Former Tipperary star Shane McGrath believes the game of hurling has never been played faster and by athletes in such condition as it has been in recent times.

McGrath, an All-Ireland winner with the Premier County in 2010, was speaking on the RTE GAA Podcast ahead of this weekend’s Allianz Hurling League clashes and said that strong athletes are dominant with fewer of the exciting, evenly-matched 50:50 contests.

“It was never played faster, never played by athletes in such condition as we have had in the last few years,” he stated.

"I look at the final that went to extra-time two years ago (Clare-Cork) and the pace of that game. And then I look back at some of the games from last year; it has gone to another level now. The game is being played faster now by stronger and faster athletes."

He continued: "You rarely see a corner-back collect the ball on the 21 and simply drive it down the field. Players now aim to reach a delivery zone, typically the 45-yard line, before playing a calculated ball into the forwards or carrying it themselves.

"It is now rare to see a true 50:50 ball played in, which has reduced the excitement once associated with breaking balls. Teams are set up to give in a 70-30 ball the whole time. They get to that zone, carry it or play it around in triangles, then give a quality ball in. It's rare enough now you're getting a 6 v 6 inside the 45 with a 50:50 ball coming in. So the breaking ball, and where it's going has gone out of the game."

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