Hurling and Football scoring systems

strassenwolf

(I did search for a previous thread on this topic but could not find one. If one exists, my apologies to the regular readers of this forum).

I am curious to know why the GAA - and the media - retain their unusual method of keeping score in football and hurling matches (i.e. 3-14 to 2-12). Surely it would be much simpler to record scores as the overall total (23-18).

I have always found the current system quite annoying, particularly when trying to assimilate the results of a number of matches (e.g. when listening to results on the radio or TV).

Even to work out the results of one particular match actually requires the following mental calculations: a multiplication (to find the number of points resulting from goals for team A), an addition (to find the total score for team A), a multiplication (to find the number of points resulting from goals for team , an addition (to find the total score for team , and finally a subtraction.

All good for one's mental arithmetic, of course, but surely a system where the points total is reported, which would only require a simple subtraction, would be easier? Particularly when people are attempting to figure out the results of several matches.

Obviously, this is the tradition, but not, I think, a very useful one.

For example, if team A are playing team B in an All-Ireland quarter-final, and the result is 3-12 to 1-20, I fail to see the advantage of reporting this in this way.

21-23 would be much clearer.

In this case, team A will have scored more goals. Whoop-de-doo. But they ain't going to be scoring any more Championship goals until next year.

So, what is the benefit?

copacetic

the benefit is you know how many goals and points have been scored. Most people can work out the total without even thinking about it.

You'll also find the results won't be reported the way you have said. The winning team comes first, not the home team, this is how the tv scores are shown too.

strassenwolf

the benefit is you know how many goals and points have been scored.

Why does this matter? Surely it's the overall total that's the really important thing. The Australian rules system, for example, puts the emphasis on this feature, rather than the minor details. I find it much clearer.

Most people can work out the total without even thinking about it.

I see! I obviously need to brush up my mental arithmetic.:)

You'll also find the results won't be reported the way you have said. The winning team comes first, not the home team, this is how the tv scores are shown too.

I see from this (for example):
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0713/1224250545424.html

that that is the case. Has that always been the case? It never dawned on me.:o:D

copacetic

strassenwolf wrote: »

Why does this matter? Surely it's the overall total that's the really important thing. The Australian rules system, for example, puts the emphasis on this feature, rather than the minor details. I find it much clearer.

I certainly think it's important, it's a very different game that finished 3-12 to 1-16 than one that was 0-21 - 0-19.

Knowing the goals scored (and the times of them also) tells you a lot about the game. It's only an issue at all in high scoring hurling game imo and usually the tv company will display a total underneath if it seems like a difficult one.

yahoo_moe

I'd value knowing how many goals a match had too - as was said, it gives a more complete view of how the game panned out.

Not a big issue really, I think you're overthinking it with all that '4 calculations' stuff.

Also, Aussie Rules is quite different in that you can safely assume the majority of points came from goals rather than behinds, whereas you could easily get a half-and-half split in GAA with a score of 3-9 or 4-12 or whatever.

strassenwolf

I'd like to try and regain some credence by pointing out the way that results are reported on the GAA website. It is as follows, for the first round of the football qualifiers:

The GAA wrote:

2 30 PM Wexford Park Wexford 2-11 0-16 Offaly
7 00 PM Ballybofey Donegal 2-13 1-6 Carlow
7 00 PM Clones Monaghan 0-13 0-12 Armagh
7 00 PM Páirc Tailteann Meath 1-20 0-8 Waterford
7 00 PM Aughrim Wicklow 0-17 1-11 Fermanagh
7 00 PM Drogheda Louth 1-12 2-10 Tipperary
7 00 PM Páirc Esler, Newry Down 1-16 1-7 London
7 00 PM Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada Leitrim 0-10 0-13 Longford

http://www.gaa.ie/page/gaa_football_all_ireland_senior_championship4.html

The newspapers do now appear to have a different approach, but - next weekend awaits:) - I think the above format (home team, home score, away score, away team) is the one favoured on TV and radio reporting of results.

Take, for example, a Wicklow fan who was not at the game in Aughrim, for whatever reason. He or She would be very hard-pressed to assimilate all the above information, if it is presented in such a fashion on the radio or TV.

i.e. Did Wicklow win, and who are the potential opponents in the next round of the qualifiers?

The simple thing would seem to be to present the points total for each side. Ther purists can then decide, when they read the papers, whether it was a good game or not.

OK, maybe Australian Rules wasn't the best analogy to use. Rugby might be a better one.

It is always reported as follows (for example): Team A 21-24 Team B.

Team B won. That is the main thing.

It might have been 3 converted tries to 3 converted tries and a drop goal.

Or it might have been 7 penalties to 8 penalties.

Two quite different games.

But in both cases team B won.

Which is what most listeners to the results are interested in: Who won?

I think the way the score is presented is fine but am I the only one who finds it very very annoying when watching on tv the way they switch around the order of the teams so that the leading team is always written first or the team equalize.

It should be the home team first always if a team is at home and if its neutral they should pick the order and stick with it.