out. True he can be very effective in the loose, but his presence in midfield leaves a spare opposition defender inside. This puts a forward line that struggles to win ball even in the best of times under massive pressure. I believe this to be part of the reason for the second half second half fadeout yesterday, the five forwards tired as the finish line approached from having to do the work of six all day. Waterford cleared a sinful amount of ball yesterday through the benefit of the free man. Given his penchant for roving, why not start Brian Carroll at corner forward but have him operate around the half forward line, looking for breaking ball. This will also serve to isolate Bergin and Dooley inside.
4: Healion wasn't very good.
5: Why was Wynne played at midfield? He's a corner back of some potential but as far as I'm aware he's never played midfield before. Pointless experiment, unfair on the young player and the search for Rory Hanniffy's partner continues.
6: What on earth will it take for Dylan Hayden to be tried, just tried, in the half forward line? It's getting farcical at this stage.
7: Good to see Stephen Egan back.
8: The switching of Cleary and Kenny was a welcome move by the management. In my opinion Kenny is the best centre back in Offaly, the only reason him not playing there being the need to have him at full back. A pity, if left at centre back he could be great. He played well yesterday, showing an agreeable tenancy to move forward into midfield when required. Cleary did very well on Dan. It'll will be very interesting to see who exactly will occupy 3 and 6 come championship.