Concerns of safety seem to be dominating a lot of the decision-making by the GAA national council.  The attempted halting of the pitch invasion at the Hurling All-Ireland final and the new rule requiring the wearing of protective head gear by all players (even goalkeepers) were decisions that were taken in the name of improving safety for players.

The debate is going to continue on both issues for a time to come.  From my own slightly cynical point of view, when I hear organisations talking about safety issues, I feel the pervasive presence of an insurance company whispering in the ears of decision-makers.  It’s also linked, perhaps, to the growing presence of the GPA and it represents, perhaps, a marking of lines – a defensive ploy, a laying down of a few sandbags if you like – in anticipation of the bitter battles to come between the GPA and the GAA.

Kilkenny Helmet Police arresting Dan Shanahan for the non-wearing of his helmet during this years AI SF.

But being bright and positive about it, although the measure of forcing senior goalkeepers to wear the sight-restrictive clobber seems quite daft, the whole exercise has already proven itself at lower levels in reducing the rate of serious accidents.  So that’s a good thing to be welcomed.  It remains to be seen what effect it will have on defenders and goalkeepers, however.  I’m betting that next year’s championship could see an even higher aggregate score amongst teams.  Fifty years ago, Waterford were knocking in an average of about six goals per game on their way to their last All-Ireland win.  If they could get ahead of the posse and invent some class of helmet that would allow the goalie to see through it, then the advantage would be with them and we’ll see how many goals they’ll knock in against the likes of Kilkenny then!

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.