Size matters.
The match programme for Tipperary and Galway’s All-Ireland semi-final clash in Croke Park has told us one thing – these Tipperary lads will be up against it to match Galway’s physicality.
Tipperary’s defensive problems, particularly in the full back line, have been well pronounced so far this year. There has been lots of chopping and changing in Tipperary’s last line of defence, with Cathal Barrett being dropped from the panel, James Barry being moved out of full back and then drafted back in – stability has been lacking.
For Galway it has been all plain sailing. The Tribesmen are now favourites to lift Liam McCarthy in September, and one of the main reasons for their impressive form has been the physicality of their forwards.
The Galway attackers are giants of men. They are all over 6 ft in height, and they’ve strength and size to boot.
Galway forwards. Height Weight
Cathal Mannion – 6 ft 1 in. 88 kg.
Joe Canning – 6ft 2 in. 92 kg.
Joseph Cooney – 6 ft 4 in. 96 kg.
Conor Whelan – 6 ft 0 in. 88 kg.
Niall Burke – 6 ft 0 in. 94 kg.
Conor Cooney – 6 ft 4 in. 94 kg.
Tipperary defenders Height Weight
Pádraic Maher 6 ft 2 in. 95 kg.
Ronan Maher 6 ft 0 in. 85 kg.
Seamus Kennedy 6 ft 2 in. 85 kg.
Donagh Maher 5 ft 10 in. 76 kg.
James Barry 6 ft 1 in. 90 kg.
Michael Cahill 5 ft 10 in. 70 kg
Pádraic Maher is the only Tipperary defender who will have a weight advantage over his opponent based on the match programme, and the teams that were named.
James Barry also has a height advantage over Niall Burke, but the Oranmore-Maree club man is 4 kg heavier than Barry.
This all means that the Tipperary backs will be up against it especially if high balls are rained down upon them and their direct opponents in the Galway forward line.
