National Forum

Rose Tinted Glasses.

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Lots of talk about how boring robotic etc modern football has become. Looking back on a few All_Irelands from the70s I was struck with just how awful the game was. The folllowing typified GAA football in the past.

Aimless hoofing of the ball into the other half.

The awful handpass/throw- what an abomination that was

Tackles that would get you red carded on a rubgy pitch. Have a look at Brian Mullins' tackle on Ger Power in second half of '77 fina!

The terrible point taking.

Poor officiating

Are we looking back on the past with rose tinted glasses?? What do people consider the Golden Age of GAA football? What was the greatest final??? Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???

avonali (Dublin) - Posts: 1991 - 22/06/2021 21:40:37    2352716

Link

Replying To avonali:  "Lots of talk about how boring robotic etc modern football has become. Looking back on a few All_Irelands from the70s I was struck with just how awful the game was. The folllowing typified GAA football in the past.

Aimless hoofing of the ball into the other half.

The awful handpass/throw- what an abomination that was

Tackles that would get you red carded on a rubgy pitch. Have a look at Brian Mullins' tackle on Ger Power in second half of '77 fina!

The terrible point taking.

Poor officiating

Are we looking back on the past with rose tinted glasses?? What do people consider the Golden Age of GAA football? What was the greatest final??? Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???"
sorry, that should have read '77 semi-final of course. The so called 'greatest game of all time'.

avonali (Dublin) - Posts: 1991 - 22/06/2021 22:20:58    2352720

Link

Replying To avonali:  "Lots of talk about how boring robotic etc modern football has become. Looking back on a few All_Irelands from the70s I was struck with just how awful the game was. The folllowing typified GAA football in the past.

Aimless hoofing of the ball into the other half.

The awful handpass/throw- what an abomination that was

Tackles that would get you red carded on a rubgy pitch. Have a look at Brian Mullins' tackle on Ger Power in second half of '77 fina!

The terrible point taking.

Poor officiating

Are we looking back on the past with rose tinted glasses?? What do people consider the Golden Age of GAA football? What was the greatest final??? Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???"
I definitely think that alot of the magic has left hurling, it's a far more physical sport than it was when I started following it, and it's the slightly worse for it imo,
As for modern football? The refs are a bit too whistle happy, and some of the diving and cynicism is vomit inducing (I don't care what anyone says, it's way worse now than it was 20 years ago), and of course the leinster title is non existent compared to the fantastic tournament it was, and the all Ireland championship is woefully uncompetitive, the dubs may only get one tough game per year, if that.
There's still lots of good games no doubt but you increasingly have to go lower down the leagues to find them.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 22/06/2021 22:26:07    2352721

Link

I'd go along with that. Some awful games back then. Big improvement was the free from the hands.

It used to be the case that every free would stop the game till everyone got back into position and then the ball would be kicked into the opposing half. Usually a free to the defence would occur and then another stop in play.

Standard is much better now and the ball in play much longer.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1537 - 22/06/2021 22:30:18    2352722

Link

Replying To avonali:  "Lots of talk about how boring robotic etc modern football has become. Looking back on a few All_Irelands from the70s I was struck with just how awful the game was. The folllowing typified GAA football in the past.

Aimless hoofing of the ball into the other half.

The awful handpass/throw- what an abomination that was

Tackles that would get you red carded on a rubgy pitch. Have a look at Brian Mullins' tackle on Ger Power in second half of '77 fina!

The terrible point taking.

Poor officiating

Are we looking back on the past with rose tinted glasses?? What do people consider the Golden Age of GAA football? What was the greatest final??? Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???"
OK here s my view. It's complicated. Yes we always think things were better before but that's not reality. I agree when you look at old games some of the stuff was cringing. However the games were very exciting. Today the players are much fitter and it's more scientific. Years ago a free taker place the free and took it. Now they take their time. Obviously today's teams would beat the older teams easily But if the older teams got the same coaching training etc as today's teams then who knows. Seriously I think football and hurling has got a little more boring. I mean if a team is winning now playing keep ball for a few minutes the only fans that will enjoy are the winning team but it's a hard watch for opposing fans and neutrals. Years ago the big teams had one man in charge with a few selectors. Nowadays they have dieticians running coaches boxing basketball coaches head doctors trainers managers forward and back coaches. Different times. Now the teams do play better as a unit but as a spectacle I'm not so sure. Hurling likewise the scoring has trebled but it's nearly too easy. Years ago watch g a half back score was Brill. Now its the norm to score from 100 yards. Now of course things improve. Players today are much better passers of a ball and possession is king but while it makes more sense its not as exciting imo. I do think free takers today are better and goalies are better. Not necessary better shot stopper but better at ball distribution. Players are faster cos they are fitter and have more time to train compared to older players. What was the greatest final? Hard to say but a great final has to be exciting as in close. It does nt mean the best football. I mean the greatest display of hurling I ever saw in an all ireland final was by Kilkenny v Waterford but it was a ***** final so again hard to call. I remember most football finals from 75 and imo Kerry have been in a few but we lost all the good ones we were in 2019 v Dublin 05 and 08 v Tyrone and 83 v Offaly was a good final. Mayo v Dublin had two very good finals. Galway Kildare 98 was nt bad.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3918 - 22/06/2021 22:48:06    2352729

Link

Replying To avonali:  "Lots of talk about how boring robotic etc modern football has become. Looking back on a few All_Irelands from the70s I was struck with just how awful the game was. The folllowing typified GAA football in the past.

Aimless hoofing of the ball into the other half.

The awful handpass/throw- what an abomination that was

Tackles that would get you red carded on a rubgy pitch. Have a look at Brian Mullins' tackle on Ger Power in second half of '77 fina!

The terrible point taking.

Poor officiating

Are we looking back on the past with rose tinted glasses?? What do people consider the Golden Age of GAA football? What was the greatest final??? Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???"
Also II can only comment from the mid 70 s onwards but a golden age of football has to be one with a few contender really. I mean the last decade has been a golden age for Dublin with Mayo and Kerry laggi g behind but history remembers winners mainly so it won't go down as a golden age (although some brilliant finals were played in the era). For me the Golden age of football has to be the 90s where we had so many different champions Cork Down (Twice) Donegal Derry Dublin Meath (twice) Kerry and Galway and you had Mayo and Kildare getting to finals.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3918 - 22/06/2021 22:55:36    2352732

Link

Replying To avonali:  "Lots of talk about how boring robotic etc modern football has become. Looking back on a few All_Irelands from the70s I was struck with just how awful the game was. The folllowing typified GAA football in the past.

Aimless hoofing of the ball into the other half.

The awful handpass/throw- what an abomination that was

Tackles that would get you red carded on a rubgy pitch. Have a look at Brian Mullins' tackle on Ger Power in second half of '77 fina!

The terrible point taking.

Poor officiating

Are we looking back on the past with rose tinted glasses?? What do people consider the Golden Age of GAA football? What was the greatest final??? Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???"
Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???

No :D

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8753 - 22/06/2021 23:08:31    2352735

Link

The game has evolved almost beyond recognition from the 70's. Players today are training much more regularly from a much younger age and with access to vastly superior coaching. Players are therefore fitter, faster and more skilful than ever. The ball is far lighter allowing for smoother kicking and hand passing. Sports science has also moved the game on, particularly at the highest level.

You could say that about just about any sport though. Look back at a hurling, soccer or rugby game from previous eras and you'll find the same advancement in standards has occurred.

Golden age of football for me was the 90's, different team winning it every year, fantastic players like Giles, Getaghty, Linden, Curran, Tohill, Joyce & Donnellan Maurice Fitz & Corkery. It was a really open competition back then with any number of winners.

In relation to today's football the big issue people have is the methodical, analytics driven system that the Dubs are using. It's brilliantly executed, but surely even the most staunch Dubs must concede that it can be hard on the eyes at times. The answer to it is to be better than them and get a lead, force them to abandon the slow hand passing and time wasting. It's really that simple. Easier said than done of course.

GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2113 - 22/06/2021 23:40:05    2352741

Link

Football has never been better in my opinion. The 2017 football final was the most intense, enthralling spectacle I ever witnessed. I remember sitting in my seat afterwards unable to move, yes the disappointment was overwhelming but I was wrecked....and looking around everyone else was too.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11566 - 22/06/2021 23:53:18    2352742

Link

Replying To avonali:  "Lots of talk about how boring robotic etc modern football has become. Looking back on a few All_Irelands from the70s I was struck with just how awful the game was. The folllowing typified GAA football in the past.

Aimless hoofing of the ball into the other half.

The awful handpass/throw- what an abomination that was

Tackles that would get you red carded on a rubgy pitch. Have a look at Brian Mullins' tackle on Ger Power in second half of '77 fina!

The terrible point taking.

Poor officiating

Are we looking back on the past with rose tinted glasses?? What do people consider the Golden Age of GAA football? What was the greatest final??? Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???"
Have to agree with you, ye couldn't look at it. Today's football at least has a bit of structure to it. Garryowens were a regular sight. Frees took with the ball still running along the ground and as you say the mighty hoof. Terrible stuff. As finals go I'd go for 2005, but I'm biased.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2295 - 23/06/2021 01:32:39    2352748

Link

Replying To avonali:  "Lots of talk about how boring robotic etc modern football has become. Looking back on a few All_Irelands from the70s I was struck with just how awful the game was. The folllowing typified GAA football in the past.

Aimless hoofing of the ball into the other half.

The awful handpass/throw- what an abomination that was

Tackles that would get you red carded on a rubgy pitch. Have a look at Brian Mullins' tackle on Ger Power in second half of '77 fina!

The terrible point taking.

Poor officiating

Are we looking back on the past with rose tinted glasses?? What do people consider the Golden Age of GAA football? What was the greatest final??? Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???"
Totally agree. You watch some of those games from the 70s and 80s on GAA gold and the standard is absolutely atrocious in my view. As you say, as soon as you get the ball just leather it as hard as you can down the field. For me, the game today is a much better product.

the_walls (Mayo) - Posts: 497 - 23/06/2021 09:07:46    2352753

Link

1998

WunderBar (Galway) - Posts: 290 - 23/06/2021 09:11:35    2352754

Link

good on u, glad someone else can see it, looking at 75 final, dire is a total understatement

Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 2974 - 23/06/2021 09:17:20    2352757

Link

Replying To avonali:  "Lots of talk about how boring robotic etc modern football has become. Looking back on a few All_Irelands from the70s I was struck with just how awful the game was. The folllowing typified GAA football in the past.

Aimless hoofing of the ball into the other half.

The awful handpass/throw- what an abomination that was

Tackles that would get you red carded on a rubgy pitch. Have a look at Brian Mullins' tackle on Ger Power in second half of '77 fina!

The terrible point taking.

Poor officiating

Are we looking back on the past with rose tinted glasses?? What do people consider the Golden Age of GAA football? What was the greatest final??? Any chance we could keep this thread free of the usual Dublin V Kerry BS???"
Absolutely, I'm not old enough to remember before the 90s but having watched a lot of old games back over the first lockdown I was shocked that people harped on about the standard of that. The majority of the game was aimless kicks and fight for breaks. All frees were put on the ground and lumped forward. There were 2/3 skillful forwards per team.

If you watch an intercounty match this weekend you'll see corner backs that are able to run up the field and kick points over from 35 yards out, goalkeepers who can hit a man in the chest on the run 40 yards away.

How people can say the skill levels are lesser nowadays is beyond me, what makes the modern intercounty scene boring is the lack of competitiveness, that's all.

Victorious87 (Wicklow) - Posts: 601 - 23/06/2021 09:21:27    2352759

Link

Replying To avonali:  "sorry, that should have read '77 semi-final of course. The so called 'greatest game of all time'."
That's going to be a hard job avonali! In my watching lifetime I'd go for Tyrone v Kerry in 2008.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15765 - 23/06/2021 09:29:35    2352761

Link

More thoughts. Getti g rid of the handpass score was great. Although there were more scores it was too easy. On today's game the free from the hands is fine but I think one should nt be allowed score from a free from the hands. I think a free should be taken off the ground and it's more skilful. I meann cmon. Anyone of us could kick a free off the hands over the bar 14 or 21 yards out in front of goal with a pair of jeans and hobnail boots on. No skill there. Pitches are better now also and players looked after better
They work less have less travel so its easier nowadays too. The game is more skilful now to a degree with less mistakes but it's all about possession like basketball. The players today as a rule probably a bit more skilful but yet players like Matt Connor could play in any era. Backs now are better ballers but forwards now I wonder are they better scorers. Now a forward can bé brilliant without scoring whereas years back of a forward could nt score he was gone. However one thing I do miss in both hurling and football was the high ball battles between the full back and full forward.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3918 - 23/06/2021 09:49:34    2352765

Link

To be honest it's very hard to compare eras like music sport etc as time changes everything.Everything changes like technology etc and yes it's better but is it more appealing? For younger people yes. Every sport athletes get faster stronger. Look at heavyweight boxing. Muhammed Ali "The Greatest" well he would nt be big enough to be a heavyweight today. The games yesteryear were very entertaining for their time but that time has gone. The game now has its entertainment value and in 20 years time people will look back and say the games now were nt great. I suppose its all about perception really. The skill level as a rule is much better nowadays But and it's a big but with hurling in particular I think its too easy score now and that takes the entertainment value away a little.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3918 - 23/06/2021 10:02:55    2352771

Link

Replying To Saynothing:  "Have to agree with you, ye couldn't look at it. Today's football at least has a bit of structure to it. Garryowens were a regular sight. Frees took with the ball still running along the ground and as you say the mighty hoof. Terrible stuff. As finals go I'd go for 2005, but I'm biased."
You would pick that one. Only joking. 2005 was a great final as was 08.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3918 - 23/06/2021 10:05:29    2352773

Link

IMO, Hurling is evolving.
If you look at Kilkenny 06 to 15 they were the best team in the land and they played to there strengths.
Man on man and win the 50/50 duels. If teams still played like that against them now they would still win more often then not.
Coaching tickets have come up with ways for there teams to play to there strengths. Sometimes it works to win the ultimate prize (Clare, Galway, Limerick) sometimes it doesn't (Waterford).
What is the most notable change across both codes I believe is the skill levels and the strength and conditioning.
Looking at Derry v Limerick recently in the league I was very impressed with the way Derry were able to transition the ball up the field at speed and the skill of there inside line to take a score.
The skill levels of some of the hurlers we have now is something to be admired. Seamus Flanagan scores some wonderful points for Limerick, last years All Ireland Final comes to mind. This skill level permeates at all levels of the game, last year I saw Christy Moorehouse of Bray/Wicklow give an exhibition of forward play.
By no means is every game good and by no means was every game poor 20/30/40 years ago.
Just sit back and enjoy the good ones we have

Southsham (Limerick) - Posts: 752 - 23/06/2021 10:24:23    2352779

Link

Replying To CiarraiMick:  "More thoughts. Getti g rid of the handpass score was great. Although there were more scores it was too easy. On today's game the free from the hands is fine but I think one should nt be allowed score from a free from the hands. I think a free should be taken off the ground and it's more skilful. I meann cmon. Anyone of us could kick a free off the hands over the bar 14 or 21 yards out in front of goal with a pair of jeans and hobnail boots on. No skill there. Pitches are better now also and players looked after better
They work less have less travel so its easier nowadays too. The game is more skilful now to a degree with less mistakes but it's all about possession like basketball. The players today as a rule probably a bit more skilful but yet players like Matt Connor could play in any era. Backs now are better ballers but forwards now I wonder are they better scorers. Now a forward can bé brilliant without scoring whereas years back of a forward could nt score he was gone. However one thing I do miss in both hurling and football was the high ball battles between the full back and full forward."
Ya years ago it was more about individual battles all over the field , you had the best backs marking the best forwards 1 on 1 and the 4 midfielders killing each other there was nowhere to hide and that for me was great to watch, nowadays a good forward will be double if not even triple marked and now instead of having 2 midfielders you have a middle 8 with goalies hitting the corner back with a 5 yard dribble ball and the ball being slowly hand passed over and back up the field.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 23/06/2021 10:26:42    2352781

Link