An Cumann Luthchleas Gael - Alive and Well I think all the superlatives (and perhaps some expletives!) have been used in summing up the events when Dublin and Tyrone opened the 2009 National Football League season and the GAA threw us a party at headquarters. It must be said that all the parties involved deserve a massive clap on the back for their part in bringing such a wonderful spectacle to those of us lucky enough to be present and to all those viewing afar. From start to finish it proved to be a marvellous advertisement for Cumann Luthchleas Gael with everything apparently running like clockwork and both teams chipping in with an exciting, sporting game of football. I have to admit that I was originally concerned about the 500,000 outlay for fireworks and wondered if our 125th anniversary celebrations could justify such expenditure. I needn't have worried. The extra 5 paid at the turnstiles will cover most of the celebration costs yet however the finances were generated I believe it was money well spent. The celebrations were befitting the importance of the occasion and those in attendance will certainly remember the event. The younger gaels, boys and girls, will have experienced the 'wow' factor and will have left Croke Park with a very positive impression of the GAA. The middle-age group will have left the stadium reminiscing on the game and bragging to those at home of the wonderful night they had just missed. The older gaels, the diehards of the GAA, the stalwarts of leaner times, will have sat snug and proud on their journey home that night and pondered with some amazement just how far this organisation has progressed. Congratulations to all responsible. A special mention for all the stewards who carried out their duties so professionally on the night. We can so easily take them for granted and forget at times just how important their role is in ensuring our enjoyment and safety. The euphoria generated among the Tyrone supporters was surely tempered by Sunday evening when the other league results started coming in. The impressive wins by Ulster teams alone was enough to make people realise that securing an Ulster title was alone going to be very difficult never mind winning back-to-back All-Irelands. Monaghan scored 2-12 in their victory over Fermanagh, Down scored 0-18 beating Tipperary, Derry secured difficult points in Mayo scoring 1-9 while Armagh rattled up 4-16 in Wexford Park! Throw into the mix impressive performances by Kerry, Cork and Galway (who scored 5-38 between them) and acknowledge the fine performance by Dublin and you can see why Tyrone followers may well have been a little more subdued on Sunday evening. The new rules that have been introduced for the league have so far been a success. How much they will have contributed to the enhanced scorelines of last weekend remains to be seen but they did seem to complement the open, exciting game on Saturday night. It must be said though that the rules were interpreted and implemented well by Martin Duffy who had an excellent game and kept things flowing sweetly. As history has proven, it is not necessarily the rules currently in the book that can shape the pattern of a game but rather the referee's interpretation and application of those rules. What I mean by enhanced scorelines is the increase in scoring totals for the opening round of league fixtures for 2009 as compared to this time last year. A brief look at the total scores for the top 18 teams in 2008 reveals 19goals and 164pts. Those same teams in 2009 scored a total of 22goals and 233pts. An increase of 1goal and 69pts. Quite a significant increase but one that we cannot draw too many conclusions from until we have gathered more data in the coming weeks. I do think that we will see a general increase in scoring totals for the year which should certainly please the spectators. The main reason I believe there will be more scores is because the emphasis is now on defenders not to commit fouls. Defenders in the past, especially the more experienced individual, could get away with persistent fouling - at least enough fouling to nullify the threat of a skilful forward. A little tug here and there, checking his run, following through on a tackle (ignored by many referees), tackling with closed fist - all little infringements but accumulatively effective. Defenders are now wary of committing such infringements, at least they are more aware that they are punishable and the resultant penalty could be costly to them, for example a yellow card and a visit to the dug-out. Initially, the new rules should make life a little easier for the scoring forward thus, one would suspect, the team with the best scoring forwards should reap most rewards. On closer scrutiny though, we may find that the team with the better defenders will be the team left standing come September. The new rules, if allowed to remain permanently, will produce a high quality defender - fast, skilful and intelligent. He will have to depend more on his ability to read the game than to simply 'stop' his opponent. As Tyrone and Kerry have proven, the ability of defenders to constructively move forward, distribute good ball inside and score if necessary are all traits of the modern defender and will be necessary commodities on any team with ambitions of winning silverware. Most teams were heading in this direction anyway but the implementation of these new rules will place more urgency on development of the good defence. It will no longer be good enough to adopt the policy of fouling the forward in order to gain dominance but rather it will be a case of trying to outplay your opponent. Read the game faster and act accordingly. Interesting times -should be good for the spectator. So, Tyrone has laid down the gauntlet - winning back-to-back All-Irelands. What have we learnt of those most likely to stop that? Apart from the increased scorelines we have also witnessed some fine team performances. Armagh's impressive start almost sneaked under the radar with the spotlights all directed at four-goal hero Ryan Henderson. In fact rookie Ryan scored 4-3 in a scintillating display that is sure to guarantee him special attention in his next few outings. It was a remarkable win for Armagh considering they were away to Wexford and were down by five at half-time. With Ronan Clarke leaving early (yellow card) and no Stevie McDonnell it must have been a great second half performance. Still with a few regulars missing Peter McDonnell will be very happy at this stage. Despite their defeat on Saturday night Dublin were very impressive at times and the six balls they kicked into John Devine's hands in the second half had a big bearing on the outcome of the game. Pat Gilroy knows what has to be done and, though very disappointed at losing a game they could have won, he will be content with a lot of their performance and he'll know that they are not far off the pace. Kerry's demolition of McKenna Cup winners, Donegal, would probably cause Mickey Harte the most concern. Taking the field without regulars like Darragh O Se, Tomas O Se, Tom O'Sullivan and Kieran Donaghy must have been a slight worry for Jack O'Connor when he knew the importance of securing a home win on the opening day. Not only were they totally dominant since Thomas Walsh netted the second goal but their newcomers played like ten-year pros. We are all aware of the talent and versatility of players like Aidan O'Mahony, Mark O'Shea and Killian Young and know that they are accomplished players who can comfortably play any defensive position. The introduction of Aidan O'Shea, David Moran and Ger Reidy has now added more talent to this team. David Moran had a brilliant game in midfield and looks like a hybrid of his father, Ogie, and the illustrious Maurice Fitzgerald. Aidan O'Shea, son of the great Jacko, is obviously a talented, confident player and looks to have a bit of power about him. In goals Ger Reidy was very impressive. Confident under a high ball and strong accurate kickouts. This was a good day out for Kerry. Jack O'Connor will be well pleased. The impetus Kerry will gain from the blooding of these good players cannot be quantified. Not only will the fight for places become more competitive but the freshness and hunger of the new boys, especially if they are making the starting line up, permeates the entire team. A look back at Kerry's previous successes and we see the important role the rookies, or second year rookies, like Kieran Donaghy, Killian Young and Padraig Reidy had to play and the buzz they brought to the team. This current team of players has no shortage of talent and, as I pointed out earlier, the team with the quality defence will probably be there come September. Tweet

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