Fogarty Forum: Kerry may lack ‘badness’ to win

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor will be concerned by the lack of cuteness possessed by his talented panel. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Tue, 01 Feb, 2022 - 07:00

John Fogarty is the Irish Examiner’s GAA correspondent, with unique insights into the action on the pitch and in the Gaelic games’ corridors of power.

Seven years ago, Croke Park via Central Council outlined why they did not wish to see the clock/hooter introduced to Gaelic football and hurling. Despite being voted in at Congress, trials at third level in 2014 and ‘15 provided GAA officials with enough ammunition to down the proposal.

“Fouling down the clock” was cited as one reason — "Teams literally fouled constantly in the closing minutes until the hooter sounded to protect a lead. The time taken to book or caution players in such circumstances eats further into the time available.” “Negative possession” in football was another — “This did not make for entertaining viewing and led, in some of the games, to games literally petering out, even when on occasion there was very little between the teams on the scoreboard.”