Brian Hogan doesn't believe that tactics are the be-all and end-all in modern day hurling.

Skill and hard work are the foundations on which success is built argues the Cats legend in his column on gaa.ie

"Tactics aren't a new phenomenon - they've been around in some form or other for a number of years - but they certainly became more prevalent with the success of the Cork team in 2004 and '05.

"Their new, running, short-passing game ignited much debate back then, even among their own fans.

"Perhaps the emphasis on tactics during these years was driven from an effort to try and break Kilkenny's run of success."

The former All-Ireland winning captain continued: "Some people will have you believe that matches are now decided by the team with the best tactics.

"That drawing a parallelogram on a screen to highlight the space created in the corner of a pitch implies that this is the source for one team's success over another.

"While I'll be the first to admit that space is a defender's enemy and we strive to limit it, it's also true to say the space never scored a goal."

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