Anthony Daly: If we have to have penalties there might be a better way

While you may not agree with penalties, nobody can deny the drama and excitement they bring.

Blackrock players Kevin O'Keeffe and Cathal Cormack putting pressure on Seamus Harnedy, Imokilly in their Co-Op Superstores Premier SHC match at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork. Pic: Dan Linehan

As I was walking out of Cusack Park yesterday evening after the Inagh-Kilnamona versus Sixmilebridge Clare semi-final, I got talking to my great friend and former Clare team-mate, Jim McInerney, about the compelling drama that had just unfolded. It was an enthralling afternoon’s entertainment but Jim wanted more of it – just not yesterday evening, but next week.

Jim, like many people in the GAA, just doesn’t like penalties. I’d agree with him but only to a point. Cusack Park doesn’t have floodlights. If it had, maybe a replay on Wednesday night would be a fairer proposition. On the other hand, Jason and Aidan McCarthy are due to play a senior football football semi-final with Kilmurry-Ibrickane against Cratloe next Saturday, with a handful more of their team-mates involved with Ennistymon in the other semi-final against Éire Óg on Sunday.