Carter: Vanishing spray will solve penalty row

Former Kilkenny star Charlie Carter believes invisible spray, like that used at the World Cup, could provide the solution for hurling’s penalty difficulties.

The two-time All-Ireland winner was in Croke Park on Sunday where he saw Seamus Callanan and John O’Dwyer’s penalties saved by Eoin Murphy.

The Tipperary pair had to strike the ball on or before the 20 metre line as part of a rule interpretation, which is widely agreed to be unfair to the attacking team.

“The Anthony Nash style is not acceptable but what I would propose is keep the three players on the goal-line but allow the penalty taker to come in two or three metres more,” said Carter.

“Reducing the distance to 17 or 18m would tip the balance in the penalty taker’s favour.

“There’s currently no mark on the pitch for it but if they wanted to avoid painting another line they could use the invisible spray to ensure the 17 or 18m is kept between him and the goal-line.”

The penalty conversion rate has dropped since Patrick Horgan and Joe Canning scored in June, shortly after the interpretation came into force. “They are two of the best strikers of the ball in the country,” said Carter. “Joe was lucky with his and Pat has a swerve on his that would take 15 years of practice to get right. The same fella playing junior hurling in Kilkenny or Tipperary can’t do that but the same rule applies to him. The way it’s going at the moment, more and more penalties will be slapped over the bar. Any goalie worth his salt is going to save a 20m shot.”