Like many, I came away after watching last Sunday’s thrilling Ulster Championship tie with renewed optimism around what might lie ahead for the summer.
Tyrone-Monaghan wasn’t a game that I was particularly looking forward to for a few reasons. I expected something similar to what Mayo and Roscommon had served up the week before in terms of defensive tactics.
Maybe there was a bit of bias on my behalf towards Ulster football too because while it’s by far the most competitive province, the games can often be drab and leave a lot to be desired.
So, what was different about last Sunday’s game?
The amount of scores was obviously brilliant to see, 38 in total with 3-21 coming from play.
The directness in both teams’ style when in possession was hugely refreshing. Long bouts of lateral passing across the pitch were limited.
Both teams were willing to take risks and kick the ball as much as possible which led to defence-splitting moves such as Rory’s Beggan’s beautiful diagonal ball resulting in Monaghan’s first goal.
Some of Tyrone’s attacking play in the first half in particular was of the highest quality, with Darragh Canavan, Darren McCurry and Mattie Donnelly making hay with the quick supply of ball.
Generally, both teams had a sweeper most of the time but there were spells where there was ample space in both forward lines.
Yes, as attacks slowed up then naturally both teams got more players behind the ball but there was rarely a case where both teams just retreated towards their own goal without engaging their opponents high up the field.
Ironically, one of the few times Tyrone did retreat towards their own goal was for the winning goal through Ryan O’Toole.
Both teams also attacked each other’s kickouts. I’m struggling to think of the last time I’ve seen two teams constantly pushed up with real desire to win the opposition kickouts.
Tyrone got their reward for this in the first half when they forced Beggan into a risky short one and turned it over. Less than 10 seconds later Darragh Canavan expertly dispatched it to the net.
Beggan recovered brilliantly from this and his long direct kickouts were a huge source of Monaghan attacks in the second half.
What was surprising was the huge space on the flanks that Tyrone were leaving for Beggan to find his targets; it’s exactly what he thrives on and it was perplexing that they didn’t switch to a more zonal press to cut off these pockets of space.
Beggan’s form hasn’t been consistent for a few years now but last Sunday he was back to his best.
There is also the possibility that this was a shootout because the provincial championships aren’t a priority anymore and the more serious stuff starts in four weeks.
But what it showed is that the quality is there in the top teams to produce these brilliant games if coaches and managers provide the platform for them to do so.
Issues for Kerry to address in defence and midfield
All-Ireland champions Kerry get their Munster campaign underway this weekend.
The consensus was that they were playing catchup in the League but now, after what would have been a heavy training block that included a week in Portugal, the real Kerry should be on show tomorrow.
The reality is they will stroll through Munster once again, leaving them a chance to really build a plan around peaking from the group stages onwards.
Will Kerry bring something different to this year’s Championship?
Their defensive structure that was built around Tadhg Morley as a sweeper certainly didn’t look right in the League.
In midfield, the loss of David Moran is where I would have concerns for them. He was the ideal midfielder for this Kerry team; dominant in the air and a superb kick-passer to a lethal forward line. He was also a perfect partner for Jack Barry who himself was out of sorts in the League.
Due to the new format alone, Kerry are going to be severely tested in the next few months. They certainly have the forward line to win the big games down the line - if the same hunger as last year remains.
Dublin building a strong squad as business end of the season looms
Dublin are in a similar position to Kerry in that they should cruise through Leinster and will already be eyeing the group stages.
They won promotion without being particularly impressive, but I expect to see a different Dublin team over the next few months.
There seems to be a narrative building that they are making one big push to land another All-Ireland before the likes of James McCarthy and Michael Fitzsimons hang up the boots.
Will we see the returning trio of Paul Mannion, Jack McCaffrey and Stephen Cluxton this weekend against Laois?
Injuries have curtailed Mannion and McCaffrey’s minutes to date but if they are back fit then Dessie Farrell will know he has the squad to match any team out there.
Galway can't afford to lose to another provincial rival
I suspect that it will be a tense and cagey affair in Hyde Park on Sunday.
Roscommon have already beaten Galway in the League and will certainly not fear them.
I feel this is a more important game for Galway to win; losing to Roscommon after getting beaten by Mayo in a League final wouldn’t leave them in a good place going into the race for Sam Maguire. I believe they will learn hugely from where Mayo went wrong against Roscommon and secure a place in the Connacht final. In the other semi-final, I expect a comfortable Sligo win over New York.
Cavan-Armagh today could be the game of the weekend. Armagh must see this as their year to win an Ulster title under Kieran McGeeney. This is a huge banana skin for them but if Rian O’Neill returns, I think they will just come out on top.
In the other Ulster quarter-final, I think Donegal’s turbulent season will continue and that Down will come through.
In Leinster, all the pressure is on Meath to win and navigate their way to a Leinster final. A good start from Offaly will heap even more pressure on them. I think Offaly will come out on top and resign Meath to the Tailteann Cup.
Elsewhere in Leinster, I expect wins for Louth and Kildare as well as Clare in Munster.
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