Four Déise players represent Munster in Croker trials

Sean Walsh, Dermot Ryan, Caoimhín Walsh and Conor Ó Cuirrín donned the royal blue of Munster in Croke Park over the weekend as the proposed changes from the Football Review Committee went under the microscope.

In Friday’s semi final against Ulster, Walsh stabbed the ball home acrobatically in the second quarter for a four point goal. The first Waterford footballer to find the net at GAA HQ since Liam Ó Lonáin in 2010. The Nire midfielder proved a magnet for kickouts throughout the second half. He sent two shots wide of the target. Munster went chasing an equalising goal in the last minute. Walsh’s dangerous delivery around the square was fetched superbly by man of the match Niall Morgan as Ulster held on for victory. Dermot Ryan, Caoimhín Walsh and Conor Ó Cuirrín all entered the fray in the second half. Déise manager Paul Shankey served as selector under Munster boss John Cleary. They lost to Leinster in the Shield final on Saturday evening.

It wasn’t a giant leap for Gaelic Football but it was a step in the right direction. Keeping three attackers and three defenders inside the halfway line led to more one on one contests, more space and more scores. The solo and go from a free also sped up the game. A new 40 metre arc was seen for the first time although a heavy downpour on Friday evening almost washed away the fresh coat of white paint on the Croke Park surface! Connacht landed four two-point scores in the first quarter of the opening game against Leinster. A white flag was raised first followed by a red one.

The closing stages of Saturday’s final between Ulster and Connacht showcased the potential of the FRC’s proposals. With Ulster two points down, Armagh All Ireland winner Rian O’Neill went for a two pointer outside the arc. The ball dropped short but Down’s Odhran Murdock punched it to the net. Connacht now trailed by two but Galway attacker Johnny Heaney drew the game with a long ranger just before the final hooter. Just the excitement the FRC committee wanted. Ulster won the penalty shootout that followed 2-1.

Dissent came with a heavy penalty. Caoimhin Walsh threw the ball away on Friday night, after conceding a free, and the referee moved the ball up 50 metres. The ref mic proved a popular addition to the television coverage. It allowed the opportunity for the man in the middle to explain the new rules even if some foul language was picked up!

It wasn’t a total revolution. Towards the end of the second semi final, Ulster played keep ball and boos rang out from fans in the Hogan Stand. New rules but not a whole new ball game.

Jim Gavin and his committee still have a couple of hurdles to jump before these rules see the light of day in league and championship next year. Central Council will convene this weekend for a review before a Special Congress on November 30. Each of the proposals will require over 60%. The new rules deserve a chance but the pre-season competitions need to be reintroduced to give counties a fair crack at them.