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(I'm blatantly robbing the idea for this thread from KKCats, but I'm sure they won't mind!!)

The thought did occur to me at the weekend again when Byron was taking the penalty for Laois - a phenomenon well known in hurling, sending the keeper up - why is it necessary for teams to call on a goalie to take a penalty? Surely at least one of the outfield players should be more confident. Leaving aside the football example, and the fact that it doesn't say a lot for Beano, Conway, Munnelly et al that they wouldn't back themselves to score from 12 metres reasonably often, in hurling it does amaze me.

Here's my logic - the blasted penalty invariably sacrifices accuracy. There's no doubting that Fitzgerald and Fitzhenry can hit the ball very hard, but surely for the extra split second that they gain, it would be better served picking someone who can really pick their spot.

In my extremely limited experience the key thing to any hurling penalty is the height. Ankle height is tricky to stop, waist height is best suited to the backs, just under the crossbar can be tricky but is risking going over, while shoulder height is the most awkward to stop and as such is the best placing for a forward.

I would have thought that an accurate striker of the ball would have been better than a savage walloper for this reason. Lads still hurling might correct me though.

I think in hurling the extra split secopnd is valuable, but i don't see any point in the keeper taking them in football. If a man can place the ball in the corner, (see Niall McNamee vs Kildare ) then that is surely preferable.

Folks,

Not coming on for a slagging match or anything but when I saw this post I was wondering what ye thought of Byron's run up the field to take the penalty being "impeded" by a couple of ye're players (Slattery and McManus, I think, correct me if I'm wrong)?
In fairness, he didn't deserve that. He's one of our most sporting players and it just looked a bit unsporting to do that to him.

Any views?

I can't remember it myself but I wouldn't think Byron is too worried about it at this stage!

What is the mood for the match v mayo Hesh?

I'd say it's a real 50-50 game.
I think our backs are a bit better than theirs but our full forward line needs to pick it up a good bit.
Could all hinge on midfield. Wouldn't bank on Quigley reproducing the display against Offaly.
Would love another crack at the Dubs, I don't think we're as bad as we showed against them in the Leinster semi.

At least they cared enough to try to put him off. If the other 13 had have impeded him aswell we couldn't really complain about the commitment displayed. Basically it doesn't seem to matter if you're a boll*x or a gentleman; if you run the length of the pitch to take a penalty you're considered fair game. Next time send your water carrier as his wing man.

Best of luck Sunday. The Kilkenny fans are seeing a lot of football this year, aren't they? Are they GAA trying to tell them something?

[quote="Subiaco"]Basically it doesn't seem to matter if you're a boll*x or a gentleman; if you run the length of the pitch to take a penalty you're considered fair game. Next time send your water carrier as his wing man.
quote]
Don't agree with the first part of that Subiaco. Not on, in my opinion.
However it was a major disappointment last Sunday week that one of ye're boys didn't sort out that little p***k of a waterboy. He's the son of one of the selectors and a right pain in the hole.

How's the new arrival behaving?

Not my opinion Heshs, just observing that it's a trend that appears to be creeping into the games. Needs to be made a yellow card offence or something. It does happen off the ball after all.

Subiaco junior is in great form. Sleeps all day, cries all night. Still living on Australian time, so he does.

Heshs Umpire wrote:what ye thought of Byron's run up the field to take the penalty being "impeded" by a couple of ye're players ?

It seems to be part of this new 'gamesmanship' thats creeping into the game... a kind of psych out tactic...... its something that the linesmen and umpires have to pick up on...

theres a load of new niggly things that are creeping into the game over the last few years, not least the 'diving' of some particular county players (they know who they are)...theres also the 'maor uisce' problem that raised its head during the laois game and the game idir kerry and armagh (at least there galvin, the knacker, was called up over his disgraceful behaviour).... also this tactic of holding the defenders arm across yourself and then falling over to win frees.. plus the ever increasing insults after a missed free / shot etc....

the game cannot turn into a copy of soccer, where the scenes after the van nistolroy' missed penalty against arsenal will ever be a low point in the game.... its up to the bainestoirs of the different counties to cut this out of the game....