Iâve been saying that they should look at this for years.
People have said to me that it wouldnât make a difference, that making the ball too light would make it a complete lottery with the wind. And there may be an element to that, there is certainly a huge skill kicking the ball like Beggan or someone can, in any conditions.
But is it not worth a trial at least? The vast vast majority of our club team wouldnât kick a '45 with an OâNeills football but Iâd say a fair few of them would be able to with a soccer ball. At the very least, youâd be able to ping balls into the full-forward line from deeper even if shots would be a bit wayward.
Granted I was mostly focused on the seagull for the first 20 mins but it wasnât a bad auld game to be fair. Some great scores and a sensational finale with two kicks coming off the post, one at either end. Itâs probably suffering from being played only a week after the greatest hurling final of all time. If it was the 2008 or 2021 hurling final was played last week there wouldnât be half as much complaining.
Johnny Logan, John Treacy, and the 1980 hurling final laid the foundations for Ireland Inc. We lost everything before that, and expected to lose (granted I was in second class or something).
They showed us what was possible.
We stand on their shoulders.
The 6 starting inside forwards scored the grand total of one Shane Walsh point from play just after half time yesterday. The other 5 were held scoreless.
I enjoyed yesterdayâs game. I donât get the criticism of galways tactics or build up play. They were facing a ridiculous defence with everyone inside their 45, at least Galway on defence left two up. Galway worked more than enough scoring chances so their tactics were right. Really feel for Walsh.
Canât blame the teams for playing the way that will give the best chance of success. Iâve been saying reduce to 13 for years, I think it would also benefit smaller counties with less strong panels. Lighter ball would make loads of sense too. Two from outside the 45 also.
If think it would change the game completely, donât think itâs something that could be done overnight.
I wouldnât fancy kicking a 45 with a soccer ball
But then thereâs no comparison with a modern soccer ball and the mitre multiplex that I grew up with which was closer to an OâNeills
The very legitimate argument against 13 a-side a decade ago was that it would lead to the replacement of the more skillful and less athletic player with fellas who are marathon runners. Tactics mean that is what has happened anyway so Iâd say itâs worth a try at this stage, the benefit to smaller counties is an added bonus.
