An own-goal for GAA?

The GAA’s proposed plan to change 20 metre frees is deliberately to curtail Anthony Nash’s goal-scoring.

The striking distance from the goal line, health and safety, etc, are cited as the reasons. Yet the greatest hurler of all, Christy Ring, set the pattern. Ring perfected his 21-yard striking in pre-penalty days, when seven or more hurlers lined the goal. Christy invariably scored and nobody got hurt.

Surely, the simplest solution is to move the ball back a yard or so, before the player takes the free. Then, let him raise the ball, lunge forward and strike when he reaches the 20m spot. No need to emasculate the great game of hurling.