Ref rules the roost in Galway victory

A HIGH-SCORING Allianz Hurling League opener in fine conditions yesterday, and a debut to remember for Clare free-taker Mark Flaherty who finished with an impressive 3-8.

But the major talking-point afterwards wasn’t about the hurling. Nearly 40 frees, eight yellow cards, three red cards (one straight red), three penalties — sounds like we witnessed a civil war between these two neighbouring counties when in fact there wasn’t a single incident of real venom.

Yet that was the sum of the damage done by the new, more strict enforcement of the rules as applied by referee, Seamus Roche.