Kieran Shannon: Penalty shootouts do not suit football and hurling. Here's a better idea

It makes sense for most GAA games to be decided on the day. Just not by penalties.

Penalty shootouts suit a low-scoring game like soccer but not high scoring ones like Gaelic football and hurling. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

There is a reason why the biggest sport in the world has chosen penalties as a tiebreaker: it’s one guaranteed way that someone scores the decisive goal. Any goal.

The first shootout I can remember watching was the 1980 European Cup Winners Cup final. Two glamorous teams – Arsenal and Valencia – featuring glamorous big-name players – Kempes and Brady. The game was dreadful, so much so the mediocrity extended to the penalty shootout and Kempes and Brady.