Jackie Tyrrell: Huw Lawlor will have Gillane on his mind

Huw Lawlor will be tasked with the job of curtailing the Limerick talisman, Aaron Gillane, according to former Kilkenny defender Jackie Tyrrell.

It's has been three years since the sides last met in the championship and speaking on this week's RTÉ GAA podcast, Tyrrell says he only sees Lawlor picking up the two-time All Star forward in Sunday's final.

"I would see nothing but Huw Lawlor, I say Brian would have been saying to him on Monday morning, Huw, Aaron Gillane just get him in your head and be ready for Sunday week."

Mikey Butler was given the job of marking Clare's most potent forward Tony Kelly in the semi-final but Tyrrell thinks Butler will mark Seamus Flanagan.

"I'd say Mikey Butler could be on Seamus Flanagan, it’s purely that Huw Lawlor always keeps the forward outside of him, so he is always in between the goal and the forward."

"He is great at that kind of position and is exceptional in the air."

"What is Aaron Gillane? He is exceptional in the air but he is exceptional at slipping in the back of the defender and catching that ball."

At 26, Lawlor will be hoping to win his first All-Ireland title compared to Gillane who is eyeing his fourth.

Tyrrell thinks that Kilkenny have a decision to make whether their half-backs sit back and protect their full-back line or do they press up and engage Limerick higher up the pitch, leaving their full-back line exposed.

Lawlor's skillset gives Kilkenny the option of either according to Tyrrell.

"Huw is very good at keeping him in front of him which is really, really important".

"But it is the old Russian roulette thing. Do your half-backs sit back and mind that space and then give the Limerick half-forwards the chance to shoot from distance. I don't see that happening."

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