Replying To legendzxix:  ""It is now rare to see a true 50:50 ball played in"
It is a challenge for hurling rule makers. Football is gaining from positive rule changes that encourage contests."

Replying To Tadhg2020:  "Ah come on. I am going to guess that you are from the football side of galway. You cant be that much of a dinosaur as to think hurling was better in the 90s. Granted, we loved it in the 90s but we knew no better. It was the game as we knew it. It is so much better now. The skill, strength and pace of the players and game is excellent. As for the scoring that is exceptional. Why anyone would want to reduce the scoring is beyond me. Its brilliant to see the quality of point scoring on display. Each generation pushes it on to a higher level. Ive heard comments about 2 much scoring before and its always from football lads.
That said, modern hurling is not without its problems. The ones highlighted aren't the big ones though. There is just as much over carrying and throwing in football as in hurling. Most short handpasses in football( under 3 or 4 metres) are throws. You cant get away with longer ones though as you cant legally project the ball further from the hand without a clear striking action so its much easier to referee.( that and it being a 2 handed action). The new rules have made it better to watch but its still boring for large passages of play as teams keep ball outside the arc.
Imo refs do a decent job on the handpass/throw issue in hurling. Its impossible to tell for sure on the short ones and they generally let that go. The longer ones though are penalised more often than not. Its pretty much impossible to handpass , legally, a sliotar 7/8m+ without a clear separation and strike. That gets refereed.
The big issue is the rucks and the grabbing and uses of the spare arm. This tends to exasperate the complaints of over carrying as the ball carrier has to break free of that first. If the ref blew every time it happens we would have no game.
The ruck is the real eyesore for me. Its not an easy fix. There is a premium on possession now and players will dig in to get it in hand. We have to find a way to reintroduce ground hurling. That would eliminate the ruck somewhat. The word didnt exist in the game in the 90s. Perhaps if we borrowed from football and introduced a 2 pointer in hurling for a ground stroke that goes over the bar it might help. I would include a sideline cut in that. They are few and far between now in this possession game.
The other football rules I would adapt are the solo and go free and the keeper not being allowed to receive the packet back rule.
On the other side I would change the black card and penalty rule. I would give the ref a choice. He decides if its a clear goal scoring opportunity. If he thinks it is he awards a penalty and a yellow card. If he's not sure he awards a black card and a free. Its a double penalisation atm which is too high a price. Refs , who aren't sure, dont enforce it as a result. I think soccer changed their professional foul rule for a similar reason."

Replying To PoolSturgeon:  "Probably would qualify for the dinosaur category alright but hurling was a passion for me throughout most of my life but that's changed for me in the past 6 or 7 years (not connected with Galway's lack of success during the period btw). I would strongly disagree with you that "referees are doing a decent job on the handpass/throw issue" (not that I blame the referees particularly for this... rather it's the media pundits coming on criticising referees for penalising players for throws when a SLOW MOTION REPLAY may show that a slight separation between ball and hand and the slightest of striking actions occurred. Referees are human and so are inclined to act cautiously, letting dodgy passes go in preference to having their technical "mistakes" called out on national tv. It goes way beyond that of course as most of the throws not being penalised are happening when the referee is unsighted or doesnt have a clear view of the play as is inevitable in a game where it is impossible for a referee to keep tabs on the actions on a small ball in a fast moving game.
If you are excited by high point scoring matches where up to half the scores can come from frees (which is another reason why the thowing epidemic is allowed to go unpunished as if they were whistled consistently as well there would be 60 or 70 frees per game and a massive outcry would ensue) more luck to you , but it's not for me.
Btw I agree with you on the rucks and arm over the shoulder issue...another thing that needs addressing.


Ironically I am one of those Galway hurling fans who disliked gaelic football so much that I would only go to see the hurling when there would be a double header in Pearse Stadium! The wheel has nearly gone full circle for me. I never thought the day would come when I'd say this, but since gaelic football faced up to and addressed its problems, from an entertainment point of view I think it is the superior game today and more often a better watch."

Replying To legendzxix:  ""It is now rare to see a true 50:50 ball played in"
It is a challenge for hurling rule makers. Football is gaining from positive rule changes that encourage contests."

Replying To PoolSturgeon:  "Probably would qualify for the dinosaur category alright but hurling was a passion for me throughout most of my life but that's changed for me in the past 6 or 7 years (not connected with Galway's lack of success during the period btw). I would strongly disagree with you that "referees are doing a decent job on the handpass/throw issue" (not that I blame the referees particularly for this... rather it's the media pundits coming on criticising referees for penalising players for throws when a SLOW MOTION REPLAY may show that a slight separation between ball and hand and the slightest of striking actions occurred. Referees are human and so are inclined to act cautiously, letting dodgy passes go in preference to having their technical "mistakes" called out on national tv. It goes way beyond that of course as most of the throws not being penalised are happening when the referee is unsighted or doesnt have a clear view of the play as is inevitable in a game where it is impossible for a referee to keep tabs on the actions on a small ball in a fast moving game.
If you are excited by high point scoring matches where up to half the scores can come from frees (which is another reason why the thowing epidemic is allowed to go unpunished as if they were whistled consistently as well there would be 60 or 70 frees per game and a massive outcry would ensue) more luck to you , but it's not for me.
Btw I agree with you on the rucks and arm over the shoulder issue...another thing that needs addressing.


Ironically I am one of those Galway hurling fans who disliked gaelic football so much that I would only go to see the hurling when there would be a double header in Pearse Stadium! The wheel has nearly gone full circle for me. I never thought the day would come when I'd say this, but since gaelic football faced up to and addressed its problems, from an entertainment point of view I think it is the superior game today and more often a better watch."

Replying To legendzxix:  ""The microwave hurling championship gets a little chance to breathe..."
National hurling league isn't linked to championship. Does hurling need pre-league provincial competitions.. Hurling could do it's own thing and start the national league in early January, allowing the hurling championship to be potentially every second weekend."

Replying To Tadhg2020:  "In theory I agree with you. However Hurling in January is miserable for everyone involved. Players, refs and supporters alike. I wouldnt be for it in practical terms. I dont see a need for the preseason competition.
I would lean towards reducing it to 5 teams per division. That would be 4 league games , 2 home and 2 away thus freeing up 2 weekends. Top two to the final. That would mean 7 divisions by my maths with winner promoted and bottom relegated. Its short but fair and merit based
The split season means something has to give."

Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Why is there a div 1a and div 1b? makes no sense to me at all."

Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Because certain counties were offended 20 years ago at being relegated so they invented that subterfuge!
1a is second tier.

Its not impossible that the Cats might go down. Can't ever recall that. Have to beat Tipp and hope Waterford lose to Tipp. I think. TJ might get esrlier than expected run. They are .missing Lawlor badly."

Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Think you mean 1b is second tier? if not it makes even less sense!
Why couldn't they make the divisions bigger with more teams in each one?"

Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Think you mean 1b is second tier? if not it makes even less sense!
Why couldn't they make the divisions bigger with more teams in each one?"

Replying To Timmy86:  "I know the top county's don't care ,new york are fine cuming in ,been competitive, but Warwickshire and Lancashire need to go, Ive seen both, they d be poor club teams in sligo ,never mind at national level and the cost of them coming and teams going over ,its not worth it ,if ur going to reduce team make it 6 divisions"

Replying To Timmy86:  "I know the top county's don't care ,new york are fine cuming in ,been competitive, but Warwickshire and Lancashire need to go, Ive seen both, they d be poor club teams in sligo ,never mind at national level and the cost of them coming and teams going over ,its not worth it ,if ur going to reduce team make it 6 divisions"