Jeffrey Lynskey gives his verdict on how Galway can get the best out of Conor Whelan as they prepare for a Leinster final clash with Kilkenny.
Jeffrey Lynskey believes that Conor Cooney and Conor Whelan need better quality ball if Galway are to be big contenders in 2023.
The attacking duo were both taken off against Kilkenny at Nowlan Park and were quite subdued during the recent draw with Dublin at Croke Park.
Former minor and Under-20 Tribe boss Lynskey feels that decision-making has been a challenge for Henry Shefflin’s side of late.
Their next outing is a Leinster final meeting with The Cats on Sunday June 11, a title they have not claimed since 2018.
“Yeah look, Galway’s quality of play in the first half in particular, and I didn’t see any stats, but no ball went inside for the first 20 minutes,” says the NUIG Fitzgibbon Cup boss.
“Whelan probably saw one ball in the first half; second half, very few balls went in again.
“I just think that’s one part of our game that needs to improve again: the type of ball that he’s getting.
“In fairness to him, any day he goes out, it’s usually two against one in there against him.
“Maybe switching himself and Conor (half-forward), or putting the two of them inside, and putting better quality ball…
“Bbecause our decision-making and our distribution zone in particular, and I’m thinking of Tom Monaghan off the top of my head, had two poor choices really when the ball should have gone inside to Whelo.
“But yeah, Galway are going to need the two boys in particular to produce their ‘A’ games against Kilkenny.
“If we want to have a say in the championship, we’re going to need to be performing at the highest level.
“The quality of our play needs to improve in terms of what we’re doing with the ball in key parts of the game.”
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