Best form of defence is attack for Tipp

By Shane Brophy

It wasn’t pretty by any means, but Tipperary got the win they needed against Wicklow to get their National Football League campaign up and running.

After the defeat to Limerick, the pressure was on for a depleted Tipperary side to get the win they needed to bring the promotion chase to the final game against Offaly and to the players credit they managed to find a way.

The first half performance was easily the poorest in the David Power era so far, as Tipperary lacked any intensity and imagination against a highly motivated Wicklow side who were playing at a high tempo and playing the better football.

However, Tipperary had the better class and in All-Star Conor Sweeney, two interventions from the skipper turned the game in their favour. Firstly, he coolly slotted home the first goal on 31 minutes to reel Wicklow back after they had scored five points without reply.

When the game was tied in the 51st minute, Sweeney chased back and forced Wicklow’s Nicky Devereux into losing possession where from Conor Bowe immediately moved the ball quickly into the unmarked Philip Ryan who didn’t panic to side-step the keeper and finish from close range.

The aforementioned Bowe and Ryan were the two Tipperary players on full debut and both can be happy with their contributions, although you feel there is much more to come. In terms of Philip Ryan, a lot was made of the transfer of the Dublin native with Kilcommon links, and certainly the manner in which he finished the goal, Tipp have a sniper of a forward. Overall, Ryan’s influence was negligible as quick ball into the forward line wasn’t forthcoming, despite Wicklow not playing with a sweeper. Ryan looks quick-footed and should benefit from the release of getting his first game under his belt.

Many within the county were surprised that Conor Bowe didn’t get the call into the senior hurling panel but the Moyne-Templetouhy clubman is a quality footballer also and while he didn’t feature on the ball that much, his couple of involvements were crucial, including the pass for Ryan for the second goal. He also got back late on to make a crucial intervention in the air and certainly brings an athleticism to the wing forward position.

Overall, it was a Tipperary performance not much better than from the Limerick game but there were some improvements in certain areas, particularly the kickout where Michael O’Reilly had more options going short, and when going long to midfield, Tipp were better in the breaking ball capacity.

It also helps when you have two big men there in Steven O’Brien and Conal Kennedy who were Tipp’s two best performers. O’Brien is growing into a leader and his three points from play, added to his two against Limerick marks him as a real scoring option. Conal Kennedy is the most improved player on the panel over the last twelve months. He has all the physical attributes to be a top-class midfielder, but now has the confidence and belief to go with it. And considering his brother Jack got another 25 minutes under his belt off the bench as he continues his recovery from a long term hamstring issue, Tipp have plenty of options in the middle third.

Defensively, the return of Alan Campbell to the full back line provided more assurance in a line what struggled against Limerick. Jimmy Feehan was sharp and forceful at full back against Seanie Furlong, but had his game ended prematurely in added time when sib-binned for cynically fouling Kevin Quinn in a goal-scoring position.

Tipp manager David Power argued after that it shouldn’t have been classed as a cynical foul and while Tipp had a man back and also a goalkeeper to beat, the Wicklow man would probably have gotten a shot away so in that regard, Tipp can have few complaints about the interpretation of the new rule.

Feehan’s black card meant Tipperary finished with thirteen men after wing back Emmet Moloney was sent off for two bookable offences, both within sixty seconds of eachother. Again, it was hard to argue against both cards but getting a second so soon after the first was poor, as the management didn’t get a chance to make a change, as they did when Paudie Feehan was booked and was sailing close to the wind when he was called ashore.

When Tipperary played some of their best football in the second half, it was when they attacked at pace and in numbers. Too many times in the first half they were either turned over cheaply or didn’t put the head down and break through the tackle or send the ball in early enough, and with finishers of the quality of Sweeney, Ryan and the impressive Sean O’Connor, if they get the ball, they will make things happen.

Tipperary are at their best when they play with a high tempo and take risks in possession. They are not strong enough in defence, even against the likes of Wicklow, but going forward Tipp can pose problems for even the best defences, as we saw with Mayo in last years All-Ireland semi-final when they carved them open at will scoring 3-13 and left numerous chances behind them. Maybe the best form of defence is attack for this Tipperary team?