Should have adopted a more defensive approach

AFTERWARDS, Micheál McDermott stood by Clare’s tactical approach. He was adamant that man to man was the way to go. If Clare had adopted a more defensive approach, would they have been beaten by less than 12 points? It’s impossible to say conclusively but to see Clare not opting to defend in number was very surprising. This approach led directly to Cork’s three goals. Once they broke one tackle, that was it. They were through on goal. If Joe Hayes had help from Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon, Cork would still have buried all three first-half goals. 
Take Fintan Goold’s 13th minute goal as an example. Aidan Walsh outfielded Ger Quinlan from Alan Quirke’s kick-out, cantered through the Clare defence and offloaded to Goold who buried Cork’s first goal. Seven minutes later, Walsh won another kick-out and walked through the Clare back line before netting his county’s second.
Once Walsh hit open ground, there wasn’t a Clare man within shouting distance. The full-back line was preoccupied with marking their own men and couldn’t afford to risk leaving them and confronting Walsh. Had this happened, the Cork midfielder would have popped the ball over their heads and Cork would probably have goaled anyway.
So what alternative should Clare have tried? Early in the game, surely it would have been advisable to site two of their forwards behind the ball, sweeping between the full and half-back line? Alternatively, at least one of these players could have been detailed to pick up Cork centre-forward Ciarán Sheehan if he roamed, allowing Gordon Kelly to drop into the space between the lines. While this seems very straightforward when writing about it, putting it into practice is a bit more challenging. Still, it’s unlikely Cork would have strolled through the Clare defence if an extra defender or two had been lurking. While this might seem an overly defensive approach, it may have helped Clare to turn defence into attack once they relieved Cork of possession. Having access to a couple of extra defenders would have allowed Clare to hold possession until they reached the Cork 45’ and try to direct ball into the space that Rory Donnelly, David Tubridy or Michael O’Shea could find. Of course, if Clare had placed a permanent extra defender or two down field, this would have led to Cork taking short kick-outs. In this instance, one of Clare’s additional defenders could have come up field for the Cork kick-out, getting behind the ball only if Cork won possession.
Clare’s priority in the opening half was surely to reach half-time within touching distance of Cork. The concession of the three first-half goals meant that didn’t happen. While Clare tried their best in the second half, the game was over at half-time.
In last week’s Clare Champion preview, Clare 1992 midfielder Aidan Moloney was quite prescient in what he said regarding Clare’s defensive approach. 
“They’re going to have to come up with a plan to protect their defence. We have six scoring forwards but maybe one of them might have to help out at the back. I don’t think 15 versus 15 is going to work against Cork. They’re going to have to come up with a plan for the first 20 minutes at least. In the past, the Cork forwards haven’t always performed under pressure but if they get a good start and get a goal early on, they could really go to town,” Moloney forecast last week.
Instead, Clare opted to take on Cork, taking no notice of the fact that Cork have won the last three NFL Division 1 titles and were All-Ireland champions in 2010. Enda Coughlan and Graham Kelly could have been played in those defensive roles, even if Kelly wouldn’t have had the match fitness to last the 70 minutes. He played well when introduced at half-time and didn’t appear to be held back by his hand injury.
It will be interesting to note if Clare change their approach for the forthcoming qualifier. If they don’t, quality opponents will open them up again.
They will also have to be significantly more aggressive in their approach. Conceding just one first-half free was laudable if you’re looking for contact-free football but naïve if you want to see your team competing to win.
Reaching a Munster final was a decent achievement but not forcibly competing in it took from Clare’s day.