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Shane Walsh Gives Surprising Take On The '12 vs 11' Goalkeeper Conundrum 

Shane Walsh Gives Surprising Take On The '12 vs 11' Goalkeeper Conundrum 
Lee Costello
By Lee Costello Updated
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Galway star Shane Walsh seems to have taken to the new rules like a duck to water, as he is really enjoying the extra space and scoring opportunities.

The flying forward had previously missed large chunks of the National League campaign because of his club commitments with Kilmacud Crokes, but this year he has had a chance to recover from pesky injuries, and get into the Galway set up early.

That, and the fact that the new rules favour sharp shooting forwards like himself, means that he has gotten off to a great start to the 2025 season, and last week against Mayo, he made the most of the two-point arc, and chipped over scores for fun.

After a frantic weekend of Gaelic football, most people are positive about the enhancements that have been brought in, however there are those who are against the rule that goalkeepers can join in on the attack when they cross the half way line.

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Due to the three-up rule that means you have to keep three players in the opposite side of the field at all times, this means that the attacking team with the goalkeeper, has a 12 vs 11 advantage.

However, Walsh made an interesting point regarding this conundrum when speaking to RTE last weekend.

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"New lease of life to be honest, exciting, the game needed something. It was just getting so stale to be even part of those games.

"I've seen people give out about the 12v11 but I think the big thing is if teams want to sit off, they should be punished with the keeper coming up to make that advantage.

"But the other way round is win the ball up high, the keeper comes up to play and you've got a chance to then go straight up on goal as well.

"It's a great one to bring in because it does punish the team that sits off and obviously the two-point rule is a lovely one as well."

Derry manager Paddy Tally had said that the goalkeeper rule was slowing the game down, and creating opportunities for teams to keep possession for long periods.

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However, after a slow first week to the National League, the new rules looked much better in the second round, and even teams who used the keeper, like Armagh and Tyrone, were involved in very exciting games.

SEE ALSO: "I Feel For Dublin” - Jim McGuinness Empathises With Dessie Farrell After Injuries During Donegal loss 

 

 

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