Free-taking under the microscope

The importance of free-taking cannot be overstated.

Just 19 minutes into last year’s first Leinster semi-final game between Dublin and Kilkenny, Anthony Daly hauled off his favoured marksman Paul Ryan.

Two months previous, the forward was the difference in the county’s Division 1B final win over Limerick, scoring 1-7 from placed balls. But having converted just one of three frees and missing a 65 despite the aid of a strong Portlaoise breeze, he was called ashore and free-taking duties were reassigned to Joey Boland.