New Dublin supremo Ger Cunningham has added his support to the new hurling penalty rule that will be enforced during the Walsh Cup and the Waterford Crystal Cup this year. Cunningham was speaking after watching the Dublin Stars v Dublin challenge match yesterday.
The new rules are being introduced after the 'Nash' rule brought in last year reduced penalties to little more than staged taps over the bar. Now a goalkeeper will have to go one on one with the ball striker without the sacrificial lambs either side of him.
Cunningham said having watched a penalty being scored under the new rules yesterday:
“Using it in the Walsh Cup and the Waterford Crystal competitions and as the year goes on, I think it’ll create a bit of atmosphere for the one on ones.
“I don’t think that the guys will score all the time, the goalie got his hurley to it today and could have blocked it. There’s a bit of pressure on the taker to score as well. So I think it’s going to add excitement to the whole thing. As the season goes on and people get used to the idea, there’ll be a bit of psychology involved for goalies and guys taking them. You’re still 21 yards out and you still have to strike the ball outside the 21-yard line. So it’s still a big challenge.”
Is it summer yet?
Quote: Examiner
Picture: SPORTSFILE
