Just on a few specific points:
- Dalton and Hoggy:
Patrick was in the zone and looked really sharp but please please please give free taking duties to Dalton. Why pick the best dead ball player in the county and then not have him on any sideline or free. They need to just get this done as Patrick’s free taking is dipping versus a few years ago. The change will benefit the 2 of them. I see a few posters say that Hoggy was getting the lovely bouncing ball from midfield in front of him and Dalton wasn’t. That was mainly because Hoggy was able to get that yard and Dalton wasn’t able to from Finn. Finn looked like a senior hurler playing a junior hurler at times but in fairness to Dalton he stuck at it, and did better in the second half… but just give him the frees and sidelines for fuck sake
- Full back line:
They were excellent - aggressive but smart and not over committing when they were not in position to win a ball. Of all the lines this was definitely not a test though - Flanagan was messing with flicks all night and the other 2 are firmly 2nd choice. Galway will test this line much harder. We need another option like O’Callaghan to put a hand up for corner back, I’m not a fan of Niall in there, fine hurler albeit that he is.
Midfield:
Meade had a fine game, rarely plays less than 7 out of 10 in fairness. There’s a combination of players where he’s starting lads… he won rucks, sprayed passes to the corner, he just will need more physical support alongside him. I’m a big BOS fan, he’s a serious hurler and great attitude, he did ok last night - could have stayed on longer and can play in different positions, nice and aggressive. Roche however showed what we were all looking forward to after watching him dog it out in underage finals. Some work rate on the youngfella… a championship starter I hope