Former Derry star Conleith Gilligan believes penalty shoot-outs are as good a way as any to decide games that finish level after extra time.

Last Sunday week’s cracking All-Ireland SFC quarter-final between Armagh and Galway was decided by spot-kicks at Croke Park, where the Tribesmen emerged victorious and both of this weekend’s semi-finals have the potential to be decided in shoot-outs.

Speaking to BelfastLive.co.uk, Gilligan feels that penalties are the best method of finishing drawn games after extra time in a condensed season.

“I know penalties are divisive, but for me, when I was playing I really hated replays,” he stated.

“You always had it in your head that you were going to win or lose on that day. A replay was a week later and you only had one week of rest.

“I think, in terms of the condensed season, penalties are probably a good enough way to finish the game. The drama of it was magic the last time.

“It wasn’t a nice way for Armagh to lose, but it wasn’t going to be nice for Armagh to lose in any way. In the times that’s in it, penalties are as good a way as any to decide games. People might say it isn’t part of our games or it is a soccer thing, but penalties are part of our game.

“A free inside in the square is a penalty, it is part of our game.

“Sport is cruel, no more so than that Offaly (All-Ireland Minor Hurling final) defeat at the weekend. Your heart goes out to the Offaly players, they were the better team, but Tipperary kept chipping away and they got a bit of luck at the end.”

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