Hurling systems, do we need them?

Oisin McManus (Down hurler)

What experience do you have of playing or watching hurling systems

I’ve played in several systems with Down that I can’t say too much about but also with my club Liatroim along with some at university level. I watched Derek McGrath at the Ulster GAA coaching conference last year showing all his different systems and the detail and thinking behind them is incredible. I think most teams are playing some kind of system.

Which teams play them successfully?

I think every team plays with a system but some just do it better than others. The likes of Waterford and Wexford have used a defensive counter-attacking system very well while the likes of Tipperary and Limerick have used a forward movement system to win All Irelands.

Which teams have countered them?

Countering a system can be hard from the start of the match as you don’t know exactly what a team will do. But most inter county hurlers and managers have a high hurling IQ and can figure out what is happening after around 20-30 minutes but doing something to effectively counter a system is hard.

What are the positives of the systems?

I think a system of play gives players an idea of what do be doing to break down an opposition. A good system doesn’t tell every player what exactly we have to do, we aren’t robots after all but it allows us to play our own game within it.

What are the negatives?

Some people can become too bogged down with having to be very strict about where to be and what every move should be in a system. That can take a player out of focus on the ball and really negatively affect their performance.

Will systems continue to develop?

I think systems will develop and continue in our game. Some of the top hurling minds like Davy Fitz, Brian Cody and Liam Sheedy will use all their experience and coaching skill, along with their coaching team to develop the next level of system. We should embrace the change and keep trying to make the game better.

Alan Grant (Derry hurler)

What experience do you have of playing or watching hurling systems

My experience of systems is limited enough. I have never been involved anything overly technical. It is always kept basic, for example the two-man forward line, and a sweeper.

Which teams play them successfully?

Waterford for a period, played the sweeper system and they executed it well.

Which teams have countered them?

Kilkenny are able to counter systems because they never do anything overly technical and they never seem to be too far away from anyone.

What are the positives of the systems?

If you have a system then everyone has an understanding of what they’re doing or where the ball is going. So the team who play systems can potentially have an advantage.

What are the negatives?

Games can change in seconds so systems won’t always work. If a team have only been working on one system then they might not be able to adapt if the game changes.

Will systems continue to develop?

Managers are always looking for an edge so I believe that systems will always develop. Teams need to change and be adapted as their opponents have different styles. So a system that works in one game won’t necessarily work in the next.