Shane and Michael review the National Hurling League clash between Kilkenny and Waterford, and take a look at the tactics.
Davy Fitzgerald will be left with plenty to ponder after a league campaign that saw his side pick up as many goals as red cards.
Four is a worrying number on both counts, but they have plenty of times to right the ship ahead of their Munster SHC round 1 opener against Limerick at Semple Stadium on Sunday April 23 (2pm).
His use of Dessie Hutchinson as a roaming player sparked plenty of debate since Sunday’s defeat to Kilkenny, with one Twitter page revealing that none of the Ballygunner man’s 14 possession were inside the Cats’ ’45.
Hutchinson has been one of the most deadly players in the game during recent seasons, and was nominated for an All Star last seasons despite a poor Munster campaign for Na Deise.
Fitzgerald’s men took a heavy beating against Tipperary one week earlier but looked more solid this time, with Tadhg de Burca shoring up the back in a sweeping role.
“It’s not a sweeper to us, it’s a plus one counter-attacking thing we are,” said Fitzgerald afterwards, whose side now head away to Portugal for a training break.
“There’s certain teams that play with 11 and 12 defenders – we won’t be one of them.
“We’ll be more of an attacking team. If you really look at the last few years, look at it and see how many bodies are getting back inside the ’65, we’ll be different.”
“Should have converted a few more of them,” he added of his side’s misses. “It was a tough battle.
“If you’d given me that with the team, with the lads that were missing, I’d have taken it.
“Disappointed we didn’t get through to the League semi-final but that’s the way it goes.”
