Penalty shoot-outs in the GAA: High drama or awful end?

Connacht will be the first GAA province to try a 'golden score' mechanism over a penalty shoot-out in January's pre-season Leagues. With Championship games finishing on the day in 2022, many will be eyeing up alternatives to spot-kicks

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE: Mayo's Jason Doherty beats Leitrim keeper Diarmuid McKiernan in a penalty shoot-out in the 2019 Connacht FBD League in Carrick-on-Shannon. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

At the end of November, neighbours Clarinbridge and Oranmore-Maree met in the Galway Minor A hurling final in Pearse Stadium, an epic contest that was eventually decided after a penalty shoot-out.

Level after extra time, both clubs favoured a replay, but the county board had ruled that the match must be finished on the day. When the teams still couldn’t be separated after five penalties each, both sets of supporters chanted for a replay in a clear signal of discontent at what was unfolding.