![]() ![]() Then, they used the full width of the pitch, moving the ball quickly from left to right, with Vinnie Corey steaming through the zone on the left flank and Karl O'Connell doing the same on the right. Firstly, they put two and sometimes three men inside the Galway zone in the central column to occupy those sweepers. Inside that six, Galway play three sweepers in the central column. Galway string a first line of six players across the field inside the 45. Let us start with how Monaghan dealt with Galway's static zonal defence. Monaghan had no problems with them whatsoever and the eight-point drubbing could have been worse. They are stuck with the system and when it isn't working, they might as well head for the changing room. It means that the team cannot adapt to circumstances as they unfold. ![]() This exemplified the problem with such a rigid system. Kevin Walsh must have forgotten to tell his team they had a big wind at their backs in the first half, because they dropped off inside their 45 and Monaghan were able to run the clock down under no pressure. They do not tackle or engage with the opposition until they come inside the 45, so as Monaghan built their lead, they were able to hold possession at their leisure. They went into their 1-13-1 formation from the throw-in. Galway's rigmarole was just as it always is. It was all very cringeworthy for the big Galway crowd. Their first creative score came in the 29th minute of the game, Gary O'Donnell kicking a nice point from an Ian Burke assist to bring their tally to 0-4. Which is why they play so unimaginatively. It is too rehearsed, too defensive and requires no imagination. As predicted, they were entirely predictable, and Monaghan made short work of them. A dull regime and a dull system of play inevitably create a dull team. I've been saying all year that Galway are a mirage. ![]()
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