GAA

The Michael Murphy Effect

Does anyone need telling that the guy is a good player? Well let me say it now: Michael Murphy is a hell of a footballer (I always stick my neck on the line). Having analysed their last game against Laois, it was clear that Donegal were extremely wasteful in attack. Even though their defence was its mean, old self, they were let down by slow, laboured attacks and a constant surrender of possession. Bring in Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden to the line up, however, and Donegal’s 8 scores against Cork came courtesy of an efficient passing average of just 3.8 per attack. Absolutely incredible. Michael Murphy, during his stint in the … Continue reading →

Paul Finlay and Monaghan Analysis

The tale of this game was really a case of Derry being good and Monaghan being very, very bad. Not only was Eamonn McEnaney’s gameplan all wrong, but his star performers like Paul Finlay and the midfield pairing of Lennon and Clerkin failed to establish any real superiority in the game as Derry went to town and ran up a margin which probably, in truth, flattered the opposition. In the first half, the Farney men were slow and laboured in their build up play and were averaging 10 passes per attack. This gave Derry time to filter back and put the pedestrian away side under pressure and the Oak Leafers turned over … Continue reading →

Donegal’s Problems

Are they using posts in Ballybofey? When I heard that Donegal had been toppled once again on Sunday, I assumed that Laois had also found a way around what was once an unbeatable system. Having now fallen to 6 consecutive defeats on the competitive intercounty calendar, I believed that my analysis of the Derry game in January was on the money and that Donegal had well and truly been worked out. Maybe the players have lost a bit of hunger, maybe they aren’t as fit as they were, maybe McGuinness’ set up needs some form of refresher. But, after closer inspection of Tír Chonail’s second National League game, it became clear that … Continue reading →

Derry vs Galway: Player Analysis

It seems that, in just one year, Gaelic Football has come full circle from the era of the dropping half forward, to the resurgence of the marauding wing backs. And, in the first National League game of the season, Galway made full use of the lung-bursting abilities of Gareth Bradshaw and Gary O’Donnell as they exposed the space afforded to them in the open plains of Celtic Park and provided the perfect platform from which to propel their young, vibrant outfit to a convincing victory. Indeed, in his first regular-season appearance since last April, Paddy Bradley was given the unenviable task of trying to evade the attentions of Finian Hanley who made … Continue reading →

Ciaran McKeever v Graham Canty

In what was a relatively disappointing day’s viewing from a purist’s point of view, grit and determination and staunch refusal to lose made Armagh and Cork’s opening day encounter an intriguing battle if nothing else. As Armagh hopelessly opted to find Malachy Mackin via the aerial route to absolutely no avail, the Rebels failed to capitalise as they miscued 11 shots before O’Rourke’s men could register only their second score of the game after an incredible 42 minutes. But they wouldn’t stop there. And went on a steamrolling mission as they pegged the munster boys back one by one and made them pay for failing to capitalise on the Orchard county’s dozing … Continue reading →

Kerry vs Dublin: Player Analysis

Having struck out in their latest competitive fixture in the O’Byrne Cup, Dublin could once again only be happy that the margin of defeat was another 6 pointer which failed to represent the opposition dominance. And, despite registering wide after wide, Jack O’Connor’s side was always going to walk out of Croke Park with the victory even though they watched the tiring umpires wave their arms apart an astonishing 18 times. They turned over the capital city, pushed them back, ran over the top of them, and pulled the boys in blue apart until they were satisfied enough to spit them back out. Eoin Fennell’s red card was met with somewhat inevitability … Continue reading →

Derry vs Tyrone: How Red Card Changed the Game

On a miserably cold Saturday evening, I traipsed to Armagh with a sense of pride at another final appearance; with a sense of intrigue that Derry’s pre-season form had granted them a prestigious sparring partner; with a sense of excitement that the team were building towards something good and that this night would send out the first hint of shockwaves across the island. But after 18 minutes, the night was ruined. Someone said it was a game of two halves but they were so, so wrong. Because, in truth, Derry never played the second half – they weren’t allowed to. Call me biased, call me petty, but when referee Martin Higgins bizarrely … Continue reading →

McKenna Cup Team of the Tournament

Anyone who goes out of their way to avoid the pre-season tournament has only themselves to blame when they are caught off guard by the emergent superstars and team dynamics which the competition always throws up. In what was a more competitive campaign than ever before, we witnessed managers being separated, teams coming to blows, cat and mouse tactical battles, and hammer & tong football with typically staunch northerners refusing to lose. Come last Saturday night, we also saw Mickey Harte lift his first piece of silverware since the tragic loss of his daughter, and the first hints that Tyrone are back. Below is my select 15 – the stand out candidates … Continue reading →

Kildare vs Dublin: Analysis

An atrocious display of routine shooting from Kieran McGeeney’s men allowed Dublin to walk out of Newbridge with their pride still intact after a flattering six point defeat. Of course, they fielded an understrength side, but don’t we all at this stage of the year? The All-Ireland champions were abysmal today and completely outplayed by their neighbouring rivals and would-be claimants to their Leinster throne who currently look months ahead of the capital city boys. Gilroy’s outfit were poor in defence; worse in attack; and, had Kildare not miscued an outrageous 54% of their shots, shockwaves would well and truly have been sent through the island today – January or not. Having … Continue reading →

Have Donegal Been Worked Out?

McKenna Cup results aren’t generally something to shout home about and they certainly are in no way the be-all and end-all of defining someone’s season. But, losing their last four competitive games, I can’t help but think that ever-so-subtle chinks are beginning to appear in Donegal’s armour. Yes, Jim McGuinness fielded experimental sides throughout the campaign (didn’t we all?). And his team are probably taking longer to move up through the gears this year having prolonged their season ’til September in 2011. But three defeats on the trot to compliment lacklustre performances must surely spell some form of worry for a system specifically designed to concede less than the opposition. Whilst many … Continue reading →