Dalo: are we better than last year?
July 02, 2014
Former Dublin manager Anthony Daly with Paul Schutte. INPHO
The Bob O'Keeffe holders are currently putting the finishing touches to their preparations for Sunday's Leinster SHC decider against Kilkenny and 'Dalo' is looking to win the tactical battle against Brian Cody for the second year running.
"It's definitely bigger, there is nowhere to hide out there," the two-time All-Ireland winning Clare captain said to the Irish Daily Star. "It's one of the things I always said about Thurles.
"If you played in Ennis or Limerick or Pairc Ui Chaoimh you knew Frank Lohan was near engough, Seanie (McMahon) was across from you, Ollie Baker or (Fergal) Lynch were in front of you.
"But jaysus in Thurles it was you and your man, you'd be shouting 'Seanie come over near me will ya, he is lightning and I'm slow!'.
"Croker is a place where you have to win a lot of individual battles.
"Tactics do come into it big-time. They cover for each other and help out, but there is a bit more space around the place and if you are lacking a yard it can be shown up in a place like this.
"But then a lot of fellas lacking in yards are like the Beckenbauer theory, and they read it well.
"There was no sign of Mr (Jackie) Tyrell back in the corner lacking yards on Saturday, back in the corner and out in front nearly all the time.
"So good players see the wing-back the other end launching the clearance and they take a step and if you can back your control and touch and half a step in front it is very difficult for any corner-forward to take it off you then, but we'll see what way we can open it up a bit."
As regards putting Leinster SHC titles back-to-back, Daly concluded: "Are we better than last year? It's very hard to know.
"We'll know more, we'll have all the answers when I meet ye down in that aul room down there on Sunday evening again." Tweet
