‘How on earth is lifting the ball striking?’
They are not interested in either the striker lifting the ball numerous yards closer to the goal nor the goalkeeper or his defenders running towards the ball.
Yet that’s exactly what we have now after Sunday’s game. Stephen O’Keeffe has set a precedent for the remainder of the season, and don’t think it will stop with penalties. Frees are there to be attacked too.
I’ve no real agreement or disagreement with what’s happening other than the fact there are no clear guidelines. It seems that what Croke Park is saying is once the ball touches the tip of the hurley, it means it’s struck. That’s news to me and I would hazard a guess and say it’s news to the wider hurling population too.
The interpretation is bound to add to a lot of confusion over the next few weeks. I’ve spoken to a few hurling referees and they’ve heard nothing about this.
Just think of how many articles have already been written about the Anthony Nash style of penalty and free taking. There’s going to be a hell of a lot more now.
I was at the Lory Meagher Cup final on Saturday, and the referee James Clarke from Cavan moved in a 21-metre free to the 20m line when the Fermanagh players on the line moved forward before they were permitted. It was the first time I’ve ever since it done but does that contradict what happened the following day in Thurles? We’re all at a loss to know now.
Rule 2.5 (b) states that the ball may be struck with a lift of the ball via a hurley and a strike or a strike of the ball on the ground. Rule 4.16 (b) points out none of the three players on the goal-line can move before the ball is struck. Again, how on earth is lifting the ball striking the ball? The other controversy over the weekend was in Armagh where I strongly feel the players — not the county boards — should be punished for the ugly scenes.
Fines have been given out to counties time and time again but they act as no deterrent to players and managers, who are all responsible for their actions.
No chairman, PRO or supporter caused what happened before the parade and if the GAA are serious about it, they should propose bans.
From my time refereeing, it was fair to say the best province to go to was Ulster. It still is, because everything is so organised on matchday. They have teams that go around to each game ensuring that everything goes like clockwork.
Simple but essential things like knocking on the doors of dressing rooms to alert teams of their entry time onto the pitch was done by them.
They have no case to answer for Sunday nor do the two county boards. It’s down to the players and their respective management.
