League lessons and championship pointers - Waterford v Kilkenny preview

 

 

On the Monday after St Patrick's day, Waterford travelled to Nowlan Park and couple of tactical points could be relevant almost four months on. Now normally league form can be discarded when the championship gains momentum but there is a few ingredients worth throwing into the pot along with the summer spices when weighing up the factors that will determine the course of Saturday’s qualifier.

Short puckouts
Stephen O’Keeffe used the short option on four occasions during the first half of the league and one of those came with a heavy price. Ger Aylward intercepted and sliced through to send the sliotar home. On the plus side, one of those puck outs was worked up to Shane O’Sullivan for a point. Michael Ryan explained the thinking behind the strategy afterwards. “There’s no point in dropping high puckouts on top of the Kilkenny half back line because they have been gobbling them up for years. We decided that we would diversify a little bit from that.” After watching Tipperary unsuccessfully launch ball on top of the Kilkenny backs last weekend, they may try to go around that wall rather than go over it. It’s easier said than done however. If Kilkenny are alert and press up on the Waterford corner backs, O’Keeffe may be left with no other option than to roll the dice and fire long.

Speed
This goes back to the previous point because without primary possession, Waterford’s speed merchants won’t be able to pin the ears back and drive down the heart of the Kilkenny defence like James Woodlock managed last week. Tipperary also used neat stick passes to turn the key and work the sliotar up the field. On occasion, they managed to drag defenders out of position and pick out the spare man. The likes of Brian O’Halloran and Jake Dillon enjoyed success in the first half of the league game before things became congested. The wet weather also meant that their short game broke down but that shouldn’t pose a problem on this occasion! Waterford must keep their width, spray the ball into the corners and manufacture one on one foot races. Confidence must be flowing through the veins of Maurice Shanahan and Brian O’Sullivan at the moment. They will be tightly policed but with constant movement, they can bend this Kilkenny rearguard out of shape. The return of Jamie Nagle will also help as his deliveries are always measured and rarely aimless.

Shooting boots
Kilkenny are not in the habit of burning teams off the way they used to. The signs were there during the league when they hit thirteen wides in Nowlan Park. Another high wide count last Saturday allowed Tipperary to dream for longer than they deserved to. One goal in four championship games (from Walter Walsh in the drawn encounter with Dublin) is also unlike this Kilkenny crop. Opposition teams have also wised up and tend to concede the free rather than risk the sight of a goal. This may be a contributory factor to Eoin Larkin’s high return from frees in recent weeks. Kilkenny tend to strike early and often in recent championship ties with Waterford however. They have scored ten goals in their last four meetings and all but one of those came before half time. Until that three goal splurge in Mullingar, Waterford also struggled to translate possession into scores. An average of fifteen wides per game also shows that their point taking has yet to hit a consistent rhythm. Breaking through the twenty point barrier in the last two games should assist that repair job.

Richie Hogan versus Michael Walsh
Although named at number fifteen, the Danesfort menace can comfortably take up any of the six forward berths. Hogan moved to centre forward in the league and made Michael Walsh sweat all afternoon. He shot two points and was centrally involved in their approach play. In a couple of tricky corners during league and championship, the stocky attacker has shown prominently for possession and unselfishly set up others for scores. With their top two forwards from 2012 on the sidelines (Henry Shefflin and TJ Reid), he has taken on greater responsibility and shown that he can carry that load. For the Brick, it’s been another consistent season as part of Waterford’s strongest line. He will be kept on his toes tonight but that shouldn’t fluster him.

Four weeks in a row versus two week rest
There is no great escape from the heat. In these situations, stamina levels and strength in depth are tested to the full. This may favour the fresher team. On the other hand, how long will take Waterford to get their eye in after a fortnight in cold storage?  Kilkenny should have no such trouble with their sharpness and should be ready to go from the gun. It’s a similar scenario to 2004 when Kilkenny came in after playing Clare in a draw and replay while Waterford enjoyed a six week break. Waterford also missed John Mullane for that semi final Sunday.

Midfield warfare
Both teams have yet to settle on their preferred pairing in this area. Waterford have taken three stabs at it so far and alternated further during the course of a game. Richie Foley and Kevin Moran are retained for this one but don’t be surprised to see Darragh Fives step in. Moran produced a strong spell at wing back against Westmeath after a mixed run around the middle. Cody worked the oracle last weekend by bringing out Eoin Larkin. Michael Rice gets the nod to partner the James Stephens man as he seeks to recapture his form after injury. If that doesn’t work out, Lester Ryan and Michael Fennelly wait in the wings.

Verdict
There is a growing body of opinion building inside and outside the county that Kilkenny’s vulnerability could be Waterford’s opportunity. A plan of action will be put in place and it may show similarities to the one implemented in the spring time. Whether this outfit can retain the patience to execute the plan remains to be seen. Another goalless return from the Cats should keep them in the thick of it especially if a couple of the forwards can click like they have done in recent qualifiers. And yet, it still may be too soon for Waterford to think this big. Five points was the margin on that misty March Monday in Nowlan Park and when it comes to the conclusion on a scorching July Saturday in Semple Stadium, that gap sounds about right. The camera will pan towards the walking wounded on the sideline but at the same time, nine All Stars take the field for Brian Cody’s team and ten of the starting fifteen lined out in the All Ireland final replay last September. Under intense heat and intense pressure, that sort of experience goes a long way. It may even require the King’s speech to rouse the troops. Ballyhale’s finest has registered 3-33 in four championship games against Waterford.

All Ireland Hurling Phase 3 Qualifier
Waterford v Kilkenny
7.00 at Semple Stadium
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
Betting: Kilkenny 1/7 Draw 14/1 Waterford 11/2

Waterford: S O'Keeffe; S Fives, L Lawlor, N Connors; J Nagle, M Walsh, D Fives; K Moran, R Foley; J Dillon, S Prendergast, S O'Sullivan; B O'Sullivan, M Shanahan, J Barron.

Kilkenny: P Murphy; P Murphy, JJ Delaney, J Tyrell; T Walsh, B Hogan, K Joyce;  E Larkin, M Rice; C Fennelly, R Power, M Ruth; R Hogan, W Walsh, A Fogarty.