McShea's Say: Football and hurling a joy to watch, but one new rule needs changed

Ballyboden midfielder Cein D’Arcy, in his after-match interview as his team won the Leinster title after a comprehensive win against Athy, spoke in glowing terms about how privileged his team were as a group. 

He said, and I quote: “This is the most meaningful thing I can do with my life, my football career. This is exactly what lads want to do, and where we want to be, so they are not really sacrifices at all.”

I love that positive attitude, and it was a privilege to watch both hurling and football at the weekend.

Dingle and St. Finbarr’s served up an epic encounter, with top-quality football on display for every second of the 64 minutes played. The new rules have enhanced football to an amazing degree, but it was a pity that two exceptional teams did not get the chance to do it all again, as a draw would have been a fitting result. 

The free that was awarded when the referee brought the ball forward 50 metres because a Finbarr’s player did not hand the ball back is the one rule that I have a problem with, but it would be churlish and petty to major on this issue, as the referee had a very good match and was simply applying the rule.

This was a tough game for the Cork side to lose, and after a superb individual display, their centre forward, Steven Sherlock, who scored 16 points in a wonderful exhibition of accurate and intelligent football, must have felt shattered at the outcome.

A look at what to expect in next year’s championship, if the bookies are to be believed, sees Donegal quoted at odds of 15/2 to bring Sam back to the Hills. Kerry are favourites to retain their All-Ireland at 9/5, while two Northern teams, Tyrone, are available at 10/1 and Armagh close by at 11/1. Donegal are favourites to win a historic three-in-a-row of Ulster titles, as in the most popular bet category, they are 13/5. Armagh are at 5/1, Tyrone at 4/1, while many expect Derry to surprise at odds of 7/2.

Looking back at this year, I was surprised at the amount of nonsense we had to listen to during Donegal’s league campaign. The number of times I encountered someone telling me that Donegal did not want to win the league was incredible and utter nonsense.

In our proud history, we have only once managed to win a National League title, and the attitude about not wanting to win it this year smacked of utter arrogance. It was noticeable that winning the league this year in no way impacted Kerry’s ambition to win the All-Ireland.

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No doubt the David Clifford factor is the main reason for Kerry’s rating as favourites to hold on to their title. To put Clifford’s influence in context is not an easy task.

Already, as he reaches his footballing maturity, he is accepted by many as the greatest footballer ever, and many are of the opinion that it is improbable that his likes will ever be seen again. He is the embodiment of skill and cunning. Nothing seems impossible to him; no game against him is won until the final whistle has blown. He is a colossus in an era of fierce rivalry and epic struggles.

Allied to his incredible ability is his emphasis on preparation, his great guts, and terrific will to win. In my experience, Clifford is so good that it is difficult to imagine any flaws in his game.

His wonderful technique, dedication, temperament, and courage make him unique. Clifford also has the ability to produce the goods when most needed. Already, he is not just a Kerry man but belongs to the whole of Ireland. Where football is talked about, he is the icon; he is the one against whom every other player is measured.

Today, football and hurling, at their most exalted levels, have never been in better shape. They command great attendances and television audiences and have lavish sponsorship. A reason for Donegal optimism as the new year quickly approaches is the fact that Michael Murphy is again available for the new season. To see Michael on the podium at the All-Stars banquet was a reason for every Donegal follower to feel immense pride. The Glenswilly man was right up there in Clifford’s league, that is how good the Donegal full forward was, and hopefully he will continue in that vein.