The opening of the a wind-swept Connacht Centre of Excellence last night saw a return to the rules on the 1990's with goalkeepers taking kick-outs from their hands.

Such was the strength of the wind in Ballyhaunis that the ball would not stay still on the artificial grass playing surface, which led to players holding the ball still on the ground while goalkeepers or free takers ran up to take kicks.

In the first game of the evening when Galway defeated Sligo IT, goalkeeper Brian O'Donoghue was given permission by referee John Glavey to take kickouts out of his hands. The Galway netminder had tried without success to place the ball on his kicking tee but the wind played havoc with the whole process.

NUIG defeated Sligo in the second game and this time players were told to get a team mate to hold the ball still if they wished to take a place kick off the ground.

Well, at least it was better than snow. Tweet

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