Bonner blitzed
All the talk coming into this All-Ireland semi-final was of who would come out on top in the work rate stakes.
Patrick “Bonner” Maher had the copyright on this particular facet of the game, covering an average of 12km a game. Until yesterday afternoon that is! Gearóid McInerney absolutely hounded the Lorrha man and ground him into submission. Maher barely got a touch.
The most industrious hurler in the game was out-muscled and out-manoeuvred by the Galway No 6, who won five of the first seven balls that came between them. His dominance stopped the supply of blood to Tipperary’s heart and, gradually, their pulse in attack weakened.
They gained no traction from their No 11 and that was one of the crucial variables in deciding the outcome.
Canning’s steel
Joe Canning hasn’t trained properly in five weeks due to a niggling knee injury and he is likely to need further attention once this season is over. It showed early on. He was way off target in his early free taking duties and guilty of coughing up a few balls that he normally would grasp cleanly.
Advertisement
Last year, Canning may have folded there is a more patient, selfless version of the Portumna man on view this season. He dropped deep as usual but he played himself back into the game. In the past Canning’s flame has flickered when the going has got tough. Yesterday he withstood the elements and maintained his composure to shoot some fantastic scores from the placed ball and from play.
When Tipp needed their Alpha Males in attack they didn’t have the same dividends to yield.
Whelan is top class
Conor Whelan scored 0-4 in a game that was level 12 times. How crucial is that? When he made his senior debut with Kinvara everyone knew there was a special player emerging. That day he scored 2-8 with 1-5 from play. Tipperary were down Cathal Barrett yesterday but would he have made any difference?
Whelan was unstoppable in this form. Out in front to the ball, a razor-sharp touch and proficient off both sides, Whelan kept his side in touch with Tipp in the early stages when they looked less than composed.
He is one of the most dependable forwards in Ireland and he looks to the manor born.
Advertisement
A classic inside forward, he is going to take some watching in the All-Ireland final.