Ulster champions Slaughtneil got off to a successful defence of their Derry title with a 0-10 to 0-5 victory over Magherafelt today, in a game that saw the grave issue at the heart of Gaelic football demonstrated in its entirety.
Irish News journalist Cahair O'Kane described the scene as Magherafelt withdrew into their blanket defence and Slaughtneil refused to engage. The result was a comical stand-off and a scene becoming increasingly more regular in the sport; an extended period of play with nothing happening.
You wouldn't believe this if you hadn't seen it. Padraig Cassidy has been standing soloing the ball himself on the pitch for almost a full minute in play. Maybe 40-odd soloes. Magherafelt refusing to push up. This is actually unreal. Rule changes are absolutely required
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) September 9, 2018
The crowd actually cheered the half-time whistle because it meant that at least it was over. Slaughtneil kept the ball on their own 45' for fully the last four, five minutes of the first half. Magherafelt sat back and refused to come out. Slaughtneil refused to go forward
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) September 9, 2018
@JOEdotie highlight of #derrysfc Slaughtneil midfielder soloing the ball for a solid 3/4 mins.... money back please #antifootball pic.twitter.com/Wdm8VRRiFV
— Darrell Coyles (@darrellcoyles) September 9, 2018
This phenomenon is not unique to Gaelic football. In 1950, the Fort Wayne Pistons took on the Minneapolis Lakers in the NBA. The Pistons took the lead and the rest of the game played out at a snail’s pace. They kept the ball, never attacking or moving forward. The result was the saviour of professional basketball, the introduction of the shot clock. It gave teams 24 seconds to attempt a shot or else lose possession of the ball.
The shot clock is not the solution to Gaelic football's woes but it is evident that the inherent risk that makes sport compelling is undermined by current systems. Teams withdrew their entire defense and the opposition refuses to engage in fear of being turned over. Too often the result is a stalemate.
Gaelic football can still be great. In today's Kerry Championship, defending Champions Dr. Crokes lost against Kerins O Rahillys 3-18 to 2-17. Crokes had been nine points up with ten minutes left. Austin Stacks also defeated South Kerry by a point in a high-scoring affair that finished 4-7 to 1-15.
But elsewhere, club football will reaffirm what inter-county showed. There is an issue in the game, and measures are required to resolve it.
