Deep down the Semple Stadium tunnel last Saturday night, Derek
McGrath didn’t fret openly about the low conversion rate up top. The thirteen
wides from six different sources mostly came from awkward angles or long
distance. Waterford were pushed out to the wings due to an inability to break
the defensive line or forced to shoot from far away due to lack of options
inside.
The team formation and game strategy worked up to that point
and delivering results depends on how the individual shooters handle those
situations. Unless the off target figures fall, the plan must adapt to create
easier scoring opportunities in front of the posts. Waterford’s absence of
consistent ball winners makes them reluctant to open the shoulders and fire
more direct ball. There is a reason to believe however that the high volume of
wides comes down to early season shakiness.
The striking sextet share a similar profile in terms of
height and bulk to the All Ireland champions. Take a quick a sidestep and look
at the wides accumulated by Clare during the 2013 league. The Banner’s wide
count stood at twelve after a one point opening day loss to Waterford. 16
wayward efforts cost them in another irritating two point home reverse to
Kilkenny. That number sky rocketed to 24 in the relegation play-off versus
Cork. When you hurl on the fringes, the
margin for error is minimal and under a new management and a new plan, the errors
can be exaggerated. Clare’s shooting loosened in the springtime but tightened
by September.
McGrath’s first day in the working world didn’t shock and
awe. He was already aware of the shortfall in goals and the similar brand of
forwards available. With that in mind, he wants to use the league to find a way
maximising those resources. The solutions stand right before him.
Pauric Mahony is ready to erupt and kick on from his
blistering club championship and Fitzgibbon form. 2-26 is currently lodged in
his WIT account ahead of the weekend in Belfast. This includes a fourteen point
showing in the quarter final against DIT last week. He can take ownership of number eleven at
inter county grade following two bitty campaigns. McGrath not only handed him
the jersey but also the dead ball responsibilities ahead of Maurice Shanahan
and Jake Dillon. A big investment. He turned seventeen attempts at the target
into ten points last Saturday night. Not far away from a jaw dropping first
impression for 2014. Despite his first half hiccups in Semple, he normally
relishes long pots. Expect him to ponder his shot selection more this time
around and maybe spray one or two inside. Mahony may step off Iarla Tannian to stretch
the Ardrahan man and take him away from his comfort zone.
Mahony is developing an understanding with Jake Dillon but the
vice captain’s potency close to goal wasn’t utilised against the Premier. The De
La Salle man has rattled off 1-10 in college fare. From full forward, he caused
damage in the first half down in the Mardyke and fired five in the home tie with IT
Carlow. The link-up play between the two is too good to ignore. Dillon can also
sniff a goal. He put championship majors past Clare and Kilkenny last summer
and throw in five more during the club
championship. That ability seems
restricted from number twelve.
Galway boss Anthony Cunningham understandably gave a vote of confidence
to the fifteen that ousted Dublin in round one. Even taking the Portumna
contingent out of the reckoning, eight of the starters played a part in the two
All Ireland finals against Kilkenny in 2012. The team also contains five All
Star recipients. Their attacking stats compare favourably to their hosts. 22
singles from play as opposed to seven, nine different scorers to Waterford’s six
and eighteen points from their forward six against four. Cathal Mannion and
Jason Flynn hit the ground running with four each. Jonathon Glynn annoyed the Déise
rearguard from full forward in the Crystal League in January but began at
centre last Sunday and struck three points. Niall Healy, hat trick hero from the
2005 All Ireland semi final, is also back on the beat.
Waterford will most likely attempt to build again from the
power base running from numbers five to nine. Galway’s midfield and half
forward line are still in the formative stages. Whether the home side commit
the same numbers like eight days ago to win those breaking balls remains to be
seen. With Maurice Shanahan missing, a back line of experienced operators will
arrive confident that they can frustrate the Déise forwards for the second week
in a row. McGrath’s analysis should lessen some of the wastage and result in an
increased output. Improving the long range shooting and keeping the wide total
to single figures should ensure that the league table will look kindly upon
them come Sunday evening.
Odds: Waterford 5/6 Draw 17/2 Galway 5/4
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