The old saying that forwards win matches but defences win championships was never more apt following Kilkenny’s All-Ireland hurling final victory over Tipperary last Sunday.
The halfback line of Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan and JJ Delaney produced a magnificent dislpay to continually thwart the Tipperary attack and provide the launch pad for the majority of Kilkenny’s attacks in a hard fought 2-17 to 1-16 victory. The 2011 showdown between the top two hurling teams in the country lacked the end-to-end excitement of the previous year’s final but more than made up for it with a powerful, commanding display from Brian Coady’s men.
Few sides could hold either Lar Corbett or Eoin Kelly scoreless on any championship afternoon but to prevent Tipperary’s most potent twin-attacking weapons from raising a flag underlines the importance of a good defence when it comes to annexing All-Ireland titles. Henry Shefflin historically takes the plaudits for many of the Cat’s title victories (and rightly so) but it was the back six and especially that half-back line who provided the blueprint for Kilkenny’s success in Croke Park.
IMPERIOUS
When Cork were winning Munster and All-Ireland titles the half-back combination of Sean Óg O’Hailpín, Ronan Curran and John Gardiner were the oil that kept the rebel engine running. Walsh, Hogan and Delaney have now surpassed that Cork threesome in terms of All-Ireland medals but also in importance to their respective team.
Brian Coady’s analysis of the 2010 defeat to Tipperary was clear to see this year as the Kilkenny halfbacks suffocated the life out of the Tipp attack from the opening minute.
The Cat’s fullback line were hugely effective in cutting off the supply to Kelly, Maher and Corbett with Noel Hickey, Jackie Tyrell and Paul Murphy imperious in their hooking and tackling. Kilkenny have never been shy when it comes to the physical side of the game and some of the early hits put in on the Tipperary forwards were borderline at best. Match referee Brian Gavin enjoyed a fine afternoon and obviously decided to ‘let things go’ as both sides tore into one another with a ferocity unseen in the championship prior to the final. Gavin even shipped a nasty nose injury following a wild swing from Tommy Walsh but in keeping with the spirit of a tough encounter simply got on with the game having been attended to by both side’s doctors.
TACTICS
I wrote in last week’s column for Setanta Sports how Donegal’s tactic of putting numbers behind the ball and grinding out victories proved to be the correct decision by manager Jimmy McGuinness. The negative tactics have been widely derided by the media and GAA supporters around the country but delivered Ulster and League titles and that is all that matters.
Sport is all about winning, just ask Brian Coady and Kilkenny’s 2011 success was not built on hunger, desire or any of the usual clichés spouted in the aftermath of Sunday’s win. Kilkenny turned the tables on Tipperary just 12 months after losing to the Premier County in the 2010 decider because Coady employed the correct tactics this time around.
“We got into the game very quickly. There was a massive resolve within the panel to stamp a bit of authority on the game. We did not do that last year. We were playing catch-up the whole time and that is not a good recipe for success”. Brian Coady.
The space in front of Kilkenny’s goal afforded to Corbett in 2010 was completely shut down this year with 6 and sometimes 9 Kilkenny jerseys behind the ball. Coady is not regarded for his tactical acumen, relying instead on 15 versus 15 full-scale matches behind closed doors to prepare his side for yearly All-Ireland tilts. In 2011 the Cats defence – anchored by a mobile half-back line – swarmed around the Tipperary attack and kept the Premier County off the scoreboard for the first quarter of an hour.
"We had to look at the whole thing, look at Tipperary and make a plan to beat them. They had earned that kind of respect; we gave them that respect and we planned accordingly. It worked out very well”. Brian Coady.
The sheer determination and physicality of the Cats defence overawed the Tipperary attack. A cynical trip by Noel Hickey to prevent Patrick Bonner from racing through on goal in the opening half informed Tipperary in no uncertain terms that unlike 2010 there would be no easy scores this time around.
Tommy Walsh and JJ Delaney’s ability to pluck high balls clean out of the air and immediately wallop them back in on top of the Tipperary rearguard must have been demoralising for the Premier county’s back division and once Richie Hogan netted a beautiful second half goal there was only ever going to be one winner.
The GAA history books will no doubt record the fact that the Kilkenny hurling team of the 2000’s is up there with some of the best teams of all time. The 2011 winners will be remembered for rebounding from a disappointing loss the previous year to defeat a hugely talented Tipperary team. What the history books should also mention is that Kilkenny’s defence won the county their 33rd All-Ireland hurling title and that tactics are now a major factor in winning the Liam McCarthy trophy.
What do you think?
Do you agree or disagree with the opinion put forward in this article? Then please leave any comments in the feedback box provided below.
Follow Ger on Twitter: @offcentrecircle