I know we have had plenty of discussions/debate on here over the last few years, mostly thanks to Donegal in 2011. I see now, former Clare manager, Ger O'Loughlin, has expressed worries that hurling is being reduced to 'ping-pong'. I don't know about the rest of you posters on here, but I don't want to see anymore threads slating blanket defences etc. Both codes are becoming 'exact sciences' and rightly so. Why leave so much to chance? Do we have to have the 'get up the yard' in our games anymore than we need provincial championships. I for one am not afraid of change, I welcome it I don't see any less passion and pride that was always there before we started to get technical. Despite the stick Donegal got after 2011, you have to say they had balls, and certainly had the last laugh. So as much as our games are traditionalist we should never be stuck in the mud. The future is ours.
"Both codes are becoming 'exact sciences' and rightly so." First players have to enjoy the games and people have to enjoy watching, take either of those blanks away and I am afraid you will lose everything. It is about balance - just like everything in life there has to be balance to succeed. Were the games fail is when you have packed defences utilised by teams who are going out to "minimise" the score!! Or sweepers employed as spare pr!cks at the back. There has to be the underdog, their has to be skill, there has to be rules that evolve with the game to ensure, players and spectators enjoy it. No one is going to pay to watch the grass grow in Croke Park get the balance right and it will be a sport that keeps given. If we allow the bland, uncreative, uninspiring to coach our games they will kill it. Take a trip to any U14/U15/U16 juvenile game and you will seewhat I am talking about.
Replying To KerryKillers: "I know we have had plenty of discussions/debate on here over the last few years, mostly thanks to Donegal in 2011. I see now, former Clare manager, Ger O'Loughlin, has expressed worries that hurling is being reduced to 'ping-pong'. I don't know about the rest of you posters on here, but I don't want to see anymore threads slating blanket defences etc. Both codes are becoming 'exact sciences' and rightly so. Why leave so much to chance? Do we have to have the 'get up the yard' in our games anymore than we need provincial championships. I for one am not afraid of change, I welcome it I don't see any less passion and pride that was always there before we started to get technical. Despite the stick Donegal got after 2011, you have to say they had balls, and certainly had the last laugh. So as much as our games are traditionalist we should never be stuck in the mud. The future is ours."
Good post KK.I agree 100%.There is no right or wrong way to play.
Replying To arock: ""Both codes are becoming 'exact sciences' and rightly so." First players have to enjoy the games and people have to enjoy watching, take either of those blanks away and I am afraid you will lose everything. It is about balance - just like everything in life there has to be balance to succeed. Were the games fail is when you have packed defences utilised by teams who are going out to "minimise" the score!! Or sweepers employed as spare pr!cks at the back. There has to be the underdog, their has to be skill, there has to be rules that evolve with the game to ensure, players and spectators enjoy it. No one is going to pay to watch the grass grow in Croke Park get the balance right and it will be a sport that keeps given. If we allow the bland, uncreative, uninspiring to coach our games they will kill it. Take a trip to any U14/U15/U16 juvenile game and you will seewhat I am talking about."
I wouldn't disagree with what you're saying and ideally it's the way it should be but success will be the ultimate motivation at the end of the day, and the players of the future will be born into that culture, after that , it's up to them. If it means a long awaited AI for a less successful county, their fans might just be willing to turn a blind eye. But I have been at juvenile games and I know what you mean, and I agree with balance, hopefully we can do that in the future but it's difficult to see exactly how we can rewind this overnight.