In the 64th minute of last week's All-Ireland hurling semi-final, Peter Duggan dealt Galway a big blow when his goal pulled his side within two points. An Aron Shanagher point later and the gap was just one. After a slow start, Clare had rallied and the Tribesmen were reeling until Man of the Match Joe Canning pulled off what is becoming a regular trick to steady the ship; he scored a sideline cut.
Joe Canning with a point form a sideline! pic.twitter.com/R6aPAB2VlN
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 5, 2018
Attempts on goal from the sideline cut have become an increasingly utilised ploy this year. It started with the League clash of Tipperary and Limerick when Ronan Maher nailed a monstrous effort from the half-way line and since then Canning, Mark Coleman and Bubbles O’Dwyer have all demonstrated the skill.
The power, the distance, the strike. What a Sideline from Ronan Maher! pic.twitter.com/Hy7GYm0nwr
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 31, 2018
However, there is still some confusion on just how difficult the skill is. These audacious efforts are unquestionably rarities of the highest order, as stats from Sure, the official statistics partner of the GAA demonstrate.
From 2012-17, the success rate of shots from a sideline cut was just 22.6%. In 2018 this figure has actually dropped to a remarkable 17.6%. This is a shooting return that would often see a forward taken off. It is also the reason that Brian Cody is not fond of it. As Christy O'Connor explained earlier this year, despite TJ Reid's capability Kilkenny regularly opt for a pass instead of a shot in order to minimize wastage.
The skill is not a new development. Christy Ring was renowned for his ability with a sideline cut, but only ever scored from them twice. Two points for a sideline cut was trialed in the 2005 National Hurling League but abandoned soon after. Speaking to Balls.ie earlier this year after his team-mate's effort, Tipperary's Brendan Maher called for the two-point rule to be trialed once again.
It's an unbelievable skill and there is that debate, 'Should it be two points?'
As you can see there's only the few select players in each county can do it as well as they can. I think that skill could be rewarded, I'd love to see it being trialled even in the league to see if it would add a little bit of spice to the game. It's such a piece of skill and the crowd gets so much out of it. If it was worth two points it would give such a lift, it's worth trying.
Given its rarity, it certainly seems Maher has a point.
You can listen to Balls.ie discuss this and more GAA-related matters on the So-Called Weaker Podcast.
