Can tight-marking McGrath prove a man for all sizes?

During this year’s league he’s caught the eye again, as well as keeping McGuigan and O’Donoghue scoreless from play, Canavan to two points, Roscommon’s Ben O’Carroll to one point, and Jack McCarron to 0-02 from play and marks, he’s also driven forward to kick three points himself. Those listed are the five main scorers for their teams, yet against Dublin McGrath wasn’t put on O’Callaghan who scored 0-9 (5f) on Fitzgerlad, while the towering David Clifford only came on for the final quarter against Kerry.

A sprinter with Galway City Harriers in his younger years, McGrath has the top-end pace, dynamism, tenacity, and the laser focus to stay with a variety of forwards. Sligo full-forward Murphy drifted out the field and looked to shoot on the loop. His 25 involvements resulted in a huge point from distance, a good mark, two assists and two wides from outside of the shooting zone. With London dominated by Galway, Rafter was living off scraps but impressed in the first half of the provincial opener. With McGrath tracking him however he was turned over twice within seven involvements. He still pointed under pressure from a tight angle and won a converted free.

O’Donoghue remained in the forward line much more than Murphy, where McGrath did well to stick with his constant changes of direction forcing two turnovers within 12 involvements. The Mayo forward still kicked a mark and a point from distance.

McGuigan got away for just 10 involvements, winning a free which he scored himself, assisting another point, and scoring one from a tight angle falling over while the other was forced onto his weaker right foot with maroon jerseys all around him.

So of the seven points McGrath conceded all were worked very hard for and three were marks, with the latter highlighting an area where opposition players can target the Galway defender. But committing to this runs the risk of what happened after McGuigan’s missed goal attempt. After plucking the high delivery and having his shot saved, Galway countered and scored a goal at the other end.

Last month, Derry landed two more high balls on top of midfielder Conor Glass, while Sligo put in one sliced delivery on top of Murphy which came to nothing. London and Mayo – even with Aidan O’Shea inside – didn’t kick in any long high kickpass.

During his time as Galway’s primary marker, Kelly was comfortable against opponents of all sizes. Yet even if he was fit this weekend, so far this year he’s lined out at midfield, centre forward and left half forward.

The rationale appears to be to get one of their best players out of the full back line, and more involved in attacking movements. However his contributions to date suggest it’s also with defence in mind that he’s now lining out in attack.

The Moycullen club man made 68 per cent of his total 31 defensive actions so far this championship within his own half. If Galway lose possession Kelly is back to form the first line of their defensive block in a half back zone. Within these actions however the 27 year-old has made just four turnovers highlighting his new focus on covering danger areas.