What is a game plan? And what is/should Limerickâs game plan be?
In my humble opinion, it is, or in Limerickâs case, should be, the followingâŚ
A style of play that exists regardless of the available players, the opposition, the first half or the second half, the wind, rain, backdoor, soft ground etc. An identity.
Limerick certainly have the talent to mould into a game plan, and the management team have the responsibility to implement such a blueprint as to bring success, or the improved possibility of success.
When I watch a team play I always look for signs of a game plan. The most obvious examples of it in the recent past with Limerick were with John Allen and Donal OâGrady before him. Regardless of what one makes of the effectiveness of such styles of play, one cannot argue with results. The team won games. Yes, they lost some, but they won finals. Something they havenât been overly accustomed to in the grand scheme of things.
With this team, and this management team, an effective game plan, style, philosophy, whatever flavour of January internet bullshit you prefer, is imperative. The badly needed new blood in this team have come up through the ranks with some form of detailed, ingrained adherence to a plan. Yes lads must win their own ball, they must be capable of stopping their direct opponent influencing the game, they must be able to last, to score, to pass accurately, to make the right decisions under pressure. But they must also play to a plan.
The plan that enables all of this will afford Limerick the opportunity to win the big one. The last four counties to win the All-Ireland have followed their plans to the letter. Limerick donât have one.
Hit and whip. Whack it. Lump it long. No.
Physical. In your face. Clever. Sneaky. Ruthless. Seamless. Yes.