'Nash rule' could be changed again

October 02, 2014

Waterford goalkeeper Stephen O'Keeffe saves a penalty from Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash
©INPHO

The rule governing penalties and close-in frees in hurling could be tweaked again.

The Hurling 2020 Committee, which meets on Monday night, is expected to recommend an alteration to the rule ahead of next year's Congress. The contentious rule was changed by the GAA's Management Committee in June in a bid to outlaw the style of penalty-taking Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash had perfected.

But the new rule, which prevents a penalty or free being struck from any closer than 20 metres, has dramatically reduced the success-rate of penalty takers. Since Pat Horgan (Cork) and Joe Canning (Galway) scored against Clare and Kilkenny (drawn game) respectively, nine successive penalties have been missed, including two by Tipperary's Seamus Callanan and John O'Dwyer in the drawn All-Ireland final.

When Tipp were awarded another penalty in last Saturday's replay, Callanan opted to take a point instead.

Many have argued that the new rule is encouraging defenders to foul, such has been the lack of success for penalty-takers since it was altered.


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