How hurling’s reality outruns its rulebook

Tony Kelly was rightly lauded for a magical and pivotal moment in the championship decider -- but it's clear it should have been a free out to Cork. 

MASTER AT WORK: Clare's Tony Kelly dances through the Cork defence in last month's All-Ireland SHC final. Pic: John Sheridan/Sportsfile

To mark his most deserved hurler of the month award for July, the GAA on Thursday posted on their social media platforms a slow-motion video of Tony Kelly’s gorgeous goal in last month’s All-Ireland final.

“There are moments in sport that bring time grinding to a halt, that bring us back to the very second we fell in love with the game,” gushed the accompanying message on the GAA’s Twitter/X channel. “PwC GAA/GPA HOTM on the biggest canvas of all weaving his way through the red lines, flicking to the guarded net – Tony Kelly.”