Weekend talking points: Hurling ‘rucks’ must be addressed

A headache for hurling referees

Yesterday in Nowlan Park referee Fergal Horgan allowed the traditional few seconds to let play develop over a ball spilled onto the ground, but the trend now seems to be to flood the area with players from all directions, all but preventing anyone from rising the ball.

There’s an inherent danger here in that the later arrivals to the scene tend to announce their coming by leading with a hip, potentially dangerous to someone bent at the waist and rooting for a ball.