No doubt about it Jim Gavin and his Football Rules Committee have saved Gaelic football. In recent years the game had become unwatchable for a huge number of people. All the committee deserve credit for their work. It was comprised of former Kerry player and manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice, former Mayo player and manager James Horan, current Tyrone manager Malachy O’Rourke, current Donegal player Michael Murphy, Michael Meaney from Carlow and Antrim’s Alex McQuillan. The new rule that stipulates that there must be three players in the opposition’s half at all times can claim most of the credit for ending what Pat Spillane famously called ‘‘puke football.’’
Other rule changes like two points for a score from outside the 40-meter arch and goalkeepers being forced to kick long from kick-outs has made for a much more exciting, free flowing game. My only slight criticism of the “new game” is that it’s now coming close to being a non-contact sport.
The quarter-finals produced some great football and we are likely to see more fast-flowing football in the semi-finals this weekend. Kerry and Tyrone meet in the first semi-final on Saturday evening at 5 p.m., while Meath, the surprise team of this year’s championship, play Donegal at 4pm on Sunday. It will the Royals first All-Ireland semi-final since 2009 and after already beating Dublin and Kerry in the championship this summer they won’t fear Donegal. However, I think Meath’s good run might end on Sunday as Donegal have that bit more experience.
On Saturday, Kerry, after their impressive win over Armagh in the quarter-final, will be favorites to beat Tyrone. Against Armagh in the quarter-final Kerry showed that they are not totally dependent on star man David Clifford to score, and Kenmare’s Seán O’Shea stepped up the plate and kicked 12 points, to take the pressure off Clifford. But for many neutrals it’s Clifford’s brother Paudie that makes the Kerry attack click and if Paudie is fit to start on Saturday Kerry should make the final. I’m going for a Donegal-Kerry final.
