Green flag to four-pointer would ignite forward play

IT was interesting to read Jim Mcguinness’s comments earlier in the week about tactical fouling following a turnover in football.

Hurling isn’t a cynicism-free zone and we’ve seen how the penalty/ black card rule has been introduced in recent years. It has helped to a certain extent as we don’t see as many pulldowns when a goal chance is developing.

Often, football tactics football creep into hurling and, with the game more possession-based than ever, you’d hate to see the type of foul that Mcguinness (inset) talks about become prevalent in hurling.

It’s been well documented how a committee led by Jim Gavin is going to look into football and I wonder would it have been worthwhile if Jarlath Burns assembled one for hurling too.

Like the football, it could be made up of players and/or managers that have been involved at the highest level in the not too distant past.

I don’t for one second believe that wholesale changes are necessary, but there are some tweaks that could be made to make it better.

I would like to see the value of a goal increased to four points, just to bring about more attacking play and goalmouth activity instead of shooting points from distance. Five points for a goal would be excessive but four would be the right balance and enough, I believe, to steer coaching in a different direction.

Although not specific to hurling, I would like to see the maor foirne reintroduced but with severe punishments if they overstep the mark. Also, hurling could be promoted so much more. Take All-ireland final weekend. It shouldn’t just focus on one game, it ought to be a hurling festival to celebrate our unique sport.