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Hurling- what’s gone wrong and where do we go from here.

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 2,806 ✭✭✭Sunny Disposition


    Applying the rule on hurley size would obviously go a long way, but unfortunately the GAA probably won’t have the appetite for it.
    Maybe they might do it from the start of next year. It would fundamentally change the game from what we’ve seen over the last few years, there’s be more play around the middle of the field and balls dropping into the goalmouths. The ball would be in play more, wouldn’t be going dead as often.
    Strange as it sounds, implementing a rule that has existed for years would change the game dramatically. There’s be some who wouldn’t like it, especially as teams have to adapt, but it’d definitely be a good long term move.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    Enforcing the 13cm limit would be a massive change, I doubt any player has a hurley in line with those dimensions now, with major shortages in ash I'd imagine the GAA wouldn't be looking to enforce that for a long time to come. The handpass would be the quickest thing to implement. Another option would be to limit the amount of players in certain parts of the pitch, for example no more than 4 players from each side between the 65s, that would need an extra official though


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,145 ✭✭✭Rosita


    breezy1985 wrote: »
    But currently if what you are saying is such a good easy option why are we not seeing players pinned to the endline not just popping it over the side for a cut. You are completely overplaying how many players will put it over the end if a change is made the real number will be close to 0 and most players will still try play it out or hoof it

    How in name of God is this still an issue? Read my posts.

    I never said anything about how many times players playing the ball over the end line, never mind "overplaying" the amount they do it. That's your imagination.

    I simply said that the rationale for the 65 is because it is so easy for any defender to play the ball over the end line, therefore somebody in their wisdom years ago decided to award a free puck to the attacking team to disincentive this.

    Somebody said they couldn't see the logic of there being a 65 in the game and I simply pointed out that it is completely logical. If you read my posts you'd have seen that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,145 ✭✭✭Rosita


    Would there be that many 65's in a game that would make it worth while changing the '65 format? I wouldn't have thought changing it would make any big difference to anything really.
    .

    You are right. Galway-Waterford at the weekend had 57 scores and only one from a 65. Cork-Limerick had 54 scores and only three from a 65. It appears to be infrequent enough.

    Whether that's an decisive argument for not altering it is another matter of course.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,026 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    Rosita wrote: »
    How in name of God is this still an issue? Read my posts.

    I never said anything about how many times players playing the ball over the end line, never mind "overplaying" the amount they do it. That's your imagination.

    I simply said that the rationale for the 65 is because it is so easy for any defender to play the ball over the end line, therefore somebody in their wisdom years ago decided to award a free puck to the attacking team to disincentive this.

    Somebody said they couldn't see the logic of there being a 65 in the game and I simply pointed out that it is completely logical. If you read my posts you'd have seen that.

    "I simply said that the rationale for the 65 is because it is so easy for any defender to play the ball over the end line,"

    Its still an issue because this statement is wrong completely wrong. If it were true then sideline cuts would be happening all the time as a defensive measure


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,495 ✭✭✭✭bucketybuck


    I don't watch much hurling for a lot of the reasons mentioned here, the basketball scores, the apparent ease of taking scores from distance, the fawning and backslapping etc etc.

    But I watched a few minutes of the Limerick game at the weekend and must admit that the hand passing caught me by surprise. Not just the amount of it, but most of the time it looked like a throw rather than a pass, is that actually allowed in the rules or is it just not being enforced?


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,806 ✭✭✭Sunny Disposition


    Clareman wrote: »
    Enforcing the 13cm limit would be a massive change, I doubt any player has a hurley in line with those dimensions now, with major shortages in ash I'd imagine the GAA wouldn't be looking to enforce that for a long time to come. The handpass would be the quickest thing to implement. Another option would be to limit the amount of players in certain parts of the pitch, for example no more than 4 players from each side between the 65s, that would need an extra official though

    It couldn't be done overnight of course, but if they gave an amnesty until the beginning of 2023 or even 2024 it'd be plenty of time. Of course it's unlikely they'll have the gumption, realistically it's unlikely anything will be done unless the Sunday Game panellists start complaining about the flouting of the rule.

    It really is a big thing in the GAA at most levels, don't comply with rules if they don't suit, find a way around them, ignore them. The ignorant breaching of Covid regulations is a good example of this kind of thinking.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,145 ✭✭✭Rosita


    breezy1985 wrote: »
    "I simply said that the rationale for the 65 is because it is so easy for any defender to play the ball over the end line,"

    Its still an issue because this statement is wrong completely wrong. If it were true then sideline cuts would be happening all the time as a defensive measure


    That's fine. I'll certainly leave it at that anyway. If you think it is very difficult for a defender to hit the ball over their own endline I can't change your mind. Why the 65 was invented at all must baffle you.


  • Registered Users Posts: 246 ✭✭17togo


    This is a great post, if only two of the proposals were introduced; the size of the bas and the weight of the ball; hurling would be in a much better position.

    I went into early retirement from hurling in my home county around 01/02, moved to the big schmoke and made a much anticipated comeback to junior hurling in Dublin around 10 years later. I still had the hurley that I had in 01/02, I remember rocking up with it to my first training with the new club. It genuinely looked like a hockey stick compared to everyone else. It was crazy the dramatic change that had happened.
    Roll on the first match I played, the fella I was marking in his thick Dublin accent "what's the story with your hurl".... :-D :-D

    So it's probably the smallest change in the rules that could make the biggest difference I think!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,145 ✭✭✭Rosita


    I don't watch much hurling for a lot of the reasons mentioned here, the basketball scores, the apparent ease of taking scores from distance, the fawning and backslapping etc etc.

    But I watched a few minutes of the Limerick game at the weekend and must admit that the hand passing caught me by surprise. Not just the amount of it, but most of the time it looked like a throw rather than a pass, is that actually allowed in the rules or is it just not being enforced?

    Not being enforced. Also never mentioned in the analysis. To be fair to referees its probably difficult to pick up unless it's right in front of you, and there's also the knowledge that nearly every pass is illegal anyway so if you pick up on one you'll get all the whataboutery.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,026 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    Rosita wrote: »
    That's fine. I'll certainly leave it at that anyway. If you think it is very difficult for a defender to hit the ball over their own endline I can't change your mind. Why the 65 was invented at all must baffle you.

    Of course it is not physically hard for him to do it everyone knows that. But it would be a stupid thing to do and no one would so therefore you don't need a serious deterrent against it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,508 ✭✭✭✭ArmaniJeanss


    What would happen I wonder if the winning point in a high-profile tv game was scored with a 15cm hurl, and the losing manager then asked the referee to inspect the equipment? In many sports using illegal equipment would be grounds for a disqualification or at least a replay.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,495 ✭✭✭✭bucketybuck


    Rosita wrote: »
    To be fair to referees its probably difficult to pick up unless it's right in front of you, and there's also the knowledge that nearly every pass is illegal anyway so if you pick up on one you'll get all the whataboutery.

    I find that a little hard to believe, that they can't see it unless its right in front of them, in the ten or so minutes I was watching it seemed like balls were being thrown repeatedly, in every passage of play.

    If everybody is doing it then I can see how a ref might just start letting it go, but its surprising that it has been let get to this point.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 24,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭Clareman


    What would happen I wonder if the winning point in a high-profile tv game was scored with a 15cm hurl, and the losing manager then asked the referee to inspect the equipment? In many sports using illegal equipment would be grounds for a disqualification or at least a replay.

    Every hurley is over 13cm so all players wouldnt be able to play at all


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,145 ✭✭✭Rosita


    I find that a little hard to believe, that they can't see it unless its right in front of them, in the ten or so minutes I was watching it seemed like balls were being thrown repeatedly, in every passage of play.

    .


    I wouldn't find it hard to imagine that if a ball is pucked 50 metres from where a referee is and a player whose back is turned towards the ref and is maybe obscured by a few other players could be difficult to see if they throw the ball.

    If you actually find that hard to believe then you must assume that referees are simply not calling what they are seeing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,145 ✭✭✭Rosita


    What would happen I wonder if the winning point in a high-profile tv game was scored with a 15cm hurl, and the losing manager then asked the referee to inspect the equipment? In many sports using illegal equipment would be grounds for a disqualification or at least a replay.

    Problem there is that his own team would probably be illegal too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,246 ✭✭✭✭Dyr


    Clareman wrote: »
    Another option would be to limit the amount of players in certain parts of the pitch, for example no more than 4 players from each side between the 65s, that would need an extra official though

    Jesus no.

    Leave that zonal, situational nonsense to stuff like rugby, just create rules that force players utilise skill.


  • Registered Users Posts: 586 ✭✭✭Treble double


    Skehill says that the rims need to be increased as the ball is practically smooth, he says there are lads playing with bas's the size of frying pans, he didn't make a call for the regulation size in the rulebook to be enforced.
    Eddie Brennan interviewed then more or less agreed with Skehill, but again no call for regulation size to be enforced. Eddie reckons things will even themselves out, how he figures that I don't know. Eddie also thinks referees shouldn't enforce the rules to the letter to help the flow of the game.
    So you have a situation where a national game played at the highest level is played with equipment that doesn't comply with the regulated size set out in the rules of the game and also to have a good spectacle you are depending on the ref to not enforce the rules of the game fully.
    Hurling is not in a good place and the reluctance of so called pundits to call for rules on equipment size to be enforced is crazy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,532 ✭✭✭crossman47


    Rosita wrote: »
    If you actually find that hard to believe then you must assume that referees are simply not calling what they are seeing.

    They're not calling a throw unless they're sure. That's the problem. The rule calls for a clear striking action and that should be enforced. Anything else should be a free.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,806 ✭✭✭Sunny Disposition


    Skehill says that the rims need to be increased as the ball is practically smooth, he says there are lads playing with bas's the size of frying pans, he didn't make a call for the regulation size in the rulebook to be enforced.
    Eddie Brennan interviewed then more or less agreed with Skehill, but again no call for regulation size to be enforced. Eddie reckons things will even themselves out, how he figures that I don't know. Eddie also thinks referees shouldn't enforce the rules to the letter to help the flow of the game.
    So you have a situation where a national game played at the highest level is played with equipment that doesn't comply with the regulated size set out in the rules of the game and also to have a good spectacle you are depending on the ref to not enforce the rules of the game fully.
    Hurling is not in a good place and the reluctance of so called pundits to call for rules on equipment size to be enforced is crazy.


    Letting the game flow by not enforcing the rules has been a blight on the game for years, and is very typical of the lazy thinking in GAA punditry that it goes unremarked upon, despite endless talk about 'systems'.



    When there are fouls they have to be punished. If they are ignored the honest player is the one punished, those committing the fouls benefit at their expense.



    The tinkiring with the advantage rule over the last few years hasn't worked, but there are signs of progress this year. Very rarely is there an advantage to being allowed play on, especially now with the lighter ball. Almost the only time there will be an advantage is when there's a goal scoring chance, and even then play needs to be brought back if a score doesn't result.


    It's been a huge issue for the last few years, when marginal benefits resulted to a team playing on due to an advantage being given, refs never brought back the play even though there's a greater advantage to having a free. It's crazy, but it somehow became common because of 'letting the game flow'.



    I hope some pundit does call for the rule on the bas to be enforced, it's an opportunity for someone to make a name for themselves. Sure, it'll change the game and upset some big names, but it's definitely in the interests of hurling.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,495 ✭✭✭✭bucketybuck


    Rosita wrote: »
    If you actually find that hard to believe then you must assume that referees are simply not calling what they are seeing.

    Why wouldn't I assume that, it already seems very clear that they are not enforcing all of the rules. Whats one more.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Rosita wrote: »
    Problem there is that his own team would probably be illegal too.

    But could a team or County Board object to a result, in principle I mean? Say a county which had no chance against a superior opponent. Came equipped with legitimate 13cm bas hurls, proceeded to knock about prematch, and brought to officials/opponents attention. Stir the pot at least, I'm sure no chance of happening. But it is a simply staggering anomaly - I have to say I wasn't aware of the level of the disregard of very clear regulations.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,877 ✭✭✭Pogue eile


    When was the rule re 13cm actually passed does anyone know?

    What ever about enforcing it, there is no way that they will enforce it at 13cm, I don't think people realise how small that is in the modern game.

    If they ever decide to tackle it, the first thing they will do is to amend the rule.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,932 ✭✭✭leath_dub


    Pogue eile wrote: »
    When was the rule re 13cm actually passed does anyone know?

    What ever about enforcing it, there is no way that they will enforce it at 13cm, I don't think people realise how small that is in the modern game.

    If they ever decide to tackle it, the first thing they will do is to amend the rule.

    I think the Cork team of the early 2000s were the first team to use the enlarged bas hurleys. That team had Ben and Jerry O'Connor playing and I believe it was the O'Connor hurleys (O'Connor brand of hurley, that is) that were first to feature an enlarged bas (it had a heavy wedge arrangement at the back). Prior to that I believe most outfield hurleys would have passed the 13 cm test.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,351 ✭✭✭Rasputin11


    The keeper should be made use the ball that's in use, unless it's not retrievable. The ultra quick puck out only encourages more loose hurling.


  • Registered Users Posts: 511 ✭✭✭Davys Fits


    leath_dub wrote: »
    I think the Cork team of the early 2000s were the first team to use the enlarged bas hurleys. That team had Ben and Jerry O'Connor playing and I believe it was the O'Connor hurleys (O'Connor brand of hurley, that is) that were first to feature an enlarged bas (it had a heavy wedge arrangement at the back). Prior to that I believe most outfield hurleys would have passed the 13 cm test.

    I think you will have to go back much further maybe to the 80's to find a bas of 13cm in an adults hurley. It sure is small. A Childs Hurley hardly makes the grade. As someone else said the 13cm would need to be changed first as theres no way modern day hurlers will go back to it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 586 ✭✭✭Treble double


    Davys Fits wrote: »
    I think you will have to go back much further maybe to the 80's to find a bas of 13cm in an adults hurley. It sure is small. A Childs Hurley hardly makes the grade. As someone else said the 13cm would need to be changed first as theres no way modern day hurlers will go back to it.

    Well if a modern hurler put a regulation sized sliothar by the rules of the game over the bar with a hurl with a regulation size bas by the rules of the game, from 65 metres out... Marty Morrissey would be well within in his rights to declare "Holy Moses"
    It's hard to be impressed by any scores from distance now as they are ten a penny.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,932 ✭✭✭leath_dub


    Davys Fits wrote: »
    I think you will have to go back much further maybe to the 80's to find a bas of 13cm in an adults hurley. It sure is small. A Childs Hurley hardly makes the grade. As someone else said the 13cm would need to be changed first as theres no way modern day hurlers will go back to it.

    This discussion seems to be gaining currency.. James Skehill,Eddie Brennan and Henry Sheflin discussing it on podcasts today. Sean Moran discussing the rules re. hurling equipment also:

    https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/se%C3%A1n-moran-enforcing-equipment-rules-a-good-starting-point-in-hurling-blitzkrieg-1.4587851?mode=amp


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,070 ✭✭✭purplepanda


    RTE article on Hurl sizes from a few years back. https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0815/1069043-hurling-bas/

    A friend of mine from Kilkenny stock has his Dad's ould Hurl from back in the day, the son was born 1943 so I assume the stick is from the '30's to 40's period. He used to laugh about the difference in size compared to the late '90's hurls that I still have from my playing days! :D

    My late '90's hurls are 140 / 150cm wide at the Bas, the goalies one is 185cm.

    His Dad's old Hurl is exactly the same type as the KK 1930's team in this Pathe clip.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN1EhHrncNc

    Those ould Hurls actually look more like Shinty sticks to me!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,932 ✭✭✭leath_dub


    Davys Fits wrote: »
    I think you will have to go back much further maybe to the 80's to find a bas of 13cm in an adults hurley. It sure is small. A Childs Hurley hardly makes the grade. As someone else said the 13cm would need to be changed first as theres no way modern day hurlers will go back to it.


    EA-HKZfWkAI1rI3.jpg


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,806 ✭✭✭Sunny Disposition


    Just read something on RTÉ.ie with Shefflin talking about the ball. But surely the size of the bas is an elephant in the room. If the rules are clearly being broken and it is a big factor in the destruction of the game surely it should be called out by the pundits?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,877 ✭✭✭Pogue eile


    Just read something on RTÉ.ie with Shefflin talking about the ball. But surely the size of the bas is an elephant in the room. If the rules are clearly being broken and it is a big factor in the destruction of the game surely it should be called out by the pundits?

    That is only your personal opinion.

    I think you are being a little over dramatic here, but again that is just my personal opinion.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,026 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    leath_dub wrote: »
    EA-HKZfWkAI1rI3.jpg

    That picture is a tiny bit misleading given the way the hurleys are lined up but it's still a big leap. Now that it has become a topic hopefully the rule is looked at and a new limit set. 13cm is a little drastic but maybe a few cm above that with proper enforcement


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 58 ✭✭Torcaill


    What would happen I wonder if the winning point in a high-profile tv game was scored with a 15cm hurl, and the losing manager then asked the referee to inspect the equipment? In many sports using illegal equipment would be grounds for a disqualification or at least a replay.

    It is not the role of the referee to measure the size of the hurl. You can hardly expect him to have a measuring tape in his back pocket either!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,026 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    Torcaill wrote: »
    It is not the role of the referee to measure the size of the hurl. You can hardly expect him to have a measuring tape in his back pocket either!

    Have a yoke like the Ryanair bag checker at the entrance to the pitch :)


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  • Registered Users Posts: 53 ✭✭somespud


    Sports gear/equipment is always developing, its in every sport. Should the composite hurley be banned because its claim that it can strike the sloitar further, do we get to a situation where it would be like Ryanair with a gadget on the side of the pitch that a hurley would have to pass through, sloitars, goalkeeper hurleys, helmets, gps trackers?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,246 ✭✭✭✭Dyr


    somespud wrote: »
    Sports gear/equipment is always developing, its in every sport. Should the composite hurley be banned because its claim that it can strike the sloitar further, do we get to a situation where it would be like Ryanair with a gadget on the side of the pitch that a hurley would have to pass through, sloitars, goalkeeper hurleys, helmets, gps trackers?

    Sports equipment nearly always has specifications laid down in the rules, this is the case in hurling and its been ignored. All you need to do is enforce the rules.

    With a ruler. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,026 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    somespud wrote: »
    Sports gear/equipment is always developing, its in every sport. Should the composite hurley be banned because its claim that it can strike the sloitar further, do we get to a situation where it would be like Ryanair with a gadget on the side of the pitch that a hurley would have to pass through, sloitars, goalkeeper hurleys, helmets, gps trackers?

    Most sports that involve equipment do have regulations though. Cycling has a ton involving both the bike and clothing. A lot of it came in in the 90s where it got to the point that bikes didn't look like bikes anymore. Swimming and tennis both have uniform regulations and I'm sure but not 100% that most racket or stick games have regulations too.

    As for material I have never used a composite Hurley but my school had those fibreglass ones and they were way more dangerous when you got a smack of one so some limitations should apply


  • Registered Users Posts: 53 ✭✭somespud


    Yes agree within regulation, but it still doesn't stop development that makes equipment better, what I'm saying is that in 10 years time we could have the same conversation, players develop, equipment develops, sports science develops, what will and is happening is that teams and tactics will start to emerge to counteract the opposition (within the rules) and thus prevent some of these long range points.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,806 ✭✭✭Sunny Disposition


    Torcaill wrote: »
    It is not the role of the referee to measure the size of the hurl. You can hardly expect him to have a measuring tape in his back pocket either!

    I think that'd be less difficult than it seems. At every level of soccer your studs get checked. Boxers have their gloves inspected by referee and opposition corner men. The hurling refs would make a call on anything dodgy and if there's a dispute then measure the hurley. The problem would go away quickly if everyone knew it couldn't be got around.
    It's a real GAA thing, maybe an Irish thing, try and get around rules rather than do your best within them.
    The GAA's attitude to regulation is typical of the Irish approach too, there's generally an attitude of letting things go until there's a lot of complaints and there's an issue. Internally in the Gardai things like quashing penalty points were tolerated for years, the financial regulator largely let financial institutions regulate themselves. The Irish Data Commissioner which was a Watchdog for Facebook and Google was in a tiny office next to a Centra, reflecting its status.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,151 ✭✭✭Lost Ormond


    What would happen I wonder if the winning point in a high-profile tv game was scored with a 15cm hurl, and the losing manager then asked the referee to inspect the equipment? In many sports using illegal equipment would be grounds for a disqualification or at least a replay.

    Well it couldnt happen retrospectively....
    Bambi wrote: »
    Jesus no.

    Leave that zonal, situational nonsense to stuff like rugby, just create rules that force players utilise skill.

    Why the dig at rugby. bit unnecessary....
    I think that'd be less difficult than it seems. At every level of soccer your studs get checked. Boxers have their gloves inspected by referee and opposition corner men. The hurling refs would make a call on anything dodgy and if there's a dispute then measure the hurley. The problem would go away quickly if everyone knew it couldn't be got around.
    It's a real GAA thing, maybe an Irish thing, try and get around rules rather than do your best within them.
    The GAA's attitude to regulation is typical of the Irish approach too, there's generally an attitude of letting things go until there's a lot of complaints and there's an issue. Internally in the Gardai things like quashing penalty points were tolerated for years, the financial regulator largely let financial institutions regulate themselves. The Irish Data Commissioner which was a Watchdog for Facebook and Google was in a tiny office next to a Centra, reflecting its status.
    Yeah its not difficult at all. In rugby and soccer as you say every players studs are checked. If too long, a stud is missing then they need to get different studs or different boots in order to play.
    this is where umpires, linesmen come in as well and they help ensure during the game that these rules are maintained.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,806 ✭✭✭Sunny Disposition


    somespud wrote: »
    Yes agree within regulation, but it still doesn't stop development that makes equipment better, what I'm saying is that in 10 years time we could have the same conversation, players develop, equipment develops, sports science develops, what will and is happening is that teams and tactics will start to emerge to counteract the opposition (within the rules) and thus prevent some of these long range points.

    Sure, equipment and and preparation is always improving, but rules and enforcement has to move on too. It happens in other sports as well, boxing had to go from 15 rounds to 12, tennis had to change the ball, golf changed the regulations around the broomhandle putter, soccer changed the offside and backpass rules.

    As it stands now there is an almost total non compliance with the regulation on the size of the hurley bas, and that coupled with the current ball has changed the game quite dramatically. Some adjustment is required from the GAA to deal with this.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,806 ✭✭✭Sunny Disposition


    Well it couldnt happen retrospectively....


    Why the dig at rugby. bit unnecessary....


    Yeah its not difficult at all. In rugby and soccer as you say every players studs are checked. If too long, a stud is missing then they need to get different studs or different boots in order to play.
    this is where umpires, linesmen come in as well and they help ensure during the game that these rules are maintained.

    It wouldn't be difficult, but it would be very disruptive if done overnight. But the GAA should get in front of it and give a date from when enforcement will start.
    Football has improved quite a lot as a game over the last couple of years, and a big part of that has been the changes in rules. Hopefully hurling can follow.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,508 ✭✭✭✭ArmaniJeanss


    Torcaill wrote: »
    It is not the role of the referee to measure the size of the hurl. You can hardly expect him to have a measuring tape in his back pocket either!

    Well, as I understand it, it is the referee's role to check quite a lot of the equipment - they should be checking for things like correct nets & pitch markings before the game. Helmets are now compulsory (they weren't in my day) so I wonder if this is in the remit of the referee as well? Do they check players studs (maybe that was just a soccer ref thing that I'm remembering). I'm just establishing here that there are precedents for them checking similar things.

    You say its not the role of the ref to measure the hurl - is this a specific exclusion in the rules or do you just mean it's become accepted that it's something that the referee doesn't bother it? Subtle difference there really.

    As for the ref not being expected to carry a measuring tape. Well in fairness it would hardly be onerous to add it to the pens, notebook, cards, watches & whistle that they already bring.

    Maybe some All-Ireland final referee will take the bull by the horns and go into both dressing rooms pre-match confiscating non-compliant hurls. Would be quite fun.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,246 ✭✭✭✭Dyr


    Well it couldnt happen retrospectively....


    Why the dig at rugby. bit unnecessary....

    Because there is little to no skill involved in throwing a ball to each other and thus Rugby had to come up with situational and positional rules to try make the game in some way meanginful. Not a road hurling should go down. The rules should promote the skill, tossing a sliotar to the hand is not where the skill is.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,877 ✭✭✭Pogue eile


    Bambi wrote: »
    Because there is little to no skill involved in throwing a ball to each other and thus Rugby had to come up with situational and positional rules to try make the game in some way meanginful. Not a road hurling should go down. The rules should promote the skill, tossing a sliotar to the hand is not where the skill is.

    Plenty of skill in a well executed and well timed hand pass - Noel McGraths no look over the shoulder hand pass to Lar Corbett in the 2010 final is still one of the finest things I have ever seen on a hurling field. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,246 ✭✭✭✭Dyr


    Pogue eile wrote: »
    Plenty of skill in a well executed and well timed hand pass - Noel McGraths no look over the shoulder hand pass to Lar Corbett in the 2010 final is still one of the finest things I have ever seen on a hurling field. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water!

    And where was the skill? McGrath handpassing it over the shoulder or Lar just catching it? This rule change wouldn't have stopped that sweet handpass.

    Don't mistake bathwater for babies :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,993 ✭✭✭randd1


    Pogue eile wrote: »
    Plenty of skill in a well executed and well timed hand pass - Noel McGraths no look over the shoulder hand pass to Lar Corbett in the 2010 final is still one of the finest things I have ever seen on a hurling field. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water!
    When the handpass comes from the ball released from the hand, ban the team-mate from catching it.


    So basically;
    - When the ball is released from hand and passed (or more often thrown these days), the ball has to either hit the ground or be controlled on the hurl before a team-mate takes into his hand
    - A direct first time hand pass can be caught by a team-mate
    - A first time hand pass where the ball is taken off the hurl can be caught by a team-mate


    Doesn't remove the hand pass released from the hand or its uses, just the ability of a team-mate to catch it. Can help cut down on the thrown pass which is everywhere in the sport, and hopefully create a more open game-play.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,026 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    I don't know why so many people hate the hand pass. I love watching how teams move the ball about now


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,877 ✭✭✭Pogue eile


    Bambi wrote: »
    And where was the skill? McGrath handpassing it over the shoulder or Lar just catching it? This rule change wouldn't have stopped that sweet handpass.

    Don't mistake bathwater for babies :)

    What rule change are we talking about here?


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