Over the last few decades, there have been quite a few tactical innovations in Gaelic football.
In the 00s, the sport moved away from the rigid long kicking format that had dominated for as long as could be remembered. For the first time, teams introduced defensive systems that were centred around dropping deep and limiting scoring opportunities for the opposition.
That has developed over the last 20 years or so, with teams doing their best to mix defensive stability with a potency in attack. Of course, they don't always get it right and the product on offer on the biggest stage has been questionable at times.
Many of these tactical innovations are often met with skepticism by many of the established names in the GAA, who often long for the game to be played in the same way that it was during their pomp.
In saying that, they can also appreciate when a county is bringing something new and exciting to the table.
Pat Spillane is hugely intrigued with Derry's style of play
Derry have come under some criticism for their approach over the last few years under Rory Gallagher, even if it has led to success on the pitch. It was said that their system was too defensive and made their game a difficult watch for the neutral.
However, they have made serious strides in the attacking side of the game in recent times. Pat Spillane, someone who is not shy to criticise teams for a questionable playing style, is massively enjoying their approach at the moment.
Writing in his column in the Sunday World, the Kerry legend said that he has been very intrigued with Derry introducing what he feels is a 'totally new brand of Gaelic football'.
I had a Road-to-Damascus moment while watching the Derry v Monaghan Ulster SFC semi-final. It dawned on me that Derry were playing a totally new brand of Gaelic football. And I really liked it.
Without the ball, every player defended. Once they had the ball, all 15 turned into attackers. It was this part of their game plan which caught my fancy.
Derry have intelligent footballers who play heads-up football. Critically, they are able to read and adapt to changing situations.
I love the way they ‘occupy’ opposition defenders, utilise space and use supporting runs. They are patient – and, on occasions, run hard at the blanket defence, which can expose weaknesses.
But the best bit was how they identified weak links in the Monaghan blanket and exploited them. They had a field day exposing Conor McManus and Jack McCarron when they were part of the blanket defence. Conor McCluskey, for example, had a one-v-one with McManus before he scored Derry’s goal.
So, hats off to Rory Gallagher and his backroom staff. It was a masterclass in attacking football.
My long-winded point is that I can appreciate modern-day football. I’m not rigid in my views and can be won over. And I was certainly won over by the Oak Leaf county’s performance.
That is quite the compliment from Spillane, who had long lamented some of the effects that modern tactical innovations have had on the spectacle on show in Gaelic football.
It will be interesting to see how far Derry's approach can take them this summer.
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