Derry skipper Chrissy McKaigue insists Gaelic football is in “really good health.”
Last Sunday’s Ulster final – Derry’s first Anglo-Celt Cup win in 24 years – has divided opinion.
Many felt it was a great spectacle, while others believed it was a hard watch.
The first long kickout in the game came in the 18th minute, while at stages the match resembled a 29 man game of backs and forwards.
Both sides were reluctant to take the ball into contact for fear of being turned over and hit fast on the break for the goals which would allow their opponent to dictate the game.
In McKaigue’s view, it’s clear Oak Leaf boss Rory Gallagher and the Donegal side they defeated at the weekend are “tactically brilliant.”
“As we pride ourselves in being well stocked defensively, the reality is that Donegal have a reputation over the last number of years of being fantastic defensively too,” he said.
“They don’t get the credit for how tactically well tuned-in they are.
“Their attacks are premeditated and very well structured.
“You get the feeling that everything they do, they know exactly who they want to shoot and how they want to orchestrate the shot.
“You look at the number of scores they’ve got in Division 1 over the last two or three years and they’ve averaged 17-18 points. That’s not talked about much in the media.
“We want to use the term ‘defensive football’.
“We want to use the verbiage, ‘arm-wrestles’ and that kind of stuff but when you look at the stats of how much teams are scoring in inter-county now in comparison to 10 years ago, it’s day and night.
“I think the game is in really good health.
“Sunday was a game where the stakes were so high that teams were unwilling to take so many risks and teams were so well set up.
“Rory has made a massive difference but he’s a hugely intelligent man.”
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