Square that: Delegates to blame for square ball woes

SEPTEMBER ROAD:MANY (many!) years ago, squatting in the square (or rectangle, as it should be known) in a club hurling game, we contributed to a winning goal (it was, depending on whom you ask, between Nicky English's half-volley against Antrim in 1989 and the sliotar ricocheting off the back of our helmet).

One of the umpires, who was also a club-mate, apologised for what he was about to do, and instead of raising the green flag, called for the referee. However, the referee decided to consult only the other umpire, who gave his blessing, and the goal was allowed.

Not for the first, or last time, an umpire decided who won a game.

Kildare's disallowed goal on Saturday should have stood. No question. But it wasn't the umpire's fault. And neither was it the referee's. And we don't need Hawkeye, or video refs, or any other technology to solve the problem of square balls.

Because it was already solved.

The fault lies with those that voted against the experimental "square ball" rule in April, 2010 in Newcastle, county Down.

In the weeks leading up to the congress, a new rule which stated that an attacking player could enter the square once the ball had been kicked (ie, before the ball had entered the square) had been trialled in the hurling and football leagues to great success.

It made the referee's job easier, the umpires' job easier, it led to more goals and greater excitement from the crowd when a high ball was sent toward the goalmouth.

But it fell. Bet they're sorry now.

One-touch classics: Darran’s flick the top Croker cracker

DARRAN O’Sullivan’s goal yesterday was the best one-touch goal we’ve seen at Croke Park.

While Owen Mulligan may have scored the best goal we’ve seen at headquarters (v Dublin in 2005) and Séamus Darby the most famous and significant one (v Kerry in 1982), yesterday’s three-pointer was a sweet slice of class.

Our top three of one-touch goals at Croke Park contain two from placed balls, but they were just so good we believe they qualify.

3 Trevor Giles

(Meath v Mayo, 1996 final replay)

After the infamous early brawl, Mayo ran riot and went seven points up when Pat McEnaney awarded Meath a penalty. Giles took the perfect penalty. The lasting image is of goalkeeper John Madden shrugging his shoulders after he could only watch the ball hitting the net.

2 Mikey Sheehy

(Kerry v Dublin, 1978 final)

It’s worth remembering Sheehy had to take the free off the ground. And he still had the ball in his hands when Paddy Cullen began to run back to his line.

1 Darran O’Sullivan

(Kerry v Limerick, 2011)

A terrible pass from Bryan Sheehan across the Limerick goalmouth is turned in with a beautiful back-flick.

P.S.The greatest one-touch goal we've seen came in the Leinster club championship three years ago when Rhode's Pascal Kellaghen met the football on the volley from 35 yards out to loop over the head of the stranded Portlaoise goalkeeper.

History in the Making: Mayo 1-13 Cork 2-6

How Mayo caught up with and passed Cork in yesterday’s All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park. Cork scored 1-4 in the first quarter of the match and 1-2 in the following three-quarters.

Kerry still Cork’s real bogey

SO we have to wait for at least another year to see if Cork can beat Kerry at headquarters.

While Joe Brolly’s article might have been harsh, it’s difficult to see past the facts when it comes to Cork’s recent relationship with Kerry. Before yesterday, leaving aside games against Kerry, Cork had not lost a championship match since July, 2004, when Fermanagh caused a major shock.

In fact, in the subsequent seven seasons, Cork’s record reads: Played: 40. Won: 26. Drawn: 5. Lost: 9. The nine losses relate to eight with Kerry (though they have also beaten Kerry, of course) and yesterday’s meeting with Mayo.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE . . .

Odds on Kerry for All-Ireland (yesterday morning) 13/8

Odds on Kerry this morning 8/11

Odds on Mayo yesterday 33/1

Odds on Mayo this morning 7/1