The Gaelic football championship is now in full swing, with every county having played at least one game in the provincial competitions.
There has been some excellent football played along the way, although there have also been quite a few one-sided contests. That is always going to continue as long as the provincial system remains in place, although there are hopes that the new All-Ireland series format will bring about more competitive games this summer.
The game between Monaghan and Tyrone was the pick of last weekend's matches, with the visitors taking the spoils after a pulsating clash in Omagh. However, while some gave that game as an example of the current rude health of the sport, others remains unconvinced.
Pat Spillane laments 'boring' state of Gaelic football
Pat Spillane has not been shy in expressing his dissatisfaction with the way Gaelic football has evolved over the last couple of decades. That has not changed in recent times, with the Kerry legend doubling down on that opinion once again.
Writing in his column in the Sunday World, Spillane said that while people were claiming after the Monaghan-Tyrone game that Gaelic football was in a good place, he felt this could hardly be further from the truth.
Afterwards we heard phrases like ‘What’s wrong with Gaelic football? ‘Who said Gaelic football was boring and predictable?’ ‘The Ulster championship never disappoints’ being bandied about.
So, I can’t help but adopt my grumpy George Hook persona and reiterate his famous comment ‘hold the horses and back up the caravan for the second.’
Modern day football IS boring and predictable.
As for the Ulster championship never disappointing, the first two games in the 2023 series featured a nine point win for Armagh over Antrim while Derry beat Fermanagh by 12 points.
So, let’s have a reality check. Of course, we witnessed a damn good match in Omagh.
It provides us with a glimmer of hope. But one swallow never made a summer. I wouldn’t get carried away yet...
After two weeks’ of action two All-Ireland contenders, Mayo and Tyrone are out of the provincial championship. I doubt if either give a tuppence.
Remember this is not like the old days. Neither face a potentially hazardous trek through the qualifiers.
They were third seeds in the All-Ireland series before the provincial series began and they are still third seeds.
The direction that Gaelic football has travelled in has certainly split opinion.
It is clear that the game is far more tactically advanced than it once was, with teams now being very methodical in their approach to each fixture. Players are also fitter and more powerful.
Whether that has led to a better product on display can be debated. Pat Spillane would certainly argue that it has not.
SEE ALSO: Sam Maguire 2023 - Who's In, Who's Out, Who Can Still Get In
