Tyrrell: Stop tinkering with hurling

ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 1A:

His manager has publicly supported Eddie Keher’s paper calling for a return to tickings and sendings off.

But the Kilkenny defender believes the game can be served well by the existing system with more of a common sense approach being adopted.

“My view is so much has been documented that it should be left alone for a while. I don’t think there’s a whole lot wrong with our game.

“Last year Pa Horgan’s sending off was a bit harsh, Henry [Shefflin]’s was but everyone makes mistakes in every walk of life. We make mistakes when we go out hurling. Referees are only human and they’re entitled to make mistakes as well. I don’t know — are we looking for the perfect game that doesn’t exist?”

Tyrrell, though, appreciates there is room for improvement in the sport. He is also aware of the hurling forum as proposed by GAA president Liam O’Neill, and would like to see a decent proportion of recently-retired inter-county players represented in it.

“If they’re making any changes or motions maybe get a group of ex-hurlers just out of the game with good common sense who know the way the game should be played.

“The likes of Brendan Cummins just out of the game, Ken McGrath, Eddie Brennan... get them all around the table and bounce any ideas off them. Once common sense prevails and the game is kept in a healthy state I think that’s the best way to go forward.”

Tyrrell, 31, doesn’t believe he has had to change his game to any great extent of late, but claims there has been a change in how referees operate.

“Yellow cards are being brandished for a lot less now and there’s a lot more focus on the referees when it’s not totally their fault because they are being issued with instructions.

“You have to be a bit more careful and maybe there is a small bit of holding back. Once they don’t take the physicality out of hurling because that’s one of the main attributes that attracts people to the game.

“You just have to be a bit more flexible and not lunge in. It’s probably reducing the margin of risk within challenges.”

The new structure of the league, providing the top four teams with quarter-final spots, affords managers a little more room to experiment.

Another victory for Kilkenny — they face Dublin in Parnell Park tomorrow night — and they will be in the knockout stages having started an impressive 25 players over their first three games.

Tyrrell started his first league game in the win over Galway last weekend, coming on as a substitute against Clare in the opener. Competition for spots has always been high but Cody has raised the bar this season.

“In previous leagues, you were probably looking at the core of 10 guys that were playing nearly in all the games. Now there’s such a changeover and it’s a lot more different but that’s just the way it is. There’s a lot more young lads and it’s brought a freshness to it so you just have to be patient, wait for your chance and when you get it, just take it.

“You just don’t know if you’re going to be involved as a sub or playing. Every hurler just wants to go out and play but that’s not feasible. I’m enjoying the training and being part of the Kilkenny panel for 2014. We’d all love to be playing more but you know if you take the chance when it comes you will be playing more and that’s your own responsibility.

“The younger lads getting games, they’ve impressed and hurled very well. It’s good for building the spirit within the panel and the more they improve the stronger the panel gets.”

- Jackie Tyrrell was yesterday promoting M&M's Mrs Green who is asking during her tour of Ireland for people to take their best selfie photo, post it at Facebook.com/mmsireland, and prove they are related to her to be in with a chance of winning €5,000!