Why are teams made pay the penalty?

Why in the name of all that’s good and holy are we still deciding games with a penalty shootout? It’s just wrong.

The shootout feels totally alien to the game that has preceded it, which is all about team ethic, hard work, cohesion and togetherness. The penalties are fiercely individual.

Last Sunday’s Ulster final was a draw. Sometimes the margins in a victory are very tight — a bounce of a ball here or there, but in this case there was no margin. Just a missed penalty kick — after 11 successful ones.

I’m all aboard with the argument that games need to be decided on the day. The calendar, in a lot of cases, is simply too congested to facilitate replays. Deciding the game on the day also allows greater certainty in fixture lists. That’s fine. There’s still no need for penalties though.

Why not play another two five-minute halves? Another two three-minute halves after that if required? If we ever get to that stage, I’d suggest continuing with three-minute halves but taking two players off each team at the start of each new instalment of extra time.

One of the best games I remember being involved in was from my time in UCG, a fair few years ago now. It was around the mid-2000s. College teams were taking part in the FBD League, and, at that time, were quite competitive.

County players who were in college played for the college team. It was a great run-in to the Sigerson Cup for the college teams, while the county teams used the games to go deeper into their squad and find new prospects. It meant I had the unusual experience of playing against Roscommon in the group stages in Pearse Stadium.

Anyway, we (UCG) reached the final where we were faced with our mighty cross-city rivals, GMIT. It’s important to note that, back then, the prize for winning the FBD was a trip to New York to play the exiles in Gaelic Park. Imagine that. Two panels of 30 college lads vying for the right to a free trip to The Big Apple — talk about motivation!

Looking back, there was a fair sprinkling of quality footballers on both sides. We had the likes of Mike Meehan, the two Kilbrides, Gary Cox and Finian Hanley, while our arch enemies relied on players like Nicky Joyce, Ger Heneghan, Barry Prior and Paul Geraghty.

We played out a super game in Pearse Stadium, which went to extra time but we couldn’t be separated. So a replay was ordered two weeks later. Again, it was a draw at full-time. Extra-time again. Still a draw.

So in this case a second bout of extra time, five minutes a side, was required. And still, a draw.

That’s three hours of football and we couldn’t be separated. There was an air of uncertainty in the stadium as Connacht Council officers huddled together to decide on the next move. A third period of extra-time was unheard of. So we expected they’d order another replay. But time was running tight before the planned trip to New York.

Whispers began to circulate that they had a brighter idea. We were ushered back to our dressing rooms. In came the Connacht Council lads to make the announcement.

We’d have to go to a second replay alright, but it’d be taking place in America. They were sending both teams to New York. Well, you can imagine the scenes.

We didn’t win the title in the end. GMIT beat us in New York and then went on to play the ex-pats the following day in Gaelic Park. To be honest, most of the lads were more than happy with that outcome as it meant more time for “sightseeing’”.

Back to my point earlier about 30 college lads being treated to a free trip to New York. Carnage. But a great trip and great memories.

Looking back now, I’m delighted the penalty shootout wasn’t suggested. It wouldn’t even have been considered. Yet now it seems part and parcel of our game.

We’ve had it here in Roscommon a few times. I remember Tulsk winning an intermediate final a few years ago against Oran on penalties. Yes, it gave great excitement. But it still sits poorly with me. It’s not a suitable way to end our games and I hope we put a stop to it soon.

U-20 footballers run out of road

The season is over for the 2024 class of U-20s footballers. Tyrone were full value for their win on Saturday evening. I still have some sour grapes though.

The scheduling gave Tyrone a big advantage. I can’t stress enough how tough it would have been to get the Roscommon team primed for a big intense effort again just a week after winning the Connacht final in such splendid fashion in Castlebar.

Look at the other three provinces. They all had their finals fixed for either ten (Ulster and Munster) or 12 (Leinster) days before the All-Ireland semi-final. This is something the Connacht Council has to look at for next year.

I accept that this looks like an excellent Tyrone team and they may well have been too good for Roscommon regardless of scheduling. But it’s easy for a team to look faster and stronger when they are playing against a group who are just a couple of per cent off where they should be.

We should be very happy with this latest group of lads to exit underage levels. There are some terrific footballers there who will soon be ready to be thrown into the fray at senior level.

Their attacking play is what impressed me most and, again on Saturday, we generally looked very dangerous once we worked the ball as far as midfield, bar a few attacks in the second half where we lost our composure.

Some of the scores were out of the top drawer. Obviously, Shane McGinley’s opener just oozed sheer class. Conor Ryan’s goal was my favourite though. Some very patient football against a very packed defence, before a brilliant pass in from Nugent found Ryan on the edge of the square and he did brilliantly to finish to the far corner.

Ladies slip up

The county ladies’ team will be disappointed with their defeat to Leitrim in the Connacht intermediate final.

News of Aimee O’Connor returning to form though is a big boost, and if they can get a couple of players back to fitness they should still feel confident of giving the All-Ireland series a good rattle.

With Sligo dropping down to junior level a couple of years ago, it’s only the two teams fighting it out for the title each year, and Leitrim have proved tricky opponents recently, in spite of the fact they are operating out of Division Four.

Roscommon may well have had their training geared completely towards being ready to hit form for the All-Ireland championship in June, and, going on league form, they should be confident of competing with anyone. Their group looks like it will contain the winner of the Leinster final (Westmeath/Wexford) and Antrim.

The northern teams look to have slipped backwards this year and Roscommon would definitely fancy their chances there, while beating the Leinster champions is possible and would really signal the Rossies as a force to be reckoned with this year.

Much like their male counterparts, however, they need to find their form, and fast.

Top 5…

Here’s the best games I’ve watched — either attended or viewed on television.

High skill level is a must for me in terms of really enjoying games, but to make it a real classic the teams need to be evenly matched and some drama helps. For example, it’s hard to beat the ending to the Connacht final in 2001!

Kerry v Dublin, 2013 All-Ireland Semi-Final: Near the beginning for a brilliant Dubs team that played brilliant football. Colm Cooper gave a masterclass from centre-forward.

Roscommon v Mayo, 2001 Connacht Final: As a 16-year-old supporter standing under the scoreboard — the end where Gerry Lohan struck the two goals — this was an unbelievable occasion.

Kerry v Mayo, 1997 All-Ireland Final: Maurice Fitz.

Kildare v Down, 2010 All-Ireland Semi-Final: Just simply a great game of ball with two top teams going toe to toe. Down edged it in the end.

Meath v Westmeath, 2015 Leinster Semi-Final: A great comeback victory for Westmeath. John Heslin, in particular, put on a super performance.

Next week, I’m not sure yet but I want to go a little bit more offbeat, like the best celebrations seen on the pitch or the best pre-match snacks to have.

Send any suggestions to mfinneran.mf@gmail.com.